Where to eat at Universal Orlando including menus

[damo]

Confisco's has been getting a lot of really good reviews lately too.

 

[macraven]

Confisco's has been getting a lot of really good reviews lately too.

i really enjoy this place!

i have been eating there the last two years since it improved and have not been disappointed.

i went solo and received just as attentive service as those in large groups.

 

[Threeboysandachickie]

Thanks April! We will find out for sure in 1 1/2 weeks. Can't wait...first days lunch is at Mythos!

 

[DryCreek]

Meal Deal.

We pre-purchased the two-park Meal Deal for our vacation on May 12th to 17th with four days in the parks. Overall, I think that is a good deal if you are the type that likes to spend all day in the parks like we do. Using counter service restaurants gives us more flexibility by not having to make reservations or stick to some plan to be near a certain restaurant at a specified time.

Overall, we now feel that this plan would be great for two days, maximum. Since the number of venues is limited (three each park) and the menus are not that expansive, you tend to get tired of the same menu choices each day. After four days of park to park access, we pretty much developed a routine. We started out each morning in IOA to take advantage of early park entry to the WWOHP, and then started hitting the other rides as the crowds built in at WWOHP. At 11 (the earliest you can use the Meal Deal) we would stop and have lunch, usually at the Comic Strip Café. I liked the beef and broccoli, and the wife tried a few of the other entrees. We usually split a salad between us too. On the Chinese entrees, we found that they would substitute another helping of vegetables for the rice if you asked. After an early lunch (avoiding lines) we would continue our park rides/shows until about 1 p.m. when we would return to the hotel room for a swim or just plain old down time. We would return to the parks by about 3 p.m. and grab a quick snack before we’d hit the things we missed earlier in the day. For most days this consisted of a slice of pizza and side salad for the wife, and a salad for me at Louie’s. Once or twice they even let the wife substitute a bowl of soup for her side salad. Dinner was usually about 45 minutes prior to park closing, and was almost always at Monsters Café. We would get the rotisserie chicken dinner and substitute more broccoli for the mashed potatoes and gravy. There they would also substitute a fruit cup for the usual dessert choices. I would go through the line first and get the wedge salad for us to split, then we’d get the entrees.

Like I said, this worked good for about two days, and then we wished for more choices. I did try the lasagna once at Monsters, and it was good, and I have been known to also order the spaghetti dinner without the meatballs. They will work on substitutions at some of the eateries, but not all. The closer it is to closing the more accommodating they were.

General observations:
The veggie burger at Burger Digs (without cheese) was horrible, even with all of the possible additions from the fixings bar. Maybe jalapeno could help, but I wouldn't hold out any hope. The wife’s cheeseburger was bland, and kinda’ dry. The chicken at Monsters was good, and usually not too dried out. The Chinese selections were edible, but not great. The pizza (according to my wife) was great at Louie’s, and passable at other venues. I only had the Alfredo once, and it wasn’t memorable. The salads were pretty good, with the least amount of Caesar dressing (my preference) at Comic Strip Café. We never tried Mel’s, but it seems that they would be pretty much on par with the other places we ate at. The grilled chicken sandwiches are OK, but not great. The DW liked the cookies for dessert, and found the cupcakes passable. They even had some form of brownie on some days. It wasn’t as heavy as it looked, according to the DW’s report. The Jello was my go-to dessert. I just want to warn everyone though – the white gluey and sticky stuff between the red and blue layers of Jello is inedible.

On review, I see that Mel’s offered a plain Grilled Chicken Salad. I hate that I missed the chance to try that. While the Caesar was OK, I am a salt and pepper on my salad person. Well, maybe next time. Also forgot to mention that we didn’t eat at the Circus McGurkus either.

Venues. Our favorite was Louie’s. It was clean, well lit and laid out for handling crowds better than others. The food was pretty good at Monsters, but unless you sit in the far end of the Aliens section (closest to Shrek attraction) you will be continuously bombarded with a throbbing techno beat soundtrack set at the highest volume possible. The theming was excellent, and I like the Creature From The Black Lagoon in the glass cage. Comic Strip Café annoyed us at times. They insisted on leaving doors open, and the flies swarmed in during meals. So did the little sparrows. Luckily none of them “added” to our plates, but there was evidence of their passage in some areas! Burger Digs was interesting that it was a part of the Jurassic Discovery Center, but the food bordered on inedible. The dining area was not kept as clean as the other places we visited.

Drinks – not included in the meal plan. I tend to drink coke or other cola/soft drinks only after they have been properly sterilized by an approved additive. Seagrams, Crown Royal and Jim Beam all meet those standards for me. Since this would be inappropriate at a theme park, I opted to just have them dispense two glasses of ice water for me each time I passed through the line. Although they didn’t seem overly eager when I requested a refill, it was never refused.

Any questions? I’ll do my best to answer them

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I was looking for deals for my upcoming trip at restaurants.com. I found this one for those that may be interested. It isn't much of a savings but anything helps.

http://www.restaurant.com/bice-rist...talian-restaurant-pid=41035?tnt.microsite=3.4

 

[damo]

I was looking for deals for my upcoming trip at restaurants.com. I found this one for those that may be interested. It isn't much of a savings but anything helps.

http://www.restaurant.com/bice-rist...talian-restaurant-pid=41035?tnt.microsite=3.4

Just a warning that Bice is very expensive.

 

[DryCreek]

Just a warning that Bice is very expensive.

Ohhh yeah it is. I was showing the wife the menu as we walked by. Some quick math and she declared that we wouldn't be eating anywhere where the tab would be $125 for two.

On edit - I would like to add that it seemed their patrons were having a great time, and the white-jacketed servers did add a touch of old world charm to the scene of those dining alfresco on the rooftop areas.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Just a warning that Bice is very expensive.

Ohhh yeah it is. I was showing the wife the menu as we walked by. Some quick math and she declared that we wouldn't be eating anywhere where the tab would be $125 for two.

On edit - I would like to add that it seemed their patrons were having a great time, and the white-jacketed servers did add a touch of old world charm to the scene of those dining alfresco on the rooftop areas.

I really didn't look at the prices too much. I knew we wouldn't be eating there. I got a coupon for a cheapo Chinese restaurant on Sand Lake that looks like it is near US. That being said...it is a $15 coupon costing $6 or something like that. For that expensive of a meal...what is the point?

 

[Metro West]

I was looking for deals for my upcoming trip at restaurants.com. I found this one for those that may be interested. It isn't much of a savings but anything helps.

Are you going to have a car when you're visiting? I know of some great places that are out of the tourist area if you are interested...but you'll need a car.

 

[damo]

Are you going to have a car when you're visiting? I know of some great places that are out of the tourist area if you are interested...but you'll need a car.

Metro, if you could provide a list of those places, I'll put them in the original post. That's great info for a lot of people.

 

[Metro West]

Metro, if you could provide a list of those places, I'll put them in the original post. That's great info for a lot of people.

Here are some of my favorites spots to eat in particular order:

1. RusTeak - located in Ocoee but easy to get to. Prices are reasonable and the restaurant is usually busy. http://www.rusteakwinebar.com

2. Four Rivers BBQ - located in Winter Park. Very good BBQ and is usually very crowded for dinner. http://4rsmokehouse.com

3. Teak Neighborhood Grill - located in MetroWest. Sports bar type of atmosphere with live music most nights. http://www.teakorlando.com

4. Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ - located five minutes from Universal. Excellent BBQ. http://bubbalous.com

5. Toojay's - located in Ocoee. Family style restaurant serving comfort food. The desserts are heavenly. http://www.toojays.com

6. Polonia Polish - located in Longwood. Very good food and friendly atmosphere. http://www.polonia-restaurant.com

 

[schumigirl]

Metro, if you could provide a list of those places, I'll put them in the original post. That's great info for a lot of people.

I know one will be Teak Neighborhood Grill damo

http://www.teakorlando.com/#!menus

Metro took us to this place and it was lovely. One of the best burgers I ever ate Would recommend it to everyone to try.

It`s on our must do every year list now

Also love Bubbalous Bodacious Barbeque.....fantastic food and sooooo cheap

http://bubbalous.com/bbq-menu/dine-in-menu/

 

[schumigirl]

lol.......you just beat me in there Metro

 

[Metro West]

lol.......you just beat me in there Metro

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Are you going to have a car when you're visiting? I know of some great places that are out of the tourist area if you are interested...but you'll need a car.

Yes...we will have a car. I have several places on my TripAdvisor list that I want to try. Thanks for your suggestions. I will check them out. I think I had both of the BBQ places on my wish list. One of the issues that we have is that DH is on a whole food -plant based diet. Meaning all whole grains and no animal products. Makes it challenging. We are getting a condo with a full kitchen but this is vacation. I want as little cooking and cleaning as possible.

ps..I am pretty sure one of those BBQ places is near a vegetarian restaurant. We have older teens making it possible for them to eat one place and the adults to eat at another.

Adding more.... I just looked at the websites...

. Toojay's - located in Ocoee. Family style restaurant serving comfort food. The desserts are heavenly. http://www.toojays.com


Toojay's will be perfect! Thank you!

 

[Metro West]

Yes...we will have a car. I have several places on my TripAdvisor list that I want to try. Thanks for your suggestions. I will check them out. I think I had both of the BBQ places on my wish list. One of the issues that we have is that DH is on a whole food -plant based diet. Meaning all whole grains and no animal products. Makes it challenging. We are getting a condo with a full kitchen but this is vacation. I want as little cooking and cleaning as possible.

ps..I am pretty sure one of those BBQ places is near a vegetarian restaurant. We have older teens making it possible for them to eat one place and the adults to eat at another.

Check out the menus for the places I mentioned...I'm sure you can find something to suit everyone.

 

[macraven]

i can vouch for Bubba's !!!!!

delicious!!

Metro West and i hit that place before.

 

[Metro West]

Toojay's will be perfect! Thank you!

Oh...you'll love Toojay's. They have excellent food and something for everyone!

 

[englishrose47]

I would add KOBE , which is a Japanese restaurant the Food was GREAT!! I know it was not far from our hotel which was very close to the Pirate Adventure !!

 

[Metro West]

I would add KOBE , which is a Japanese restaurant the Food was GREAT!! I know it was not far from our hotel which was very close to the Pirate Adventure !!

There's a Kobe right across from Universal...went there once...never again. Food was OK but I thought it was a little pricey for my tastes.