Universal Food & Drink Thread

[Parkscope Joe]

I've heard the Chicken Sandwich at Cletus is quite good. I might have to try that out.

TouringPlans readers rate FFB 34th out of 34 quick service in the parks.

Fast Food Boulevard · Universal Studios Florida · Universal Orlando

Fast Food Boulevard · Universal Studios Florida · Universal Orlando - TouringPlans.com

touringplans.com

 

[MAC]

TouringPlans readers rate FFB 34th out of 34 quick service in the parks.

Fast Food Boulevard · Universal Studios Florida · Universal Orlando

Fast Food Boulevard · Universal Studios Florida · Universal Orlando - TouringPlans.com

touringplans.com

That's pretty interesting. I wonder why.

But... I want that Chicken and Waffle sandwich

 

[Stonecoldfreak1]

That's pretty interesting. I wonder why.

But... I want that Chicken and Waffle sandwich

Unless it came back, they took that off the menu around April or May. Very weird decision, because it's the only menu item I would hear people speak positively about.

 

[MAC]

Unless it came back, they took that off the menu around April or May. Very weird decision, because it's the only menu item I would hear people speak positively about.

Welp, day ruined.

 

[TheUniC6]

Unless it came back, they took that off the menu around April or May. Very weird decision, because it's the only menu item I would hear people speak positively about.

It appears to have been taken off the menu at USH as well. Perhaps they are paring things down of less popular items ahead of the Simpsons departing in the next few years?

 

[Stonecoldfreak1]

It appears to have been taken off the menu at USH as well. Perhaps they are paring things down of less popular items ahead of the Simpsons departing in the next few years?

USH removed that sandwich at the same time they added the cold brew, changed up donuts, etc a few weeks ago so I dunno. Orlando on the other hand didn't get any new items, but lost the sandwich and curly fries.

 

[Mad Dog]

Goat Curry at Strong Water Tavern

Yes, it's excellent. We've had that quite a few times over the years....The small plates are all very good, and interesting. Generally, we'll order three and split them among the two of us. That's just right for us.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Welp, day ruined.

FFB was pretty good when it opened but post covid it’s been going down hill. Last time I got the chicken and waffle sandwich years ago it was dry and bad.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

RIP Chicken and Waffle sandwich, it used to be so good

Btw I forgot to mention earlier - but the Swamp Dog at Swamp Snacks is another favorite

 

[MAC]

Yes, it's excellent. We've had that quite a few times over the years....The small plates are all very good, and interesting. Generally, we'll order three and split them among the two of us. That's just right for us.

I've heard good things about Strong Water Tavern so going to try and fit that in.

FFB was pretty good when it opened but post covid it’s been going down hill. Last time I got the chicken and waffle sandwich years ago it was dry and bad.

That's a bummer. Huge fan of FFB (and the previous International Food + Film Fesitval food court even if the food was meh).

 

[kingcooger]

Am I reading the menus wrong or is Agnes’ honeymoon soup and grilled cheese also gone?

 

[Disneyhead]

Goat Curry at Strong Water Tavern

Usually not a fan of coconut rice, but it is perfect with the curry.

I've heard good things about Strong Water Tavern so going to try and fit that in.

That's a bummer. Huge fan of FFB (and the previous International Food + Film Fesitval food court even if the food was meh).

Strongwater is considered by many to be the best restaurant on property. The Palm at Hard Rock Hotel and BiCE at Portofino Bay are also in that debate. But both of those are 3rd party restaurants. Meaning they are not Universal owned and operated restaurants. Strongwater is especially good after dark overlooking the lagoon with the boats. And the fire pit off to the side.

And 300 bottles of rum and skilled mixologists.

 

[MAC]

Usually not a fan of coconut rice, but it is perfect with the curry.



Strongwater is considered by many to be the best restaurant on property. The Palm at Hard Rock Hotel and BiCE at Portofino Bay are also in that debate. But both of those are 3rd party restaurants. Meaning they are not Universal owned and operated restaurants. Strongwater is especially good after dark overlooking the lagoon with the boats. And the fire pit off to the side.

And 300 bottles of rum and skilled mixologists.

You had me at 300 bottles of rum

 

[DragonSlayer]

There’s clearly quite a bit of value engineering going on at the moment to streamline supply chains — the tater tots side option is also gone from FFB, for example. More same-ey options across locations currently, as opposed to the variety of a year or two ago.

It’s nice they’re adding some limited things at the same time like the Jaws menu, but even so it’s essentially burger or burger or burger. I’ve found it especially difficult to find anything interesting to eat in IOA recently and that’ll be even worse when the final LC locations go.

Pro tip though, the sandwiches with the tater tots side at Bread Box are a pretty decent deal.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Strongwater is considered by many to be the best restaurant on property. The Palm at Hard Rock Hotel and BiCE at Portofino Bay are also in that debate. But both of those are 3rd party restaurants. Meaning they are not Universal owned and operated restaurants. Strongwater is especially good after dark overlooking the lagoon with the boats. And the fire pit off to the side.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding - but isn't Strongwater also 3rd party? I assume all the hotel restaurants are run by Loews?

There’s clearly quite a bit of value engineering going on at the moment to streamline supply chains — the tater tots side option is also gone from FFB, for example. More same-ey options across locations currently, as opposed to the variety of a year or two ago.

It’s nice they’re adding some limited things at the same time like the Jaws menu, but even so it’s essentially burger or burger or burger. I’ve found it especially difficult to find anything interesting to eat in IOA recently and that’ll be even worse when the final LC locations go.

Pro tip though, the sandwiches with the tater tots side at Bread Box are a pretty decent deal.

Yeah it's a bit of a shame - seeing things like the Big Apple Grilled Cheese go away at Today Cafe in favor of another deli meat sandwich is a shame lol

 

[Grabnar]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding - but isn't Strongwater also 3rd party? I assume all the hotel restaurants are run by Loews?


Yeah it's a bit of a shame - seeing things like the Big Apple Grilled Cheese go away at Today Cafe in favor of another deli meat sandwich is a shame lol

Loews is a bit weird, BiCe and Palm are entirely separate restaurant groups that have space in those hotels that I believe were grandfathered from the OG contracts like Emeril’s was until it closed.

 

[Mad Dog]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding - but isn't Strongwater also 3rd party? I assume all the hotel restaurants are run by Loews?


Yeah it's a bit of a shame - seeing things like the Big Apple Grilled Cheese go away at Today Cafe in favor of another deli meat sandwich is a shame lol

If you eat at Strongwater, request Maggie as your server. She works Monday through Friday. She's so good that the Loews Executives request her as their server when they stop at Strongwater. Maggie, and Carlos the kitchen/bar chef/ manager, have been there since opening day. Definitely my favorite bar/restaurant at Universal.