Every year from September 15 through October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States, giving us the opportunity to honor the vibrant cultures, histories, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. Of course, a huge part of Hispanic and Latino culture is the flavorful food and creating a sense of community around it by sharing with family and friends. This year, several chefs across Universal Orlando Resort have turned up the flavor and created a mouthwatering lineup of food and beverage offerings inspired by countries across Latin America — from Puerto Rico to Peru, Brazil to Mexico and more.
I got the chance to speak to some of the chefs behind the menu and learn more about the flavorful offerings coming this month. So whether you’re looking for a taste of home or you’re a foodie looking for something new to try, here’s what you can expect during this culinary celebration.
Latin Flair Trio at Mythos Restaurant
Chef Jessica Maldonado, a Puerto Rican sous chef at Mythos Restaurant in Universal Islands of Adventure, is the creative mind behind this delicious dish. Chef Jessica recalls growing up and learning in the kitchen with, “the basics; the rice, the beans and the pork, and the platanos. The platanos were our main [thing]. So that was my base to fall in love with cooking.”
For her dish, Chef Jessica thought: “Let’s build something that will represent Latin America,” and so the Latin Flair Trio came about. This dish is a trio of vibrant flavors made up of a Venezuelan cachapa with white cheese, cilantro sauce and crispy carrots, an Argentinian seared beef with chimichurri, and a Puerto Rican mofongo with pork belly, plantain chips, salsa rosada (or mayoketchup), red cabbage, and jicama slaw.
“When I cook, I cook like it’s for my family,” Chef Jessica shares. “I really enjoy seeing [guests] eat what I create.” She also recalls making this dish for her three kids and having them test it — “they love it, they absolutely love it” — and says she hopes that, “When you taste this, you will see that this is coming from the heart.”
Lomo Saltado at Lombard’s Seafood Grille
Chef Jose Acosta Yalta, restaurant chef at Lombard’s Seafood Grille in Universal Studios Florida, created this next dish to celebrate his Peruvian roots. While growing up, Chef Jose’s family reunions were always centered around food. “When we celebrate something, when we want to congratulate somebody, we always cook their favorite dish,” he says. The Lomo Saltado is the dish his grandmother would cook for him to celebrate his accomplishments, “and that was my favorite dish…that was the first dish I learned how to [cook],” he says. This dish is a Peruvian stir fry steak with red onions, tomatoes, green onion, soy sauce and cilantro served with fries, rice and corn.
Chef Jose has been working at Universal Orlando for almost a year now. He recalls visiting the theme parks on vacation while he still lived in Peru and telling his younger brother, “you know what, I’m going to try my best to work here and put Peruvian food [on the menu].” So when he had the opportunity to create a dish for Hispanic and Latino Heritage month, there was no question what it would be. “It has to be the Lomo Saltado,” he says. “It has to be the recipe that means so much to me and my family. So this is just like a full circle [moment].”
Beverages at Confisco Grille, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Cafe La Bamba and CelesTiki
We can’t have all this delicious food without some drinks to go along. I had the chance to speak with Josh Franck, beverage program manager at Universal Orlando Resort. Josh’s team pulls inspiration from various Latin American countries to create beverage options that remain true to the traditional flavors while still adding a fun twist to them. Part of his team’s process is to turn to team members within the culinary team who are from these countries to make sure they’re getting their stamp of approval.
At Confisco Grille in Universal Islands of Adventure, you can find the Batida. This is a Brazilian cocktail featuring cachaça, lemon juice, passion fruit syrup, cream of coconut and coconut milk and is garnished with a bit of nutmeg.
At Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food in Universal CityWalk and Cafe La Bamba in Universal Studios Florida, you can find the Mango Revolución, a Mexican-inspired cocktail featuring añejo rum, lime juice, mango syrup, chamoy and cola, and is garnished with a Tajin rim. Antojitos will also be serving a Sangrita, which features tequila, blackberry brandy, merlot, lime juice and agave.
At CelesTiki in Universal Epic Universe, you can find the Pitorro Painkiller. This Puerto Rican-inspired drink features rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and cream of coconut and is garnished with a dehydrated blood orange wheel. CelesTiki will also be serving the Brazilian Batida.
If all of that wasn’t making your mouth water already, you can find more delicious flavors across the destination at:
- Finnegan’s Bar & Grill at Universal Studios Florida
- Peruvian Duck – Confit duck, yuca cake, Peruvian cream sauce and cilantro
- Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food at Universal CityWalk
- Squash Blossom Quesadilla – roasted poblano, oyster mushroom, Oaxaca cheese in a flour tortilla with guacamole, lime crema, pickled jalapeño
- The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar at Universal CityWalk
- Caribbean Tripleta – tempura fried rolled sweet plantain, pulled carnitas, chicken, chorizo, and cilantro-garlic aioli
- NBC Sports Grill & Brew at Universal CityWalk
- Triple Play “Tripleta” – smoked turkey, pulled pork, rib eye steak, lettuce, tomato, potato sticks with home-run sauce
- Voodoo Doughnut at Universal CityWalk
- Flan de Queso – yeast donut filled with Bavarian cheese flan topped with caramel icing, vanilla whipped cream and maraschino
- Universal Volcano Bay
- Island Patacon – crispy plantain with roasted pork pernil, mango salsa, cilantro and queso fresco
These limited-time offerings are more than just a delicious menu – they are a tribute to the vibrant cultures and flavors that make up our heritage. And what better way to celebrate it than with your loved ones at Universal Orlando Resort? Let us know what you’re most excited about, and don’t forget to share your photos with us on social media!
Must be 21 years and older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.