When it comes to celebrating culture, few things bring people together as much as great food does. During Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month, Universal Orlando Resort is serving up a variety of specialty food and beverage offerings inspired by the flavors, traditions and culinary influences of Hispanic and Latin American cultures.
From childhood memories to travel experiences and cultural traditions, each dish on this year’s menu has a story behind it. Here’s a closer look at the chefs who brought these flavors to life and the inspiration behind their creations.
Caribbean Crunch Roll at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
When Chef Dania Alvarez-King, restaurant chef at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, set out to create a dish for Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month, she looked to the flavors she grew up with in the Dominican Republic. One ingredient immediately came to mind: plantains.
“Where I lived in the Dominican Republic, everyone has a plantain tree in their backyard,” says Chef Dania. “You just go and cut it from your backyard.”
She created the Caribbean Crunch Roll, fusing the traditional Caribbean flavors with the signature sushi served at the restaurant. The roll features crispy shrimp, chipotle mayo, avocado, sweet and green plantains and a crunchy plantain topping.
Birria Ramen at Lombard’s Seafood Grille
Angel Rivera-Chevere, chef assistant at Lombard’s Seafood Grille, is behind this next dish, which was inspired by a trip to Mexico with his wife and son. While exploring the country, Angel loved the bold flavors of authentic street food like birria tacos and quesabirria.
“My son ordered [quesabirria] as ramen, and I remember thinking, ‘Wait a minute, they do it with ramen too?’ When I tried it, I thought, ‘Wow, this is good,’” says Angel. “That’s when I decided to combine quesabirria and ramen into one dish.”
The Birria Ramen features slow-cooked shredded beef in a flavorful birria consomé with ramen noodles, a cheese quesadilla, onions, scallions and a green chili sauce.
Shrimp and Grouper Moqueca at Mythos Restaurant
The Shrimp and Grouper Moqueca was created by sous chef Christopher McNelley at Mythos Restaurant. Chef Christopher was inspired by his wife’s Brazilian roots, and after a year of living with her in Brazil, he developed a deep appreciation for Brazilian cuisine. So, when he had the opportunity to create a dish for Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month, he knew exactly what it had to be.
This moqueca features a smoked paprika and turmeric-infused broth, coconut Jasmine rice, farofa crocante and toasted coconut.
“I wanted to try to showcase it, represent her and her culture,” Chef Christopher said. “This dish honors my wife and daughter, symbolizing the blending of our two cultures.”
Churrasco Steak Platter at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
Chef Pedro Espino, restaurant chef at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, was excited to bring a steak option to the restaurant after many guests requested it.
“A lot of people that come to the restaurant always ask for a piece of steak,” Chef Pedro said. “My team and I decided to make something that people wanted to have on the menu.”
The dish features grilled churrasco topped with avocado chimichurri and served with rice, beans, eggs and chiles toreados, bringing together many of the flavors guests already love about Antojitos.
For Chef Pedro, who grew up in Peru and spent much of his childhood helping at his family’s restaurant, cooking has always been about bringing people together through food. He draws inspiration from his Peruvian roots while working within Mexican cuisine. “I can adapt what I learned in my country to Mexican cuisine,” he explained.
Margarita Doughnut at Voodoo Doughnut
The Margarita Doughnut was created by Lee Santiago Bermudez, chef assistant at Voodoo Doughnut, who wanted to capture the flavors of the popular cocktail in an unexpected way. Having previously worked at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Lee was inspired by guests enjoying margaritas and began wondering what those flavors might taste like in doughnut form.
“Since we don’t sell margaritas at Voodoo, I wanted to try something different,” says Lee. “And that’s how the Margarita Doughnut came to be.”
The Margarita Doughnut is a raised yeast shell with a margarita jelly, tequila icing and sweet Tajin. Now, if you’re like me, you may be wondering, “How do you get a margarita flavor in a doughnut?”
To recreate the flavors without alcohol, Lee used tequila extract, citrus flavors, a hint of salt and Tajín to mirror the balance of sweet, tart and salty elements found in a classic margarita.
This doughnut was previously featured as a one-day offering for Cinco de Mayo and is actually returning for Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month by popular demand.
Beverage Offerings
The celebration doesn’t stop at the food. Guests can also raise a glass to Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month with a selection of specialty beverages that showcase bold flavors, fresh ingredients and creative twists inspired by Latin American cultures.
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar at Universal CityWalk
- Togarachi-Passionfruit Margarita: Tequila, milagro cointreau, agave, jalapeno, yuzu and lime
- Canchancara: Pitorro, lime and honey
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food at Universal CityWalk
- Sangria-rita: Cuervo blanco tequila, blackberry brandy, Murphy-goode merlot, lime juice and agave
Chez Alcatraz at Universal Studios Florida
- Ay Guava!: Light rum, guava juice, hibiscus syrup, lime juice and club soda
CelesTiki at Universal Epic Universe
- Traditional Caipirinha: Cachaça, sugar and cut lime
- El Macua: Split-base of light and overproof dark rums, guava juice, sugar and lemon juice
Now that you’ve got the inside scoop, there’s only one thing left to do: Try the dishes and drinks for yourself! From savory bites to refreshing beverages, these limited-time offerings are a delicious way to celebrate Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month at Universal Orlando Resort.
Let us know in the comments below what you’re most excited about and make sure to share your photos with us on social media!
Must be 21 years and older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.
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