Recently, I came across an article ranking the foods people search for and post about most online. So I set out to scour all of Universal Orlando Resort looking for the most jaw-dropping, mouth-watering, swipe-worthy foods, and gained a few lbs along the way.
Here are my personal recommendations for where you can find the foods we all love most. Cheers!
Where to Find the Best Pizza (TIE)
Margherita at Sal’s Market Deli (Loews Portofino Bay Hotel)
Ingredients: roma tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella
Funghi at Red Oven Pizza Bakery (Universal CityWalk)
Ingredients: mushroom medley, red onions, fontina, mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, thyme, roasted portobello white truffle oil emulsion
Where to Find the Best Hamburger
The Kitchen Burger at The Kitchen (Hard Rock Hotel Orlando)
Ingredients: Black Angus beef, bacon, cheddar, onion rings, lettuce, tomato, chipotle horseradish aioli
Other recommendations: The Urban at Urban Pantry (Universal’ Aventura Hotel)
Where to Find the Best Sushi
The Prime Time Filet & Lobster Roll at The Cowfish (Universal CityWalk)
Ingredients: lobster and cucumbers inside, topped with seared rare seasoned filet mignon, pan-fried portobello mushroom slices, tossed in truffle oil, green onions and spicy mayo served with a side of pounded ginger sauce
Other recommendations: Tropical Roll at Orchid Court (Loews Royal Pacific Resort)
Where to Find the Best Steak
Filet Mignon at The Palm (Hard Rock Hotel Orlando)
Ingredients: your choice of 14oz or 18oz USDA Prime beef, corn fed, hand-selected and aged a minimum of 35 days topped with parsley butter
Other recommendations: Prime Bone-In Rib-Eye Steak at The Palm (Hard Rock Hotel Orlando)
Where to Find the Best Beer
862 IPA at NBC Sports Grill & Brew (Universal CityWalk)
Ingredients: floral, citrus, grapefruit and pine aroma balanced with a medium-high hop bitterness
(Worth noting, the 862 IPA is one of 100+ beer options at this location.)
Other recommendations: Jake’s American Red Lager at Jake’s American Bar (Loews Royal Pacific Resort)
Where to Find the Best French Fries
Parmesan Bacon Truffle Fries at The Cowfish (Universal CityWalk)
Ingredients: house fries with truffle and parmesan cheese, applewood bacon and chives
Other recommendations: Fly Boy Beef & Cheese Fries at Jake’s American Bar (Loews Royal Pacific Resort)
Where to Find the Best Ice Cream (TIE)
Cookie Jar Milkshake at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen (Universal CityWalk)
Ingredients: vanilla ice cream, fresh whipped cream, blended cookies, topped with crumbled cookies and a whole chocolate chip cookie
The Waturi Fusion Ice Cream Cone at Universal Volcano Bay Water Theme Park
Ingredients: banana, blue raspberry, orange and strawberry soft serve ice cream served in a waffle cone
Where to Find the Best Doughnut
Eight Mile at Voodoo Doughnut (Universal CityWalk)
Ingredients: plain cake doughnut with vanilla frosting and covered in mini M&M’s
Other recommendations: Oh Captain, My Captain at Voodoo Doughnut (Universal CityWalk)
Where to Find the Best Tacos
Cochinita Tacos at Antojitos (Universal CityWalk)
Ingredients: slow cooked achiote pork, orange lime marinade, roasted chipotle sauce, pickled red onion
Other recommendations: Carne Tacos at Antojitos (Universal CityWalk)
Where to Find the Best Pasta
Pollo alla Carbonara at Mama Della’s Ristorante (Loews Portofino Bay Hotel)
Ingredients: chestnut flour roasted chicken, spaghetti, pancetta, English peas
Other recommendations: Gnocchi Verdi al Gorgonzola dolce, Noci e pesto di rucola at BiCE Ristorante (Loews Portofino Bay Hotel)
Where to Find the Best Appetizer (TIE)
Large Warm Soft Pretzel at NBC Sports Grill & Brew (Universal CityWalk)
Ingredients: lightly salted and served with jalapeno queso and Bertman Ball Park Mustard
Braised Pork Belly Bao Buns at Bar 17 Bistro (Universal’s Aventura Hotel)
Ingredients: green onions, cucumbers, pickled fresno chili, ginger sesame, and chili aioli
Where to Find the Best Salad
Chopped Barbecue Grilled Chicken Salad at NBC Sports Grill & Brew (Universal CityWalk)
Ingredients: romaine, iceberg, corn, black beans, roasted peppers, smoked gouda, tomatoes, crispy tabasco onions, avocado, BBQ ranch dressing
Other recommendations: Prosciutto and Arugula Salad at Red Oven Pizza Bakery (Universal CityWalk)
Where to Find the Best Cocktail
Last Typhoon at Strong Water Tavern (Loews Sapphire Falls Resort)
Ingredients: Don Q anejo, pineapple, passion fruit, grapefruit
Other recommendations: Smoked Tequila Old Fashioned (Loews Sapphire Falls Resort)
Am I totally wrong about one of my picks? All of my picks? Let me know in the comments below.