Like any carb lover, I LOVE bread! I love it in all ways, shapes and forms, and I just love when it’s topped or filled with delicious and fresh ingredients. If I’m honest, sandwiches are my favorite food group. Put a sandwich in my hand while waiting in line? Sign me up! A daily diet of only handhelds? I’m there. That’s why I’m so excited to bring you this guide to our favorite sandwiches and handhelds around Universal Orlando Resort, starting off with one of the most iconic sandwiches of the comic strip world…
Universal Islands of Adventure
Blondie’s – The Dagwood
Have you ever experienced the perfect sandwich? I’m talking about the type of sandwich you stack high with ham, turkey, roast beef, American AND Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomatoes while you’re standing in front of the fridge in the middle of the night. At Islands of Adventure, there may not be a fridge light to guide your way, but you can still get your late-night fix at Blondie’s! This is THE sandwich to get if you ever wanted to unhinge your jaw and engulf a sandwich in one bite. Grab one of these and let the atmosphere all around and inside Blondie’s help immerse you into your own comic strip!
Fire Eater’s Grill – Falafel Gyro
Fire Eater’s Grill is one of my favorite gems in the Lost Continent, and the Falafel Gyro is one of the most perfect handhelds in all of Islands of Adventure. Look at it! It just fits right in your hand! The falafel is so fluffy and flavorful, and comes wrapped up in a perfect, soft, tasty pita bread with tzatziki. I highly recommend grabbing one just before you make a visit to the Bootique to shop or stop by to talk to the Mystic Fountain.
Confisco Grille – Pork Belly Banh Mi Sandwich
Out of all the sandwiches I tried on this journey, the Banh Mi from Confisco Grille made my tastebuds practically jump out of my mouth with excitement! Not only was it absolutely beautiful and photogenic, but the pork belly was very crispy and matched perfectly with the chili aioli. My favorite part? The surprise mint mixed in with the pickled carrots and daikon radish, it was so refreshing and very different from any sandwich I’ve ever had. I will always and forever recommend this Banh Mi to anyone visiting Islands of Adventure for the day.
Universal Studios Florida
Illumination’s Minion Cafe – Steak & “Cheese Ray” Sandwich
This one from Illumination’s Minion Cafe was such a good time. If you ever wanted to play with your food, this is the meal for you. The cheese is not only slathered over the French onion-dipped roast beef, but they even added an extra dropper of cheese for you to squeeze on top to your heart’s desire! Make sure you grab yourself several napkins because this handheld is messy, but trust me, you won’t be able to stop yourself from downing the whole thing.
PRO TIP: Try pouring the extra cheese over the Minion tots for an extra delicious cheesy potato snack! You won’t regret it!
TODAY Cafe – The Carnegie
Whenever I find myself missing New York City, I know I can just make a stop at TODAY Cafe for the best pastrami sandwich I’ve had in a theme park. Once you take a bite into the Carnegie, you’ll be transported to the Big Apple in no time. The pastrami is so savory, and it is just ah-mazing how much Dijon mustard they spread on top of it. I’m a major lover of mustard so it’s no surprise that this is my go-to lunch sandwich whenever I’m in Universal Studios Florida.
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill – Grilled Salmon BLT
There are plenty of times when I’ve been walking around all day, sit down at a restaurant and then feel too full to go back out into the Florida heat afterward. That humidity is just too hard to deal with when you’re stuffed! The best thing about the Grilled Salmon BLT at Finnegan’s Bar & Grill is that it fills you up without that heavy feeling after. Plus, the bacon jam is literally one of the best concoctions I’ve ever experienced. Sugary, sweet, salty and savory — all the best S-words!
Universal Volcano Bay
The Feasting Frog – Carne Asada Taco
One of the best handhelds ever, in my humble opinion, is the taco, and the grilled skirt steak in this one from The Feasting Frog made me want to inhale it in one bite. Can you believe there is fresh guacamole and queso fresco in this, too? Topped to the brim! I would actually make a special trip to Volcano Bay just to eat this taco again, it was that groundbreaking.
PRO TIP: Try adding some of the salsa on the tacos to give it a little extra kick of flavor!
Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club – Mango BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Anyone who knows me knows that BBQ is one of my least favorite sauces. So, it came as a real shock to me how much I adored this sandwich from Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club. I mean, so much so that I am begging my husband, who is on the culinary team himself, to find out the sauce ingredients because I have never tasted anything so sweet and tangy without being overwhelming. Not to mention the caramelized pineapple and mango slaw, which added even more depth!
Universal CityWalk
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar – The Jalapeño Popper Show-Stopper
Jalapeños on top of jalapeños (on top of a burger) on top of more jalapeños! If you love jalapeños like I do, you’ll absolutely devour this one. It is definitely a showstopper: jalapeño-infused cream cheese, jalapeño bacon, jalapeño citrus aioli, fresh jalapeños and the true star of the show, fried jalapeños! Truthfully, I want The Cowfish to come out with a snack bag of fried jalapeños so I can take them with me everywhere.
Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches – Whipped Burrata
This was my first time trying burrata, and Bread Box made this the best experience I could have ever had! This open-faced sandwich just begged to be eaten, it was so perfectly crafted with basil pesto, arugula, and tomatoes. Everything was fresh and abso-lutely yummy. If you love caprese salad and bruschetta, you will be delighted by this handheld. Also, I think I’ve just added burrata to my list of favorite cheeses.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen – Vegetable Press
All veggies are wonderful, but they are even better when they’re roasted. Trust me, my mom never had to force me to eat my veggies as a kid and even now as an adult, I love a good veggie option. The zucchini and squash were both soft enough to chomp into, but still crisp, like they were just taken from the vine. They even added a bit of sweetness with the cranberry herb bread! But the best addition has got to be the vegan pepper jack cheese. It added a nice hint of spice in each bite.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Jake’s American Bar – Seared Mahi Sandwich
There’s no doubt about it, you can really taste the lime and herb marinade on this mahi filet from Jake’s American Bar! And the addition of the pickled onion and chive aioli made this more than just your typical fish sandwich. I also want to shout out the toasted couscous salad that came on the side. I am obsessed with the way the citrus flavor of the fish carried over to this side, it just married perfectly together. Don’t judge me, but it almost made me want to lick the plate!
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando
The Kitchen – The Half-Pound Kitchen Burger
You know I just had to showcase one of the most juiced up burgers in all of Universal Orlando Resort on this list! This is a classic half-pound burger – only it’s topped with melted white cheddar cheese and caramelized mushrooms and onions! Oh, and I cannot forget the crispy smoked bacon that not only added crunch but a nice smoky flavor on top of it all. I don’t always go for the burger option, but you bet I do when it comes to The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Trattoria del Porto – Grilled Vegetable Sorrentino Panino
Honestly…EGGPLANT? Please give me a bite of this sandwich immediately. I practically fell out of my chair when I took a bite of this delicious stack. The grilled vegetables melted in my mouth so easily, and the mozzarella cheese? I can’t talk about it without salivating. I know Trattoria del Porto is known for its Italian charm, but this sandwich reminds me of the French dish, ratatouille, which I call one of my all-time favorite international dishes.
Who knew there were so many sandwiches around Universal?! And I know there are plenty more out there! So, if you find yourself searching for a tasty meal while you’re hanging in the theme parks, playing mini golf at CityWalk, lounging at a resort, or dropping down a slide at Volcano Bay, I strongly recommend grabbing one (or maybe more!) of these handhelds to keep your energy up while staying on the move!
What are your favorite handhelds and/or sandwiches at Universal? Are there any unique handhelds in Universal Orlando Resort you’d recommend?
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