There’s no party like a Mardi party! But what’s a party without food? Just a weird get-together. Luckily for all of us, Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is known for bringing together flavors from across the globe, all with one thing in common: being extremely delicious. And luckily for me, I got to compile a list of my top foods to try this year at Universal Mardi Gras, from savory street snacks to classic sweets. Let the good times scroll and get to reading!
Puerto Rico
Cheese Dog
First stop: Puerto Rico! “Puerto Ricans have a lot of diversity when it comes to food,” shares Chef Luis Rivera, one of the minds behind this year’s dishes. “I just hope somebody can relate to what we’re putting out there and feel like they’re being represented.”
The Cheese Dog is a true testament to how Universal Mardi Gras celebrates culture through cuisine. Take an all-beef hot dog, wrap it in cheese, wrap them both in an empanada, add a mayo-ketchup dipping sauce, and you get this symphony of global flavors.
Before the Cheese Dog made its way to Universal Mardi Gras, it was a staple for Chef Luis. “We grew up eating this,” he shares. “If you go to school and don’t like your lunch, most schools in Puerto Rico have a store right next door; you can just grab $1.25 and go get a cheese dog and a (slushy). It’s very nostalgic.” I’m already reminiscing about this snack as we speak, so I believe him.
Pinchos de Lechon
No, this isn’t a dream, and you don’t need to pinch yourself: the Pinchos de Lechon are as good as they look! In crafting this dish, which consists of a char-grilled pork shoulder skewer with guava BBQ sauce and pan sobao, the culinary team was inspired by fond memories of eating pinchos growing up.
“I remember my dad taking my sister and I out on a weekend,” Chef Luis shares. “We’d stop by a gas station, get two pinchos and a side of bread, and I was the happiest kid in the world.” One bite of this and you’ll be the happiest kid at Universal Mardi Gras.
Bites of the Bayou
Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese
Is there anything better than mac & cheese? Yes: Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese from the Bites of the Bayou stand in Gramercy Park. This classic comfort dish gets a Mardi Gras spin with creamy spicy cavatappi pasta, andouille sausage, the Cajun holy trinity (onion, celery, and green bell pepper) and a Cajun cream sauce. Spice-lovers, you’ll want to make a beeline for this one. But if you’re wary of spice, still give it a try! This mac & cheese has a kick, but nothing too sweat-inducing)
Colombia
Colombian Burger
The Colombian Burger is a returning favorite, which makes it a can’t-miss in my book. Take a grilled burger, Monterey Jack cheese, pineapple cabbage slaw, cilantro garlic sauce, and potato sticks and what do you get? An experience bursting with flavor. Bonus: this one is easy to eat on-the-go, too!
Pandebono
Accompany a returning favorite with something new to Mardi Gras this year: Pandebono, or Colombian cheese bread! It’s easy to see why this treat is so popular in its home country — it’s just dang good. I’m not much for math, but I think bread + cheese = fine dining in basically every circumstance.
India
Potato Dosa
Trek over to the San Francisco area of the theme park and you’ll find the India food truck, home to the delicious Potato Dosa. This is a griddled dosa — an Indian crepe — filled with curried potatoes, onions, and black mustard seeds, served with a coconut chutney. This is a great option if you’re vegan, or if you’re just in the mood for a plant-based snack! (Personally, I’m a big believer in the concept of all-day breakfast, and this perfectly scratches that itch for me.)
Iced Chai Latte
Keeping with my “we should eat breakfast all day” thesis, pair your Potato Dosa with an Iced Chai Latte! This sweet beverage treat combines chai, milk, and a house-made masala cold foam. The cinnamon flavor comes through in every sip, and the masala cold foam is sweet without being overpowering.
Taste of the Quarter
Beignets
You didn’t think I’d wrap up my list of top foods at Universal Mardi Gras without mentioning this New Orleans classic, did you? For the uninitiated (you should fix that ASAP), beignets are a sweet, fried pastry covered in powdered sugar. They’re a staple of any worthy Mardi Gras celebration, and they’re the perfect fuel to power you through an evening of fist-pumping and bead-catching. As an added bonus, they come in a paper bag so you can easily eat them on-the-go/mid-dance-break!
King Cake
If beignets take home the gold medal for “most classic Mardi Gras treat,” King Cake comes in close second for the silver. This traditional cake is covered with cinnamon swirl icing, Mardi Gras sprinkles, and a Mardi Gras baby on top. The baby is a nod to the celebration of the Epiphany, the holiday that kicks off the Carnaval season. Traditionally, whoever finds the trinket in the King Cake gets to be king for a day — but since every slice comes with a baby on top, you’re guaranteed a day of royal fun at Universal Studios Florida!
The best part of dining at Universal Mardi Gras? No matter what you eat, you’re getting a taste of celebration from somewhere around the globe. Click here to check out this year’s full menu!
Did I include your favorite Mardi Gras food? What did I leave out? Leave a comment and let us know!
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