When Universal Studios opened the first major US theme park in over 20 years on May 22, they promised immersive restaurants with wild theme dining. I’ve eaten theme park snacks from around the globe for over 20 years, so I knew I would go.
Did I travel several hours to eat a black-bunned burger with a bubbling green mocktail? Reader, I did.
I learned very quickly that the food at Epic Universe is different from other parks. For fans, “theming” is a big deal. You visit these parks to escape reality for a little bit, and the more all-encompassing the theme, the more likely you are to lose yourself in the world of the park. For us theme park adults, we love when a park and its experiences feel part of that specific world.
The rides and Epic themes are getting a lot of attention, but the food almost feels like a secret. A far cry from standard hot dogs and cotton candy, ingredients like saffron labneh, coconut nectar, and mango bread create exciting and immersive dining experiences here. Burnt nuggets are actually tasty pimento cheese bites. Mustachioed Luigi grilled chicken sandwiches are packed with basil pesto.
Yeah, theme park food is weird. Generally, it’s a lot of handheld stuff you’re eating while walking, like pretzels or turkey legs. It’s sensory overload, with bright, artificial food coloring or strange textures. It’s served by people in costume and out of adult sippy cups. But done right, theme park food is freeing, a chance suspend reality and eat something drawn from imagination.
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At Epic, the food is fantastical and it tastes good. The park is made up of five lands: Dark Universe, Isle of Berk from “How To Train Your Dragon”, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World and Celestial Park. Even better: You feel like you’re actually visiting that world, whether you’re eating in a cafe from Harry Potter or a restaurant Dracula might own.