The 5 Most Popular Snacks at Universal Orlando, According to a Chef Who Helps Make Them
Can you believe one of them is vegan?
As a journalist who covers theme parks and an annual pass holder at Universal Orlando Resort, I’ve spent a lot of time snacking my way around Universal. There are obvious delights like butterbeer straight from a Harry Potter novel and sugary-delicious churros, but there are some pretty unique snacks there as well. (Green eggs and ham-topped tater tots, anyone?)
I know my go-to treats when I visit Universal’s two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, but I was curious about the bigger picture. So, I chatted with Jens Dahlmann, the vice president executive chef of operations at Universal Orlando Resort, to ask him what the five most popular items are among park guests.
A few were no surprise, but I learned about a few snacks I’d never thought to try, like vegan hand pies sold in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here are Dahlmann’s top picks for the most popular snacks sold at Universal—ones that keep park-goers coming back again and again.
Minion-themed Popsicles from Freeze Ray Pops
Sold inside Minion Land at Universal Studios Florida, $6 to $9
“It’s amazing the volume the Minion pops do,” said Dahlmann. “We have a plethora of pops, but I think the stars of our offerings are really our signature premium pops. Those are popsicles that are hand-dipped and decorated on location by our talented team of chefs.”
Dahlmann says there are always long lines at the ordering window at Freeze Ray Pops. “My personal favorite is the Minion one, of course—the blue banana popsicle dipped in colored white chocolate and decorated with a Minion eye. The Vector is pretty cool, too, it’s the Minions’ take on an orange cream popsicle. Who doesn’t like those flavors?”
Butterbeer from Locations throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Sold at multiple venues in Universal Studios Florida (Diagon Alley) and Universal Islands of Adventure (Hogsmeade), $5 to $9
Butterbeer is available throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at both of Universal’s theme parks, and comes in six different forms: cold, frozen, hot, ice cream, potted cream, and fudge. “I’ve been coming to Universal with my family for years and butterbeer is really the one item I have to have and my kids have to have,” says Dahlmann. “It’s really become a true signature to a Universal theme park experience.”
“Our portfolio of butterbeers has grown over the years,” he says. “It has become an entity in itself. You can’t come to Universal and not have a butterbeer.”
Vegan Shepherd’s Pasty Pie from the Magic Neep
Sold at the Magic Neep food kiosk in Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, $10
Universal has an impressive number of vegan options on offer, including vegan hand pies called “pasty pies” sold at the Magic Neep food kiosk inside Universal Islands of Adventure’s Hogsmeade. “For us, it’s very important that we have something for everybody,” Dahlmann says of the vegan shepherd’s pasty pie, which contains meatless “beef” crumbles and vegetable stew.
“Sausage rolls and hand pies are just such an iconic British food, so we thought it would be nice to offer these at the Neep cart,” he added. “It’s a vegetarian shepherd’s pie in a pie shell, which is a great handheld food that you can take into line with you while you wait to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.”
Churros from Locations throughout Both Theme Parks
Sold at churro carts throughout Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, $6 on average
Churros are a theme park food staple everywhere and Universal is no exception. Carts are scattered throughout both of Universal’s theme parks, some selling traditional churros and others selling themed churros with colorful sprinkles or decorations. Dahlmann says people love churros because they’re “a sugary stick that’s easy to carry around.”
“They’re fun and easy and very approachable for all of our guests,” he says. “The texture of the crunchy outside and the soft center is very popular.”
Tater Tots with Toppings from Green Eggs and Ham Cafe
Sold inside Seuss Landing at Green Eggs and Ham Cafe, $10 to $15
“The Green Eggs and Ham Cafe is definitely a safe and approachable food [outlet] for families when they come to the park,” says Dahlmann. “I love loaded fries, poutine, and pizza fries—there’s something about having a saucy fry or fried potato.”
At Green Eggs and Ham Cafe, varieties of loaded tater tots are served up, from pizza tots to tots topped with—you guessed it—green eggs and ham. Dahlmann says it’s a “different spin” on a classic.
“Loaded tots are a very craveable food item,” he says. "Whether it’s green eggs and ham or carnitas or pizza-topped ones, there’s something for everybody.”
Read the original article on All Recipes.
