Sink your teeth into the “Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich at Das Stakehaus in Universal’s Dark Universe at Epic Universe. Is this creepy creation more than just a theme park gimmick?

Dark Universe is a highly anticipated area at the brand-new Universal Epic Universe theme park. With Universal’s history with horror movies and the incredible phenomenon that Halloween Horror Nights remains, expectations for the Dark Universe area were high. In our opinion, this world of the Universal Classic Monsters meets almost all of the high expectations.

Universal Epic Universe opens to the public on May 22, 2025. However, team member previews took place many weeks ago. Now, paid previews are happening almost daily, leading up to the official opening of Universal Epic Universe. Recently, Universal Orlando Resort announced all guests can purchase a ticket for these previews.

We have visited a few times during these previews. Yes, of course, we have dined at the Universal Epic Universe restaurants. During our most recent visit, we stopped for a bite at Das Stakehaus in the Dark Universe area of the theme park.

What is Das Stakehaus?

​Das Stakehaus is a quick-service restaurant in Universal Epic Universe’s Dark Universe area, Themed as an old inn built over ancient catacombs, it immerses guests in a gothic atmosphere with vampire artwork and architecture portraying vampires as heroes.​

The menu offers creatively named dishes like “Stakes,” featuring options such as Fish on a Stake (blackened salmon), Bird on a Stake (grilled chicken), and Bits and Pieces (wild mushroom brisket meatloaf), all served with roasted vegetables and charred green onion mashed potatoes . Other offerings include the “Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich on a black bun, Our Favorite Vegan Familiar’s Stuffed Cabbage with beet bucatini, and the Carved Staked Steak. Guests can enjoy the Labotocotta, a brain-shaped Greek yogurt vanilla panna cotta with raspberry sauce for dessert.​ We will have reviews on some of those other items at a later date.

Beverage options feature Reaper’s Reserve, an Orlando-based Crooked Can Brewing Company signature beer. With its immersive theming and inventive menu, Das Stakehaus offers a unique dining experience in the heart of Darkmoor.

“Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich – $17.99

On our visit, we ordered the “Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich. So far, we end up being the one in the dining group that orders the sandwich at Universal Epic Universe. We did this previously at the Oak & Star Tavern. The menu indicates that guests will receive a “Flash-fried marinated chicken breast, blood orange sauce, and pickles, with a familiar slaw on a black bun with fries.” As the menu description betrays, the Universal food & beverage team is trying hard to upgrade a theme park chicken sandwich so that it fits a vampire-themed restaurant.

This sandwich uses the black bun that Halloween Horror Nights fans have seen on several Dracula-themed items. The black coloring does not change the flavor of the bun. However, a common criticism early on at Das Stakehaus relates to the sandwiches and burgers having too much bun in relation to the chicken or burger. We experienced that during our visit.

To add to the spookiness of Das StakeHaus, the fries come with a container of ketchup and a blood orange-tasting dipping sauce. During our visit, we did not enjoy the blood orange sauce with our fries. Still, they add a twist to a standard theme park meal. Also, our fries tasted much better than the usual Universal theme park fries.

The slaw added texture to the chicken sandwich. We also feel most guests will enjoy the blood orange sauce that comes on this sandwich. The chicken provided above average flavor for theme park quick service meals. Overall, the “Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich makes a reasonably safe dining option with this very dark and spooky restaurant.

Table Delivery at Das Steakhaus at Epic Universe

Once guests are seated at their table, they use the mobile ordering system to place their order. This pattern fits most quick service dining options at Universal Epic Universe. The team members will bring your food and beverage to your table. In our experience after dining at several Universal Epic Universe restaurants, the food arrives at your table very quickly, within a few minutes. The only exception is at ToadStool Café at Super Nintendo World where service is slower.

At Das Steakhaus, you will receive non-plastic silverware for your meal. We would not describe the silverware as true versions of silverware, but they are far better than plastic versions. Since this Das Stakehaus does serve a steak, better cutlery was needed. Still, we did not receive silverware with our sandwich, which was odd.

So far, the talented team members at Universal Epic Universe dining locations have struggled a little with delivering food and beverages. The orders come out quickly but the team members do not have the table numbers memorized yet so seeing them the numbers in the dimly lit restaurant presents a challenge. We saw six orders initially go to the wrong table during our meal.

For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon (Florida time). As always, ear like you mean it!

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