Chicken tinga, rice, and a $25.95 price tag. Is the End Zone Bowl at Universal CityWalk worth ordering? We tried the End Zone Bowl at NBC Sports Grill & Brew in Universal CityWalk Orlando. Here is what’s included, the $25.95 price, and what to expect.

Football season is here, and Universal CityWalk Orlando is celebrating with a new lineup of game day food. One of those items is the End Zone Bowl at NBC Sports Grill & Brew. We went in hoping for a victory lap. We came out with a solid first down.

Universal Orlando announced four new limited-time items for NFL Kickoff 2026, all created by Chef Robert Hainer. The lineup includes Crunch Corn Fritters, the Mac and Cheeseburger, the Berry Fizz, and the End Zone Bowl. Universal says guests can enjoy them through the end of football season.

What Is in the End Zone Bowl?

According to the official NBC Sports Grill & Brew menu, the End Zone Bowl costs $25.95 and is marked gluten sensitive (GS). It comes with jasmine rice, chicken tinga, black bean corn salsa, pico de gallo, shredded fiesta cheese, Cotija cheese, avocado, cilantro, and chipotle aioli.

One quick note. Universal’s announcement blog describes the bowl a little differently, mentioning cilantro rice, jalapeño queso, Jack cheese, and a side of fries. The in-person menu lists different ingredients and does not mention fries. We did not get fries, and that would make no sense with this style of entree.

How Does the End Zone Bowl at NBC Sports Grill & Brew Taste?

The End Zone Bowl offers fresh ingredients. The appearance looks appealing. Overall, it is a nice “safe” dish with some actual nutritional value.

The bowl also leans heavily on rice. The rice portion is higher than in a City Works-style bowl, like the Tex-Mex Protein Bowl that Chef Zach called the most popular item on the City Works Eatery & Pour House menu nationwide when we spoke with him. If you want a filling, rice-forward meal, this delivers. If you are hoping for a protein-heavy bowl, you may want to look elsewhere on the menu.

Here is our best tip. Mix the chicken into the bowl at the start. That is how you get the chicken tinga flavor throughout the dish. Mix everything together. Overall, the End Zone Bowl was good, but not a great menu item.

Is the End Zone Bowl Worth $25.95?

That is the real question. At $25.95, the End Zone Bowl costs the same as several full entrees on the menu, including the Smoked Pulled Pork and the Smokehouse Angus Beef Brisket, both of which come with sides. For a bowl that is good rather than great, that is a little steep.

Our advice: it is a fine choice if you want something lighter than a burger, need a gluten-sensitive option, or just love chicken tinga. If you are a football fan looking for the one dish to build your game day around, you may be happier trying one of the other new items first.

Quick Facts About This Entree

• Where: NBC Sports Grill & Brew, Universal CityWalk Orlando
• Price: $25.95
• Dietary: Marked gluten-sensitive (GS) on the menu
• Availability: Limited time, through the end of football season per Universal
• Our verdict: Good, but not a great menu item

More Universal Orlando Dining Reviews

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• Butterfinger Voodoo Doughnut
• Bread Box
• Otto’s Carbonara at Illumination’s Minion Cafe
• Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen

For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. As always, eat like you mean it!

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