Fat One’s Universal CityWalk puts a messy twist on the classic hot dog. We try Johnny’s Pizza and examine the portions, prices, and dining experience.

Joey Fatone has traded the boy band stage for a bun at Universal CityWalk Orlando, where Fat One’s has taken over the former Hot Dog Hall of Fame location. The *NSYNC member’s loaded hot dog concept brings a new menu to the out-of-the-way quick-service spot, with toppings that promise to make an ordinary frankfurter a considerably more ambitious dining experience.

During a holiday weekend visit around 1:15 p.m., we found about ten groups dining at Fat One’s, a noticeable crowd for a location that used to draw fewer guests. We ordered Johnny’s Pizza for $11.49 (Guests can add fries for a dollar more) to see whether Joey Fatone’s hot dog venture deserves a spot on your Universal Orlando dining itinerary. Our review comes with one important warning: grab a fork and knife before your first bite.

Fat One’s Universal CityWalk Orlando still looks much like the former location. Sure, the logos are different, and there are no TV screens with sports. However, it looks very similar. It does have more tables now and still has some baseball stadium-style seats.

Fat One’s Hot Dogs at Universal CityWalk Orlando

(Prices lised below are with fries. Guests can purchase the hot dog without the fries for a dollar less)

• The Fat One – $15.99: Footlong hot dog topped with roasted pork, pepperoni, chili beans, Cheddar cheese sauce, red onion sauce, and fries.
• The Brazilian – $14.99: Grilled linguica sausage with onion sauce, jalapeño vegan mayo, Cotija cheese, Calabrian honey, red peppers, cilantro, and potato sticks.
• The Angelo – $10.49: Tzatziki, tomatoes, red onion, olive tapenade, feta cheese, and fresh dill.
• Dirty K-Pop Dog – $10.49: Kimchi slaw, spicy gochujang mayo, scallions, crispy onions, and black sesame.
• To-NY – $10.49: Sauerkraut, red onion sauce, and signature mustard.
• El Fonsi – $13.99: Ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, sofrito, onion jam, mayo-ketchup, and potato sticks.
• The Cubano – $13.99: Ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, and dill pickles.
• Johnny’s Pizza – $12.49: Neapolitan tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and Parmesan-parsley butter.
• The Vegan – $13.99: Vegan hot dog topped with red onion sauce, signature mustard, and relish.

We Ordered Johnny’s Pizza at Fat One’s CityWalk Orlando

We only had time to try one hot dog during this visit. Based on that, we decided to go with something most guests are more likely to order, besides the signature foot-long “The Fat One.” So, we ordered Johnny’s Pizza. The toppings include Neapolitan tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and Parmesan-parsley butter.

This hot dog, like many at Fat One’s, should come with a warning about the mess it might make. We didn’t dare eat this by hand, so we chose a fork and knife…okay, well, the plastic kind, of course. This is a theme park resort after all.

The butter and bun work well. The frank, or “hot dog,” is grilled like at a good food truck. However, with all the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, the frank gets overwhelmed, in a good way.

We really like the butter and the grilled bread. That could be a personal preference. However, we found it a nice touch that elevates this quick-service entrée. Additionally, the franks are cut to fit better on the bun with all the toppings. However, we found the toppings on the Johnny’s Pizza entrée to be the best part, paired with the bun.

Will It Be Messy?

Back to the mess factor, we are not sure how anyone eats this without a fork and knife without making a huge mess. For example, even with the fork and knife, we struggled to keep the cheese off the table. We tried to clean it up, but we sent our formal apologies to the “Clean Team” at Universal Orlando Resort.

On the downside, the portion size is a bit small for the price, especially since Five Guys at Universal CityWalk Orlando offers a basic hot dog for less. In addition, the burgers fall in a similar price range too. Of course, ordering fries at Five Guys will raise the price significantly compared to Fat One’s.

We are fairly sure your medical professional will not recommend this quick-service menu item. Still, if they say anything, remind them of the place’s name!

History of Fat One’s Before Coming to Universal CityWalk Orlando

Fat One’s, the hot dog business founded by *NSYNC member Joey Fatone and entertainment manager Joe Mulvihill, began as a small Orlando dining venture in 2016 before taking its signature dogs on the road in a food truck. The original Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice opened at The Florida Mall on September 10, 2016. For Fatone, who moved to Orlando as a teenager and attended Dr. Phillips High School, the location had personal significance. The mall was a familiar hangout from his younger days, making it a fitting place to launch his food business.

The concept drew inspiration from Fatone’s love of food and memories of growing up in Brooklyn, where hot dogs and Italian ice were neighborhood favorites. Instead of serving ordinary hot dogs, Fatone wanted to create a menu featuring all-beef franks with inventive toppings, along with Italian ice. He took a hands-on approach to developing the menu, participating in tastings and helping shape the restaurant’s branding and operations.

After the original Florida Mall location closed, Fat One transitioned to a mobile food truck operation in 2018, allowing the business to keep serving customers beyond its original kiosk. The food truck became an important chapter in the brand’s evolution, keeping the concept alive while its founders pursued expansion opportunities.

Joey Fatone’s History with Universal

Joey Fatone’s relationship with Universal Orlando Resort began long before he became a household name as a member of *NSYNC. One of those opportunities brought him to Universal Studios Florida, where he performed as Wolfie, the werewolf, in “Beetlejuice’s Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue.”

It was also at Universal that Fatone met fellow performer Chris Kirkpatrick in 1995. Their friendship helped set the stage for the formation of *NSYNC, alongside Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez and Lance Bass. The group went on to become one of the most successful boy bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Universal therefore played a memorable role in Fatone’s journey from aspiring entertainer to international star.

Fat One’s Universal CityWalk Orlando Makes a Nice Addition

Fat One’s brings a welcome dose of personality to Universal CityWalk Orlando, with a menu that goes well beyond the standard hot dog stand. Johnny’s Pizza delivered on flavor, particularly with its grilled bun and pizza-inspired toppings, although the portion size left something to be desired for the price. The restaurant also gives guests a chance to sample a business tied to Joey Fatone’s Orlando roots and his history with Universal, making it an interesting stop for *NSYNC fans. Just remember to grab plenty of napkins, and perhaps a fork and knife, before tackling one of these loaded franks. After all, the name Fat One’s should give you some idea of what you’re getting into.

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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