Looking for the best food at Universal Epic Universe? Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel serves up mac and cheese cones worth waiting for.
The world of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk might be the most underrated area at Universal Epic Universe. In addition to a fabulous show and an exciting family-style roller coaster, this land offers some excellent food. I guess the Vikings in the Isle of Berk eat well. We stopped at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel in the Isle of Berk to try out the viral sensations, the mac and cheese cones served there.
Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel at Universal Epic Universe
Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel is one of the standout dining experiences at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe theme park. Located within the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk world. It offers the charm of the popular DreamWorks franchise.
The food stand’s name, “Grog & Gruel,” evokes hearty medieval fare. It focuses on rustic, comfort-food dishes that might be found in a Viking village tavern. Okay, here are menu items that might be found in an animated Viking village.
The menu at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel offers three food choices. Each one includes a tasty bread cone with mac and cheese, creating a buzz online. The queue for this stand will be longer than most at Universal Epic Universe. The three bread cones include:
- Goldfish Mac and Cheese – $11.99 (Creamy mac and cheese with Goldfish served in a crunchy cone)
- PB&J – Pork, Bacon, and Jam – $15.99 (Creamy mac and cheese with BBQ harissa pulled pork, maple candy bacon, and chopped parsley served in a crunchy cone)
- Dragon Fire Chicken Spire – $15.59 (Creamy mac and cheese with Nashville-style pulled chicken, hot honey, Calabrian peppers, chimichurri, and crispy onions served in a crunchy cone.)
The prices for these mac-and-cheese-style bread cones at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel have increased since team member previews began at Universal Epic Universe. Also, prices tend to vary a bit based on the point of sale, as we have experienced during our visits. Universal Orlando annual passholders receive standard food and beverage discounts here. In addition, in recent days, some of these cones have been added to the menu at Spit Fyre Grill, another quick service dining location within the Isle of Berk. You can mobile order the cones from that location.
PB&J – Pork, Bacon, and Jam Cone at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel
During our most recent visit, we tried the most popular mac-and-cheese bread cone at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel, the PB&J. Please do not let the name fool you. This does not taste like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This mac and cheese cone features pork and candied bacon.
The mac and cheese tastes cheesy and serves as a solid base for this theme park food item. However, the sweet and savory combination of the pork pulls this all together. Though we wished it had more pork to create a better balance, these mac and cheese cones deserve all the viral hype they have gotten so far.
Even the bread cone provides good flavor. It causes us to think of heavily buttered bagels. Though it lacks all the seasoning of an everything bagel, guests will enjoy its flavor. These cones are not the walk-around type. We suggest using a (plastic) fork and knife to enjoy the solid flavors of this theme park treat.
It would be tough to claim for sure that these mac and cheese cones at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel are the best food at Universal Epic Universe. Still, we doubt any guests will complain about having one of these for a snack or a meal.
MSM News
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time for our latest one. As always, eat like you mean it!
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