Enjoy a Universal Orlando meal for less than $9 a person
Yes, Universal Orlando’s CityWalk has a table service location with AC (and occasional entertainment) that offers a filling meal for less than $9 a person as long as two or more people are eating it.
Dining at theme parks can sometimes be pricey and unhealthy. While the theme park industry has done a great job over the years offering more allergy-friendly and vegetarian options, price can still be a factor. I have discovered an inexpensive, yet filling meal option at Universal Orlando for under $9 (for two people or more).
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
Welcome to The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk. The iconic architecture welcomes guests for all-day brunch options, massive milkshakes, crafted cocktails, entertainment offerings, and more. But for this article, we never need to leave the appetizer area of the menu.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium offers reservations online or over the phone, which I highly recommend. During slower times of day there is open seating at the bar area upstairs which offers limited seating at high-top tables.
Vegetarian Warm Chocolate Almond Bread
If you haven’t tried the Warm Chocolate Almond Bread, you are missing out. This bread has a firm exterior, a warm and soft interior, and enough chocolate to make this appetizer taste like a dessert. This appetizer bread is $5.95 and is the right size for two people to share.
When compiling information for this article, I requested nutritional information for both food items from The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. I also reached out to the Universal Orlando Resort communications team, who noted that anyone can email their Foods Team or ask for nutritional or allergy information in person.
Items at this location list nutritional facts for the plated item, not a specific serving size. You can use this information to determine your own serving size, but once you take a bite of this bread, you’ll want the whole thing. The entire loaf of Warm Chocolate Almond Bread has:
- 766 calories
- 58.8 grams of fat
- 123 milligrams of cholesterol
- 798 milligrams of sodium
- 56.8 grams of carbs
- 2.3 grams of fiber
- 6.8 grams of protein
The FDA suggests 2,000 calories a day, 78 grams of fat, 300 milligrams of cholesterol, 2300 milligrams of sodium, 275 grams of carbs, 28 grams of fiber, and 50 grams of protein.
Classic Mediterranean Hummus
The Classic Mediterranean Hummus is one of my favorite appetizers at any theme park. The amount of hummus is generous, and if you eat all the lavash flatbread more is offered. This large appetizer option costs $10.95 and is definitely enough for sharing.
Universal did not have nutritional information for the lavash, only for the hummus itself. The Classic Mediterranean Hummus has:
- 1096 calories
- 22.5 grams of fat
- 0 milligrams of cholesterol
- 2920 milligrams of sodium
- 136.3 grams of carbs
- 28 grams of fiber
- 38 grams of protein
A similar Lavash has:
- 200 calories
- 2 grams of fat
- 0 milligrams of cholesterol
- 240 milligrams of sodium
- 38 grams of carbs
- 10 grams of fiber
- 12 grams of protein
Again, the FDA suggests 2,000 calories a day, 78 grams of fat, 300 milligrams of cholesterol, 2300 milligrams of sodium, 275 grams of carbs, 28 grams of fiber, and 50 grams of protein.
A less expensive alternative
When you split these two appetizers, you have an inexpensive meal at Universal Orlando that costs only $8.99 a person. The almond bread is vegetarian and the hummus is vegan. A table service meal for that price at any theme park is unheard of, but this meal offers a satisfying option.
When split, this meal option will give you 1,031 calories (52% of daily recommendation), 41.6 grams of fat (53%), 61.5 milligrams of cholesterol (21%), 1979 milligrams of sodium (86%), 115.5 grams of carbs (42%), 20.2 grams of fiber (72%), and 28.4 grams of protein (57%).
Compared to a standard theme park meal of a cheeseburger and fries, this alternative has 52 more calories, 14 less grams of fat, 20 less milligrams of cholesterol, 36 less milligrams of sodium, 6 more grams of carbs, 13 more grams of fiber, and 1 less gram of protein. This hummus and bread option costs $6.50 less than a standard cheeseburger in Universal Studios Florida. Need I mention again this has a reserved seat, food and drink brought to you, and guaranteed AC? Plus, you can order a crafted cocktail and have the chance to see characters Penelope Toothsome and Robot Jacques.
This isn’t a standard meal, and not everyone is a fan of sharing plates, but it does offer a dessert bread with a high fiber and protein-filled hummus with the same calorie and sodium negatives of a burger meal, but the positives are more fiber and a lower price by switching from entrees to appetizers.
My only request is please don’t take these saving out on your wait staff! After tax, our suggested tip (which is automated by the registers) was $3.04, well below what I believe should be tipped for a table service meal. Instead, consider passing along your savings to the incredible Team Members working at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.
You can also try out other food items in the parks, like the new Minion food options inside of Universal Studios Florida (the Minion blue banana popsicle is fantastic).
