New Jaws-themed restaurant inside Universal Studios Florida makes a splash
Universal Studios Florida turned its San Francisco waterfront into a mini Amity Island zone, and “Jaws” fans are going to want to see this. Besides precious photo opportunitiies and themed decorations, there is a restaurant makeover. We paid Ritcher’s Burger Co. a visit to see if its new “Jaws” theme is worth sinking your teeth into.
More than a decade after the original Jaws ride closed at Universal Studios Florida, Amity Island feels reborn thanks to new themed photo ops and a surprisingly solid retheme tucked into the park’s San Francisco area.
The closest Universal Orlando has come to reviving Amity Island in years
The original Jaws attraction at Universal Studios Florida permanently closed in 2012. The beloved attraction, which opened with the park in 1990, immersed guests in the seaside town from “Jaws” complete with waterfront facades, fishing docks, skippers, and the iconic shark attack finale. For many Universal fans, the area represented classic Studios-era theme park design — atmospheric, slightly chaotic, and packed with practical effects and environmental storytelling.
Photo by @MagicCityMayhem Mikey
Amity Island ultimately closed to make way for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, which opened in 2014. While most of the original area disappeared, Universal hid a few tributes to “Jaws” within Diagon Alley and the surrounding waterfront. Bruce the hanging shark near Chez Alcatraz remains a popular photo spot, a “Jaws” themed record in the London windowfronts, and other subtle nods acknowledging the attraction’s legacy.
That lingering nostalgia is part of why new Amity-themed food, props, and photo ops are now a common occurrence in the summer at Universal Orlando.
Richter’s Burger Co. is now a Jaws restaurant
Richter’s Burger Co. has been overtaken with “Jaws” references, shark displays, retro props and summer atmosphere. Between the themed decor and marina setting, longtime Universal fans may find themselves lingering here far longer than expected. Though there are still plenty of Ritcher’s Burger Co. decor that references the West Coast’s earthquake theme, making it a strange mashup at times.
Photo by Tim Meyering
The headlining menu item is the “We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat” combo, priced at $26.99, and it lives up to its name in size alone. The burger stacks three beef patties into a hefty tower. It’s more substantial than most theme park burgers, and for the most part the flavor backs it up.
It’s still messy, but noticeably easier to eat than the infamous Krusty Burger over at Springfield, U.S.A. The biggest challenge is the price tag. At nearly $27 for the full combo, it’s a bit tough to swallow. We weren’t able to confirm with team members whether the burger can currently be ordered separately without the included combo sides and drink.
Photo by Tim Meyering
It’s worth a visit if you’re keen on seeing something unique for the summer. And if it’s a good burger you crave, it’s a solid choice as far as in-park burgers go.
New photo ops celebrate ‘Jaws’ history
The whole area photographs extremely well in daylight because the marina architecture and waterfront vibes still carry early-1990s Universal Studios Florida energy.
One side of Richter’s has a photo opportunity of the Amity Island billboard. While the other side sees the return of the Jaws ride vehicle photo opportunity, which seems even more detailed than last year. Overall, Universal Orlando has caught itself a great white of a summertime experience.
Photo by Tim Meyering
Relive Universal Studios Florida’s history with our YouTube video of the Jaws attraction at night.
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