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Our Top Spots for Cheap Food at Universal Orlando

by Mommy Frog on September 18, 2023
2 Orlando

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - PinterestWe understand how planning meals during your vacation and finding cheap food at Universal Orlando can be a bit of a challenge. Just as important as your park tickets or hotel booking, food is a major expense that needs to fit within your budget.

If you’re not too careful, money will be flying out of your wallet faster than you can wave your wand and say, “Evanesco,” aka the vanishing spell. That said, it’s not impossible to figure out how you can stick to your limit.

When it comes to saving money on dining, we have a few tricks up our sleeves. Here are our favorite spots where you can find cheap food at Universal Orlando. To us, we define “cheap” as $12 or less per person for a meal or $5 or less for a snack.

Our Froggy-Favorite Cheap Food at Universal Orlando

Note: all prices were accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.

Universal Studios Florida

London Taxi Hut

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - London Waterfront Food Stand

Cleverly designed as an English cabmen’s shelter, this unassuming food stand sells four different kinds of jacket potatoes. You can take your pick from beans and cheese, broccoli and cheese, shepherd’s pie or a loaded jacket potato. Each costs $10.99 (the annual passholder discount cannot be applied). As for the size, the jacket potatoes are large enough for a filling individual meal or a snack to split!

Mel’s Drive-In

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - Mel's Drive-In

This “American Graffiti”-inspired '50s drive-in restaurant boasts a budget-friendly menu, which includes typical diner fare, such as burgers and chicken fingers. A side of these chili cheese fries cost $6.99 and is pretty filling all by itself. Tad once substituted the regular fries that came with his cheeseburger with the chili cheese fries, and he had leftover food that Lily hoppily munched on.

Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - Bumblebee Man Tacos

The Bumblebee Man is serving up cheap food at Universal Orlando! It’s impossible to miss his black-and-yellow food truck topped with flashing letters and his giant head in Springfield. The truck offers three kinds of tacos, but all come in a serving size of two tacos (and tortilla chips) per order with a maximum price of $11.99. The Canitas taco consists of roasted pork shoulder, onions and cilantro. The Carne Asada taco is filled with tender marinated grilled beef, onions and cilantro. And you can’t go wrong with a classic Pollo taco filled with marinated chicken, onions and cilantro.

Louie's Italian Restaurant

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - Louie's

If you’re in the mood for Italian food, you’re in luck! Louie’s has several low-cost options, including spaghetti and meatballs, pizza and a side of minestrone soup. The spaghetti and meatballs entree is only $10.99, and a side of minestrone soup costs $5.99. Skip over the drinks — you can pour yourself free water with the small, clear cups provided.

As for pizza, pies come in cheese (mozzarella and tomato sauce), pepperoni (mozzarella, pepperoni and tomato sauce), vegetable (mozzarella, peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomato sauce and herbs) and supreme (mozzarella, Italian sausage, pepperoni, tomatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms and tomato sauce). Jumbo pizza slices can be served by themselves and range in price from $10.99 to $13.99 or as a combo with a side Caesar salad and range in price from $16.09 to $19.09.

Universal Islands of Adventure

Three Broomsticks

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - Three Broomsticks

Dine like wizards and witches at the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade. At first glance, the prices seem fairly high. The only entree under $12 is the beef pasties meal with garden salad. However, the other main course meals, such as the Rotisserie Smoked Chicken, are typically large enough to split between two frogs.

Croissant Moon Bakery

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - Croissant Moon Bakery

If you don’t end up eating breakfast at the hotel, you can find reasonably priced items here, including empanadas, fruit cups, danishes, sandwiches and — you guessed it — croissants. For dessert or a snack, there are cookies and cheesecake, eclairs or pie slices to choose from. All of the Passport Pastries & Baked Goods stick to $5.99 or less (such as the fresh muffins which are only $3.99). In case you’re in need of a caffeine fix, you can grab coffee for just $3.69.

Fire Eater’s Grill

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - Fire Eater's Grill

The gyro helps Fire Eater’s Grill land a spot among the best places to get cheap food at Universal Orlando. All four of the gyro platters are only $12.79 and under, including a vegetarian option available with falafel. Other food options include chicken fingers, chicken stingers (hot wings) or a chili cheese dog. These platters range from $12.49 to $13.29, hopping slightly over our maximum. (All platters are served with fries or hummus.)

Universal CityWalk

Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - Sandwich

Just looking for a simple, quality sandwich? Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches has a few offerings $10 or less, including a tomato & mozzarella melt, a BLTA sandwich (the ‘A’ stands for avocado) and a Caesar salad. Meanwhile, the rest of the menu stays under $14, so you’re not even spending THAT much more if you opt for something outside of this list. You can add a side of fries, tater tots or coleslaw to any sandwich for, at most, an extra $2.50.

Hot Dog Hall of Fame

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - Hot Dog

If you’re a fan of hot dogs, this Universal CityWalk spot will be a home run for you (and your wallet). The Hot Dog Hall of Fame’s starting line-up consists of 10 different hot dogs. If you only want the hot dog, it’ll only cost you, at most, $9.49. But you can add fries or chips for a dollar more. Vegetarians can even find something here, as there is a veggie dog option available. Want to go big or go home? Try either a foot-long or two-foot-long hot dog for a bit extra ($12.99 and $17.99 — hot dogs only). You can always split it!

Cheap Food at Universal Orlando - Moe's

It's also worth noting that Universal CityWalk's food court area includes budget-friendly fast food chains, such as Moe's Southwest Grill, Burger King and Panda Express.

Have a favorite cheap eat at Universal Orlando? Tips for eating on a budget? Share them with your fellow frog friends in the comments below!

Related: 5 Best Universal Studios Counter-Service Restaurants

Related: 5 Best Islands of Adventure Counter-Service Restaurants

Hoppy planning!

Keep hopping, Mommy Frog!
View Comments

Comments

Oct 10, 2021 at 2:58 p.m.
K Says...

I am surprised auntie Anne's is not on this list. Their pretzel nuggets are filling and only 5.99

Reply
Oct 11, 2021 at 10:14 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi K!

Frogtastic tip — thanks for sharing!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply

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