Three Broomsticks -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios Orlando

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Lunch at the Three Broomsticks

Recently, we went to Universal Studios Orlando with friends visiting from out of town. And, we spent a lot of time in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It's one of our favorite places in the parks, and they consistently have some of the best food options for special diets guests. On one of the days, we decided to go to the Three Broomsticks, a quick service restaurant located in Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. I always find the options here to be pretty solid and better than most of the food you can get at Universal Studios. So, I was glad we stopped here for a meal.

Atmosphere

I really can't describe how immersive and...well, magical...that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is. It's truly like walking onto a movie set or actually being in a real life Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. I can explore these areas for hours, and I'm always impressed by the level of detail, even in the restaurants.Even right down to the light fixtures and the walls, you really feel like you're in a place that's been around for a long time.I love the inn-like details in Hogsmeade. It feels like an old inn that has a dining area and pub and also space for guests to rent rooms upstairs too. The mismatched chairs and benches are a nice touch too.I'm pretty sure that whoever designed this restaurant is friend's with Gaston from Beauty and the Beast...because, well, he also likes antlers in all his decorating! (and there's a lot in the Three Broomsticks, as you can see in the photo here)There's so much rustic charm in the Three Broomsticks. It's a great place in the afternoon to grab a drink from the Hogshead pub next door and just rest. We found a nice cozy booth and enjoyed the good food, drinks, and air conditioning after a long and hot day in the park.

The Food

My last visit to the Three Broomsticks was a little over a year ago, and I ordered the same thing on both visits. One thing that I do love is that a chef will come out and talk to you at this restaurant. It's really one of the few places at Universal Studios where this happens. I was greeted by two chefs at this restaurant -- one in training, and they were super helpful. They went over the options for me, and as you can see by the photo Brandon snapped of me, I was feeling good with the choices.Gotta love the big thumbs up from me!If you're curious about the different options available at the Three Broomsticks, including breakfast, check out the gluten free and dairy free options listed by Amanda from Gluten & Dairy Free Reviews.I decided to get the Roasted Chicken Platter. It comes with a half of a roasted chicken (which is huge!), roasted potatoes, and roasted corn. This dish is both gluten free and dairy free. If you want butter, they will give you butter packets on the side for the corn and potatoes. But, if you ask me, you really don't need the butter for this corn. It's always been delicious and super sweet on every visit.I love this dish because it's hearty and satisfying and not your typical theme park fare. Sadly, most of what's available at Universal Studios are burgers. So, this is a nice change of pace.We also got some drinks at Hogshead, the pub connected to the Three Broomsticks. They serve Strongbow Hard Cider here which is both gluten free and dairy free naturally. The serving sizes are pretty substantial, so that's a nice bonus.

Overall

I really enjoy dining at the Three Broomsticks. The food is substantial and delicious. And, it's nice to get something just a bit different. Add in a great theme, and you've got a good meal option when you dine here. I keep meaning to go here for breakfast sometime. I'm dying to try out the gluten free pancakes!Have you been to the Three Broomsticks? What did you think of the options?

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium -- Appetizers -- Table Service -- City Walk -- Universal Studios Orlando

*This dining experience took place in October 2016. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast is Universal Studio's latest table service at Universal City Walk outside of the Universal theme parks. Set to resemble a steam-punk chocolate factory, much of what is served there has some chocolate inspiration. From chocolate drinks to even chocolate sauce burgers -- if you are a chocolate lover, the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast will help you get your chocolate fix.I had heard from some blog readers that the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium could accommodate gluten free and special dietary needs diners. On this particular occasion, Brandon and I stopped by for drinks and appetizers before Universal's Halloween Horror Nights.Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is insanely popular and very busy. We stopped by at 4:30 p.m. on a Sunday, and it was over an hour wait for a table, so we decided to go upstairs to the bar area (which requires no reservations). Thankfully, we found two spots at the bar to order.The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium does not carry a gluten free menu. Servers will go over options with you, though I have heard that a chef and/or manager may come to your table. At the bar, I was advised of a few safe appetizers and that they have gluten free buns.While looking over the extensive regular menu, I did order a Peach Smash, one of the few non-chocolately drinks. It is normally served with whiskey, but I opted to swap out whiskey for gin. The drink itself was OK, but I think I would order something else on my next visit.The bar area is really cool, and I love all the vintage touches. They have an impressive amount of options to choose from on the bar menu, so no matter what your special dietary need is, chances are you'll find a drink that works for you on their menu.For my appetizer, I opted for the harissa spiced pork tenderloin kabobs wrapped in bacon and served with a pineapple slaw and creamy dip. I asked them to omit the dip, but it came out on the plate anyway. Even though I have been reintroducing dairy back into my diet a bit, I opted not to eat the dairy filled dip.The pork itself was very flavorful and tender. The bacon, of course, was delicious, and the sauce on the pork was quite spicy. I was glad to have the mild pineapple slaw as a side because it really helped cool down the spice from the pork.The appetizer was filling and tasty, though I would probably opt for a sandwich (which was nearly the same price) on my next visit.I have heard from some blog readers after this meal that they were able to get a dairy free shake. I have no more information on the type of dairy free/vegan ice cream or cross-contamination standards in place. I've also heard there's a dairy free chocolate cake, but will have to visit again to find out more info on both of these.Overall, we loved the theming of the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and the food was OK. For options, it seems like gluten free may be a bit limited, but I'm hoping they work to add more in as guests request them. I'm also hoping to go here for a full meal so I can see how special dietary needs are handled in the main dining room.Have you been to the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium? What were your thoughts on this restaurant at Universal Studios Orlando?

Margaritaville -- Dinner -- Table Service -- City Walk -- Universal Studios Orlando

*This dining experience took place in October 2016. Margaritaville, located at City Walk in Universal Studios Orlando, is a table service restaurant filled with cheeseburgers in paradise and, you guessed it...margaritas. If you're a Parrothead, you'll recognize this as a chain restaurant associated with Jimmy Buffett. The restaurant as a decidedly South Florida vibe. It's filled with bright colors and huge meals and drinks.On this particular occasion, Brandon and I ended up here for dinner during Universal's Halloween Horror Nights. We initially tried to go to the newly opened Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, but it had a 2 hour wait!Because I knew that Margaritaville had a dedicated gluten free lunch and dinner menu, we decided to go there instead.Before ordering, we opted for gin and tonics, which were delicious but very strong. If there's one thing I've learned from the various Margaritavilles I've been to is that Jimmy Buffett's team sure knows how to make strong drinks. Wow!As a quick aside on drinks, according to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center and many others, scientifically pure spirits that may have been made with grains are, in fact, gluten free because the protein is removed during distillation. I do look for gins that are gluten free, like Aviation Gin, but have never had an issue personally with gin-based drinks. That being said, I do from other alcohol like Whiskey beacuse that does make me feel a bit sick. Trust your gut when it comes to liquor and avoid those that causes you difficulty.Luckily, at Margaritaville, you can find a ton of options, including hard cider!For my entree, I ordered the classic Cheeseburger in Paradise, served on an Udi's Gluten Free bun and a side of sweet potato fries (which are made in a dedicated fryer). Brandon also got a burger and enjoyed his a lot.I thought mine was OK -- good but not amazing. If you're dairy free, you can simply order without the cheese. What I do wish is that I had ordered was the Volcano Nachos appetizer, because it looked amazing and was huge! Still, there were plenty of gluten free options to choose from on the menu, and the burger was decent enough. I actually wish there was a Cheeseburger in Paradise (another Jimmy Buffett chain restaurant) in the area, because I used to love their burgers!Overall, we both enjoyed our dinner at Margaritaville. I won't say that it was gourmet, but it was exactly what we needed for a solid meal. The drinks were strong, food portions large, and the prices reasonable -- all in all a good combination. It won't be our first choice at Universal Studios City Walk, but we'd definitely go back again.Have you been to Margaritvaille? What did you order when you dined there?

Krusty Burger -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios Orlando

*This dining experience took place in September 2016.Krusty Burger is a quick service dining location in the Simpsons Area of Universal Studios Orlando. I recently had dinner there while attending Halloween Horror Nights.Originally, we had planned on getting tacos at Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck, as I had heard that they had gluten free and dairy free tacos. Sadly, this ended up not being the case, as the team members there advised me not to get anything due to cross-contamination, so we ended up across the way at Krusty Burger.On a previous visit, I had the Krusty Burger, and I wasn't all that impressed. I loved the tater tots, but found the burger itself to be just so-so.During this visit, I spoke with a chef and asked if I could get a grilled chicken sandwich. Thankfully, he advised me that the chicken was gluten free, so I was able to get something other than a burger.The grilled chicken sandwich I had was served on an Udi's Gluten Free bun (which is also dairy free), along with bacon and lettuce. It also came with tater tots made in a dedicated fryer.The sandwich itself was nothing to write home about. It was good, but nothing special. I did add some pre-packaged mayonnaise from the condiment area to my sandwich, which helped a bit. The real star of the meal was the tater tots. What can I say? I just can't enough of tots!Overall, I would stop by Krusty Burger again in a pinch. It's not really my favorite place, but at least I have a few options. I would definitely get the chicken sandwich over the burger though on any visit.Have you been to Krusty Burger at Universal Studios Orlando? What did you think of the gluten free options?

Krusty Burger -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios Orlando

*This dining experience took place in August 2016.Krusty Burger, located in the Simpsons area of Universal Studios Orlando, is a quick service dining spot that is just like the version in the Simpsons TV show. Inside, the restaurant features several quick service stands that resemble a mall food court and includes: The Frying Dutchman, Luigi's Pizza, Cletus' Chicken Shack, Lisa's Teahouse of Horror, and Krusty Burger.Fellow blogger Glam Without Gluten ate at Krusty Burger last year and raved about it, so I knew I had to check it out.When I arrived, I went to the Krusty Burger area and spoke with a Universal Team Member. They noted that the Krusty Burger & Clogger Burger were both gluten free. They also noted that the curly fries normally served are not.I was told that I could have tater tots as an alternative, which sounded great to me. I never turn down a gluten free safe fried tater tot.While waiting for a Team Member to prepare my burger, I went to the next kiosk where they serve specialty drinks (many non-alcoholic). I had heard that the Flaming Moe was gluten free.A chef came out to speak to me and said that it was, but that none of the other drinks were safe. But, when she brought me the ingredients list (which I sadly did not get a picture of), it listed "wheat germ oil" in the ingredients for the Flaming Moe. For this reason, I would not consider the Flaming Moe to be gluten free. That was a bit of a bummer, but I ended up in Diagon Alley later and got a Tongue Tying Lemon Squash, which satisfied my specialty drink craving (and is gluten free & dairy free).My Krusty Burger was served on a gluten free bun (Universal Studios Orlando uses Udi's Gluten Free). Initially, I was told both the special sauce and cheese sauce were gluten free, but the chef informed me that the special sauce is not (only the cheese sauce is GF).I got my burger plain with lettuce and tomato and added ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise myself using packets that the restaurant provides (which also removes risk of cross-contamination).I don't know if I just got there late in the day, but I was not impressed with the burger itself. The patty was super thin and tasted like it had been sitting around for a long time. It was just OK and not something I'd probably pick as a first choice in dining at Universal Studios.The tater tots, on the other hand, were super delicious! These were the star of my meal, and I would go back just for the tots.The theming at Krusty Burger was super charming, even if the burger I got was just so-so. I loved the themed napkins and the interior theming of the restaurant itself. Each of the restaurant kiosks were super cute too. I felt like I stepped into an episode of the Simpsons!The next time I'm in the Simpsons area of Universal Studios Orlando, I might try some other options. The Gluten Free & Dairy Free Review Blog went to Bumblebee Man's Tacos there and raved about it. It also seemed like it had more options than what I could get at Krusty Burger.Overall, I wasn't wowed by my meal at Krusty Burger, but it was OK and at least a safe option to have while in the park.Have you been to Krusty Burger? What did you get when you dined there?

Leaky Cauldron -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios

*This dining review took place in June 2016.The Leaky Cauldron, located at Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Orlando, is a quick service location that serves up British inspired dishes that muggles and wizards alike will love. As a special diets diner, this is one of my go-to spots when visiting Universal Studios Orlando. The menu here for special diets is limited but I absolutely love their chicken sandwich.On this particular visit, I also ordered a Tongue Tying Lemon Squash that's tart but sweet (if you like a lot of lemon flavor you will enjoy this version of lemonade). Diagon Alley has a lot of unique non-alcoholic drinks, and I love that so many are safe for me to drink. I keep meaning to try them all, but the Tongue Tying Lemon Squash is so good (and perfect on a hot summer day).You can check out all the of the drinks and their allergens on The Gluten & Dairy Free Review Blog.Sadly, Leaky Cauldron is limited on its menu options, but I do really enjoy their chicken sandwich on a gluten free and dairy free bun (at the time of this review, it was Udi's Gluten Free). The sandwich can be made dairy free by removing the cheese and apple butter mayo. I did opt to have cheese on my sandwich, as I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, mostly in the form of cheese. The wedge fries at the Leaky Cauldron are not gluten free, so this sandwich is served with a side salad and a choice of Ken's dressings. I went with the Italian dressing, which is just OK.You can read a gluten free and dairy free review from The Gluten & Dairy Free Review Blog along with more information about menu options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Overall, I really enjoy the atmosphere and the chicken sandwich at the Leaky Cauldron. There may not be a ton of options, but I have enjoyed dining here safely when I visit Universal Studios Orlando.Have you been to the Leaky Cauldron? What did you think of their options? 

Mel's Drive-In -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios Orlando

*This dining experience took place in October 2015.Mel's Drive-In is a quick service restaurant located at Universal Studios Orlando and offers burgers and fries. Themed after the original Mel's Drive-In in the movie American Graffiti, Mel's is completely 50s themed, with juke-box tunes to keep you going.On this particular visit, I stopped by during the 2015 Universal Halloween Horror Nights. Brandon and I had Frequent Fear passes for the entire Halloween Horror Nights season and had dinner in the park several times. I had great luck with the Leaky Cauldron at Diagon Alley and not so great luck at Louie's Italian Restaurant, so we were hoping that Mel's Drive-In would at least have a safe burger option.When I arrived, a Team Member told me that I could get a burger on a gluten free bun and French fries. At most Universal locations the French fries are not safe (as they are not fried in a dedicated fryer), and I was told that the ones served at Mel's Drive-In are considered safe.Because I've been re-introducing a bit of dairy in my diet, I did get cheese on my burger. The cheeseburger itself was not very good. And the bun was absolutely dry and crumbly. Universal Studios uses Udi's Gluten Free buns, so I was surprised at how dry it was.The French fries were just OK but really nothing special.Unfortunately, I did end up getting sick from Mel's Drive-In. I'm still not sure what made me sick, though I do suspect that it was the French fries. I'm guessing they don't have a dedicated fryer, despite the assurance that they were safe.Because there are some other great options in the park, I will definitely skip Mel's Drive-In in the future and head to the Leaky Cauldron or other locations with safer options.Have you been to Mel's Drive-In at Universal Studios Orlando? 

Louie's Italian Restaurant -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios

*This dining experience took place in October 2015.On the mean streets of New York at Universal Studios Orlando sits Louie's Italian Restaurant, a quick service dining location that serves up pizza by the slice. With some additional salad and pasta offerings, Louie's Italian Restaurant is mostly gluten-filled but does have a few options for those who are gluten free.During Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, we stopped by Louie's Italian Restaurant, as the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley had closed, and our group was not thrilled with the idea of getting burgers again (and I'd recently been glutened by Mel's Drive-In at Universal Studios). I wasn't sure if I'd have any options but was surprised to learn from the manager that the restaurant carried gluten free pasta. Oddly, they didn't have gluten free pizza for those who consume dairy. The only options were a salad (Caesar, which contains cheese) or plain pasta (without cheese).A little leary of gluten-free pasta, I confirmed that they cook it in separate areas and containers. The manager told me the wait would be a bit longer but offered to bring it directly to my table so I didn't have to wait at the counter the entire time.Once it arrived, I knew it probably wasn't going to be the best thing I'd ever eaten. The chicken was tender and somewhat flavorful (tasting mostly of Italian herbs), but the pasta was overcooked and bland. The marinara sauce didn't add much to the dish either. Unfortunately, it just wasn't very good at all.Universal Studios Orlando does have some tastier options throughout the parks (especially in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and City Walk), but this at least filled my stomach, safely, with something to eat. Knowing how limited the options are at Louie's Italian Restaurant, I wouldn't dine here again. Still, I was glad to see the precautions that the manager and team took to ensure that my dish was safe for me to eat.Have you been to Louie's Italian Restaurant at Universal Studios Orlando? What did you order there?

Leaky Cauldron -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.Wizards and Muggles alike love Diagon Alley located at Universal Studios Orlando. Filled with magical whimsy, the details of this well-themed "land" goes above and beyond any theme park area I've ever been to (and yes, that does include Disney!). From the shops to detailed nooks and crannies, there's so much going on at Diagon Alley that you can literally wander for hours and explore new things.The detailed theming even goes into the restaurants located at Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade (another part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter). During the summer, I had a chance to dine at the Leaky Cauldron, the quick service location at Diagon Alley.Before I visited the Leaky Cauldron (and Diagon Alley, for that matter), I checked both Eating Out Without and Gluten Free in Orlando's blogs. I knew that likely my dining option would be a chicken sandwich, but I was OK with that. I also wanted to try their specialty drinks after reading Eating Out Without's post on the drinks (and their allergens).After arriving, we spoke with a team member at the register, who brought out a chef to discuss options with me. There, we looked at the allergy binder, and I decided on the chicken sandwich minus cheese and the apple butter (which contains dairy). I also ordered a Tongue Tying Lemon Squash, as it was very hot out and sounded so refreshing.The Leaky Cauldron brings your food out to you, so we grabbed our magical food order number and grabbed a seat, enjoying a cold beverage.I have to say that I really enjoyed the Tongue Tying Lemon Squash. Very tart, it was the perfect summer day drink. It had a slight taste of "fake" sugar or preservatives in it, but overall, I really liked it a lot. It's one I'd definitely get again, especially in the summer months.Our wizard runner arrived fairly quickly with our food. As you can see, the chicken sandwich was fairly sizeable. The bacon was delicious and plentiful, and the chicken itself was nicely seasoned. The bun appeared to be Udi's Gluten Free. I would have liked to have had some type of sauce (mayo or otherwise), as the sandwich became a bit dry with nothing additional on it. The side salad with Italian Dressing was fairly bland but OK. I'd love to see them add in safe potato wedges or a vegetable.Here is a version of the sandwich with cheese on it, which, as you can see would add a bit more flavor overall for those who are gluten free only.Overall, I had a magical experience at the Leaky Cauldron and would definitely dine there again. I would probably go to the Three Broomsticks over the Leaky Cauldron because there are more options than the chicken sandwich there for those who have special dietary needs. However, it definitely hit the spot for this Muggle!Have you been to the Leaky Cauldron? What did you think of the dining options there?

Antojitos -- Dinner -- Table Service -- City Walk -- Universal Studios

*This dining experience took place in September 2015.Antojitos, located at Universal Studios Orlando City Walk, offers authentic Mexican food and great atmosphere. I first tried Antojitos in August and absolutely loved it and their gluten free offerings.On this particular visit, I dined with my brother, and we wanted to get something quick before going to see a movie at the AMC located at City Walk. We both had been eyeing the fajitas on the menu, and since neither of us were very hungry, decided to split an entree of fajitas and dig into the complimentary chips and salsa.Our server seemed fairly knowledgeable about the gluten free cross contamination needs and assured me that the chips were safe. I'd had them on a previous visit and am always glad when restaurants have dedicated chip fryers. Both my brother and I enjoyed the salsa, which contained green olives in it, for a different twist.When the fajitas were brought out, my brother and I were both a bit surprised that they were not accompanied by any rice or beans like many of the entrees at Anjtojitos are. We were only brought tortillas and fajita toppings (like lettuce and guacamole). Another server brought our food, and while I had asked for corn tortillas, were brought flour and corn with the corn right on top of the flour tortillas. Our server quickly came out and made sure to bring me a fresh and non-contaminated batch of corn tortillas.Because my family is used to sharing food with me, my brother and I quickly and safely divided up the food so that he could eat his fajitas with flour tortillas without worrying about glutening me.Overall, we liked the fajitas but thought the portion, even for one person, to be rather on the small side. For the price, we didn't think it was a good value, since you got no other accompaniments. We both agreed that in the future, we'd stick to other options when we dined here. That being said, we both loved Antojitos food and wouldn't hesitate to go back.Have you been to Antojitos? What did you think of their gluten free offerings?

Antojitos -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- City Walk -- Universal Studios

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.If there's one thing I know, it's that I love good Mexican and Tex Mex food. Some of my favorite places at Disney World include San Angel Inn and La Hacienda de San Angel -- both are delicious options while at Epcot. But what about the options at Universal Orlando? I've been long wanting to try out Antojitos, the Mexican restaurant that opened at Universal City Walk last year.I knew before visiting Antojitos that there would be gluten free and dairy free options, thanks to Amanda from Eating Out Without's blog post about gluten free and dairy free options at Universal Studios. So, I was pretty stoked to find that Antojitos was a terrific options for me to dine at.I love the vibe of Antojitos. A large restaurant with an upstairs and downstairs and even an open kitchen, this authentic Mexican restaurant is bright and cheery with great seating and lighting. If you go at the right time you'll be treated to live music. It's definitely a place to sit back, chill, and hang out with friends.In addition to a pretty extensive menu (with gluten free options marked), they also have a very large drink menu. While my brother, who dined with me, had a classic margarita, I ordered the Handsome George, which used George Clooney's Tequila brand along with a very mild lime splash. I can highly recommend this drink, though if you're looking for the best bang for your buck, I would suggest ordering a margarita. They were huge!Antojitos chips and salsa are gluten free and the chips are made in a dedicated fryer. For something fancier, you can order table-side guacamole, which we did on this occasion. I can't ever turn down guacamole, though I will say this version was a bit mediocre. I might try it again but wouldn't make it a regular occurrence since it was priced at a steep $13.99.For my entree, I ordered the shrimp tacos al pastor. These were outstanding. Served in a corn tortilla, the shrimp was marinated and topped with fresh coleslaw and a pineapple mint salsa, which was insanely good. The entree also came with rice and beans both of which were quite good. For the price and compared to many dishes at Disney Mexican restaurants, this entree was a good bargain.Overall, we enjoyed Antojitos a lot. The food was terrific and the atmosphere was great. It will definitely be on my regular rotation of Universal Orlando restaurants to dine at. If you're a Universal Orlando Annual Passholder, you also get 10% off your meal when you dine here, which is a nice bonus.Have you been to Antojitos at Universal Orlando City Walk? What did you order when you dined there?