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?
Emeril's -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Universal Orlando
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Emeril's Orlando located at City Walk at Universal Orlando is a table service location that offers a taste of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse's take on classic New Orleans dishes. I recently had the opportunity to dine at Emeril's Orlando during a work conference.None of my friends had dined here gluten free, but Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures as been to Emeril's Tchoup Chop at the Loew's Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando with mixed experiences. So, when I visited Emeril's Orlando, I figured I would have some options but that it wouldn't be as amazing as it is at Disney World.
After arriving, I did enjoy both a glass of red wine and a cocktail. I absolutely loved the New G&T which is a take on classic gin and tonics, one of my favorite drinks. Emeril's Orlando uses a small batch gin and tonic water along with black currant and lime. It was so refreshing and a popular drink at our table, as nearly half of the table ended up ordering these.
Emeril's Orlando does not have a gluten free menu, and I was walked through some options with our server, as a chef does not come out to the table. Sadly, many of the starters were not options for gluten free (let alone dairy free), and I opted to get a classic Caesar salad, since I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet.I wasn't very impressed by this salad. It was rather plain and certainly nothing special.
For my entree, I asked if the BBQ Salmon was safe for me, and I was told they could make it gluten free by removing the crispy onions. I later learned that they also removed the BBQ sauce. Talk about a bummer.The salmon itself was very spicy (as it had blackening seasoning on it). There wasn't a lot of texture in the dish, as the andouille sausage and potatoes underneath were pretty mushy. If I had known I wouldn't get the BBQ sauce, I probably would have ordered something else.Sadly, most of the entrees contained a lot of sauces that contained gluten, so I was steered away from most dishes.
For dessert, there are two gluten free options - the Flourless chocolate cake and a fruit plate with sorbet (which is also dairy free). I ended up taking a bite of the flourless chocolate cake, which was very rich and decadent. It's also very dairy heavy.If I were going to order a flourless chocolate cake, I would get one from another restaurant rather than the version here, which seemed pretty basic in every way. It couldn't compare to the amazing version I had at Fulton's Crab House (soon to be reopened as the Paddlefish).Overall, I wasn't wowed by Emeril's Orlando. It was just OK and definitely not something I'd paid out of my own pocket (I was hosted by a vendor at work). The prices didn't justify the quality of food served.As a celiac and gluten free diner, I'm surprised and disappointed that Emeril's Orlando doesn't have a gluten free menu given that two of Emeril's daughters are gluten free (including one celiac) and huge GF advocates.I don't think I'll be making a visit to Emeril's Orlando or Tchoup Chop anytime soon again. I'm glad I got to try it, but it's definitely not worth a repeat visit for me. I'd rather go to Antojito's next door at Universal Orlando City Walk for some amazing Mexican food.Have you been to Emeril's Orlando? What did you think of the options?
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?
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?
Guest Review -- Universal Studios Orlando
This series of guests posts comes from reader Kathleen. Her love of Disney and passion for bringing awareness to special dietary needs on her college campus makes her the perfect guest writer for Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW. I've been following along on her college journey where she blogs about dining at college with special diets. Check out this great article on allergy friendly dining that she wrote last fall for her campus. Thanks again, Kathleen, for taking us along on your Disney special diets journey! (if you aren't hungry, you will be after you read these reports)I've broken up Kathleen's posts, and today we're checking out her review of Universal Studios Orlando! Hi everyone! My name is Kathleen and I’m currently a senior at NC State University in Raleigh. A few years ago, I found out about several food allergies that I have (gluten, corn, dairy, tomatoes, apples and peanuts) and ever since then, I’ve been on the lookout for new and exciting foods to try. Disney is a big deal in our family, and on our annual trip each summer, we love eating at new restaurants to mix things up. This was my third Disney trip with allergies, but my first without dairy, since I found out about that only a year ago.
Universal Studios 7/19-7/21We started out our trip at Universal Studios, to celebrate my younger sister’s recent high school graduation. I’ve had wonderful allergy service at Disney, so I was excited to compare it to that of Universal’s restaurants. I figured I’d include reviews of these places as well, since a lot of people travel to both parks.After arriving at the Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday night, we ventured over to City Walk to eat dinner at Pat O’Brien’s. I’m not sure if it was Cajun or Irish themed – it seemed to be a mix of both – but the menu looked good either way. It had a cool atmosphere too – we were seated in the “piano room,” where a very entertaining lady took requests and performed all kinds of songs.They did not have a gluten free/allergy menu, but I let the server know about my allergies and she checked with the kitchen to see what I could have. Dining gluten free is becoming easier due to the increased awareness of gluten allergies and Celiac disease, but the corn allergy makes things a little more difficult. When the waitress came back, she told me I could get green beans and either grilled meat or a hamburger patty. I ended up ordering grilled chicken and green beans. It was good, but not anything special. I was a little disappointed with the limited options, but I still enjoyed what I ordered.
The next day, after seeing the amazing new Diagon Alley and braving the Escape from Gringotts ride (after a 1.5 hour wait – not too bad, considering it opened two weeks prior!), we took a break for lunch and ate at a favorite of my dad’s (and mine), Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. Having been here before, I knew that they had a gluten free menu so I was able to look at that and had a lot more options than the previous night.
The server was extremely helpful. She noticed my menu, and asked if I had any questions about it. I asked her about the bread, since a lot of gluten free bread has corn products in it. She checked with the chef, and came back to let me know that it was corn-free! I ordered the Key West blackened fish sandwich, which came topped with cilantro cole slaw. Since the restaurant used soybean oil and a dedicated fryer, I could also get sweet potato fries! I was happy because sweet potatoes are one of my favorite foods of all time.
The sandwich was delicious and the bun was so good! I’m normally not much of a bread person, just because I can’t have many gluten free brands, but this was great. It wasn’t too dry, which was nice. I asked the server what brand it was, and she told me it was Udi’s. I was surprised because normally I can’t have Udi’s baked products because they have corn derivatives in them, but she told me the bun was corn free so I thought that maybe Udi’s changed their recipe.Unfortunately, I ended up having a skin flare up later in the day, and when I looked at the ingredients online, the buns still had cornstarch, maltodextrin and xanthan gum. If it’s a small enough amount, it won’t bother me, but in this case, it was enough to provoke a reaction. Boo. I guess I’ll still have to continue my search for the perfect gluten and corn free bun. That night, we ate at Bob Marley: A Tribute to Freedom. This place was really cool. I’m not a huge Bob Marley fan, but it was still a fun place to try. Plus, I love Caribbean food, so yay! The restaurant did not have a gluten free menu, but I was eyeing the Jamaican Curry, since I know a lot of curries are gluten and dairy free. When I told the very friendly, very dreadlocked server about my allergies and asked about the curry, he checked with chef and told me the curry was out because it was cooked with tomatoes (unlike the Indian and Thai curries I’m used to making at home – I just made a mental note to make a me-friendly version ASAP when I got home).Just like Pat O’Brien’s, the only options for me were grilled chicken or fish. I ended up ordering grilled Mahi. (Instead of the Mahi Mahi, can I just have the one Mahi? Because I’m not feeling that hungry) However, I was super stoked to learn that the yucca fries and plantains were safe for me to eat. Now, I love plantains more than any other fruit. In fact, they are probably my favorite fruit. Give me plantains, and I’ll be your best friend. And THESE plantains came topped with shredded coconut. My two favorite foods combined? Done. Heaven. Forget an engagement ring, a guy could propose to me with that side dish and I’d be sold. The fish was really good too. It was perfectly seasoned, and was especially delicious after I added the scotch bonnet pepper sauce. Overall, I was sad that I didn’t have many options, but not too sad, because what I could get was awesome.
The next day, we were all set to leave Universal and head over to Disney World! After checking out, we walked over to have lunch at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co. I’ve never seen Forrest Gump (don’t judge me!), so some of the significance was totally lost on me, but I had a great experience nonetheless. I was excited to see that they had a gluten free menu! Plus, the service was incredible.Our server was so nice, and extremely funny. He cracked me up when he asked me, concerned, what I do for desserts. I told him, not to worry, dessert is obviously the most important meal of the day, and I made it my priority to find some kind of sweet treat whenever I could. I ended up ordering the pear and berry salad with grilled shrimp and no cheese. Since the glazed pecans that normally topped the salad were cooked with heavy cream, our waiter offered to bring me plain pecans. Even better, he told me that they make their salad dressings in house, from scratch, so there were no corn syrup or corn products in the raspberry vinaigrette dressing. I was glad, too, because that dressing tasted just like melted raspberry sorbet. Dee-licious.
Universal was not as allergy friendly as Disney, but I definitely enjoyed what I ordered. Margaritaville and Bubba Gump’s were the best of the four places we tried, probably because they are chain restaurants and are better equipped to deal with food allergies.Stay tuned for Kathleen's review of Disney World! If you want to learn more about Kathleen's experiences as a college student with special dietary needs, you'll get that chance at the upcoming Food Allergy & Celiac Convention held at Disney World on November 22, 2014.