By June 2014, Universal expected to have added a new Starbucks, a Cold Stone Creamery, a Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Bread Box handcrafted sandwiches, Pranzo Italian Kitchen, Antojitos Mexican Food, Hot Dog Hall of Fame, and a Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar.
Here are some additional details about the new additions to CityWalk, with images and information courtesy Universal.
ANTOJITOS AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD
This one is almost finished and will open soon! Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food is a place where guests can journey through the cantinas, street carts and markets of Mexico City for unique tapas-style dining at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food. Only the freshest ingredients are used to create craveable, made-from-scratch Mexican street fare in a very authentic environment.
COLD STONE CREAMERY
For more than 25 years, Cold Stone Creamery has served up the finest, freshest ice cream, cakes, smoothies and shakes using only the highest quality ingredients and their signature process of preparing your custom ice cream creation on a frozen granite stone.
STARBUCKS (Moving)
Starbucks will move to a lower-level location near the escalators so you can pick up your coffee conveniently on the way in...or the way out of the parks. It will grow to 130 seats, and will be located next to Cold Stone Creamery. With more than 18,000 stores in 62 countries, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world.
THE COWFISH and ITALIAN KITCHEN CONCEPT
Innovative sushi joins forces with creative burgers for an untraditional dining experience at this reincarnation of the popular North Carolina hotspot. The result: “Burgushi,” a cutting-edge fusion of burger and sushi. Burgushi items include sushi rolls created using burger components and sandwiches created using sushi elements. It may the first time you've heard the term 'burgushi,' but it won't be the last.
Immerse yourself in the essence of modern Italian cuisine at the Italian Kitchen Concept, created by Universal Orlando. Watch as the culinary team handcrafts your pasta from scratch to create fresh takes on classic dishes in a clean, contemporary dining atmosphere.
HOT DOG HALL OF FAME
Hot Dog Hall of Fame, an outdoor quick-service offering, will sit between Emeril's and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. Strike out your hunger with some of the most iconic hot dog creations from our nation’s most famous ballparks. Take a seat in the bleachers and enjoy a loaded Chicago dog with all the toppings, a perfectly charred Boston brat, a monster LA dog and more. Jeff Bornmann, vice president of development for the restaurant said, "We have everything from your basic dog to Chicago dog, New York dog, deli dog — which will have pastrami, sour kraut, Swiss cheese — two footlong versions and then barbecue dogs," "The goal is to feature dogs that are iconic dogs from every region of the country." Just don't expect ketchup...they don't have that here. Instead look for a mustard bar containing what is said to be the best mustards in the world.
BREAD BOX
With a Bread Box sandwich, you’ll be transported back to your childhood kitchen or your favorite street corner deli. Here you’ll find that the combination of quality meats and vegetables, fresh bread, and simple preparation can transform a sandwich into something more.
MENCHIE’S
One of the world’s most popular frozen yogurt shops is coming to Universal CityWalk. The dream was to create a place where people from all walks of life and ages could enjoy themselves—not only with great tasting, quality frozen yogurt and an expansive self-serve toppings bar, but with a unique experience in a fun and happy environment that makes you smile.
RED OVEN PIZZA BAKERY
Red Oven Pizza Bakery is already open. You order at the registers and then a server will bring you your food as you are seated outdoors. Universal CityWalk's Vice President of Revenue Operations Modesto Alcala seemed particularly proud of this location. He took a small group of us on a personal tour of Red Oven Pizza Bakery.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS STORE
In addition to all the new restaurants at Universal Citywalk, there will also be an update to the Universal Studios Store. Take home a bit of movie magic! The store features Universal Studios logo collectibles for adults and children – including T-shirts, plush toys, hats and beach towels – featuring the likenesses of Spider-Man, Woody Woodpecker, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Simpsons and the characters of Dr. Seuss. The store will look refreshed, and will become more of a huge centerpiece. Look for all of these changes to be completed in 2014.
The new businesses will replace Pastamore and Latin Quarter, as well as the previous Starbucks location. CityWalk's candy shop and the cigar shop recently announced that they would close, too.
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Besides, can't you still get a Nathan's Dog inside the park?
Moving Starbucks to the lower level of CW makes sense too. There have been many a time after HHN that I would have loved to get a frappucino, but I didn't want to walk up the stairs to see if they were still open or not. There's nothing more disappointing than walking around a park for 8+ hours and then climb the escalator stairs that are always out of order, then find out Starbucks is closed.
I'd love to see J&H! That would be pretty amazing. I also can't say I'm disappointed in the Burgushi concept, having never heard of that before. I'll definitely try it the next time I'm in Orlando.
Change is (usually) good. Mixing it up, trying new things, replacing underperforming restaurants and/or stores is in their best interest. If a new restaurant is sub par, it'll only be a matter of time before it's replaced with something else. That's just the way these things work.
Now if they could just remove Rip Ride Rockit and put in an actual B&M coaster with some inversions and/or "real" loops, I'd be happy. I hate that ride.
Oh well.
I'm looking forward to seeing the changes. They won't all be good, but at least Pastamore is going away. Never did like that place.
Missed opportunities?
They had one in NYC for years my husband loved (he's a big horror fan). We never got to take my boys though because it closed a few years ago. It was located near Central Park, on 7th Avenue I believe. It was themed like the mad scientist's lab and was spooky inside. Like Halloween every day.
I have seen rumors about it coming to Universal for several months now. Anyone got the scoop on that?
This being said, I wouldn't mind seeing it go along with NBA. I think change is great, which is why I'm not upset about everything that is coming down in favor of new restaurants.
Being up that early at the resort it sort of surreal. The only other people walking around are all on-site guests. Everyone is so quiet, even though thousands of people are converging on the gates at IOA.
At night time, only the die-hards are at the CityWalk until all hours of the morning. Nothing like an evening boat drink at the Lone Palm Airport.
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