Vote of the week: What's the best Simpsons-themed restaurant?

October 6, 2012, 12:48 PM · Following up on our post about Universal Studios Hollywood, we talked about adding new themed restaurants to the park. One of Universal's strongest franchise themes is The Simpsons, and rumors are flying that Universal's expanding The Simpsons' footprint in Orlando to take over the International Film Festival building, which might become a Simpsons-themed restaurant.

The Simpsons' Springfield abounds with restaurants depicted in the TV show and movie, so it would make sense to recreate one of those for a Simpsons-themed restaurant, to go next to The Simpsons Ride in either or both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood. But which restaurant should get the honor? That's our Vote of the Week.

The Pimento Grove dining room

I've selected five finalists. Krusty Burger and Moe's seemed obvious, given how often they appear on the show. Lard Lad would be a wonderfully silly icon to have in the park. I added The Frying Dutchman because I love the episode where Homer goes to court over an all-you-can-eat buffet, plus I'm a sucker for seafood restaurants. Finally, I picked The Pimento Grove because I'd argued that USH needed a table service restaurant, and who wouldn't love to see Universal take another shot at Disney by lampooning a Brown Derby-style restaurant? Just imagine all those celebrity "photos" on the walls, done in the style of Simpsons animation.


Tell us your vision for an expanded Simpsons land, in the comments. And thank you again for reading Theme Park Insider.

Replies (15)

October 6, 2012 at 12:52 PM · They don't already have Krusty Burgers? That's how Mel's tasted to me.

I think Krusty Burgers fits in with the exterior theming of The Simpson's Ride, so it's probably the better option. I'd like to see both that and Moes, though.

October 6, 2012 at 1:01 PM · IMO, Moe's could be confused for the burrito restaurant Moe's, which has a location in Orlando's CityWalk.
October 6, 2012 at 1:07 PM · Moe's wouldn't make a very good family restaurant, because it needs to be dank. Also, Moe's doesn't serve food.

I went with Krusty Burger, not because theme parks need another burger joint, just because it makes the most sense thematically. Realistically, people who aren't huge fans of the Simpsons wouldn't recognize the others.

October 6, 2012 at 1:08 PM · Change pimento grove to the cloth napkin!
October 6, 2012 at 1:19 PM · The Gilded Truffle?

And also on entertainment franchises how does 25 years on primetime TV stack up to Star Wars and Harry Potter books and movies?

October 6, 2012 at 1:28 PM · The problem with the Simpsons is the show days are numbered. If you have watched the last three seasons compared to the older episodes, you would know what I was talking about. The show is pretty awful these days...

I don't think the show is going to last a 2 more years as I find myself turning them off half way through. The new "HD" look that mimics the Simpsons Movie is another reason why I can't watch them. Ugh.....

I enjoy Futurama much more.

October 6, 2012 at 4:27 PM · Krusty Burger. N B, Simpsons is trying to go through 30 years, so good luck with that.
October 6, 2012 at 2:46 PM · I picked Moe's Family Feedbag just to see if Universal would go the extra mile and serve french fries on the server's heads.
October 6, 2012 at 10:41 PM · Krusty Burger for sure with a Ribwich special every now and again. Or maybe Professor V.J. Cornucopia's Fantastic Foodmagorium and Great American Steakery?
Then, after leaving the restaurant, take a walking tour through the town of Springfield (where some fun Tree House of Horror attractions are held during HHN)for some shopping at King Toots Music Store and the Android Dungeon or stop in at the Noiseland Video Arcade for some fun. All on your way to a fantastic dark/flume ride through a flooded Springfield Nuclear Power Plant.
There's the new Simpsons Land. Too much?
October 6, 2012 at 11:26 PM · I assume USF will do something like Three Broomsticks/Hogshead Pub and Confisco Grill/Backwater Bar, where they are in the same building and connected inside but feature their own entrance.
October 7, 2012 at 9:24 AM · You didn't give me a 'none of the above' option.... :)
October 7, 2012 at 9:38 AM · Flamin' Moes!!!!!
October 8, 2012 at 10:06 AM · Here you go! Here I am!
Uncle Moe -- thank you, ma'am!
This'll be a treat:
Uncle Moe! Here I am, while you eat!
October 8, 2012 at 4:09 PM · I just went to USH this weekend. The Simpson's ride didn't do much for me. I was naseated throughout the ride. After it was over, I couldn't wait to get out.

Not sure if I can take much more Simpsons. A restaurant sounds unappetizing. Will it have gross references? Will it have the rats demolishing themselves each possible moment with amputations and acid attacks? Yuck. Will it have the Indian guy sell popcorn? Oh my.

Restaurants are where I can rest and decompress. A Simpson's restaurant might be successful for kids who need constant stimulation, but not for me.

October 8, 2012 at 9:38 PM · That's exactly why I didn't vote for Krusty Burger or Moe's. Those put Universal in the tough position of creating something (a) inauthentic or (b) with lousy food and service. B is unacceptable, and A's a cop-out. That's why I like the Pimento Grove idea (or something like that) - it allows you to bring people into the Simpsons world without subjecting them to a bad dining experience. The whole "everything goes wrong" schtick is fine in a ride, but it doesn't really work for a restaurant.

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