Sports fans now can get a taste of Universal Orlando, in Philadelphia.
Universal Parks & Resorts has opened a quick service version of its Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen as a concession stand inside Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center arena. The new Toothsome Milkshake Foundry, presented in partnership with concessionaire Aramark, will offer several of the iconic milkshakes familiar to Universal Orlando visitors, including Red Velvet, Strawberry Cheesecake, That's Mint, Brownie, Cookie Jar, and the Chocolate X5 shakes.
"This concept is unlike anything we have ever offered before, and we're confident that these milkshakes will be a hit with guests of all ages," Wells Fargo Center General Manager Phil Laws said.
Toothsome Milkshake Foundry in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center @NHLFlyers @unistudios @universalorlando @WellsFargoCtr pic.twitter.com/FeGLH7G5kf
— Thom Boessel (@ThomBoessel) January 28, 2022
"The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen restaurants at our theme park destinations show what happens when the same amazing team that designs our attractions works with our incredible culinary team to create a completely immersive dining experience," Universal Parks & Resorts Senior Vice President for Global Restaurant Development Modesto Alcala said. "We are excited to share a taste of that experience with Philadelphia. We have brought whole new meaning to what you thought you knew about milkshakes - and we are excited to bring some of our most popular shakes from around the world to fans at Wells Fargo Center."
Toothsome Milkshake Foundry will be open for all Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers games, as well as other select events. If you might be curious why Universal would choose to bring a theme park brand to Philadelphia, allow me to remind you that Philly is the home to NBCUniversal's corporate parent, Comcast.
The original Toothsome Chocolate Emporium opened in 2016 on Universal Orlando's CityWalk and expanded to Universal Beijing Resort late last year. Another location is scheduled to begin construction on the former Hard Rock Cafe site at Universal Studios Hollywood's CityWalk, too.
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Huh. I just went on an internet rabbit hole research trip. I guess Coney Island isn’t a “park resort” but Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs got started there.
I am reminded of the short-lived “Mickey’s Kitchen” fast food restaurants. I wonder whether there’s an alternate future in which those made it big.
I hope the Toothsome milkshake concept works out! I am a big fan of the restaurant.
I just remembered the story that Doritos were invented at the old Casa de Fritos at Disneyland. So that might be first example of a theme park food brand going outside the parks.
As a general rule.... Theme park food is not that good. Some is good in comparison to the rest of the food there. But, I would certainly never go to a theme park for the food.
Even the best theme park restaurants are overpriced and not as good as a similarly priced restuarnt off site.
As for the milkshakes - I guess it is a social media thing - I think they are too sweet and over the top for my taste.
There's no way a milkshake place will succeed in the most health-conscious city in the world, Philadelphia.
I laughed.
Has anyone added melted cheese to a milkshake yet? I feel like Philly might be the city to bring that to the table.
The gluttonously topped milkshake concept has become pretty ubiquitous, so strapping the Toothsome brand to a stand inside a basketball arena doesn't really move the needle IMHO. It's a cool story for theme park fans, but I doubt many fans attending 76ers and Flyers games will make the connection, and just see another fancy milkshake place.
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Is this first time a theme park restaurant brand has opened a version outside of a park resort? I am blanking on other examples.