When you go to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure one stop you really want to make is the Hard Rock Cafe. If you're even remotely in to music this is the best place to visit other than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. One step inside and you instantly feel the energy and adrenalin that permeates the rock universe. Hard Rock is an "in your face" dining experience that the whole family will enjoy. Whenever we go to Universal Studios we eat there more than any other of the fabulous restaurants.
Hard Rock has a commanding presence on the walkway between Universal and Islands of Adventure. It overlooks the river that runs right down the middle of the vast Universal complex. As you approach you're immediately attracted to the Roman Coliseum architecture with a pink Cadillac jammed right into the side of it. When you enter you are greeted by one of the finest serving staffs I've ever encountered. My family and I have been there dozens of times in recent years and the staff is always friendly and high speed. Rock music is always playing and the atmosphere is vibrant without being oppressive. The cafe is more like a museum with hundreds of pieces of rock memorabilia prominently displayed on the walls and ceilings. The kids will love it and so will the parents. There is an interactive wall on one side of the main bar where children of all ages can touch images and learn rock facts all night.
There is a round full service bar in the middle of the cafe with a mezzanine floor accessible by stairs or elevator. You can browse and wander all you like before, during, or after your meal. High-Def TVs's are everywhere broadcasting various concerts by all the legendary bands. We never have to wait long to be seated and are always greeted by a wait staff who always seems glad to be serving. Either they hire real happy people or have a super training program (or both).
The menu is large and varied. You can choose from a full page of appetizers if you're in to that. We have settled on the Hard Rock Nachos that come loaded with everything and you can also add meat, chicken, or pulled pork. It's not a light dish so only order it if you think the whole family will eat it. If you can't finish it take it back to your room. (Note: Only the restaurants on City Walk let you take doggie bags. The restaurants inside the parks don't allow it) The menu has entrees, burgers, smokehouse, and sandwiches. They also have sandwiches and salads with a few vegan ideas mixed in. As a family we usually steer away from the entrees because they can get pricey when you're on a vacation budget but we always have tremendous burgers and there's a full kids menu to include the classic hot dog plate for the kid who eats nothing else! When we go, if we avoid the high end platters and get an appetizer with nothing from the bar, our tab comes to about $75.00-$95.00. Not a cheap ticket for some families but if you figure in the convenience, experience, and not driving out in a town you don't know, looking for something you have no idea what, it's worth the lack of stress for Mom, Dad, and the kids. I'm still looking for one of the photos I have of Hard Rock but if you go to their website http://www.hardrock.com/ or www.universalstudios/citywalk you can take the 360 degree virtual tour and see if it doesn't look like what I'm describing.
Our experiences there have always been fun and eating at Hard Rock Orlando is an outing by itself. Think of us when you go there and let me know if your time there wasn't just superb! Thanks for reading and more to come.....
Hard Rock has a commanding presence on the walkway between Universal and Islands of Adventure. It overlooks the river that runs right down the middle of the vast Universal complex. As you approach you're immediately attracted to the Roman Coliseum architecture with a pink Cadillac jammed right into the side of it. When you enter you are greeted by one of the finest serving staffs I've ever encountered. My family and I have been there dozens of times in recent years and the staff is always friendly and high speed. Rock music is always playing and the atmosphere is vibrant without being oppressive. The cafe is more like a museum with hundreds of pieces of rock memorabilia prominently displayed on the walls and ceilings. The kids will love it and so will the parents. There is an interactive wall on one side of the main bar where children of all ages can touch images and learn rock facts all night.
There is a round full service bar in the middle of the cafe with a mezzanine floor accessible by stairs or elevator. You can browse and wander all you like before, during, or after your meal. High-Def TVs's are everywhere broadcasting various concerts by all the legendary bands. We never have to wait long to be seated and are always greeted by a wait staff who always seems glad to be serving. Either they hire real happy people or have a super training program (or both).
The menu is large and varied. You can choose from a full page of appetizers if you're in to that. We have settled on the Hard Rock Nachos that come loaded with everything and you can also add meat, chicken, or pulled pork. It's not a light dish so only order it if you think the whole family will eat it. If you can't finish it take it back to your room. (Note: Only the restaurants on City Walk let you take doggie bags. The restaurants inside the parks don't allow it) The menu has entrees, burgers, smokehouse, and sandwiches. They also have sandwiches and salads with a few vegan ideas mixed in. As a family we usually steer away from the entrees because they can get pricey when you're on a vacation budget but we always have tremendous burgers and there's a full kids menu to include the classic hot dog plate for the kid who eats nothing else! When we go, if we avoid the high end platters and get an appetizer with nothing from the bar, our tab comes to about $75.00-$95.00. Not a cheap ticket for some families but if you figure in the convenience, experience, and not driving out in a town you don't know, looking for something you have no idea what, it's worth the lack of stress for Mom, Dad, and the kids. I'm still looking for one of the photos I have of Hard Rock but if you go to their website http://www.hardrock.com/ or www.universalstudios/citywalk you can take the 360 degree virtual tour and see if it doesn't look like what I'm describing.
Our experiences there have always been fun and eating at Hard Rock Orlando is an outing by itself. Think of us when you go there and let me know if your time there wasn't just superb! Thanks for reading and more to come.....
