Came in excited to try a few items, but unfortunately the food didn't match what was advertised on the menu photos at all. We ordered the El Macho Nacho Hat, Chicken Stuart's Szechuan Surprise, and El Macho's Salsa y Salsa Ropa Vieja. Presentation was very different from the photos. Portions looked thrown together rather than plated like advertised, and some components seemed off or missing. The biggest letdown was the guacamole. It didn't come in the signature sombrero as shown, and instead was served in a small container. The texture was also very pasty, more like mashed than fresh guac, and lacked that bright, fresh flavor you'd expect. The chicken dish was okay flavor-wise, but again didn't match the photo and felt underwhelming for what was advertised. No broccoli or carrots as shown in the original picture when ordering. Overall, the experience felt misleading based on the menu images. Hoping this was just an off day, but consistency and presentation definitely need improvement. read more

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why did i have such a great time here! first off the interior is insanely good super cute and on theme (obvi)! after a long day of so much walking i was ready to eat and was also kinda expecting to be disappointed by the food bc cmon it's the minion cafe LOL the food was great!!!!! idk if it was the hungry but i had a great time and it definitely filled up my tummy! mac & cheese - 8/10 the cheese sauce is VERY rich but creamy! the pork belly was yum! mega melt - 8/10 yummm! salsa ropa vieja - 8/10 great! read more

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Not the worst but not the best meal I've had at Universal Studios. I got a chance to try El Macho's Salsa y Ropa Vieja. Flavor was great! My tostones were just tooo hard! I wish my food was a bit hotter as well but it's understandable to an extent. I also tried my friend's steak and cheese sandwich and actually did not like the bun at all. It tasted like a Cheezit and was kinda soggy. Tots were different too but not bad. If you're a texture person - they're softer than regular tots. Service was good - what you would normally expect from a theme park. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Ropa Vieja - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Food is basic, but overpriced (I mean, it's in a theme park). You order on the app, scan the qr code on your table, and they bring the food out. The drink is super sweet, and the macho nacho did not come out like the image online (it's just a regular bowl of chips and guac). read more

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We went here for lunch and the food looked much better in the menu. A lot of their bowls and utensils were really dirty too. Even after asking for another one, the replacement we got was dirty. My dad got the Otto's Noodle Bowl and he was disappointed that the noodle shape didn't match the picture! I got the Agnes' Honeymoon Soup and felt like the soup was presented very messily - a lot of the soup was on the side of the bowl. The soup flavor was ok. The grilled cheese sandwich was a bit on the oily side and a bit limp, not crispy. I think I forgot to take a picture of my dish though. My sister got the chips and the amount of guac they give you is quite small. The Minion Swiss Roll was cute and I liked the banana with a chocolate shell. I thought this one tasted pretty good and the presentation is so funny. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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We absolutely love coming back to Minion Café when visiting universal . It's self seeding , self order through table QR code , and overall a fun, family-friendly dining spot . We came here 2 days in a row , great break from rides especially with kids. The theming is bright, playful, and full of Minion details that keep little ones entertained. The food is still better than expected for theme park dining. The udon noodles and half a rotisserie chicken 5/5 were surprisingly good...flavorful, filling, and not overly greasy tender and well-seasoned, a solid option if you want something lighter but still satisfying. We also tried the meatball calzone 5/5 which was hearty, cheesy, and perfect for sharing. There's an equal amount of cheese meatball and sauce filling ratio vs bread . Hands down one of the best calzones I've tried at any establishment...With Universal epic having the other best pizza spot. The kids' meals were a hit , my daughter had grilled cheese and spaghetti with meatballs with minion tater tots . good portions, simple options kids actually eat, and nicely presented with the fun Minion theme. Prices are typical for Universal, but reasonable considering the portion sizes, food quality, and immersive atmosphere. Tip* sign up for a free universal Visa card before your visit for 10% of any food and theme park purchases. read more

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Such a fun cafe! BEST to Least best: * passion fruit mousse and vanilla cake - the chocolate shell banana with passion fruit inside was delicious. I could see how some people may say it was a tiny bit too sour but still very appropriate for passion fruit. The vanilla cake was whatever. Not needed. * the yellow noodles were served in an upside down minion glass cup which was kinda fun. The noodles were udon but yellow tinted. The pork was surprisingly kinda good in texture as it was crispy and the flavor was "meets average." * the rock looked so fun but taste wise im not a huge peanut butter fan and it was a light peanut butter mousse with a strawberry jam in the middle. I would not get this again. Comfy: * Hard cold sterile McDonald's style dinner seats. Not that comfy but there was fun yellow colors. It was a nice spot for the small novelty read more

This review gets a 5 just for Uncle Dru's pork sandwich. Honestly one of the best bites I've had throughout the parks. The flavor was great and the porchetta was cooked just right. We also got the meatball mountain which, if you love cheese, would probably make it a standout dish, but otherwise I thought it was just okay. Ordering was easy with the app, you just need a table. Anyway, would recommend the pork belly sandwich if you are trying to figure out what to order at universal. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Pork sandwich + meatball mountain - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Just went here today for the first time, after the holiday parade. My grandson loves the minions, so why not? I'll tell you why not! When every other restaurant, cafe and take away place had lines - this place was DEAD. Not to be deterred, we followed their ridiculous procedures and ordered food. There were four of us and each dish was worse than the last. Most of it went in the trash. I'm my case the meatball pizza was hard as a rock and the cheese inside looked brown. It all tasted awful. My grandson ordered a PBJ sandwich but said it tasted weird because it was warm. He didn't care for the tots at all. Overall, the idea is good, but the menu and the procedures are awful. As you can see in the pictures, the place is practically empty immediately after the parade when the place is flooded with people. If you can't even please the kids who want to go there, you are losing. Awful. read more

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I love going to the Minion Cafe when I am at Universal!! I love the inside and the theming of this restaurant! It's usually fairly loud because it's filled with lots of families but it doesn't take away from the experience. Since this is a quick serve, they just bring the food to your table when it's ready, but all of the team members are always very friendly. My favorite thing to get to eat here are the minion tots and Mel's meatball mountain. Both are so good and always my go tos! read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Mel's Meatball mountain - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Did someone say banana? The Illumination Minions Cafe is a brightly colored, heavily themed, and exciting environment for all ages. This dining establishment only offers mobile ordering, which can result in a longer wait for your food due to the high traffic the restaurant experiences. If you're trying to make the most of your day, I recommend skipping the Minions Cafe. The food is thematically well-designed to fit the Minion franchise, showcasing incredible attention to detail. I enjoyed most of the dishes, with my favorites being the Mel Meatball Mountain and Otto's Pet Rock. However, the biggest disappointment was the Odon Soup; I believe using ramen noodles would have improved the noodle-to-broth ratio, as it wasn't as filling or flavorful as the other dishes. The Steak Cheddar Melt was good for what it was, but I've had better, and I suspect the cheese sauce may have upset my stomach. If you are a big fan of the Minion franchise, have kids, and don't mind waiting for a short while in an air-conditioned setting, I wouldn't skip this cafe! read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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This is our favorite quick service restaurant at Universal Studios! My favorite thing to get is Mel's Meatball Mountain, which is a wood oven baked stuffed pizza with meatballs, basil, fresh mozzarella and marinara. It is so delicious! The theming is also so fun and they have a few different rooms that you can pick to sit in to eat. We love to sit in the Minion break room! read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Mel's Meatball Mountains and Minion Tots! YUM! - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

La peor comida Que he provado en toda mi vida lo único bueno es la Coca-Cola y las ordenas incompletas 150$ botados à la basura read more

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I am shocked at how much we enjoyed eating here. Reviews I have heard were mixed. We enjoyed it so much we ate their twice the week we where at Universal! Love that you sit at a table place your order o lien and then it gets delivered. Wait time for food wasn't bad and everything came out at the perfect temp and tastes great. Of course the space is adorable! The standouts for us were the ropa veja, minion tots, chicken with udon and the salad. For the kids they love the spaghetti and the pbj! They didn't care for the grilled cheese because of the pimento cheese. The pet rock desert is delightful as well read more

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This is my favorite restaurant at Universal! I love how it's not your standard theme park fare. I also really like how you order from the QR code and then a server brings your food. It simplifies the process, but there are always plenty of staff nearby if you need help ordering. We did need a little help due to allergies, and the staff were awesome! My favorite things on the menu were the crispy cauliflower, meatball mountain, and Otto's pet rock. I could eat just a couple of those peanut butter & jelly "rocks" for lunch and be happy! The decorations are so cute too. So many hidden jokes and things all over the restaurant. I loved this place! If you have picky eaters, there is spaghetti or Mac n cheese for kids, but some of the other choices are a bit different and kids may not like as much, such as the grilled cheese used pimento cheese. This is a fun place!!! read more

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This place is hella cute, also have Minion foosball table, themed locker, themed vending machine. Truly adorable! Agnes's Honeymoon Soup caught my eye as quite a unique theme park dish that is a twise on the classic (grilled cheese w/ tomato soup) but different. The grilled cheese is Waffle!! The Soup is green tomato soup, with basil oil, crispy pork, and a tomato jamb in gummy bear shape. They truly had fun creating this dish and I truly enjoyed and appreciated it! read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - AGNES'S Honeymoon Soup - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

This is always a fun cafe to chill at. The food is good and quick. And it's always the coldest inside here. Maybe don't tell others that so it's not busy. Everyone is so nice and always helpful. I will always take a moment to chill in here any chance I get! read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

To be greeted at the door with a harsh ," if you atrnt eating..I cant let you in : was not a great way to start. A hello,, how can we guide you..May have been better. No instructions,, no guidance. You have to find a seat, scan the QR code for the menu, and the make sure you do the final submit even after paying. Or they wont deliver it. The salad looked okay but was not appetizing. The dressing all over and undress chicken was not appetizing. Clean restrooms and they do sell beer. Miss the old dining that used to be here with the classic monsters. Grab what yoh wanted, and seemed more organized. Not a fan of this set up. read more

Cute place food was ok. Why is there pimento cheese? Kiddo loved the hash brown and banana but not a fan of the grilled cheese. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Grilled cheese - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

stopped in for lunch at 11:45. It was a relatively slow day at the park, but still the dining area was nearly empty. As others have mentioned, you order by app and enter your table number and someone will bring you your order, but there were also plenty of staff walking around to ask questions and get condiments/water cups/extra napkins. Wife and I both ordered the salmon. The fish was cooked and seasoned well, very delicious. Rice and edamame were a little plain, but much appreciated for fiber. cucumber salad was also good. My son ordered Mac and cheese, a little salty but otherwise flavorful and delicious. Also had the Swiss roll desert, very cute and lots of passion fruit flavor in the "banana." Wait time for food was only 5ish minutes. At least for the dishes we ordered, would eat here again and recommend to others. read more

This is a true full service restaurant. Order thru the Universal app, pay thru the app, and the servers will bring the food to you. The menu items all have a Minions theme, and some of the food that comes out also scream Minions. I had the Agnes' Honeymoon Soup since the initial reviews said this was a good item to order. It was okay I guess...obviously keep your standards realistic, this isn't a place where you'd expect top quality cuisine. The ambiance inside is quite neat, there's lots of photo opportunities inside and the food is honestly mildly picturesque. Not a bad place for themed food, but don't expect fine dining quality. read more

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Went to Universal Orlando to celebrate our son's birthday. He's a big fan of Minions so eating here for lunch was a highlight of the visit. The food was good and unique given the usual theme park fare. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Chicken Stuart's Szechuan Surprise - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

I tried Illumination's Minion Cafe for the first time in Universal Studios Florida last week. It was just okay. I tried a Beef salsa bowl, and a Salmon Bowl. They were both okay, I think the salmon was better than the beef. The inside of the restaurant was themed very well to the minions movies, and there is plenty of seating available. Overall, it's an okay restaurant in Universal, but there are a lot better ones in the parks and on the city walk. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Beef Salsa Bowl - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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We ordered on our phone which was super easy and fast. We were really excited to try the desserts! The rock dessert and the banana shaped dessert that had passion fruit in it were so delicious! The banana roll wasn't that good, I would skip that. I got the mac and cheese and it was delicious! My son got a meatball calzone and he loved it! The whole area was decorated in Minions and it was so cute! Would definitely come back again! read more

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Really tasty food, especially the noodle bowl and salsa ropa. The nachos were a little underwhelming. The chips very salty, the guac kinda small. The staff was helpful and nice even with us coming in right before close. We'd eat here again. read more

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This place was so surprising to me, I fully expected the food to solely cater to kids and was so excited to find several unique and tasty dishes on the menu. The theming is exactly how I expect a minion cafe to be. We mobile ordered from our table and I will say the food took quite a while to come out even though the restaurant itself wasn't crazy busy. I had the Mac & Cheese with pork belly along with the chips and guacamole (I had to!) and my husband had the steak and cheese ray sandwich. I loved the minion shaped tots and my Mac and cheese was actually so good for a quick service restaurant and my husband loved his sandwich. I would absolutely return here on a future trip! read more

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I can't believe I am typing these words, but the Minion Cafe may have been the best food I had in Florida. I know, unexpected, but this place came out of nowhere and WOWED me. Upon entering, you can see that this spot is very fun and themed. There are a lot of rooms, so it's kind of "choose your own adventure" with how quiet, cold, and decorated you want your experience to be. We sat in the middle next to all the minion decor, but noticed some side rooms were much more chill and quiet. You order on your phone here and are able to add a note to have a waiter come speak with you if you have an allergy. I generally just order whatever is labeled as GF, but I can see why they had to do this. Luckily, the salmon and rice was gluten free so I went with that. We did have to chase someone down to get water cups- I think the servers run more on efficiency than service since it's such a high volume spot. My salmon was PERFECT! I live in Seattle and eat seafood a ton, and this was high quality salmon cooked perfectly. I could hardly believe how good it was. The blue rice with coconut milk was *chefs kiss* and the edamame side was fab too. They also had extra sauce in a syringe which was so fun. For the price, this meal was a slam dunk. It was healthy, well balanced, and so fun to eat. I would eat this every day for the rest of my life, if I'm being honest. Perfect energy boost (and boost of AC) to get my energy up for a long afternoon at the park. Do not miss the Minion Cafe! Trust! read more

This is a restaurant inside the Universal Hollywood Studios Park in Orlando. We were there with a field trip. The offerings are very unique which makes it a tough spot for kids, though it seems designed for kids. My daughter is a brave eater, and she ordered the grilled cheese with pimento cheese in it. I ordered the Freedonia Mac and Cheese. The food was good. Nothing spectacular. Average park food. You order on the mobile app, enter your table, and it will be delivered to you. I actually like this better than waiting in line at a counter. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

The tots are what sold me on this cafe. Yes, they ARE better than normal tots. Is it because they are shaped like minions or because they have something fancy added in? Nobody knows for sure, but, we do know they are good and worth the upcharge...who likes banana chips anyway? The sandwiches were also good, not as good as the tots, and very filling. I was surprised at their size and insane flavor. The beef/cheese combo is very cheesy, almost too much for me, it needed something else, I'm not sure exactly what, but it could be even better than it already was. I'm also a sucker for a pretzel bun..and it was worth it, too. I'm bummed that I didn't try the purple ice cream drink. It looked great but huge...and probably not good for a hot day in the theme park. But, on another day, it will be mine. read more

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I came again during HHN. This time, I tried the steak and cheese sandwich, and for dessert, I tried the minion Swiss roll. I enjoyed both of them. The sandwich had a good flavor, abundant meat, and (of course) a lot of cheese. The Swiss roll surprised me because I was expecting a banana flavor, but instead, it was kind of mango and passion fruit (I might be wrong). Regardless, it was amazing! The only thing I believe they need to improve is getting utensils and napkins more accessible. We needed to ask the waitress. They gave them to us but they were busy trying to deliver the food so it took a bit of time. read more

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For minion fans, it's great. For non fans, it's probably not the best move. Portions are small and prices are... well what you'd expect at disney. The taste was decent but not life changing. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Mac n cheese & nuggets - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

I been watching videos on YouTube how Universal is really trying to improve their food options to compete with Disney. While most of their innovative food items opened at Epic, the Minion Cafe which opened a couple of years ago at the original park was supposed to be a cool new experience. This past weekend we went and just with theming this cafe really delivered, fun and very detailed. This is a counter service joint so you order your food on the app and they bring it to your table. The menu here is supposed to be fusions with Latin and Asian with diner food. So we ordered the following Agnes honeymoon soup, Carl's Crispy Cauliflower, Steak & "Cheese Ray" Sandwich, and Mel's Meatball Mountain. The soup included a good grilled cheese but the soup was too oily and had a weird gooey texture. I was looking forward to the Mel's Meatball Mountain which is basically a calzone with cheese and meatballs but the dough was too dry and the red sauce tasted very bland. The steak sandwich was also bland and very messy, while the famous minion tots were nicer to look at than the taste. For me surprisingly the best dish was the fried califlower with a blue coconut rice and pickled onion and edamame. We poured the sweet and sour sauce on top which enhances the flavors. The ambiance is fun and immersive and must for all the Minion mega fans but the food was very underwhelming. read more

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This place seems to have lots it's quality since the opening. For instance, look at the photo I took this time and last time of the steak and Ray cheese sandwich. Just the bun it's very different. When I received it this time, it was dry. The sandwich itself is fine. My girlfriend really like it. It ressemble a cheese Philly steak sandwich which I'm not a big fan. Still good, specially if you like that. I'm not a big fan just because it's not my type. My girlfriend too the pressed Pb and j on the kid menu. It's an peanut butter and jelly uncrustable. It was good. Problem here is the service. Everything come when it's ready. So my girlfriend got her px41-punxh drink, 2 minutes later I got my sandwich and 15 minutes later, my girlfriend got the Pb and j. The place had about 7 tables only with customer so very slow, specially for a little kid meal. The place is themed to minions as the name say. It's very nicely themed but they could have added some moving element like projection or others. It's a mobile order only place. You sit down, order and scan the qr code to tell which table you are. read more

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Wow Minions everywhere but no Gru or the girls. Still had a great time. Wife had The Nacho Hat, it's made of cardboard and not chips. The Niece and wife had cupcakes unicorn. They said it was ok, but a bit dry. My son got the Minion Swiss Roll and he thought it was ok but too sweet the banana that came with it was passionfruit flavored, he thought it should have been banana. I had the Mel's Meatball Mountain. I would have described it as a meatball Stromboli. It was all still pretty good. I do miss the Monsters Café, but I can wait till next year. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Who doesn't love Minions? We came here for lunch during our stay. You have to order through the Universal Studios app and enter your credit card information. If you have problems ordering through the app, as I did, one of the staff can take your order and accept payment at the register. There were a lot of Despicable Me-themed food items but they were all small portions. I ordered the Steak & "Cheese Ray" sandwich. The food was just okay, but left me wanting more. read more

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We stopped in for a snack to share and had hardly any wait for a table. We ordered the steak and cheese-ray sandwich which is a lot like an Arby's beef and cheddar. It was really good and perfectly cheesy. It came with plantain chips on the side to look like a banana (a minion favorite). The rest of the menu looks so good so we are eager to come back. The restaurant was clean and food was delivered quickly by nice employees. There is a lot to look at all over the restaurant with minion figures and bananas everywhere. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Steak & "Cheese Ray" Sandwich - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

If you're visiting Universal Studios, Illuminations Minion Cafe is a must-visit for fans of the Despicable Me franchise or anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly dining experience. Atmosphere From the moment you step inside, you're immersed in the whimsical world of the Minions. The decor is bright, playful, and packed with details from the movies, making it a great spot for fans of all ages. The atmosphere is lively and inviting, perfect for taking a break during your park day. Make sure to walk around the restaurant to take in all of the art and theming throughout--it's like stepping into a Minion's world with fun surprises at every turn! Food The menu is creative, and the food is fresh and flavorful. Here's what we tried: * El Macho's Salsa y Salsa Ropa Vieja: This dish features braised beef with tomato cucumber salad, cilantro rice, and El Macho tostones. It was truly delicious and a standout for me! The flavors were well-balanced, and the tostones added the perfect crunch. * Steak & "Cheese Ray" Sandwich: My husband ordered this French onion dipped ribeye sandwich with caramelized onions, secret sauce, and cheesy blast pimento cheese on a cheddar & onion brioche bun. While it sounded amazing, it was just okay--nothing to brag about, to be honest. * Minion Tots : These were adorable and tasty, a fun option for kids and adults alike. Service The staff was friendly and efficient, ensuring the lines moved quickly and that everyone had a great experience. Pro Tips 1. Use the Universal App: Go in, find a seat, and order directly from the app. Simply add your table number, and they'll bring the food to you--a super convenient option, especially during busy times. 2. Arrive during off-peak hours to avoid the crowds, and take some time to explore the fun Minion-themed decor and details while you're there! Final Thoughts Whether you're a Minion superfan or just looking for a unique dining spot in the park, Illuminations Minion Cafe is a great choice. The food is delicious (with a few standout dishes), the atmosphere is fun, and it's a perfect way to recharge before heading back to the rides. I'll definitely be back on my next visit to Universal Studios! read more

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It took a few attempts to get to this spot, as it went through an abrupt closure sometime last year. The setup is a little irritating as it is no a true full service restaurant. Orders have to be made through an app on your phone from your table. The menu is whimsical and inventive and includes a variety of fun drinks, meals, and desserts. On our visit I tried both the specialty drinks: PX-41 and the Antidote. While these were quite tasty I found myself wishing that they were more drink and less icing. Food-wise the Minion Tots are cute, but a whiff in terms of texture - you'll find better tots anywhere. The Green Banana chips are pretty cool and I did enjoy them. I admire the diversity of what is offered but none of the meals I tried were a slam dunk. The Steak and Cheese Ray Sandwich was missing something and the Honeymoon Soup an d Grilled Cheese Sandwich were a bit bland. A note: there are several menu items that can be made vegetarian. However, you may need to ask someone on the waitstaff for a little help ordering this way. Would definitely try again. read more

We love Illumination's cafe! Most of the things we've tried here have always been delicious. The service is always great and the team members are very kind and friendly Last time we were there we ordered the ropa vieja for the first time which comes with rice, tostones and a tomato and cucumber salad and it was delicious. The portion was a little small but delicious nonetheless. We also ordered the minion tots which are my favorite! Definitely get that every time we're there. And we ordered the spaghetti and meatballs for our son, which also comes with the minion tots as a side and he loved it, as did we since we tried it The bathrooms are small but very clean. The restaurant itself is so cute and the theming is great! This is one of the best places to eat at at Universal read more

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Service: 2/5 Food 3/5 Price 2/5 Ambiance 5/5 We waited 50 minutes for our meal to arrive. Keep in mind there are no waiters in the restaurant it's all through the app which apparently had an issue that none of the runners wanted to mention until 1 by 1 people started complaining about waiting. I've eaten here many times in the past and have never dealt with a staff that doesn't seem to care about doing their job. The food portions have been cut down dramatically as well which makes the price not worth it. Overall I won't be stopping in here again. Spend your money and time at 1 of Universals many other locations. read more

Illumination’s Minion Cafe - Uncle Drus Pork Sandwich with Miniontots - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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