Universal Studios Orlando Kills the Monsters Café
Sad news today for fans of the Universal Monsters and adherent to kitsch as it has been revealed that the iconic Monsters Café at Universal Studios Orlando has met its maker… and it isn’t Dr. Frankenstein, either.
Landon McReynolds of Click Orlando has published that as of this morning, Universal Orlando’s Monster Café has been closed permanently ahead of an upcoming new dining experience.
The Experience of the Monsters Café
The Monsters Café was a relatively simple restaurant that opened in 1998 in Universal Studios Orlando. The restaurant included food such as ribs and rotisserie chicken platters with the items bearing no real connection to the monster theme beyond names. A famous example of this was a towering soft-serve cone named after The Bride of Frankenstein.
The main appeal, however, was the embracing of the Universal Horror icons in the decore and theming of the restaurant. There were some fun, deep cuts, such as the presence of an Interocitor from This Island Earth (1994) set against one of the diner’s walls. This video of a walk-through now serves as one of the only ways for monster fans to experience the location.
Where else can you have some chicken in the presence of the Gill-Man?
But if you expected to enjoy a fine dining experience amidst castle corridors and props, well, think again.
The Visitors Were Less-Than-Thrilled
That being said, the consensus from online reviews is that you were not necessarily paying for the food when you went to the Monsters Café. The restaurant had a troubling two-and-a-half-star rating on Yelp, for example.
One of the more positive reviews, from user Raegan L. opens with the following: “Finding semi-decent places to eat in the Universal parks can be a real struggle. But I think Monsters Cafe does a solid ‘okay’!”
In an incredibly neutral review by user Shannon B., she wrote:
Pro’s: ambiance is cool with classic Halloween music piping through, busts of well-known monsters (Dracula, Frankenstein), and portraits of old horror memorabilia (portraits of Bela Lugosi in costume). The staff was helpful and friendly, especially when I needed bbq sauce to help my pitiful rendition of rotisserie chicken.
Con’s: the half rotisserie chicken I ordered was dry and flavorless and the roasted potatoes were old and as wobbly as a newborn baby calf.
Perhaps I came here too late in the evening, but I will not come back here when visiting Universal again.
Indeed, it seems between the cost, the limited menu items, and the bland nature of the food, the restaurant didn’t have much going for it beyond the decor. How much of that was attributable to COVID-19 is hard to tell, but clearly, the Monsters Café had some issues.
It’s the Principle of the Thing
Though the food might have been outright mediocre, the outcry among the horror community has been swift. Some Tweets express some sadness about a strange bit of horror culture vanishing, while there are jokes as well.
Beware the Minions
Though Universal Studios’ publicists have declined to reveal what dining experience will be replacing the Monsters Café, online rumors are suggesting there will be a new restaurant themed after the Minions of the Despicable Me franchise from Illumination.
Given the restaurant’s proximity to the Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem attraction, this seems likely. Only time will tell, however, if the Minions will continue their assault on the horror community.
So, how do you feel about the loss of this dining experience at Universal Orlando? Are you comfortable with this Universal Monsters erasure? I for one had never been, but I am absolutely livid now that I never will. It’s enough to make me want to rampage through a small Transylvanian village.
Your thoughts in the comments?
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Breaking News
Joe Bob’s Christmas Carnage: A Bloody Good Holiday Special Fri. December 13th – 9pm ET!
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Before we go further – we are an amazon affiliate and if you click these links we may get money for Amazon. With that said, we won’t put up things we don’t suggest so here is the curated list as it sits for Black Friday Week 2024.
🎥 Monstrous Movie Mayhem
Bram Stoker’s Dracula 4K
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Christine 4K
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Akira Blu-ray
Experience the mind-bending anime masterpiece that redefined the genre. Prepare for a psychedelic journey through Neo-Tokyo that’ll leave you questioning reality!
Underworld Ultimate Collection Blu-ray
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Resident Evil Steelbook
For the true RE fanatics, this gorgeous steelbook edition is a must-have for your collection. It’s so shiny, you can see the T-virus reflected in it!
Doctor Who Complete David Tennant Blu-ray
Okay, it’s not strictly horror, but who can resist the Weeping Angels? Join the Tenth Doctor on his time-traveling adventures and prepare for some serious sci-fi scares!
Evil Dead Blu-ray
Groovy, baby! Sam Raimi’s cult classic will have you laughing and screaming in equal measure. Remember, this is your boom stick!
Scream (2022) Steelbook
The slasher franchise that knows the rules is back with a vengeance! This meta-horror masterpiece will have you guessing who’s behind the Ghostface mask.
Leviathan 4K UHD Blu-ray
Dive deep into aquatic terror with this underrated gem from the golden age of practical effects. It’s like “The Thing” meets “The Abyss”!
📚 Bone-Chilling Books and Comics
Terrifier 2 BOOK by Tim Waggoner
Can’t get enough of Art the Clown? This novelization of the splatter sensation will paint vivid, gory pictures in your mind. Sleep tight!
The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Ominous Omnibus Vol. 3
D’oh-n’t miss out on this collection of spooky Simpsons stories! It’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween in Springfield all year round.
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
Dive into one of King’s classic tales of psychic abilities and political intrigue. Johnny Smith’s visions will keep you on the edge of your seat!
🎮 Ghoulish Games and Collectibles
Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead PS5
Double the horror, double the fun! Face off against Michael Myers and the Deadites in this terrifying two-pack of asymmetrical multiplayer games.
Alone in the Dark Xbox Series X
Return to Derceto Manor in this reimagining of the survival horror classic. Just remember, in the dark, you’re never truly alone…
Chucky Funko Pop
Add everyone’s favorite Good Guy doll to your collection! Just don’t turn your back on him, or you might regret it…
Harry Potter LEGO Hogwarts
Who can resist the allure of a magical and/or haunted castle? Build your own magical world and watch out for those Dementors!
🎬 The Final Cut
There you have it, horror hounds! These Black Friday deals are so good, it’s scary. Whether you’re into classic monsters, modern slashers, or cosmic horrors, Amazon’s got something to make your dark heart skip a beat.
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Remember, in the world of horror, the only thing scarier than missing out on these deals is paying full price! Happy haunting, and may your Black Friday be filled with delightful frights! 🎃👻🔪
If you live in the United States, it’s time to rock the vote for real. I shared this video before in conjunction with my identity-based costume work, and I feel it’s important to revisit now, with the election coming up in just a few days. Besides which, Jack Black and Tenacious D are brilliant and given the current political climate, who doesn’t want to do the time warp? But seriously, get out and rock the vote, your life kinda does depend on it (at least insomuch as being able to make for yourself the life that you want, without the government telling you how to do so – especially if you live on the fringes of socially acceptable awkwardness like me and so many of my friends).
Besides which, this video is so good, it’s worth sharing again anyway. And again, if for some reason the video doesn’t load, you can find it here.
Art Attack
And here are some artworks I made awhile back as political commentary. The photograph was shot of the scene exactly as found, of a sign above a parking lot in a quickly gentrifying neighborhood making sure all knew that any unauthorized vehicles were unwelcome, and hung right in front of a flag that was tattered and torn from being caught on the chain link fence driving the point home. The flags were meant to be interactive, with gallerygoers waving them while singing The Star Spangled Banner in its elitist entirety. The whole really spoke to me regarding some of the political climate at the time (this was right before Trump was elected President the first time). How much has changed since then? In some ways, a lot. In other ways, I guess we shall see.
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Nicole C. Luttrell
May 14, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Nooo! Who cares what the food was like, it was so cool!
Jennifer Weigel
May 18, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Wish I could have gone with my father and stepmom, even if the food was mediocre at best. Too bad it is going away. 🙁