ORLANDO, Fla. — Nothing quite chills the soul, as well as builds up an appetite, like attempting to survive an evening at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, now existing through Nov. 2 at Universal Studios Florida.
While walking through miles of the theme park to traverse through scare zones and standing in lines to access haunted house mazes, the nerves will be strained and the stomach rumbling.
Thankfully, amid the chaos and, unforgettable as the scares, is the food — a cornucopia of theme park, on-the-run dining that melds with this year’s pop culture themes tied to multimedia franchises such as “Fallout,” “Terrifier,” “Five Nights at Freddy’s” and “Jason Universe.”
Yes, you can find the usual burgers and pizza in park restaurants such as Finnegan’s Bar & Grill or Richter’s Burger Co., but the real story is in the temporary kiosks scattered through the park, where the menu becomes part of the show.
Here’s a taste of what awaits those daring to take the culinary challenge.
Carnival of Carnage
Near the Central Park area, Art the Clown from the “Terrifier” movies grins from the shadows, and his food is as unsettling as his smile.
Popcorn is transformed into Clown Café Bloody Popcorn ($10.99), a mix of kernels smothered in “blood” sauce, pepperoni, and spiced parmesan — sweet, salty and savage. His Sienna’s Burnt Angel Wings ($11.99) sear with bourbon heat, while the Abracadabra Sunflower Cookies ($7.99) arrive spattered like crime-scene evidence.
Camp Crystal Lake on a plate
This year marks serial killer Jason Voorhees’ 45th anniversary, and some of the food pays tribute with a summer-camp spread gone wrong.
The Elotes ($8.49), cooked ears of corn, are dusted with cotija cheese and a choice of either Tajín or Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, each echoes the smoke of a campfire. The Spiral Sausage ($11.99) brings thoughts of exposed intestines but are spiced to heat up the taste buds with harissa (chili), cumin and smoky paprika. And, in a nostalgic and dark twist, the Camp Bloody S’more ($7.99) mixes ganache, marshmallows and crimson drizzle staining chocolate-almond bread.
Fallout flavors from the Wasteland
“Fallout,” based on the Bethesda Software video game and Amazon Prime’s live-action series, has its own unique flavors, where post-apocalyptic rations are reimagined for the hungry and the brave. The Pickle Bucket ($11) serves buffalo chicken dip beside fried pickles, while Cram Tots ($12.99) stack chili-glazed Spam against cheddar-loaded potatoes. Even dessert feels radioactive: Yum Yum Deviled “Eggs” ($7.99) are coconut panna cotta disguised as the holiday treat, finished with pineapple ganache and a dusting of Tajín.
More carnival excess in Gramercy Park
At the kiosk Cursed Carnival, excess is the attraction. The Freakishly Long Corndog ($12.49), a Nathan’s footlong fried to golden crunch and topped with jalapeño ranch and bacon, could feed a small crowd. However, the true dare is the Death by Cheese Stick ($10.99), a freshly hand-breaded mozzarella log so massive, it demands respect. Fresh from the fryer, it’s molten, indulgent and deeply savory; let it sit too long, and its magic vanishes into lukewarm disappointment.
Freddy Fazbear’s sweet revenge
And then, at last, dessert. Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza Place, dressed for “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” serves the season’s most Instagrammed confection: Mr. Cupcake ($12.99). Beneath his wide eyes and sugar candle hides a rich chocolate cake, stuffed with raspberry jam and cannoli cream, topped with mascarpone buttercream. Cute, creepy and decadent — it’s the perfect finale to a long night of fear.
The last bite
Halloween Horror Nights is more than jump scares and haunted houses, so prepare for a full-body experience. This year’s selection of food turns fear into flavor and is now absolutely part of the thrill.
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