What’s New at Confisco Grille? Universal Orlando’s Latest Menu Updates
Universal Orlando announced new menu items at Confisco Grille at Universal Islands of Adventure theme park. What are they?
Confisco Grille sits in the Port of Entry area of Universal Islands of Adventure. This table service (or full service as Universal calls it) restaurant often gets overlooked due to the more awarded theme park restaurant, Mythos. While Mythos Restaurant offers quality table service dining, Confisco Grille should not be ignored. Although we doubt Confisco Grille would make a top five list of best table service dining at Universal Orlando, it makes a relaxing meal that usually will not kill your vacation budget.
Recently, Universal Orlando Resort announced several new menu items at Confisco Grille. In fairness, some of these “new” items have been on the menu before or arrived earlier this year as everyday options. Universal Orlando Resort likes to test new menu concepts during passholder appreciation weeks. During those weeks, menu items appear for only the passholders and other promotions. This serves as a testing ground for menu changes.
New Menu Items at Confisco Grille
When creating menu items, Confisco Grill based its ideas on the many lands of Islands of Adventure. However, for these “new items,” the chefs leaned into some Latin and Mexican traditions.
Quesabirria
Confisco Grille added a Quesabirria to its appetizer menu. The portion size is large, especially compared to the Quesabirria currently sold at Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval, which runs through March 30.
The Quesabirria appetizer at Confisco Grille consists of “birria beef that’s slow-cooked for three to four hours stuffed inside warm flour tortillas, Quesabirria is dressed in Menonita cheese, diced onions and chopped cilantro while served with birria consommé and guacamole.” This item costs $15.95.
Confisco Grille Chef Antwan Dickerson wants to develop a flavor profile that sets their Quesabirria apart. “We are taking our time, actually putting that love and energy into it, and you taste it every time you taste our birria,” Chef Antwan says.
Birria Burger
On the entrée portion of the Confisco Grille menu, guests will see a Birria Burger. The menu description reads, “beef burger, salsa verde, Menonita cheese, slow cooked birria beef, topped with Mexican slaw on a toasted brioche bun.” It is also served with French fries and costs $20.95.
“We were trying to figure out what kind of burger we were going to make because at the same time, we’re having different types of dishes and different types of items on the menu,” Chef Jess Maldonado says. “So I say, ‘Why don’t we make a birria burger?’ That’s how everything started.”
Chef Jess adds that she’s a big fan of bold flavors, especially within Mexican food, which she says she enjoys on the daily. “I always enjoy that cuisine, so why not bring it here?” she says. “We have a lot of Asian, a lot of American — a lot of different items, and we don’t have something like that in this venue. So, that was me connecting what I love and what I eat on a daily basis thinking maybe our guests will do the same.” Chef Antwan himself, who also played a role in making the Birria Burger, says this dish is “hands down” his favorite, and as a lover of all things burger and birria, I’m right behind him.
Santa Fe Salad
This new salad shares some characteristics with the former Southwest Salad at Confisco Grille. The Santa Fe Salad includes “Romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, fire roasted corn, crunchy tortilla strips, queso fresco, chipotle ranch dressing.” The chipotle ranch dressing returns with this salad previously in the Southwest Salad.
The price varies based on the guest’s choice of protein. These choices include:
- Grilled Chicken $17.95
- Shrimp $20.95
- Salmon $21.95
Confisco Grille Seasonal Favorites
During some seasons, Confisco Grill rolls out seasonal dishes. This winter, Universal Orlando Resort announced two seasonal dishes had arrived: Dueling Hummus and Braised Short Rib.
The Dueling Hummus costs $11.95. Confisco Grille usually has a hummus appetizer on the menu. This consists of “roasted pumpkin and lemon hummus served with pomegranate and sesame seeds, toasted pepitas, paprika and kalamata olives served with grilled pita.”
The Braised Short Rib costs $29.95. The description reads,” slow braised beef short ribs, cola au jus, roasted carrot risotto, tri-colored carrot sauté, pickled fennel.”
Universal Orlando Resort premier and preferred annual passholders receive a 15% and 10% discount, respectively, on food and non-alcoholic beverages at Confisco Grill. For more theme park-related news, please check out MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!
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