Epic Universe's Bread Snacks Are Worth the Hype—Here's What We Tried

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Mario Kart Pretzels and Beyond: Epic Universe's Carb Game Is Strong

Since Epic Universe opened at Universal Orlando last year, the park has delivered some genuinely solid snacks—and some have even gone viral. We decided to put several bread-based offerings to the test across different themed areas, and the results justify the buzz.

The standout performers? The Item Box Soft Pretzels at Turbo Boost Treats in Super Nintendo World. At $15, these Mario Kart-inspired pretzels arrive shaped like Koopa shells, fire flowers, bananas, mushrooms, stars, and more. Beyond the novelty factor, they actually deliver on taste. The pretzels themselves are moist with some nice crunchy salt on top, and they come with a jalapeño cheese dipping sauce that adds a nice punch to every pretzel bite. This is a nice shareable treat—the kind of snack that justifies the price tag when you're splitting it.

If you prefer something sweeter, the Item Box Cinnamon Pretzels ($15) offer a different angle. Don't expect these to be super sweet. Instead, they feature a mild sweetness and cinnamon flavor with a buttercream-flavored icing. Notably, these are more buttery than the regular soft pretzels, which changes the eating experience entirely. The butter-forward profile makes them feel more indulgent, even if the sweetness stays restrained.

When Cone-Based Snacks Get Complicated

Over at Hooligan's Grog & Gruel in Isle of Berk, Dragon's Garden Pyre ($18) takes a different approach entirely. This one's a crunchy cone filled with mac and cheese, lemon herb chicken, fire-roasted corn, avocado spread, and Flamin' Hot Cheetos crumble.

The execution here is mixed. We didn't think the mac and cheese had a lot of flavor, but it adds a creamy texture that works with the other components. That's okay, though, because the chicken had a wonderful peppery flavor, especially combined with the roasted corn. One structural note: the avocado spread and hot Cheetos are only on the top of the cone, so your experience will vary depending on how you approach the snack.

At $18, Dragon's Garden Pyre is the priciest item we tested, and whether it justifies that cost depends on your tolerance for texture variety and flavor complexity. The chicken carries the dish, but the mac and cheese component needs more seasoning to stand on its own.

The Broader Picture

What's clear from testing multiple items across Epic Universe is that the park's snack strategy extends beyond gimmick. Yes, the Mario Kart shapes are fun, and yes, some of these items have gone viral. But the actual food quality—the moisture in the pretzels, the butter in the cinnamon version, the peppery chicken in the cone—suggests Universal put thought into execution, not just novelty.

For adult visitors accustomed to theme park pricing, these snacks represent reasonable value. The Item Box Soft Pretzels at $15 deliver portion size and flavor. The cinnamon version offers enough textural and flavor distinction to warrant a separate purchase. Dragon's Garden Pyre, while more expensive, provides the kind of complex, multi-component experience that some visitors will find worth the premium.

If you're planning a visit to Epic Universe, the bread-based snacks deserve a spot on your itinerary—whether you're chasing viral moments or just looking for something actually filling to eat between attractions.