Exclusive Food Tour Of Universal's Mardi Gras-Themed Food Festival

The beads are flowing, the aromatic smells of Cajun cuisine are in the air, and the foot-tapping rhythms of blues and jazz tunes are blasting ... it's Mardi Gras, baby! 

Of the many bucket lists trips that are out there, we would almost guarantee that a visit to the iconic Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans is high up on the list. But, our bucket list looks a little different. Universal Orlando Florida in Central Florida has played host to their own version of Mardi Gras for over 25 years. The theme park is known for its well-respected annual events — including the long-running Halloween Horror Nights — but at Universal's Mardi Gras, there are no chills, just straight thrills.

The celebration encapsulates all five senses for a next-level Mardi Gras celebration that is a total blast and also happens to be family-friendly — don't worry there are still plenty of beads to be had. With concerts from globally recognized musical artists, a captivating parade with real deal New Orleans Mardi Gras floats, and so much more, there's a big reason that we make the pilgrimage down to Florida each and every year: the food. Cuisine has always played a major role in the event, but it has been amplified since its humble beginnings and developed into a cornerstone of the par-tay. And spoiler alert: there will be king cake.

Bring your appetite as we head to Universal Studios for an exclusive food tour of their Mardi Gras festival.

With each and every year, the festival has evolved to be bigger and better than the last. What started with just a few food kiosks featuring classic Cajun delights, like gumbo, has exploded into a bona fide food festival. Last year's International Flavors of Carnaval theme brought dozens of global bites that were reflective of flavors from communities all across the world. Progression was only natural as the offerings proved to be so popular with guests.

Executive chef of Universal Orlando's theme parks and City Walk, Jason Glus, shared with Mashed: "Last year, we did the Carnaval theme and that was where the chefs decided that you can only go so far with just New Orleans food. Let's embrace different flavors — go international —and see how it goes over. It was a big hit. This year, we partnered with marketing and creative to bring guests Planet Mardi Gras."

With this new theme, the only limits on menu creations are the imagination. 

The food is reinvented year after year attracting annual returning guests. This year's Mardi Gras features several dozen items available at the booths throughout the park. There are also exclusive Mardi Gras items found at City Walk and at each of the property's resorts. Executive chef Jason Glus explains the vast opportunities to play around with new flavors this year thanks to the theme. "We're cruising around to different planets. We had some really great success last year with the international cuisine that we offered. We really wanted to keep that in play this year."

Floribbean: Cape Canaveral booth is an ode to the park's home state of Florida and embraces the regions unique flavors. Highlights include a shrimp and avocado ceviche with marinated radish and blood orange sorbet as well as a sweet corn johnny cake with pulled jerk jackfruit, blood orange crema, avocado, and yellow mole sauce.

Fusion: Machine Planet embraces more adventurous flavors with an ube ice cream bubble waffle with strawberry Pocky and cajun brown sugar-dusted beignets stuffed with creamy crab dip and scallions.

The vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia are explored at the Volcano Planet booth that's dishing out a rou jia mo with braised pork, Thai chili peppers, and mustard greens.

At Universal's Mardi Gras, sharing is caring. We were immediately taken aback by the portion sizes. Far too often when visiting festivals, the tastings are too bite-sized. Here, the portions were plentiful. We suggest sharing so that you are able to try at least a few different items, with most items priced under $10.

Executive Chef Glus explained: "We still want to keep it as a tasting but we want everyone to get their money's worth. Especially with the card we are offering this year we want people to keep coming back and trying a little more here and there. Even though we call it a tasting, some of the items you're definitely going to be able to share and we wrote the menu with that in mind."

A tasting card is available this year that offers a discounted rate and encourages guests to come back visit after visit throughout the duration of the festival.

Of course, you need something to wash all this deliciousness down with — because the good times roll as the drinks flow. Each of the booths feature several options of beverages — from interesting craft brews, like Swamp Head Wild Night: Honey Cream Ale, to inspired wines. Mixed cocktails also play a role with favorites returning, including the Goombay Smash crafted with Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, Don Q Coco Rum, Grand Marnier, Coco López Cream of Coconut, pineapple, orange, and lime juice.

A favorite so far has been the new addition of a Bloody Mary Bar dedicated to the beloved beverage. This choose-your-own-adventures of sorts allows guests to customize the spice level of their Bloody Mary. Go wild with the addition of Louisiana hot sauce and Sriracha hot chili sauce. These drinks are basically meals as they are served topped with shrimp, bacon, a NOLA-style hush puppy, pickles, olives, peppers, and celery.

One of our favorite drinks was the playfully named Junk Barge Fuel that gave us a literal boozy jolt with Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, Kahlua, Monin Caramel, Mexican chocolate bitters, agave nectar, and iced coffee.

Souvenir cups are part of the festivities, including the annual blinking cup — which fans call the "blinky cup" — that illuminates your beverage plus comes with the added bonus of discounted refills.

One of our favorite booths, the India-inspired Floral Planet, also proved to be a total surprise frontrunner for us. Just a few years ago, you would be lucky if there was but one vegan option in a theme park. In recent years, theme parks all across the United States are making a concise effort towards catering to guests with all types of dietary needs — and Universal Studios Orlando Florida is no different. Not only does this festival offer a variety of vegan options, but they don't take the easy way out by simply relying on fake meats to attract veggie eaters.

"We've been playing with a lot of chickpeas recipes," shared Executive chef Glus. "I, personally, am not a fan of the imitation meat. Not that there's anything wrong with it but there's so much being in Florida too that you can do with the vegetables. I'm trying to steer away from the imitation meat and challenge chefs to come up with colorful dishes. They've been taking me by surprise. When I started here there wasn't one vegan offering on the menu."

Vegans and meat-eaters alike will be seriously impressed by this year's offerings, including a chana masala with spiced chickpea curry and a chai-spiced vegan dessert with dark and white vegan chocolates. The potato, pea, and carrot samosas were outstanding and served as a "best of the fest" for us. It came with an incredibly flavorful green chutney that we found ourselves having to resist eating with a spoon.