Universal Orlando added three new permanent dishes to the Confisco Grille menu at Universal Islands of Adventure. Two limited-time seasonal offerings are also currently available.
Confisco Grille at Universal Islands of Adventure
Quesabirria
The new Quesabirria is made with birria beef that’s slow-cooked for three to four hours, stuffed inside warm flour tortillas, then dressed in Menonita cheese, diced onions, and chopped cilantro, and served with birria consommé and guacamole.
Confisco Grille Chef Antwan Dickerson said he wanted to develop a flavor profile that sets their Quesabirria apart from others. The consommé features a mix of guajillo and ancho chile peppers blended with cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, salt, and pepper — plus a secret ingredient
“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 said.
Birria Burger
The next permanent new menu item is the Birria Burger, with tastes from different cultures converging in one dish. It’s a classic American beef patty topped with slow-cooked birria beef, spicy salsa verde, creamy Menonita cheese, and authentic Mexican slaw on a toasted brioche bun.
The mastermind behind the Birria Burger is Confisco Grille Chef Jess Maldonado, who said she was looking for something hearty and spicy to bring to the menu. Birria is rising in dining trends, so Maldonado chose the Birria Burger.
“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 said. “So I say, ‘Why don’t we make a birria burger?’ That’s how everything started.”
Chef Jess added that she’s a big fan of bold flavors, especially in Mexican food, which she enjoys daily. “I always enjoy that cuisine, so why not bring it here?” she said. “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 also played a role in making the Birria Burger and said this dish is “hands down” his favorite.
Santa Fe Salad
The new Santa Fe Salad features the tangy Chipotle ranch dressing of the former Southwest Salad. The dressing is atop fresh Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, fire-roasted corn, crunchy tortilla strips, queso fresco, and your choice of grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.
Seasonal Dueling Hummus
The Dueling Hummus, named after the extinct Dueling Dragons ride, is one of two seasonal winter dishes at Confisco Grille. It features roasted pumpkin and lemon hummus seasoned with paprika. The hummus is served with pomegranate and sesame seeds, toasted pepitas, and kalamata olives with grilled pita.
Seasonal Braised Short Rib
Universal said of the Braised Short Rib, “If the TV world is any indicator, the most appetizing of dishes — such as a braised short rib — can come from even the most maddening of kitchen environments. Chef Antwan was inspired by a certain culinary-cult-classic TV show, which led him to craft a new dish to serve during the winter season at Confisco Grille.”
The short rib is slow braised in a sweet cola au jus, and served over roasted carrot risotto, tri-colored carrot sauté, and pickled fennel.
Which Confisco Grille dish will you try? Let us know in the comments.
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