Universal Studios Hollywood is once again open for “Taste of Universal,” so it’s time to return to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for a bite at Three Broomsticks!
Before we dig into some of this restaurant’s magical offerings, we thought we’d show off some of the new safety restrictions in place in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outside the entrance, there’s a sign with a QR code that leads to the menu, along with rules for dining areas. No more than six guests may sit at a given table, and all guests at that table must belong to the same household. Face coverings must be worn at all times unless actively eating or drinking. Coverings must be put on when a Team Member approaches the table, and when you leave the table. Guests are strongly encouraged to wash or sanitize their hands.
In the queue area, physical distancing markers have been placed on the ground.
Thankfully, when we visited, we saw guests complying with the new rules.
Digital menus make it easy for guests to make their selections.
Plexiglass windows have been installed at pickup locations to keep guests and Team Members safe.
But now, it’s time to start sampling some of the most popular food in the Wizarding World!
Fish and Chips – $10.00
Ale-battered cod is deep-fried and served with chips (or French fries, as they’re known to Americans) and tartar sauce.
This was a great dish. The cod was cooked well and the batter added a crunch to the soft meat. It was fresh and very tender while still being flaky. Adding a squeeze of the lemon on top helped to add some contrasting flavor.
The fries were soggy (a risk that comes with thick-cut wedge fries like these), but they still had a good salty flavor.
The tartar sauce was average but still made for a good condiment, complementing the fish well.
As the image illustrates, you get quite a bit of fish here.
This was nice collections of flavors in one dish, making it a great option.
Shepherd’s Pie – $10.00
This shepherd’s pie is made with ground beef, carrots, and mushrooms, topped with a crown of mashed potatoes. It came out steaming from the top, when you cut it open, make sure to wait a moment before starting to eat.
The mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy while still being firm. They were pretty bland by themselves but improved significantly once we mixed in the ground beef and vegetables.
The ground beef was seasoned well and had a very hearty flavor, perfect for a gray rainy day like this. The veggies were cooked well, but had little flavor, making the beef the best part of this dish.
Overall, this wasn’t too watery and had a warm, hearty flavor. If you’re looking for something really filling, we would recommend this over the fish and chips.
Roasted Corn – $7.00
This was pretty basic. It was literally just corn on the cob with butter.
It tasted fresh and was easy to bite into, but we wished they would have offered something as an additive because it was lacking flavor.
It’s fine if you’re looking for something simple, but it isn’t something we’d recommend.
Sticky Toffee Bread Pudding – $7.00
This dessert is amazing! It comes out hot and fresh with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
The bread pudding was dense with strong hints of toffee and butterscotch. The inside had a sticky toffee sauce that was messy, but so good. It tasted almost like honey. There were also nuts mixed in throughout the inside that added a nice difference in texture.
The vanilla ice cream on top was perfect. It contrasted the warm bread pudding tastefully without being too much. This is one we’d definitely recommend.
Which item at Three Broomsticks is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments, and keep reading WDWNT and Universal Parks News Today for more from Taste of Universal!