Illumination’s Minion's Cafe — Restaurant in Orlando

I will break down my impressions into the good and mediocre/bad:

Good: The atmosphere/theming. The theming here is awesome and if you are someone or you have a kiddo that loves Despicable Me/Minions, then on ambiance alone it is a must visit. The tater tots - love them. They are cute, crispy, and delicious. -The pork sandwich. It was pretty good. Not amazing, but good enough I would probably get it again.

Mediocre/Bad: The food - a really mixed bag. Unfortunately it was not as good as some of these other reviews will lead you to believe, at least not to us. Some items were okay though, so I will probably return again for the atmosphere and try some different things. In addition to the pork sandwich, we had the Otto's Noodle Bowl and the ropa vieja. The former was not good. It was one of the blandest things I've ever eaten. If you like flavor, do not order it. If you like very bland foods, go ahead and order it. The RV, which some people seem to think is really good, was fine. Someone compared it to a better version of a Chipotle bowl. Absolutely not. It was pretty good for theme park food, but I would never order it if I weren't captive. The service. This one I am really mixed on. There were two issues here. 1.) As a first time visitor, it was not immediately obvious the protocol of ordering on the mobile app and inputting a table number, which on one hand would have probably made things go more smoothly. I walked in and there is this counter when you walk in and there was a team member there. I thought ok, I will order here. She was not enthusiastic about it but didn't really explain to me how things worked. So, lack of clear process was the first issue. 2.) She took my order, but she just made things very confusing and was not particularly friendly or helpful. She didn't tell me I needed to get a table number so that my food could get to me. I even asked after I ordered, as she was handing me my receipt, "so now how do I get my food", and the person behind me pushed up to the counter and started ordering so she diverted her attention to that guest and I did not get an answer. I was looking around for a pickup window or something. I sat at a table and that is when I saw the numbers and saw food runners delivering food, and I knew that a vital step had been missed. I went back and said "um, how do I get my food at this point?" and she asked for the table number. Then, later I saw the people that rudely cut in to order when I had barely gotten my receipt handed to me get food delivered and thought "huh. They ordered after me so that's curious, and also that looks awfully like exactly what I ordered.." After a while, a team member came up to our table and asked to see my receipt to see what we had ordered and confirmed shortly thereafter that our food was indeed delivered to the party after us. So the second issue was the person who took my order was not communicative, barely helpful, and something must have gotten screwed up and it ended up causing issues on the back end.

OTOH, the people that fixed things for us in the end were very nice and helpful. The person at that counter was not a good representative for the place, while others were. And the manager came over to apologize and made things right.

The ordering process/app ordering: While ordering from your table is definitely the way to go if you want your food to come out to you, I like to ask for recommendations from a human that is familiar with the entire menu. I tried asking the girl at the counter for tips on what to order, for example, but again she was not too helpful in this arena. But, I would like to be able to say next time I go in, "hey, I was not a fan of Otto's noodle bowl as I found it to be extremely bland and flavorless. Can you recommend something?", and have a conversation with someone who knows the menu and has potentially tried various things. This is why I am not a fan of restaurants where they've implemented app ordering versus an actual server. Even at counter service there is someone to whom you can...

As an avid fan of the mischievous Minions, I couldn't contain my excitement when news broke about the grand opening of the Minions Cafe at Universal Studios. With high expectations and a growling stomach, I ventured into the vibrant world of these yellow, banana-loving creatures. After my visit, I'm happy to report that the Minions Cafe exceeded my expectations, delivering a delightful experience that captured the essence of these lovable characters. Upon entering the cafe, I was instantly immersed in the whimsical universe of the Minions. The vibrant yellow and blue color scheme, coupled with playful decor and catchy music, created a cheerful ambiance that brought a smile to my face. Every inch of the cafe was adorned with Minion-themed details, from the walls adorned with their misadventures to the quirky furniture that perfectly captured their unique charm. The menu at the Minions Cafe offered a wide array of delectable treats that catered to all tastes. From whimsical desserts to hearty savory options, there was something to satisfy every craving. I opted for the "Steak and Cheese Ray sandwich," that was just awesome and for a small up-charge was accompanied by a side of crispy minion-shaped fries, it was a fun and satisfying meal. Each dish was meticulously crafted making me feel like the lovable Minions created the dish just for me in the back in true minion fashion. It was almost too cute to eat. The chefs showcased their culinary creativity by incorporating iconic Minion themes thus adding an extra layer of charm to the dining experience. While the food and ambiance were undoubtedly highlights, it's worth noting that the Minions Cafe can get quite crowded, particularly during peak hours. I must say the line looked worse then it actually was. It moved very fast and the hostess and staff were very efficient at seating people. This popularity is a testament to its appeal, but it might result in longer wait times. However, the cheerful and energetic staff did their best to keep the lines moving swiftly, ensuring a pleasant experience overall. Of note Brianna came over to our table and asked how we were doing and if we needed anything. She was happy, friendly, and professional. We love her whole attitude as much as the food and atmosphere. Well done! In conclusion, the Minions Cafe at Universal Studios is a delightful addition to the theme park experience. With its playful atmosphere, creative menu, and attention to detail, it offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of these mischievous yellow creatures. Whether you're a die-hard Minion fan or simply seeking a fun and whimsical dining experience, the Minions Cafe is a must-visit destination that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. I also spoke with the manager Rob on the way out and he is a true gem. He was very kind and well spoken with genuine interest in our experience and he even took time to discuss some of the foods, taste bouquet, and preparations. Well...

A very middle-of-the-road experience for being such a new dining area at Universal, I probably won’t come back to Minions Cafe on my next trip. If you have any more than 2-3 people with your group, I would highly recommend planning to eat elsewhere.

WAIT: The process for mobile ordering to eat at a table inside is phenomenal. The best part of our experience. We were served menus quickly and had our order taken quickly, but then the almighty wait occurred. It took us 45 minutes to get our food which we could tell was recently warmed. And if it wasn’t for the outstanding waiter who wasn’t waiting our table inquiring about our order, I think the wait would’ve been much longer.

SERVICE: The service in general was top notch and felt personal. It’s a shame our order was forgotten about because the waitstaff was on it.

FOOD: The food was… disappointing. It was overly sweet with little in the way of a solid taste. My French Dipped Sandwich had tons of loud flavors (caramelized onions and the like) that were mushed together to create this really blasé tasting sandwich. It was really odd.

Strangely enough, I enjoyed the little Minions tater tots the most. They were just barely salty and felt like they’d be awesome with some dipping sauces.

ATMOSPHERE: It’s a factory kitchen theme. It’s not great. The wait staff is dressed as minions, as you’d expect. It’s either yellow, blue, or stainless steel inside. Feels akin to a cafeteria rather than a comfortable eatery. But I guess that’s also the Minions vibe too, I suppose?

Pro Tip: If you must eat here, make sure you bring your patience with you. It’s hectic right now and I have a feeling it won’t get much better with little to take crowds away from this area after so many attractions were shut down the past two years.

The little shakes look...