Toadstool Cafe — Restaurant in West Hollywood

Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World is undoubtedly the best theme park restaurant we’ve tried so far! We had a great time having lunch here during our last trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. A reservation is required to check in at the restaurant, so we used the Universal Studios Hollywood app to book a table in advance.

While the whole Super Nintendo World area feels like you’ve stepped right into Mario’s world, that feeling continues inside Toadstool Cafe. When we walked in, the Team Members told us that Chef Toad was waiting for us! As we made our way to the main dining room, there was a large window/screen showing Chef Toad working in the kitchen. We passed the counter and entered the dining room, which had more of these windows displaying different scenes. We saw a few Toads preparing meals or relaxing outside, with green pipes around the ceiling and some hidden details only true Nintendo fans will catch. If you stay a little longer, you might notice the window scenes change! There were booth and table options, and everything looked like a cartoon with uneven lines and chunky parts. The seating is all indoors, and when we visited, the AC was on full blast. There aren’t any real windows, so it can feel a bit dark and loud at times.

Let’s dive into the menu. Everything at Toadstool Cafe is themed to the max. Each menu item references something from Nintendo World - like Piranha Plants, Super Stars, power-ups, and characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser. The menu is filled with familiar favorites taken to the next level. You’ll find burgers, garlic knots, meatballs, and even a specialty drink, all designed to look like they came straight out of a video game. Starters, salads, entrees, desserts, and a kids’ menu are available, making it a great choice for groups with varying tastes. We ordered Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Luigi Burger (Pesto Grilled Chicken), Super Mushroom Soup, and ? Block Tiramisu. Service could have been better - we waited over 20 minutes for our food, which was unexpected, especially in a theme park when you’re eager to get on your next ride. However, the food was enjoyable and met our expectations perfectly. I highly recommend the Luigi Burger and the ? Block Tiramisu. Prices are on the higher side, which is typical for theme park dining.

Toadstool Cafe is the only full-service restaurant in Super Nintendo World, aside from snack spots. It’s a great place to relax between rides and enjoy a familiar meal. Nintendo superfans definitely need to add this to their “must-do” list - after all, who wouldn’t want to be served by Chef...

A Disappointing Experience at Toadstool Café

The Toadstool Café, a venue that promises a whimsical dining experience, sadly fails to deliver on several fronts. The issues begin right from the reservation process, which is conducted entirely online. This might seem convenient at first glance, but it quickly becomes apparent that the system is poorly managed and highly frustrating for patrons.

After making an online reservation, one would expect a streamlined experience upon arrival. Unfortunately, this is far from reality. Guests are often subjected to waiting in line for upwards of an hour, a significant inconvenience, especially for those with young children or tight schedules. This long wait is compounded by the baffling requirement to purchase food before securing a table. Such a policy is not only impractical but also contributes to a chaotic and disorganized dining environment.

The service at Toadstool Café is another major drawback. The cashiers, who are the first point of contact for customers, are exceedingly rude and lethargic. Their lack of enthusiasm and willingness to assist is off-putting and sets a negative tone for the entire dining experience. A particularly frustrating incident occurred when we asked a waiter for water. Instead of accommodating our simple request, he curtly informed us that he could not bring water to the table and directed us to line up at the side of the store to get it ourselves. This level of customer service is unacceptable and indicative of a larger problem within the establishment's management and training practices.

The issues do not end with the service; they extend to the quality of the food itself. Despite placing our order promptly, we waited 40 minutes for our meal to arrive. When it finally did, the food was disappointingly cold. The burger, a staple item, arrived with a cold bun and equally cold patty. The fiery meatball, though filling, was not appetizing and also came cold. This lack of attention to basic food preparation standards is inexcusable and severely detracts from any potential enjoyment of the meal.

In conclusion, the Toadstool Café fails to provide a positive dining experience on multiple fronts. The cumbersome reservation process, prolonged wait times, and subpar customer service are significant issues that overshadow any potential merits the café might have. The cold, unappetizing food further compounds the disappointment. While the atmosphere might be pleasant, it is not enough to redeem the many flaws. Dining out should be a pleasurable experience, but at Toadstool Café, it is...

A Culinary Adventure for Super Mario Fans!

Nestled within the magical Super Mario World at Universal Studios LA, the Toadstool Café offered my family an immersive dining experience that transported us right into the heart of the Mushroom Kingdom. After a somewhat challenging reservation process, we found ourselves lucky to step into a world where Mario's universe came to life not only through the food but also through the ambiance.

Our culinary journey started with the Mushroom Garlic Knots and Super Mushroom Soup. Though the soup's texture was more of a bisque, its rich flavor was undeniable. The standout of the meal was the tender Chef Toad Short Rib Special accompanied by creamy goat cheese polenta and a wine reduction! A true surprise!

My 12-year-old son, an ardent fan of spicy food challenges, bravely took on the Bowser's Fireball Challenge. He not only conquered the dish but also proudly left with a Bowser plate souvenir, a testament to his spicy conquest. My husband's choice, the Luigi Chicken Pesto Hamburger, “aww”mused us with its cute presentation—the bun adorned with a Luigi hat and mustache. The truffle fries served alongside stole the show, a unanimous family favorite.

Our youngest, a 7-year-old with an adventurous spirit, dug into the Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs. The dish was crowned with a fire plant parmesan crisp. While he found it slightly spicy, his enthusiasm remained undeterred.

Turning our attention to the ambiance, the café recreated the whimsy of the Mushroom Kingdom. Vibrant colors, windows with screens of the toadstool team preparing our food in one side, and surprises in the atmosphere welcomed us as if we were characters in a Mario game. As we enjoyed our Super Star Lemon Drink with mango stars and tropical boba popping pearls, and captured moments with our many souvenirs, the atmosphere added an extra layer of magic to our meal.

Dessert beckoned in the form of a ? Tiramisu Block—an delicious creation featuring layered coffee-soaked ladyfingers, cocoa powder, and a chocolate power-up that capped off our experience on a sweet note.

Overall, Toadstool Café not only surprised our taste buds, but also provided an enchanting environment for our eyes and hearts. While minor textural preferences and spice levels factored in, the ambiance, imaginative presentations, and flavorsome dishes make this establishment a must-visit for families and avid Mario fans alike. It's recommended to secure a reservation well in advance to ensure you don't miss out on this experience into the...