The time for sinking your teeth into devilish delights at Halloween Horror Nights has arrived. A few weeks ago at Taste of Terror, HHN enthusiasts tasted their way through a preview of foods that will be on offer during the iconic Halloween event, which takes place September 1 and runs through November 4.
Now that HHN 2023 has kicked off, many brave souls have ventured to Universal Studios Florida with a hunger for horror. Between the Taste of Terror event and our recent visit to the opening night of HHN, we've got plenty of picks for the best food at Halloween Horror Nights 2023. There's even a weird hot dog with Kool-Aid pickles and bubblegum mustard – details below if you dare!
Halloween Horror Nights Best Food
Here are some of the best dishes we tried at this year’s Taste of Terror. Then we'll recap where some of these best bites can be found inside the park during Halloween Horror Nights 2023 and talk about some of the best foods we ate during opening night of HHN.
Peanut Blooder Burger
This Universal Monsters-inspired dish is a smash burger with peanut sauce, raspberry jelly, cheddar cheese, sauteéd onions, jalapeño bacon, and cherry peppers on a “vampire bun.”
(Available in Battery Park at Mel’s Die-In for $13.49.)
Surfer Boy Hawaiian French Bread Pizza
At Stranger Things-themed Surfer Boy Pizza, guests can snack on this pizza topped with Spam, pineapple chutney, jalapeño, scallions, and mozzarella. There’s also a vegan pizza option available here, topped with a vegan crumble and vegan mozzarella.
(Available in Gramercy Park at Surfer Boy Pizza for $9.99.)
Burnt Ends Poutine
“Beefless” burnt ends top this vegan poutine, which consists of crispy fries, gravy, vegan cheese, and scallions.
(Available in Gramercy Park at Yeti for $9.99.)
Left Behind Ravioli
The Last of Us fans will love this cheesy ravioli served with marinara sauce, truffle cream, and tempura-fried mushrooms.
(Available in New York at Ration Station for $9.99.)
Fried ‘Til The End Chicken
Fried popcorn chicken gets tossed in Nashville hot sauce and drizzled with ranch for this Chucky-inspired snack.
(Available in San Francisco at Chucky for $9.99.)
Hellfire Mini Cake
Stranger Things fans get a second exciting treat in this Hellfire Mini Cake — a layered chocolate cake topped with a candied guitar and bat.
(Available at San Francisco Pastry Company for $5.49.)
The Walking Taco
There are meat-lover and vegan-friendly versions of a Frito’s-based walking taco on this year’s HHN menu.
(Available in Hollywood at Day of the Dead for $12.49.)
On opening night of HHN, we went back for more bites of a lot of the foods above, and added a few new favorites to the list.
- Cheddar Jalapeño Hellfire Club
Shaved pork shoulder, crispy potato sticks, spicy mayo, pineapple chutney, and muenster cheese are served on cheddar jalapeño bread for this Stranger Things-inspired sandwich. The item costs $13.99 and is huge, so it’s great for sharing. (Available at Stellar Bar in Production Central.) - Dr. Oddfellow’s Carn “Evil” Dog
Yes, this one’s weird, but it’s so unique that it’s worth trying! This year’s HHN icon, Dr. Oddfellow, is serving up a red hot dog in a confetti bun topped with Kool-Aid pickles, bubblegum mustard, and potato sticks. (Available in Gramercy Park at Oddfellow for $10.49) - Yuri’s Favorite
Another great Stranger Things food item this year is this dessert: chocolate cake with peanut butter mousse and Reese’s Pieces, served in a jar. (Available in Gramercy Park at Surfer Boy Pizza for $5.99.)
Halloween Horror Nights Food and Beverage Booth Locations
Here are all of the 2023 Halloween Horror Nights food and beverage locations and the 2023 Halloween Horror Nights Map.
- Last of Us booth in New York Area:
Cordyceps Corndog (Korean cheese dog), Twisted Taters (multiple flavors like ghost pepper, season salt), and Infected Tater (twisted tater with mushroom emulsion and porcini powder) - Last of Us Ration Station, Sting Alley in New York Area:
Left Behind Ravioli (mini cheese ravioli with marinara, truffle cream, garlic bread, and tempura fried enoki mushrooms), Lakeside “Meat” Stew (beef cheek stew with fingerling potatoes, wood ear mushrooms, and white rice) - Stranger Things booths – Stellar Bar in Music Plaza, near Rip, Ride, Rock It:
Cheddar Jalapeno Hellfire Club Sandwich at Stellar Bar (Jalapeno cheddar bread, shaved pork, crispy potato sticks, spicy mayo, pineapple chutney, and Muenster cheese), - Stranger Things booths – Surfer Boy Pizza Gramercy Park, near Christmas store in New York area
Multiple pizzas including Vegan pizza - Midway Delights Booth in Music Plaza, near Rip, Ride, Rock It:
Dr. Oddfellow’s Carn”Evil” Dog – red hot dog in a confetti bun, Kool-Aid pickles, bubblegum mustard, and potato sticks
This one has everyone talking! Would you try it?? - Mel's Die-In Booth, near Central Park and Transformers:
Peanut Blooder Burger – a smash burger with peanut sauce, raspberry jelly, cheddar cheese, sauteéd onions, jalapeño bacon, and cherry peppers on a “vampire bun.” A regular cheeseburger is also available as well as Confetti Battered OREOS - Cafe LaBamba, Hollywood area of the park, near Pantages Theater:
Walking Taco and Vegan Walking Taco, Al Pastor Torta, Vegan Churritos, Chicharrones de Harina - Expo Circle, near Springfield USA:
Butternut and Duck Galette (duck confit and roasted butternut squash, filled pastry with buckshot candies), Witches Spell Cauldron Stew (green chile and chicken stew with skeleton cornbread) - Killer Treats, San Francisco area
Fried ‘Til The End Chicken (fried popcorn chicken tossed in Nashville hot sauce and drizzled with ranch), Flamin' Hot Cheetos Popcorn
Some of the specialty drinks at Halloween Horror Nights 2023 look great too!
Peanut Butter Smuggler (in honor of Stranger Things Season 4) with New Amsterdam Vodka, hot honey, lime juice, and raspberry and peanut butter syrup, as well as Murray's Brain Tonic, New Amsterdam Vodka, peach brandy, triple sec, club soda, grapefruit juice, and lemon bitters are both available at Stellar Bar in Music Plaza.
Feliz Muerte with El Jimador tequila, Gran Gala orange liqueur with pineapple, lime, and passion fruit juice at Cafe LaBamba
But by far the most popular cocktail at Halloween Horror Nights 2023 is the Salt Lake City Iced Coffee at the Last of Us rations booth, made with brewed coffee, JF Haden’s Espresso Liqueur, Cruzan Light Rum, vanilla bean, smoked sea salt, and Hella Smoked bitters.
Important Notes:
A separate admission ticket to Halloween Horror Nights is required, and the event often sells out. You can also enjoy spooky fun and themed drinks at Dead Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk without needing a Halloween Horror Nights ticket.
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