Earlier in the fall, it was Nerdist‘s pleasure to attend Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Orlando. Of course, we were incredibly excited to experience Halloween Horror Nights’ main draw, it’s faboolous Haunted Houses (which we ranked, here.) However, anyone who has ever heard of Halloween Horror Nights knows that the delight doesn’t end with the main event. No. In addition to its houses of scares, Halloween Horror Nights always offers an incredible array of food items and treats that are as delicious as they are gore-geous. Before attending, we exclusively revealed some of the haunted morsels Universal Orlando would serve up at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. But that didn’t hold a candle to trying them out for ourselves.
In no particular order, here are the four best food items we experienced at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2024. (Except for the Ropa Veija Walking Taco, which is absolutely the best thing you can put into your mouth at the event, bar none.)
The Wooden Board Eclair Will Make You Gasp (With Delight)
The Wooden Board Eclair is one Halloween Horror Nights food item that has it all. Firstly, it’s pretty darn themed. Inspired, of course, by A Quiet Place‘s movies, this eclair literally brings to life one of the most harrowing scenes in the first movie… the one that you’ve seen coming all along but still don’t feel ready for. The one that really makes you scream. (But shhhh.)
The Wooden Board Eclair literally has a nail sticking out of it, and its wooden board is so beautifully detailed and well-crafted that you’ll struggle to take a bite. But it won’t be sounds of pain you make when you put this treat into your mouth. Nope! When you bite into this delectable eclair, you’ll be groaning with delight because this is one delicious treat.
The Wooden Board Eclair is a textural joy. It’s perfectly fluffy on the outside and then delectably creamy on the inside. The chocolate is smooth and rich on top. Of course, it’s also delicious. But the best part is the heat of this eclair. It’s spicy but in an incredibly pleasant way. There’s just enough burn to the filling to the pastry cream that you get a tingle. But this treat definitely does not enough heat that it scorches your tongue. Alongside the chocolate, it’s a visceral experience that puts you in mind of the way you feel after watching a horror movie. You’ve really gone on an adventure, but you’re happy to have done it. A 10/10 food at Universal Orland’s Halloween Horror Nights 2024.
The Red Door Hand Pie Is a Perfect Portal and Pie
The Red Door hand pie is a delight. Firstly, it’s so red. Who doesn’t want to consume a food that red? I know I do. Secondly, it’s a perfect little model of Insidious‘ eerie portal to demonic worlds. But! It won’t actually bring you into The Further and try to consume your soul. So that’s great news. As a bonus, it’s vegan. And honestly, it’s really thoughtful of Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights to have such delicious foods for all kinds of diets. This hand pie is delectably savory. It really has that unctuous richness of an incredible fall stew, and it’s so easy to eat as you walk around the park. The crust is also really nifty. Its texture kind of reminds me of a pop-tart, but I really enjoyed the way it crumbled and complemented the rich insides. The red glaze is also very satisfying in its smoothness, again a bit like a savory pop-tart, but in a good way.
The Mini Stay-Puft S’more Is One Food Item You Can’t Miss at Halloween Horror Nights 2024
I mean, come on, the Mini Stay-Puft S’more HAD to be on this list of best food items at Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2024. It’s an icon. Not only is it spooktacularly disturbing because you’re literally consuming a burnt mini Stay-Puft man, but it is also SO adorable. That’s the perfect Halloween Horror Nights secret recipe. But I have to say that this Mini Stay-Puft S’more just doesn’t LOOK good. It is quite honestly the most delicious marshmallow I have ever consumed in my life. Do not miss out on this scrumptious and Instagram-worthy treat.
The Heart Beet Tostada Brought Resturant Quality Food to Life
At first I wasn’t sure about the Heart Beet Tostada. It felt kind of like there was too much tortilla to topping when it came to the ratio of ingredients. But the more I ate it, the more delicious it became. It might be a bit hard to eat on the go, but once you’re fully munching into this bleeding, or rather beeting, heart you’ll be glad you did. The beets are pickled, but not too pickled. And everything is a little sour in the best way. Of all of the Halloween Horror Nights food items I sampled at Universal Orlando, this one was the most professional feeling. And so bloody good. The Heart Beet Tostada was also inspired by one of Universal Orlando’s best 2024 Halloween Horror Nights houses, Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America.
The Ropa Veija Walking Taco Was the Best Food Item at Halloween Horror Nights 2024
And so we have come to the Ropa Veija Walking Taco. The Ropa Veija Walking Taco isn’t themed. It’s not particularly adorable. It doesn’t have delicately crafted nuances. But it is SO delicious. Of all the foods I tasted at Halloween Horror Nights 2024, the Ropa Veija Walking Taco was the one I woke up thinking about, the one I craved for a week after. I had order Ropa Veija at home, this was so good. But it just wasn’t the same.
The Ropa Veija Walking Taco is the perfect little bundle of flavor. The meat is so savory and delicious you can’t stop eating it. And all its toppings really complement the rich beef so well, adding brightness and texture to cut through the lushness and keep it from becoming too heavy. If you go to Halloween Horror Nights 2024 make sure this is the one food item that you try. You will NOT regret it. Just make sure you eat this taco with a fork and not with the Doritos inside. If you try to eat it with the Doritos, you WILL regret it.
