Hard Rock Café: Good food, beware of Universal’s alcohol prices

For a pre-concert dine-and-dash, the Café seemed to be the most convenient choice given that it’s right next to the it’s very own auditorium. Café, however, is a misnomer since this establishment fits clearly into a full-fledged chain restaurant.

I deliberately tried to avoid a full stomach prior to the show (I intended to enjoy more drinks than food on this occasion) and ordered a Haystack Chicken Salad for $12.50- minus the ranch dressing. The portion size was decent and filling. The diced pieces of grilled chicken in the salad were not numerous but I did manage to get my protein fix. Generous amounts of corn finished the salad comprised of crisp lettuce, carrots, freshly diced tomatoes, and shredded American cheddar. There were scant specks of spiced pecans. I wished there were more (well, more than 3 pieces at least). Piled high on top of the salad was a mound of fried tortilla strips.

The food was surprisingly filling… as did every other entrée that was glanced upon on other tables. Libations, however, were not cheap. The liquor prices were about $2-$3 additional for the common alcohols and presumably even more for the mixed cocktails. However, a majority of the restaurants these days offset their food costs with alcohol profits. Point of the story? Get trashed prior to getting there and ask someone else to be the designated driver.

IN A NUTSHELL: This place is noisy and huge. Two floors with a scenic patio area on the second level make this restaurant appropriate for the sheer volume of traffic at Universal Studios. Numerous music memorabilia festoon the walls from end to end. An interactive trivia touch-screen wall attracts (or distracts) people waiting on their food or just checking out the adjacent souvenir shop on the first floor. A special shout out goes to Kyle, our server- he was awesome.