A Parent’s Review of Universal Orlando’s Circus McGurkus Restaurant with NEW Menu
Universal Orlando continues to enhance its offerings for families of all ages. With Minion Land being the newest area at Universal Studios, and Dream Works Land on the horizon, there are lots of new things for families to enjoy. And there are new tasty treats too!
Visiting Seuss Landing at Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a joy for fans of Dr. Seuss, but small kids looking for a land sized just for them will love it, too. From the Cat in the Hat‘s ride to the Caro-Seuss-el carousel, the land is a popular spot for younger kids to ride and play. But when families get hungry, there’s a newly-renovated spot they can go to grab a meal as well: Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous.
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Circus McGurkus is not new to Seuss Landing, but the eatery now has a new menu and some colorful touches to delight guests as they dine.
Here’s what parents should know about Circus McGurkus before visiting with their kids.
What to know about Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous
- Circus McGurkus serves lunch and dinner
- It’s a good idea to check its specific hours on the day of your visit by looking in the Universal Orlando Resort app. The restaurant typically opens around 11 a.m. and closes in the early evening.
- This eatery is the only indoor dining spot found inside Seuss Landing, so Circus McGurkus is a great spot to visit on hot or stormy days.
- While eating at Circus McGurkus used to involve ordering at a counter and picking food up from cafeteria-style lines, it now works similar to Minion Cafe at Universal Studios Florida. On each table inside the restaurant, there’s a scannable menu and patrons order and pay for their meal through the Universal app, then wait for their food to be delivered to their table.
- Restrooms and additional outdoor seating can be found to the right of the main doors of Circus McGurkus, outside. There’s also a mobile ordering pick-up window if you prefer to order food from the eatery to enjoy on the go.
The menu at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous
- Since its reopening, there’s a whole new menu at the eatery, filled with unique items like the Big Top Burger, a cheeseburger with a red brioche bun ($15), and the Magician Meatball Cone, pasta and meatballs served in a garlic bread “cone” ($16).
- Circus McGurkus has a few desserts as well, including an Instagram-worthy Caramel Popcorn Cupcake ($6) and Green Eggs and Ham Chocolate Cheesecake ($7).
- There are Freestyle soda machines throughout Circus McGurkus, as well as a few fruity specialty drinks on the menu.
- Sorry, grown-ups, but there’s no alcohol served here.
- Menu prices average around $16 per entrée, and desserts and specialty drinks cost about $7 each. Sides like curly fries and garlic popcorn are also available for purchase, in addition to dipping sauces like cheese sauce and marinara.
There’s not a separate kids menu at Circus McGurkus, but it’s easy to choose kid-friendly customizations—like ordering the Big Top Burger plain, with just cheese—through the Universal app.
Can’t-miss decor at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous
Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous is themed around the Dr. Seuss classic “If I Ran the Circus,” and inside, you’ll find a full big-top tent with a super-high ceiling to really sell the circus vibe. At the entrance, elephants hold open the big-top curtain for guests with their trunks, and inside are statues of performing elephants, seals, acrobats, circus performers, and more.
The star of “If I Ran the Circus,” Morris McGurk, is inside, in statue form, along with another human character from the book, Mr. Sneelock. The Dr. Seuss book, which was originally published in the 1950s, is fully represented throughout the restaurant through its vibrant decor and zany character statues.
While there are tables and chairs throughout the circus tent-style restaurant, there are also booths lining the walls that resemble train cars. Let kids pick which train car they want to sit in for an extra-special treat.
In addition to the restaurant’s bright and cheerful decor, the track for the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride passes through Circus McGurkus. Keep kids busy while they eat by having them count how many times the ride passes through the restaurant during your meal, and don’t forget to wave “hello” to the riders as they pass.
Circus McGurkus is located at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in the Seuss Landing area. Find it between the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride and the One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish attraction, across from Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop.
If you love Universal Orlando, then get ready for Epic Universe, the new theme park opening in 2025 that is sure to change the landscape of Orlando theme parks!
