After riding Mako or soaring through Expedition Odessey Fire and Ice, theme park guests hunger for a tasty treat and thirst for a refreshing drink. At SeaWorld Orlando’s Red, White, and BBQ, the weekend food and beverage event serves the best summer bites.
Festivals and theme parks go hand in hand. The themes usually are seasonal. From a holiday spectacular to spooky Howl-O-Scream, the food and beverages add to the ambiance and flavor people’s memories.
In addition to SeaWorld Orlando’s summer nighttime programs, like Electric Ocean and Ignite drone and fireworks show, Red, White, and BBQ runs on weekends now through August 23. The 18 locations open at noon and close one hour before the theme park closes.
The special locations feature a wide variety of food and beverages. Barbecue booths include Texas, Kansas City, and Memphis. These dishes infuse classic flavors and a few twists on favorites.
Additionally, the event features a bounty of beverages. From specialty frozen cocktails to a diverse and plentiful beer selection, there is a drink that quenches any and every thirst.
Guests can purchase tasting lanyards in five and 10 sampling options. They can be used to buy food and beverages at any of the participating booths.
5 Must Try SeaWorld Orlando Red, White, and BBQ Dishes
With so many tasty options on the menu, it can be hard to narrow the list down to a select few. After eating my way through the festival on a sunny Saturday, a few choices stood out as a “must order.”
Fish and Grits: Memphis BBQ
First, at the Memphis BBQ location, the new Fish & Grits was a standout. Even on a warm day, this dish is a must order. The portion is quite large, too.
The seared mahi is subtly seasoned yet well grilled. It sits atop luscious smoked gouda cheese grits. The slightly smoky flavor blends well with the mahi’s seasoning and char.
Roasted Jalapeno White Mac & Cheese: North Carolina BBQ
Another top choice is the new Roasted Jalapeno White Mac & Cheese at North Carolina BBQ. First, the mac and cheese feels homemade. No one will conjure images of that blue box variety.
The best part is the roasted jalapeno. The pieces are large, which allows a big piece in every bite. The peppers are spicy, but not overwhelming. There is just enough kick to stand up to the creamy mac and cheese. This dish is definitely sophisticated and not juvenile.
Watermelon Salad
Another hit is the watermelon salad. Given the summer’s heat, this dish is filling yet light. The combination of feta, red onion, cucumbers, and balsamic glaze is classic, but always delivers a great taste. The cucumbers add that extra refreshing note, too.
Crispy Chicken BBQ Sundae Cup
The most controversial dish on the menu is the Crispy Chicken BBQ Sundae Cup. To be clear, this item is not a dessert. The layered dish starts with sweet mashed potatoes, adds pork beans, mac and cheese, and is topped with chicken nuggets or pulled pork.
The dish is a choose your own adventure bite. Getting one bit mouthful of every ingredient is doable. Or, it can be eaten a layer at a time. For anyone who cannot have their foods touching, this dish is not for them.
SeaWorld Orlando’s culinary team deserves kudos for trying this dish. It is not the norm and pushes people out of their comfort zone. Plus, it can be helpful to have all food stacked in an easy to hold dish.
Banana Foster’s Pudding Cup
Lastly, the new Banana Foster’s Pudding Cup is a must for adults. Served with Myers Rum, it is for adults only. The dessert feels like grandma’s recipe with a twist. For anyone who wants to end the day with a boozy option, it is delicious final bite.
Best Red, White, and BBQ Beverages to Enjoy at SeaWorld Orlando
While many people know about the free beer at SeaWorld Orlando this summer, the Red, White, and BBQ locations have some impressive cocktails, mocktails, and beers. For anyone who chooses to imbibe during their visit, the lanyard’s offer smaller tasting portions. It can be a helpful way to sample a few drinks.
SeaWorld has a tremendous amount of impressive beer options. In addition to local breweries, several well-known craft brewers are featured.
Personally, the Elvis Juice from Brewdog is a top choice. The citrusy IPA is perfect on a late afternoon.
Another highlight is the Wicked Weed options. Anyone who knows that North Carolina brewery will be happy with these selections. It is nice to see this beer brand return to another SeaWorld event.
For non-beer drinkers, there are plenty of cocktails and mocktails. The Refresh Reef Café is a top choice. While the cocktails are twists on classics, the non-alcoholic options are a must order. The Sunny Sparkle Soda, with Sprite, Seagrams Ginger Ale, Lemon Juice, Pineapple, and Yuzu syrup is both sweet and tart. It is elevated lemonade with a tropical twist.
Overall, SeaWorld Orlando’s Red, White, and BBQ is a great food and beverage offering for the summer. Anyone visiting on the weekend will be ecstatic to feast their way through all the deliciousness. More information on tickets, operating hours, and special events can be found on the seaworld.com/orlando.
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