The Power of Gaming and Cuisine: A Unique Delight at Power Up Cafe

Dive into a world of adventure, creativity, and deliciousness with a visit to Power Up Cafe, the latest addition to Universal Studios Hollywood. This one-of-a-kind Nintendo-themed cafe combines the thrill of gaming with the pleasure of dining, offering a tantalizing menu that caters to all tastes while immersing you in the magic of Super Mario Bros. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience that is not only scrumptious but also full of charm, excitement, and countless opportunities for Instagram-worthy photos.

Officially opening its doors on Thursday, February 15th, Power Up Cafe is conveniently located on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood, close to the park entrance and adjacent to the DreamWorks Theater. It serves as a wonderful alternative to the beloved, yet often fully booked, Toadstool Cafe in the cozy confines of the new Super Nintendo World park, bringing even more Nintendo-themed delights to this already lively park.

The star of Power Up Cafe’s menu is the mouthwatering calzone, specifically shaped to resemble the iconic green and red Super Mario mushrooms. These delectable folded pizzas are truly a culinary masterpiece that you can hold in your hands, appreciating their exquisite craftsmanship before indulging in a delightful bite. The options for fillings are simply irresistible – the meaty red Super Mushroom calzone is generously packed with pepperoni, sausage, mozzarella cheese, and tomato sauce, evoking the comforting flavors of a Ragù sauce. On the other hand, the green 1-Up Mushroom calzone features a delightful blend of spinach, green peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and basil pesto, creating a savory treat that will satisfy any vegetarian palate.

However, these are no ordinary pizza dumplings. The dough is skillfully shaped to resemble the iconic Super Mario mushrooms, while the addition of red and green food coloring provides the perfect finishing touch. The mozzarella circles on top mimic the dots on the mushrooms, resulting in a visually pleasing presentation that will surely captivate your eyes before tantalizing your taste buds. At Power Up Cafe, you’ll find yourself admiring the food before devouring it, all in an effort to perfectly capture that insta-worthy shot.

If you are a fan of savory delights, the meaty red Super Mushroom calzone is an excellent choice to satiate your carnivorous cravings. However, don’t overlook the equally delicious green 1-Up Mushroom calzone, which offers a fantastic option for vegetarians. We highly recommend ordering both and sharing them with someone who is not afraid to embrace the joy of handheld eating.

In addition to their incredible calzones, Power Up Cafe also offers a range of delightful treats to complement your meal. For $13, you can indulge in the Fire Flower Pretzel, shaped like the iconic Mario power-up item. While it may appear adorable, it falls slightly short in terms of taste due to its dryness and lack of saltiness. However, fear not, as the pretzel is accompanied by three flavorful sauces: mustard, chipotle cheese, and white queso. These sauces allow you to customize your dipping experience, ensuring that you can enjoy the pretzel to its fullest potential.

For those with a sweet tooth, Power Up Cafe offers four special beverages that take the experience to a whole new level of sweetness. Each drink is accompanied by a sugar cube in the shape of a beloved Nintendo game character, adding a burst of flavor, effervescence, and a touch of magic to your overall experience. These sugar cubes come in the shape of Super Mushrooms, 1-Up Mushrooms, Fire Flowers, and Super Stars, elegantly presented in a yellow question mark box.

Furthermore, do not forget to savor the delightful boba-like bubbles with each sip, using the extra-large straw provided. Of the four drinks available, the Super Star Fizz is our personal favorite, featuring refreshing lemon bubbles and a delicious mango-pineapple-flavored Super Star sugar cube. The 1-Up Mushroom Fizz takes a close second place, offering tantalizing green apple bubbles and a lime-flavored 1-Up Mushroom sugar cube. Perhaps it’s the simplicity of citrus flavors that truly captivates our taste buds when it comes to these exceptional carbonated beverages.

While the thematic storytelling of Nintendo-shaped sugar cubes adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the drinking experience, we understand that some individuals may find the sugar bits a bit distracting. However, fear not, as you can always opt for regular soft drinks without the immersive sugar cubes, ensuring a more straightforward and traditional experience.