Just when we thought we were out, Epic Universe pulls us back in. Just kidding — we could literally never get enough of this place!

Epic Universe is home to five different themed lands, including Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. We’re heading BACK to the Oak & Star Tavern at Celestial Park to check out some more eats!

Atmosphere

The Oak & Star Tavern is a barbecue joint located in Epic Universe’s hub, Celestial Park. According to Universal, at Oak & Star Tavern, you “can gather with family or friends ’round the fiery hearth of an ancient, starlight-filled oak tree.”

It does really feel like you’re in a treehouse when you’re inside this restaurant — it’s simply gorgeous! Oak & Star Tavern is very nature-inspired and fits well in Celestial Park. There are multiple dining rooms, and it is a low-key, quick-service location.

But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?!

Menu

Since this is a barbecue restaurant, dishes include a BBQ Platter with Mango Bread & Pickles, pulled pork, and meat platters (you’re starting to get the idea…). The Plastered Owl will be featured among the cocktails… which you can also pick up at The Plastered Owl bar, which will be tucked inside the Tavern!

And now, onto the main event — the food!

Eats

We grabbed the Huli Huli Pulled Pork sandwich for $17.99. This is a smoked kalua pulled pork sandwich with huli huli sauce and tropical coleslaw on a pan sobao bun. You get one side with this sandwich, so we opted for the Mango Bread!

We had previously loved everything we had here, so we had high hopes, but the Huli Huli Pulled Pork sandwich just fell flat for us. It wasn’t bad, it was just a little bit disappointing. The roll it was served on was on the dry and stale side, which wasn’t great.  The pulled pork itself was solid — it wasn’t too dry, but it also wasn’t the best pulled pork we’ve ever had — even at a theme park.

But then you get into the middle of the sandwich, and that’s where all the good stuff is. That’s when you taste the little chunks of pineapple, and the more interesting elements that make this more of an elevated pulled pork sandwich. Our disappointment didn’t last too long because the tropical coleslaw really saved the day. We would certainly come back here and try something different, but this one wasn’t a total hit for us.

The Mango Bread — which we’ve had before — is so sweet and SO good. Mango can be a divisive flavor for many, but this mostly just tastes tropical or even a bit citrusy. It’s just really sweet, really moist, and a great addition to the savory meats served here. It broke apart really easily without being flaky or anything like that, too.

We also picked up the Three Cheese Mac and Cheese as an additional side for $4.99. Well, there was definitely a lot of cheese! This was seriously cheesy, but it wasn’t the creamiest mac and cheese we’ve ever had — it was definitely a baked mac and cheese, which can sometimes be a little dry. That was the case here. There was a good cheesy flavor, but it wasn’t dimensional — no hint of garlic or paprika. We did love the nice crust on top for an added crunch, and the noodles weren’t under- or overdone, which was a plus. This would be great for picky eaters!

Nosh or Not

This restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You’re looking for something quick to eat that’s also substantial in Celestial Park.
• You want to enjoy the atmosphere of this gorgeous restaurant!

You should skip this spot if…

• You’re a barbecue fiend. You’ll likely leave a bit disappointed.
• You’re looking for a more formal, sit-down meal with table service.

Overall

We still think The Oak & Star Tavern is a great place to stop for a bite to eat. While we weren’t particularly wowed by the pulled pork sandwich, it was something different for a theme park, thanks to that tropical coleslaw that saved the day. The mac and cheese was also a solid option, but again, nothing to write home about. We would come back to this spot for that mango bread again and again and again, though, so don’t be surprised if you spot us under the oak tree!

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Epic Universe and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Universal news and more!

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Are you planning a trip to Epic Universe? Tell us in the comments!