In my recent seemingly never-ending culinary journey around Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando, I arrived at the food booth near the lagoon across from King’s Cross Station in Universal Studios Florida. At the tent closest to the lagoon, I tasted the savory option there, conch fritters. The official title goes by the name Conch Fritters with Roasted Pineapple Remoulade. These cost $8.99 before discounts.

Conch fritters rate as a delicacy in several cultures. The menu description for these reads flash fried conch served with grilled pineapple and a pineapple remoulade sauce. This description concerned me since I often dislike the flavor of conch. Also, I enjoyed no insight about taste with a pineapple sauce. Since this food tent was combining some Caribbean style food with more Florida style food, this food choice involved some risk.

So how was it? This creation fits one of the Mardi Gras themes this year of being louder, wilder, and spicier. Following a pattern this year, the dip or sauce provides the wilder and/or spicier aspect. Also, this Mardi Gras dish depends on all ingredients being included in each bite for maximum enjoyment. As a result, the serving tray has a built-in spot holding more sauce than it appears at first glance.

The fritter itself extends to a reasonable flavor for guests. Still, the claim of being deep fried rings true. The frying process creates a crispy shell surrounding the creamy inside.  This crispy shell adds to the experience. Some guests compared the fritters to resemble hush puppies in texture if that helps you visualize the consistency.

Most guests I checked with enjoyed these fritters. They appreciated the pineapple pieces and sauce. The combination of all these pieces of the dish created a solid flavor for them.

However, I found the fritter taste to be simply average compared to other offerings at this year’s Mardi Gras. Please bear in mind that I weigh the price heavily in all my food reviews. I thought the fritters were okay but perhaps not worth the money paid. The sweetness of the pineapple in partnership with the fritter would be great at a lower price. The $8.99 price tag dissuades me from a full endorsement. Also, some guests found the inside of the fritter to be off-putting in terms of texture and consistency.

If you dislike fried dishes that taste a bit “fishy”, these should move down your list. In fairness to this food item, the frying process determines so much about the quality of your dining experience. Finally, these fritters might be worth your time but understand that better options exist at this year’s Mardi Gras. As always, eat like you mean it!