Universal Orlando Resort has truly stepped up their food game over last seven years. The food quality and overall value have generally improved across the resort. Based on my group’s most recent trip to Lombard’s Seafood Grille in Universal Studios Florida, there is one large exception among the full-service options. Lombard’s usually reviews as the weakest of the full-service dining options inside the land park at Universal Orlando.

During a September 2021 trip, I dined with a group of friends at Lombard’s.

We arrived around opening time at 11:00am on this weekday. Based on all the dining reviews I had edited about this place; I knew what I wanted to have– the West Coast Noodle Bowl.

I knew this item could be modified for any diet. You could order it with shrimp or mahi. Or you could get tofu or no protein at all.

The menu describes it as soba noodles, shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, bok choy, pickled vegetables, and a soft-boiled egg.

The price varied depending on what you choose, but with shrimp or mahi, it becomes the $20 maximum listed price on menu (also, still lists it is as $20 on menu).

I understand that food service is difficult to do and it’s difficult to staff in the current climate. Even based on that, our service was below average for a Universal Orlando full-service establishment.

Although we ordered no appetizers or desserts, it was one and half hours from being seated to paying the check.

If you want a quick sit-down meal as a break from the heat of the theme park, I cannot recommend this place.

Now my noddle bowl was good but it wasn’t better than the wok bowl at Urban Pantry food court at Aventura.

I got the mahi. I thought the mahi flavor was good but did not go very well with the noodle and broth in this soup. The vegetables were good, and the egg was a nice touch with this dish.

For comparison, one of my friends order this item without a protein. Her dish looked about half the size of mine. You might want to consider that if choosing this entrée without a protein.

I thought, in comparison, my portion size was reasonable for this price point.

Speaking of price point, I was charged $21 for my $20 entrée.

I mentioned it to the server and was told that was the price. In addition, I discussed it with the manager later, who also agreed that was price.

I’m mentioning this since the menu still lists the entrée as $20. Also do bear in mind if you dine in a group of eight then an 18% gratuity will be added.

This does not matter if paying individually or all together.

Thematically, Lombard’s is great fit in the San Francisco area of the park. However, unless you really want seafood, this would not be my suggestion where to dine for a full-service meal in the parks.

Finnegan’s is a far better choice with better fish and chips, but I will save that for another review.