Marvel Super Hero Island: Fantastic Food and Super Shopping
In our previous article about Super Hero Island, we went web-slinging with Spider-Man and smashing stuff with the Incredible Hulk. Today we’re going to duck away from the fisticuffs and into the shelter of some superhero hangouts!
Just like in Seuss Landing and the Wizarding World, Super Hero Island has its own themed eateries and shops. Now you can eat like Captain America and load up on all your favorite Marvel merch – obviously, you’ll want to be decked out in Spider-Man gear, right?
Even if Iron Man or the X-Men are your favorites, Universal’s Island of Adventure Super Hero Island shops have you covered!
Kingpin’s Arcade
Before you head to lunch or get shopping, you may want to pop into Kingpin’s Arcade. How this morbid mobster was allowed to set up an establishment on Super Hero Island is beyond me, but we might as well enjoy the games, right?
There’s all the classic arcade fare – including claw machines! Pay Kingpin a coin for a chance to take home a prize – including Pusheen the cat plushies!! Excuse me while I spend every last token trying to hook one. . .
If you can tear yourself away from the claw machines and jackpots, there are also plenty of video games, including retro favorites like Space Invaders! Shoot down the enemy ships and protect your own cannons or it’s game over. There’s even a Flappy Bird-style game, except the avatar is a chicken wearing a football helmet. And of course, it wouldn’t be a real arcade without a simulated driving game!
As you play, collect tickets from winning, then exchange them for a prize! While Kingpin may be villainous, his arcade is just some good, old-fashioned fun.
Fantastic Food Fit for the Fantastic Four
A superhero can’t save the day on an empty stomach. That’s why Super Hero Island has a few different places where you can refuel!
Café 4
Café 4 is sure to fill even those with Hulk-sized appetites! Just look for the Baxter Building where the Fantastic Four meet in their elite laboratory. While you don’t have clearance to view their headquarters, you are welcome to enjoy a meal at this ground-level café!
The menu here is Italian in fare, with plenty of pizza and pasta! It’s all delicious, and every entrée automatically comes with a breadstick, so the real question is simply alfredo or marinara?
If you’re in an alfredo mood, Cafe 4 has you covered with their classic Chicken Fettucine Alfredo. Order this – or any entrée – as a combo, and it will come with a Caesar salad.
If the red sauce is calling your name, then you can choose from Spaghetti & Meatballs, Chicken Parmesan, or a Meatball Sub.
For dessert, indulge in a slice of decadent cheesecake or chocolate cake. Now, that’s what we’d call a fantastic finish!
Captain America Diner
Vanquish evil – and hunger – with Captain America!
As you might’ve guessed, the Captain America Diner menu is full of all-American classics. Burgers and chicken fingers reign supreme here! (And thank goodness for chicken fingers – generally well-loved, even by pickier kiddos!)
In addition to those bacon cheeseburgers and chicken fingers, you can also get chicken sandwiches and chicken salads – and both have a grilled or crispy option! Each entrée comes with fries, but you can also ask for onion rings. The “combo” option upgrades your order to include a regular shake; you can choose from chocolate, vanilla, or my personal favorite – swirled.
If a shake wasn’t sweet enough, you can also order a delicious slice of apple or cherry pie! It’s almost enough to make Captain America my favorite Marvel superhero. . .almost. (Spiderman forever!!!)
Chill Ice Cream
Welcome to the coolest place on Super Hero Island!
If you’re hungry, but not hungry enough for an entire meal, then you’ve come to the right place: Chill Ice Cream is perfect for some super snacking! Iceman is here and ready to serve up some tasty treats to beat the Florida heat.
The main thing on the menu is ice cream. Served in a cup, waffle cone, or dipped waffle cone, your frozen treat can be topped with caramel, hot fudge, sprinkles, Oreos, M&Ms, strawberries, whipped cream. . .the list goes on. Basically, it’s an indulgent extravaganza!
You can also wet your whistle with a cold fountain drink, like root beer or lemonade.
Thanks, Iceman!
Shopping, Super Hero Island Style
Once you’ve been re-energized with a helping of fettuccine alfredo or an ice cream sundae, you’ll probably be ready to do some serious shopping! If you’re a fan of Marvel, the biggest shopping problem you’ll run into is exercising self-control. And probably a Hobgoblin attack.
Comic Book Shop
The quintessential shop on Super Hero Island is definitely the comic book shop. After all, these comics are what inspired this whole island!
You can find full-color issues of Spiderman, The Hulk, Doctor Strange, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more! It’s also a great place to pick out a framed poster of your favorite comic book cover or an autographed photo of your favorite hero/Marvel actor. There are also exclusive action figures (including Funko Pops!) of Marvel’s greatest characters, from Wolverine to Black Panther.
Be mindful of the time – it’s easy to spend all day in here!
Marvel Alterniverse Store
At the Marvel Alterniverse Store, you can find all the merch you might need when saving the day!
Here you’ll find all sorts of superhero apparel, from t-shirts to sweaters, sporting the likes of Iron Man, Deadpool, and Antman! You’ll also find plenty of toys – including some of the more collectible variety – here, too. Whether it’s a mug or cellphone case, you can be sure the Alterniverse Store has a Marvel version of it, so you can feel super wherever you go, whatever you’re doing.
Spider-Man Shop
Obviously, the best shop on the block is the Spider-Man Shop. (And this is proof that he’s obviously the best Marvel hero, because why else would they dedicate an entire shop to him?)
When you walk into this shop, all of your wildest spidey (merch) dreams can come true! You can load up on everything Spider-Man, from action figures to t-shirts to throw blankets. You’ll even find a plethora of chibi-style Spider-Man plushies that are just too cute – even Venom doesn’t look so scary when he’s stuffed!
The shops and diners around Super Hero Island are the most marvelous in all of Universal’s Islands of Adventure!
Have you ever succeeded at Kingpin’s claw machine or see Captain America at his Diner? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image:
Photo: Theme Park Tourist
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