Universal Orlando's Final Stranger Things Menu Evolves Beyond the Sugar Bombs with Savory Chicken & Waffles and a Standout Peanut Butter Treat
For five seasons, the Duffer Brothers plunged Netflix viewers into the Upside Down. As Demogorgons tormented Hawkins, Vecna lured people into his dubious grasp. While Universal Orlando Resort's creative team wrapped up the story in its haunted house, the culinary team took a different approach to the food. For the Halloween Horror Nights 35 Stranger Things food menu, the dishes show the chefs' evolution from simplistic ideas to more complex offerings.
Time and again, Universal Orlando Resort's culinary team infuses storytelling into its food offerings. As Chef Jens Dahlmann, Vice President and Executive Chef at Universal Orlando Resort, previously explained, visual complexity and creative plating are only one part of the whole picture. The food needs to transport guests to a moment, immerse them in an experience, and satisfy that craving for a real experience.
With this year's Stranger Things food menu, located at the WSQK Food Booth, the culinary team balanced items lifted straight from the show with twists that make each item a little more elevated. One specific example is the Upside Down Chicken & Waffles.
Just like the unexpected plot twist, these ingredient choices make the dish even more enjoyable.
At previous HHN events, the Stranger Things waffle was a sugar bomb. The simple waffle was topped with copious amounts of candies, whipped cream, and other colorful sugary garnishes. This year, the dish encourages people to evolve, like the characters themselves.
The dish starts with a cheese and potato waffle. That savory base is smart. Everyone offers chicken and waffles, but this version feels more like a lighter hash brown. For people who want to stay in the savory lane, it delivers that flavor profile.
Using crispy chicken bites versus a tender or breast is equally smart. HHN can be hard to navigate with a plate. Given that the WSQK Food Booth is in the back by the Men in Black ride, there are not a lot of tables for eating. Using a knife and fork is not ideal.
This chicken and waffles is an easy handheld bite. The crispy chicken bites are well cooked. While some additional seasoning would be nice, they are perfectly fine.
The smartest ingredient on the dish is the sriracha aioli. The condiment melds well with the savory waffle. It is just spicy enough without destroying the palate. Staying away from hot honey or anything swicy was a keen choice for the culinary team. Just like the unexpected plot twist, these ingredient choices make the dish even more enjoyable.
The real star of the HHN 35 Stranger Things menu is Steve's Smuggled Peanut Butter Bites. Yes, everyone wants to snap a photo of El's Battery Jerky, a mac and cheese with beef jerky pieces, but the peanut butter bites are the must-order item.
Some people might recall that Nature Valley's iconic Peanut Butter Boppers appeared in the series finale. The popular General Mills snack brand even released Nature Valley Fudge Chip Peanut Butter Boppers at the end of 2025. Universal Orlando Resort's version is even better.
A package contains two "bites," which are more like full-sized bars. This snack is perfect to put in your bag to enjoy while waiting in line or while walking to the car at the end of the night.
Truthfully, they are more like a dessert than a snack or bar. The outside is full of chocolate and peanut butter chips. Basically, every millimeter of space has a chip. There are no gaps.
Breaking into that chip shell reveals a smooth, creamy peanut butter center. It is similar to those infamous "cup" candies, but a little sweeter. There is a hint of saltiness, which is needed, but it is still a sweet treat.
Truthfully, this "treat" was one of my favorite bites of the night. More importantly, it was smart for Universal Orlando's culinary team to offer a prepackaged snack. There are not too many convenient food options. For future events, the concept needs to be included.
Lastly, the Stranger Things food offerings are pricey. El's Battery Jerky is $16.99, Upside Down Chicken & Waffles are $12.99, and Steve's Smuggled Peanut Butter Bites are $9.99. These costs are definitely not a throwback to the '80s.
Halloween Horror Nights 35 runs now through November 1 on select nights. Tickets, specialty packages, and other offers can be purchased on the Universal Orlando Resort website.
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