Bigfire American Fare

Reviews

• Wesley B.

  star star star star star_border 31 May 2026

  This is my new favorite spot at Universal. Good thing too because I got tired of always eating at The Three Broomsticks.
  
  Up until now the only place you could get a steak was NBC and the small sizes just weren't worth it. The biggest size they had was 10 oz. NY Sirloin Strip for $29.95 and at Big Fire you can get a 16 oz Cowboy Ribeye for $38. Pretty good value for me.
  
  Now, I went in here leery because as much as I love Universal, I have never been a huge fan of their food options. I'm not cheap but give me a) value for the money or b) high prices but really good food. Don't give me mediocre food for high prices. I guess that is what you get at most theme parks but I expect Universal and Disney to be better. Needless to say, I have been disappointed many times before (*cough cough* Lombard's).
  
  The atmosphere is good. It's a dimly lit interior with an upstairs and downstairs. I'm still not sure why they sat us upstairs when there was tons of empty seats on the bottom floor but oh well, next time I will make sure to tell them downstairs. The upper section is darker especially when they close the curtains. Also, ask for a window seat if it's not too busy.
  
  I usually don't pay attention to the menu but it's cool how it has a fancy burgundy plaid cover.
  
  I want to also note that, at least when I went there, the restrooms were super clean. Universal does an above average job of keeping all the restrooms clean around the park but some get more attention than others, especially on busy days. This was a busy day and the restrooms were spotless. Neat freaks will like that.
  
  Now, on to what you clicked on the review for...
  
  I got the Creekstone Cowboy Ribeye. That seems to be their signature menu item so I assumed, and correctly, that it would be their best. I got the potatoes and grilled vegetables with it. You get two sides with your steak btw.
  
  I feel like I got the best item with the best combination. Everyone should get exactly what I got because it came out great. I would have licked the plate if it was socially acceptable.
  
  The steak was flavorful and seared to perfection. A little crispy on the edges and juicy in the middle.
  
  The potatoes were nice and crispy. I had a panic attack when I got to the last one as I couldn't believe it was almost OVER.
  
  The veggies are a blend of seasonal squash, carrots, zucchini and mushrooms (not the regular mushrooms but the long ones). They're grilled and not steamed.
  
  I was impressed and frankly I liked the sides just as much as I did the steak.
  
  The only thing I would say they should improve in is their beer selection. I don't know why they can't offer at least 1/2 of the options you get at NBC. They definitely need to add more draft options.
  
  So these are my top eating spots at Universal:
  
  Big Fire (Creekstone Cowboy Ribeye)
  Three Broomsticks (Chicken & Ribs)
  Antojitos (Handmade Guacamole w/lime)

• Kay B.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 31 May 2026

  The ny strip looked like a ribeye. It was so over cooked asked for medium. There was not one drop of pink. Chili was all beans if thats what you like get it. Service was horrible. Waited over 20 min for apps and there was maybe 15 tables seated. Entrees came out 5 min after apps. I wouldnt go back. So many good restaurants i N the area.
  
  I ordered a wedge salad had maybe 2 bites, server asked if we were done, took it away and never asked why i didnt eat it, and was still on bill! Worst salad ever...something was spoiled on it, couldnt tell if tomatoes or bc crumbles or egg. Absolutely disgusted by this restaurant.

• Rian L.

  star star star star_border star_border 26 May 2026

  Universal just has never seem to gotten the food/restaurant thing down. We wanted to try this new place and while it wasn't that bad it wasn't great enough to return to again.
  
  The dining room is largely unchanged from how it was as Emerils. The more casual menu and atmosphere do make it much louder however and the high ceilings don't help to capture noise. The bathrooms had only one stall so that made for a few upset guests that we overheard while waiting to use it ourselves.
  
  The service was super slow and we kept joking how the next time he came to table we would just do all steps (ordering, paying etc) just to get it all out of the way because we were not sure when we would see him again.
  
  For appetizer we got the fried green tomatoes. The combo of burrata, pesto and white balsamic was pretty tasty. The pesto was slightly salty which combined with the salted breading of the tomatoes was a little much. For entrees we got the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and the Seafood Bake.  The chicken sandwich was dry to say the least. The bread crumbled to the point we just ate the chicken and toppings separately. Grilled chicken can fall into the realm of overcooked easily and this was. The seafood bake was overall good. The broth was flavorful as was the shrimp, potatoes and corn. I would have liked some clams or something else other than mussels but wasn't bad overall.
  
  Not the worst meal we had at universal for sure. Just not something that would draw us back. Try it for yourself.

• Ashley B.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 18 May 2026

  Not my first choice based on prices and options but my friend had her birthday dinner here so I finally got to check it out. Located right by the water in the middle heading towards Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Their menu consist of open fire food with flavors enhanced by different smoked woods.
  
  The decor is very modern here which pairs well with American fare. I like the open kitchen concept. I found this place very promising but I was a little let down. For starters it took a hour for a group of 9 but this is to be expected with bigger groups and they do not take reservations. It was very hot the entire meal. The big fire makes it a very big hot room. Our service was slow and they don't do anything special for birthday guest. Even just a Happy Birthday on their plate or acknowledgment is kind.
  
  For my actual dining experience: I found their drinks overpriced and basic. I got the Rosemary Salty Dog. It was very light and refreshing but with 90% ice it felt like a sipper which is costly at over $13. For an appetizer I had the mussels. They do give you a decent amount for $12. Some of them were very grainy so that was unpleasant. For my entree I got salmon. My plate was overcrowded with mushrooms which is great but they lacked flavor and didn't add to the dish. The vegetables were on the raw side. My friends got burgers and wedge fries. The fries were delicious but that's not what should stand out. Overall for a universal restaurant I wasn't very impressed. If I'm going to be spending over $60 for a meal I would hope I'm wowed and I can't say I was.

• Ava K.

  star star star star star_border 13 May 2026

  Stopped here for an early dinner before heading into HHN. When you walk in, you can smell the grill!  The place looked empty, but they were seating everyone upstairs it seems. Ordered the Fried Green Tomato cheeseburger and au gratin potatoes. Both were delicious! Would definitely come back and try their other food.