REVIEW: Candied Maple Bacon, Nutella Snowshoe, and More From Canada at Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval 2023

Katie Francis

REVIEW: Candied Maple Bacon, Nutella Snowshoe, and More From Canada at Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval 2023

Celebrate the cuisine of our friends to the north at the Canada booth for Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval 2023. Located at Universal Studios Florida, guests can find Canada at the food trailer outside of Battery Park, across the street from Revenge of the Mummy.

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada 1 1
UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada 2

Menu for Canada at Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval 2023

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada 2 1

Food:

  • 🆕 Canadian Snowshoe Maple – $9.99
  • 🆕 Poutine with Short Rib Gravy – $9.99
  • 🆕 Candied Maple Bacon – $7.99
  • 🆕 Canadian Snowshoe Nutella – $7.99

Beverages:

  • 🆕 Slocum Maple Smash – $12 for 12 oz. single serve, $13.50 for 12 oz. souvenir cup, or $16.50 for 20 oz. souvenir cup
  • 🆕 Collective Arts – $13.25 for 20 oz. single serve or 12 oz. souvenir cup, $16.25 for 20 oz. souvenir cup
  • 🆕 Maple Lemonade – $7.50

Photos of Menu Items for Canada at Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval 2023

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada 9

*NEW* – Canadian Snowshoe Maple – $9.99

fried sweetened dough, cinnamon sugar, and maple syrup

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Maple Snowshoe 2

This was over-fried and not bad, but not fresh.

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Maple Snowshoe 1

The crunch from the sugar topping and the sweetness of the maple are very nice.

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Maple Snowshoe 7

A simple treat that we didn’t hate or love. It’s not a bad choice, but there are so many better choices.

*NEW* Poutine with Short Rib Gravy – $9.99

crispy fries with short rib, cheese curds, and brown gravy

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Poutine 2

The short rib is really stringy, and not as tender as we’d like it to be.

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Poutine 1

The main flavor is salt.

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Poutine 5

There are a few curds, but not enough, especially for a $10 dish. The fries are fine, but overall this is not a winner.

*NEW* Candied Maple Bacon – $7.99

chewy Maple taffy covered pork belly with chopped peanuts and chocolate

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Candied Maple Bacon 9

It doesn’t look particularly appealing, and it doesn’t taste any better than it looks. 

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Candied Maple Bacon 6
UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Candied Maple Bacon 7

The bacon is very thick and fatty. 

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Candied Maple Bacon 1

It’s very dry. and very chewy. Pass on this.

*NEW* Canadian Snowshoe Nutella – $7.99

fried sweetened dough, Nutella, sugar, and chopped toasted hazelnuts

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Snowshoe Nutella 4

The Nutella version of the snowshoe is better overall.

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Snowshoe Nutella 2
UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Snowshoe Nutella 6

The pastry was doughier and airier, and we think this one was a little thicker and so not dried out.

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Snowshoe Nutella 8

Plus, who doesn’t love Nutella? This was the best option at the Canada booth.

*NEW* Maple Lemonade (non-alcoholic) – $7.50

simple yet refreshing mix of maple syrup and lemon juice

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Maple Lemonade 1

The consensus from our group was “not that bad.” It’s okay, but the flavor combination doesn’t really work. It’s definitely maple forward.

*NEW* Slocum Maple Smash – $12 for 12 oz. single serve, $13.50 for 12 oz. souvenir cup, or $16.50 for 20 oz. souvenir cup

sweet and refreshing combination of New Amsterdam vodka, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cardamom bitters

UOR USF 2023 Mardi Gras Canada Slocum Maple Smash 2

This is the alcoholic version of the maple lemonade. Overall, Universal doesn’t generally do well with pre-mixed drinks. This wasn’t worth the price; you’d be better off with the nearby Bloody Marys.

*NEW* Collective Arts IPA – $13.25 for 20 oz. single serve or 12 oz. souvenir cup, $16.25 for 20 oz. souvenir cup

New England style IPA, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops

The only thing worth stopping here for is the Canadian Snowshoe with Nutella. Otherwise, give this booth a pass.

Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval runs from February 4 through April 16.

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.