Get ready to scream for joy (and maybe for some food)! Next year, the gates of Monstropolis are swinging open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For the very first time, we humans get to step into this bustling, laugh-filled city straight from Monsters, Inc. And trust me, it’s not just about the scares; it’s about some seriously delicious dishes too.
Before we can dig into our first bites at the iconic Harryhausen’s and the brand-new Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, a dedicated team of Disney culinary and beverage experts faces a unique challenge. How do you create food that feels authentic for monsters, but still tastes amazing for us? This incredibly talented team is bringing beloved food moments from the films to life, turning characters, locations, and even tiny details into experiences we can see, smell, and taste.
We recently got a “sneak-shriek” behind the scenes with Chef Brian Piasecki, Director of Culinary and Concept Development, and Evan Rosenthal, Beverage Director. These are two of the brilliant minds crafting these incredible menus.
A Sneak Peek at Monstropolis Flavors
From the colorful streets of Monstropolis right to your plate, this new land will burst with monster-sized personality, and the dining experiences are no exception. Imagine the questions this team asked themselves: Do monsters slurp? Do they chew? Can we add *too* many eyeballs?
“There were so many moments where we asked, ‘Is this too much?'” Evan shared. “And sometimes the answer was, ‘No! Can we push it further? Can we make it brighter, bolder, and even more interesting?’ Those are the moments of true collaboration that make Disney magic.”
Brian explained, “Monstropolis is all about fun, adventure, zaniness, and pure craziness. We’re taking familiar dishes and adding unexpected twists that perfectly capture the essence of this world.” The result is what the culinary team affectionately calls “grossly fun” food – familiar flavors reimagined with playful, monster-inspired flair.
Two New Restaurants Are Coming to Monstropolis
Two fantastic new restaurants, never before seen by humans, are about to spring to life in Monstropolis. They’re ready to invite guests of all ages in for a bite, a slurp, or a satisfying chomp!
At Harryhausen’s, Imagineers are meticulously recreating the restaurant you know from the film. Get ready to meet its head sushi chef, a new Audio-Animatronic figure with eight talented tentacles busy prepping food right in the center of the dining space! This table-service restaurant promises a vibrant experience, straight out of the movie, offering much more than just sushi.
While the teams have creative freedom to invent new menu items and experiences, every single decision starts by staying true to what fans love about Monstropolis on screen.
Evan added, “Harryhausen’s is the swanky spot for a night out, but we want it to be fun for everyone. We made sure the menu appeals to both younger and older guests, challenging ourselves to take dishes we love and add something that gets people talking. It needs to be delicious *and* entertaining, making you want to come back.”
Some exciting menu items explored for Harryhausen’s include truly iconic ramen bowls. They take inspiration from traditional Japanese flavors but pack a monster-sized personality. You’ll find classic ingredients like rich tonkotsu broth and alkaline ramen noodles, plus some playful monster twists like fishcake slices shaped like eyeballs and vibrant green eggs.
Just down the street, Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza reveals a completely different side of Monstropolis. Inspired by Monsters University, this quick-service restaurant feels like that beloved pizza spot where generations of monster college students gathered with friends after class.
“When we brainstormed the menu, we kept those nostalgic feelings front and center,” Evan recalled. “We remembered what we loved from our neighborhood pizza shops as kids, then found a way to add those elements of fun and unexpectedness. At its core, it still feels like the pizza shop you’ll want to return to again and again.”
A true staple from Monsters University will make its real-world debut at Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza: Blort!
Blort is one of the most popular soft drinks in all of Monstropolis, but no human has ever seen or tasted it until now. This gave Disney’s beverage teams an incredible opportunity to dream big.
The result? Imagine a purple, frozen spin on Monstropolis’ favorite soda, topped with a Scream Apple Foam. It’s so tasty, it’s scary!
Together, Harryhausen’s and Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza offer two distinct ways to experience everyday life in Monstropolis, from a lively night out on the town to a favorite hangout for Monsters University’s brightest students.
All Eyes on Monstropolis Dining
When thinking about the creative direction behind the food that fuels our favorite monsters, the culinary team worked closely with Walt Disney Imagineering. They dove deep into the rich storytelling of Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University to cook up menus that guests of all ages will absolutely adore.
“The best part of our job is that with every project and every story, we get to see it through a new lens,” Evan explained. “Then we add things that feel uniquely Disney and can’t be replicated anywhere else, whether that’s with one eyeball or dozens of them.”
And if you’re wondering if there can be too many eyeballs on the menu? The team already has the answer: you can never have enough eyeballs in Monstropolis!
Amidst all the fun of finding ingredients to make dishes playfully monster-inspired and showcasing iconic dining locations from the films, the true heart of this new land is its storytelling. Every dish and experience is thoughtfully designed to create meaningful memories for fans and families, inviting them to step through the screen and truly immerse themselves in the beloved story of Monsters, Inc. like never before.
We cannot wait for you to experience Monstropolis when it welcomes humans for the first time in 2027. With two fantastic dining experiences ready to serve up many laugh-powered flavors, it’s time to start working up an appetite now. Save some room for the delicious creations that will leave you *growling* for more!
