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New photos published September 13 show the Fat One’s Hot Dogs and Italian Ice restaurant at Universal CityWalk Orlando looking nearly finished, with signage installed, furniture in place and an illuminated menu board above the ordering window. The update, reported by WDW News Today after a visit to the construction site, is the freshest public evidence that the restaurant’s September opening is approaching, although Universal has not announced an exact date.
The practical decision for travelers is simple: if you are visiting Universal Orlando Resort in the coming weeks, plan on one more quick service dining option at CityWalk, but do not build a day around it until an opening date is confirmed. CityWalk sits between the parking garages and the park gates, so it helps to review Universal Orlando parking and arrival options before you go.
- What: Fat One’s Hot Dogs and Italian Ice, from Joey Fatone and Joe Mulvihill, nears opening at Universal CityWalk Orlando.
- Where: The former Hot Dog Hall of Fame space at CityWalk, which closed in July 2026.
- When: Owner Joey Fatone says the opening is set for September 2026, with no exact date announced.
- Status: September 13 photos show signage, furniture, starry decor and a lit menu board in place.
- Menu: Hot dogs, Italian ice and more, described by Universal as creative and flavor packed.
September 13 Photos Show a Nearly Finished Restaurant
WDW News Today visited the site on September 13 and reported visible progress across the whole location. The old Hot Dog Hall of Fame signage is gone, replaced by a red, black and white color scheme with star graphics. A large screen that once hung above the counter has been removed, and new decorations plus furniture are now in place throughout the space.
Small details point the same way. Posts along the entrance ramp carry starry banners, a matching starry design frames the counter, and a crew member was seen cleaning the patio where square tables now sit. Some stadium style chairs have been removed, though they could return before opening, with small tables set between the remaining seats. Most telling for hungry visitors, the menu board above the ordering window was illuminated, showing dogs, sides, desserts and drinks.
What Fatone Has Said About the Opening Date
No exact opening date has been announced, but the owner has narrowed the window himself. Attractions Magazine reported on September 2 that the restaurant posted a construction update on Instagram on September 1 saying it was a few weeks away, and Joey Fatone replied in the comments that the opening definitely falls this month, with the team finalizing the date.
Fatone added that he believes the opening will land on a weekend and said a date announcement will come very soon. Treat that as the current plan rather than a promise: weekend openings can shift when final inspections or staffing dictate, so confirm the status before visiting specifically for the restaurant. The September 13 photo report moved the story forward without changing that guidance.
Hot Dog Hall of Fame Closed in July After 12 Years
Universal announced Fat One’s as the replacement for Hot Dog Hall of Fame back in May 2026. The outgoing restaurant closed in July 2026 after serving CityWalk since 2014, giving the newcomer a high traffic corner with an established lunch and late night crowd. That history matters for expectations: this is a like for like swap of one hot dog counter for another, upgraded with Italian ice and a celebrity owner.
CityWalk has seen steady venue turnover this year as Universal refreshes its dining lineup ahead of the busy fall season. A second new CityWalk venue, the Traitors themed bar, opened its doors within the past week, which shows how quickly the district is adding evening options. Visitors planning a fall trip should expect some construction walls alongside the new choices.
Hot Dogs, Italian Ice and More on the Menu
When Universal announced the CityWalk location, it described the upcoming menu as featuring creative, flavor packed hot dogs, Italian ices and more. The concept comes from former NSYNC member Joey Fatone and his manager Joe Mulvihill, and a food truck version has already been operating in the Orlando area with neighborhood pickups. The illuminated menu board now visible above the CityWalk ordering window lists dogs, sides, desserts and drinks.
The complete CityWalk menu has not been published yet, so specific prices and signature items remain unknown. Italian ice is the confirmed differentiator: it is part of the restaurant name, it was called out in the original announcement, and commenters on the restaurant’s own posts have already singled it out. Families weighing dessert stops on a park day can pencil it in as a future option rather than a confirmed one.
Planning Dining Around an Unannounced Opening Day
The safest way to use this news is as a watch item, not a fixed reservation. If your trip falls in late September, keep Fat One’s on the backup list and check the restaurant’s social channels plus Universal’s own updates the week you travel. If your trip is already set for a specific weekend, assume only the venues confirmed open today, since the exact debut date is still pending.
Day guests can fold the watch into normal ticket planning, since CityWalk dining pairs naturally with a park day. Our Universal Orlando one day ticket access guide explains how to structure arrival, midday breaks and evening meals. An early dinner at CityWalk followed by a return to the parks is a workable pattern whether or not the new counter has opened.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Visit Universal Orlando in late September | Keep Fat One’s on your dining backup list and check for a date announcement during travel week. |
| Travel on a fixed weekend soon | Plan meals only around venues confirmed open now, and treat Fat One’s as a bonus. |
| Want hot dogs or Italian ice at CityWalk | Watch for the full menu release, since prices and signature items are still unannounced. |
| Follow new venue openings closely | Track the restaurant’s Instagram and Universal channels, where the date news will land first. |
September 2026 is the stated opening window. Owner Joey Fatone says the debut falls this month, likely on a weekend, so late September visitors have the best odds.
The date announcement is the next gate. Until Universal or the restaurant names a day, keep confirmed alternatives for every meal that matters.
Fall CityWalk visits gain evening depth. With the Traitors bar newly open and Fat One’s close behind, after park hours at CityWalk keep improving.
When will Fat One’s open at Universal CityWalk?
Owner Joey Fatone says the restaurant will open in September 2026, likely on a weekend, but no exact date has been announced. The team says it is finalizing the date and will announce it very soon.
Where is Fat One’s located at Universal Orlando?
It takes over the former Hot Dog Hall of Fame space at Universal CityWalk Orlando. That restaurant closed in July 2026 after operating at CityWalk since 2014.
What food will Fat One’s serve?
Universal describes the menu as creative, flavor packed hot dogs, Italian ices and more. The illuminated menu board shows dogs, sides, desserts and drinks, but the complete menu with prices is still unannounced.
Who owns Fat One’s?
The concept comes from former NSYNC member Joey Fatone and his manager Joe Mulvihill. A Fat One’s food truck has already been operating in the Orlando area.
Should I plan my trip around the opening?
No. Keep it as a backup option and confirm the opening status before you go, since the exact debut date is still pending. Plan important meals around venues already confirmed open.
