Universal CityWalk Orlando is getting ready to welcome another new dining option, and this opening comes with a familiar face attached.Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice has officially announced the grand opening date for its new Universal CityWalk location. The restaurant will celebrate its arrival on Saturday, September 19, 2026, giving Universal Orlando Resort visitors another place to grab a quick meal while moving between the theme parks, hotels, and entertainment options around CityWalk.Credit: UniversalBut this won’t be a normal restaurant opening.Joey Fatone, the NSYNC member who co-owns Fat One’s, plans to appear at CityWalk for the celebration. Some of the earliest guests will even have an opportunity to get a free hot dog served by Fatone himself.With only a limited number available, anyone hoping to take advantage of the giveaway will want to arrive early.Fat One’s Officially Sets Its Universal CityWalk OpeningThe wait for Fat One’s at Universal CityWalk is almost over.Fat One’s will hold its grand opening at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 19. The restaurant already appears largely complete ahead of the celebration, meaning guests won’t have to wait much longer before the new location officially welcomes customers.The opening adds another quick-service option to CityWalk, but Fat One’s isn’t simply moving into an empty space.The restaurant replaces Hot Dog Hall of Fame, which previously occupied the location. That makes this something of a changing of the guard for hot dogs at Universal CityWalk. Guests may be losing the previous restaurant, but Universal is keeping a similar type of food in the area with an entirely different brand taking over the space.Fat One’s is owned by Fatone and his manager, Joe Mulvihill.For longtime Universal Orlando visitors, that means the location itself should feel familiar even though the restaurant operating there has changed.And Fat One’s is making sure its first official morning at CityWalk gets plenty of attention.Joey Fatone Will Be There for the CelebrationThe biggest part of the September 19 festivities will be Fatone himself.The NSYNC member is scheduled to make a special appearance during the grand opening celebration. Rather than simply stopping by for a ceremonial opening, however, Fatone will actually participate in the event.The first 100 guests who arrive will receive a wristband that can be used for one free hot dog. Better yet, Fatone will personally serve those hot dogs to the guests who receive wristbands.That could make the morning considerably busier than a typical CityWalk restaurant opening.Credit: UniversalOnly 100 guests will receive wristbands, and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The restaurant is specifically encouraging visitors to arrive early because space is limited.There is another reason NSYNC fans might want to stop by.Fatone will remain at the restaurant for a limited period to take photos with guests. That gives visitors a chance to turn what might otherwise be a quick CityWalk meal into a much more memorable experience.Of course, the limited nature of both opportunities is important. The free hot dog promotion is restricted to those first 100 guests, while Fatone’s photo availability will only last for a limited time.Anyone arriving later in the day shouldn’t necessarily expect the same grand opening experience.The First 100 Guests Get a Free Hot DogFree food at Universal Orlando is always going to attract some attention, and this promotion has an unusually personal twist.According to the grand opening announcement, guests should arrive at Fat One’s at 10 a.m. on September 19. The first 100 people will receive their wristbands, which can then be redeemed for one complimentary hot dog served by Fatone.After those wristbands are gone, the giveaway is effectively over.That makes timing particularly important for anyone specifically visiting CityWalk because of the promotion.While 100 hot dogs might sound like a lot, Universal Orlando welcomes enormous numbers of visitors, and CityWalk serves as the main entrance corridor for both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The addition of an appearance from a member of NSYNC could give plenty of people another reason to make a special stop.The event announcement makes the limited availability clear, telling visitors that wristbands will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.In other words, showing up at 10 a.m. doesn’t necessarily mean a wristband will still be waiting if a crowd forms beforehand.CityWalk Is ChangingFat One’s arrival also continues a period of change around Universal CityWalk Orlando.Restaurants and entertainment venues around CityWalk have evolved over the years, and this particular location is now moving from one hot dog concept to another.Hot Dog Hall of Fame previously gave guests a location centered around different styles of hot dogs. Fat One’s will now put its own identity on that space.That should make the transition interesting for regular Universal visitors. Rather than introducing a completely different type of restaurant, the change keeps hot dogs at the center of the location while introducing a new name, branding, and ownership.Credit: LunchboxLarry, FlickrFat One’s full name also makes another part of the concept clear. This isn’t just about hot dogs. The brand is Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice, bringing another food option into the mix for guests making their way through CityWalk.For Universal Orlando visitors, CityWalk restaurants can serve several different purposes during a vacation. Some guests stop for food before entering the parks, while others head there after spending an entire day inside Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure.That location gives Fat One’s plenty of visibility from the beginning.A Different Kind of Universal Orlando Grand OpeningThe September 19 celebration has more going for it than simply unlocking the doors to a new restaurant.Bringing Fatone to Universal CityWalk and having him personally serve the first 100 complimentary hot dogs turns the opening into an event of its own.It also creates a fairly narrow window for guests who want the complete experience.Fat One’s has told visitors to arrive at 10 a.m., but the free hot dogs are limited to the first 100 guests receiving wristbands. Fatone will remain available for photos afterward, though that opportunity is also only being offered for a limited time.Credit: LunchboxLarry, FlickrOnce those opening festivities conclude, Fat One’s will settle into its larger role as the replacement for Hot Dog Hall of Fame.That may be the more significant change for Universal Orlando visitors in the long run.Guests who have walked through CityWalk for years will now see a different restaurant occupying a familiar location. Fat One’s will have the opportunity to build its own following while bringing Fatone’s brand directly into the heart of Universal Orlando Resort’s entertainment district.For now, though, all attention is on September 19.Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice will officially celebrate its Universal CityWalk Orlando grand opening beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. Fatone will be there, the first 100 guests can score a free hot dog served by him, and visitors will also have a limited opportunity to stick around for photos.For anyone hoping to be among those first 100 guests, this is one Universal Orlando opening where arriving early could make all the difference.The post Universal Orlando Confirms New Restaurant Opening September 19, Free Food Included appeared first on Inside the Magic.