One of the things I love about visiting Disney Springs in Orlando is discovering restaurants that are good enough to make you want to go back.
There are so many places to eat at Walt Disney World and in particular Disney Springs that it would be easy to choose somewhere different every time, but on our most recent trip to Orlando there was one Disney Springs restaurant we knew we wanted to return to, which was Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen.
We first visited Chef Arts on a previous trip (you can read our review here) and were really impressed by the food, service and the atmosphere of the restaurant. In fact, our first visit was one of those meals where we left already talking about what we would order if we came back.
So when we were planning our latest Walt Disney World trip, Chef Arts was always going to be on our list. This time we tried some completely different dishes, and once again the food was incredible.
If you haven’t been before, Homecomin’ is Chef Art Smith’s Southern-style restaurant at Disney Springs, serving what Disney describes as farm-to-fork cuisine inspired by Florida and Smith’s recipes. It is in The Landing area of Disney Springs and reservations are strongly recommended.
But rather than give you another huge restaurant review, here are 5 reasons why we came back to Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ kitchen and why we think your family should consider it for your next Disney Springs visit.
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The fried chicken really is THAT good
Let’s start with the obvious one. On our first visit I had tried Art’s Famous Fried Chicken, so there was no question that I was ordering it again this time. I know fried chicken might not sound like the most exciting meal when you’re surrounded by all the food options at Walt Disney World, but honestly, this is really special. The chicken is buttermilk-brined for 24 hours before being fried and served with creamy mashed potatoes and a cheddar drop biscuit, how Southern USA is that!
It’s proper Southern comfort food and after having it again, I completely understand why it is one of the dishes Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ kitchen is best known for.
But I wasn’t the only one in our family who went for the famous chicken.
My daughter ordered something that I think sums up Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin kitchen perfectly. Fried Chicken and Everglazed Doughnuts.
Yes, fried chicken and doughnuts. She had two pieces of Chef Art Smith’s famous fried chicken served with Everglazed’s hand-crafted glazed doughnuts. And she absolutely loved it. In fact, she is still talking about how good it was.
I think that’s probably a better recommendation than anything I could write in a review. The combination sounds slightly unusual, especially for us coming from the UK, but it works. You’ve got the salty, crispy fried chicken alongside the sweetness of the glazed doughnuts
It’s definitely not something you would typically see back in the UK on the menu, but that’s part of the fun of eating at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin.
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Everyone can find something they want to eat
One of the reasons I like Chef Arts Homecomin kitchen for families is that we don’t all have to order the same type of food.
I had the fried chicken, my daughter had fried chicken and doughnuts, my husband went for the Art Burger and our youngest went for the kids’ cheeseburger. So we had four completely different meals around the table.
My husband’s Art Burger came with two beef patties topped with American cheese, Art’s special sauce, tomato-bacon jam, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles on a brioche bun. It was served with house-made barbecue chips drizzled with icebox dressing It was a proper burger and, like everything else that arrived at our table, the portion was generous.
Meanwhile, the kids cheeseburger was exactly what you want when you’ve got a child who isn’t interested in trying Southern specialities. The kids’ menu also included options such as fried chicken tenders, a fried chicken sandwich and fish sticks, so there is plenty of choice for families.
And that, for me, is one of the biggest reasons Homecomin’ works so well as a family restaurant. You can have the famous fried chicken while someone else has a burger and another person sticks to something familiar.
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The drinks are part of the experience
I have to mention the drinks because there are so many fun choices at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen. The restaurant is particularly well known for its moonshine drinks, and the current menu has a whole selection of “Shine on Tap”, including Strawberry Lemonade, Moonshine Margarita, Blue Hooch and Rumshine Punch, they also have an outdoor bar area to enjoy just drinks.
There are also plenty of other drinks available, so you don’t have to be drinking alcohol to enjoy the experience.
But if you are looking for something a little different from the usual Disney restaurant cocktail, this is definitely somewhere to look at the drinks menu before simply ordering your standard favourite. The drinks really fit the atmosphere of the restaurant.
Everything about Homecomin’ has that Southern feel and the fun, slightly over-the-top drinks just add to it.
It is one of those places where the food, drinks and surroundings all feel like such a unique experience to enjoy when at Disney.
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You absolutely need to save room for dessert
This might be my biggest piece of advice. Don’t fill up on the main course.
I know that’s easier said than done because the portions are generous, but if you can possibly manage it, save room for dessert.
On our latest visit we ordered the Signature Sampler, and wow it really was something else.
The Signature Sampler gives you a petite portion of three of Chef Arts current signature desserts – Hummingbird Cake, Chocolate Pecan Pie and the chef’s seasonal selection – along with vanilla bean ice cream.
For us, this was the perfect dessert because it was a great family option for sharing.
The Chocolate Pecan Pie was incredible, the Hummingbird Cake was delicious and having the seasonal dessert as part of the sampler meant there was something a little different to try too. It was one of those desserts where everyone around the table wanted “just a little taste”.
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We came back – and we would go back again
This is probably the most important reason of all. We have now eaten at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen twice, which is a recommendation in itself given the amount of restaurants available to choose from at Disney Springs.
That’s what makes returning somewhere a genuine recommendation for me. We didn’t go back because we had run out of restaurants to try at Disney Springs, we went back because we remembered how good it was.
And our latest meal and service didn’t disappoint, it was such a memorable experience.
Is Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ worth visiting?
Definitely, if you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World and looking for somewhere to eat at Disney Springs, I would definitely put Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen on your list.
What I particularly like is that it doesn’t feel like you’re all eating the same meal or that you have to be a particular type of foodie to enjoy it.
You can order the famous fried chicken, try something completely different, have a fun drink and finish with an amazing dessert..
Our latest visit also reminded me why I like eating at Disney Springs so much. You can take a break from the theme parks, slow down for a proper meal and enjoy somewhere that feels like a destination in its own right.
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen is definitely one of those restaurants.