Best Loved Meals: Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs

Sometimes we get so caught up in talking about what’s new down here that we forget to pay tribute to the classics. So last week, when my older son was given the option of anywhere at all to go for dinner for his 8th birthday and he chose Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ at Disney Springs, I thought two things:

1. I am raising my children right.
2. I am finally going to take a moment and review one of our favorite restaurants on property.

Though “review” probably isn’t the right word. I’m just going to go ahead and call this an ode to Homecoming and a plea not to miss it.

Homecoming is on the west side of Disney Springs, in the Town Center area and across from Morimoto. The restaurant showcases the best that Florida has to offer in the form of farm to fork food and drink. It’s the kind of comfort food that keeps us coming back for more – whether it’s just a fried chicken and biscuits craving or a special occasion.

The menu is front to back goodness, with an incredible array of food on the front and a long and creative list of drinks on the back – including an assortment of specialty cocktails and moonshine beverages.

There’s also a kids’ menu that will satisfy the pickiest (and most sophisticated) little palates.

You cannot go wrong with the moonshine drinks – which are also available at the bar outside Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (making for the perfect way to pass the time if you’re waiting for a table).

The sweet tea shine is my go to favorite.

But I wouldn’t kick the Berry Lavender cocktail

out of bed for eating crackers, either.

Next up – the appetizers. Homecomin’ is known for a lot of things – and the apps are one of them. It’s hard to go wrong with anything on this list, but our go to’s are the Church Lady Deviled Eggs and the (insanely amazing) Bee Haven Bay Fried Green Tomatoes – served up covered in shaved ham, remoulade sauce, and dressed local greens.

Just looking at these pictures makes me want to run back right now. I could eat Homecoming’s deviled eggs and friend green tomatoes all day every day.

As for main courses, it’s hard to go wrong. (Picking up a theme here?) The restaurant’s main claim to fame is probably their fried chicken, but everything on the menu is incredible.

From the straight up Art’s Famous Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes (sigh) and biscuits (moan)…

To the Fried Chicken Salad (if you like a little roughage with your meat)…

To the dangerously delicious Fried Chicken and Doughnuts – served up with mac ‘n’ cheese that I’m relatively certain is sprinkled with crack and pickles that should be on the most wanted list…

Truth be told, even the Spinach and Kale Chopped Salad is amazing – thanks in part to the grilled chicken, berries, goat cheese, and candied pecans…

But save room for dessert, because if dinner at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is incredible, dessert there is the things that dreams are made of.

Par for the course, everything on the dessert menu is wonderful. And if you didn’t happen to have doughnuts with your fried chicken, maybe check them out now. But I have a soft spot in my heart for the Hamilton County Chocolate Pecan Pie – served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream…

And, last but most definitely not least, the Hummingbird Cake – an insanely delicious pineapple-banana cake with cream cheese frosting, served with seasonal fruit gastrique and, again, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. You know. To cut the sweetness.

For the love of all things holy, do not go to Homecomin’ and not get the Hummingbird Cake. I don’t care how full you are after your apps and main course.

Have you been to Chef Art Smith’s incredible restaurant in Disney Springs yet? What was your favorite thing on the menu??