Disney Springs has reawakened, and while some say it’s lost a bit of it’s “Disney” during the process, we couldn’t be more thrilled with the new renovations and expansion. We still feel the magic plus excitement with the addition of fabulous retailers, fun pop-ups and an array of new dining experiences! Today’s review (or, I’ll just come out and say it…today’s rave) takes us to the heart of Disney Springs to celebrity culinary artist Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’.
After drooling over social media posts about the new restaurant, I finally decided to make reservations last summer. A few co-workers and I were attending the Kagan Summer Academy at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista, a Disney Springs Hotel. Since we were literally across the street from Disney Springs, it seemed like a perfect spot to grab dinner after our first day of workshops. Little did I know that it would be my first (of many) meal at one of my new favorite restaurants! Notice there is no qualifier. Not my fave place on property. Legit favorite restaurant.
The atmosphere was welcoming, the drinks were phenomenal (hello, they have refillable sippers full of booze!) and the food is the epitome of comfort. We were sold. So much that we were back for lunch a couple days later and got to hang for a bit with Art himself! He was so incredibly gracious, humble and personable. He joined us for a good 20 minutes or so, chatted about family and, once he found out we were teachers, he insisted on sending us some extra love from the kitchen. <3
The Restaurant
The atmosphere at Homecomin’ truly is like a homecoming! The staff is wonderful, the colors are calming and seating is comfortable. Outdoor seating offers beautiful views, especially at dusk, of the surrounding Springs and the crystal blue ponds dotted with magical light.
Click an image to enlarge and read any captions.
Lobby and kitchen
Restrooms off the lobby
Bar
View from the porch
The Food
In my multiple experiences at Homecomin’ (at one point I visited literally four times within a couple months and my server thought I was a cast member…and I live halfway across the country!) I have not had one taste that I didn’t absolutely love.
Everything from drinks to apps to entrees to dessert tastes fresh. The options from their flagship fried to chicken to the barbecue to the hummingbird cake are absolute comfort food defined. From first bite, I felt like I was in a friend’s southern kitchen, relaxed and happy.
Want to recreate one of these orders? Tap or hover the image to see the dish.
Thigh High Chicken Biscuits
Off Menu
Shrimp and Grits
Art’s Famous Fried Chicken
Chopped Pork Barbecue
The Art Burger with the AMAZING Mac and Cheese
Hummingbird Cake
Hamilton County Pecan Pie
Church Lady Deviled Eggs
Southern-style deviled eggs
The Art Burger
Two beef patties topped with American cheese, Art’s special sauce, tomato-bacon jam, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles on a brioche bun. Served with house-made barbecue chips drizzled with icebox dressing
Everything else we’ve had, my dining companions got to before I could take pictures. 😂 It’s that good. Tip from me to you…get the biscuits and the mac and cheese. Carbaliciously, life-changingly delish!
Now, I’m not typically the gal who grabs a drink with dinner (I know it might seem otherwise if you follow my Insta feed 😜…for the ‘gram and all), but I’m on a quest to try every cocktail at Homecomin’. And apparently I haven’t photographically documented that journey, but in order to provide you with the visuals you crave, I promise to retry those I haven’t photographed. I’m a giver like that.
If you’re planning to visit often (or are a lush), you can grab one of those sippers for $22 and enjoy $12 refills. Yep. 22 ounces of moonshiney goodness for $12 (at time of publication). I recommend the Rumshine Punch. If you’re not planning to dine during your trip to Disney Springs, you can sidle up to the bar for a sip or two, as well. Just sayin’.
The secret is starting to get out, and it’s a little tougher these days to grab a late date reservation, but we’ve had luck last minute eating during off times (avoiding, say, 11:30-1:30 for lunch). And if you’re willing to wait, we’ve had great luck with walk-ups. Your miles may vary on this one.
Are you convinced? Or did you already drink the moonshine? Share in the comments! And let me know when you’ll be there. I probably will, too. 
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