Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' Florida Kitchen Review Part 2

Last Friday we began to look at the fantastic food and atmosphere of Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' Florida Kitchen Review Part 1, which covered the atmosphere, cocktails, and appetizers. Be sure to go back and read that article to get a better overview of Homecomin'. Today lets continue with down home entrees and a couple of very special desserts help to put this phenomenal new eatery on the map.

Because we were using the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan for this meal, and I had an extra credit, I used 5 deluxe credits for 4 people. This gave each person in my party their own choice, and one for the table to share. Our waiter, Ricky from Chicago, really took care on our timing and making sure we weren't rushed at all during the meal.


Homecomin' Florida Kitchen And Shine Bar

Chef Art's Famous Fried Chicken, is what this King of Southern Cuisine is best known for. Art's famous fried chicken is buttermilk brined for 24 hours before being perfectly fried up and served to you with creamy mashed potatoes and buttermilk cheddar drop biscuits. The chicken is tangy, juicy, and delicious, with a crispy outer coating, and lots of love.


Chef Art's Famous Fried Chicken

My husband enjoyed the Fried Catfish that came with a side of fabulous remoulade to add just the right flavorful pop. A creamy bowl of Bradley's stone-ground grits also come along with this dinner platter, ad well as a couple of those incredible hushpuppies we mentioned in Part 1.


Fried Catfish With Grits

Large Boneless Beef Short Ribs are slow cooked until fork-tender. The rich meat just melts in your mouth. The ribs are served up with a side of seasonal vegetables (on this trip it was crisp broccoli rab) and those creamy Homecomin' mashed potatoes that are every bit as good as the ones my southern grandma made.


Braised Short Ribs

The Country Club is a grilled chicken sandwich topped with white cheddar, pecan-smoked bacon, red jalapeno jelly, lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun. This was the my second try ordering off the Buns & Such menu at Homecomin', and while both the The Country Club and The Hamilton (which I ate on a previous visit) were good solid offerings, they weren't the stars of the menu.

However! The bonus you get in ordering a sandwich is that you also get the absolutely amazing house-made BBQ chips, drizzled in Art's fresh ice box dressing - so delicious. If you are a fan of fresh potato chips (crisps for those readers on the other side of the pond) you have got to try the ones at Homecomin'.


The Country Club With House-made ChipsThe Hamilton

While everyone at our table enjoyed every one of the entree plates ordered, I was convinced that my lunch was the star of the show. The Chopped Barbecue Pork is a savory ode to a southern tradition. The pork is smokey and with lots of black pepper, and the HFK sauce adds just a touch of sweetness.

Momma's mac and cheese - well that was a downright religious experience. Curly pasta tubes cooked to absolute perfection and covered in a rich and creamy cheddar and parmesan bechamel. That simple combination is topped with a crumbly cheese topping mixture and baked in its own adorable little pot.


Chopped Pork Barbecue PlateMomma's Mac-and-Cheese Is The Best Ever

For the last course, we move on to the sweet desserts that are enough to tempt guests to Homecomin' even without ordering dinner.

House-made (they use that term a lot at Homecomin' because this is one heck of a scratch kitchen) Sugar Doughnuts are freshly fried and tossed with sugar just a hint of spice. Served while still warm and accompanied with a maple syrup dip, these little gems are perfect for sharing.


Made To Order Doughnuts With Cinnamon Sugar

The signature dessert at Homecomin' is the Shine Cake. Be warned - this is not for guests under the age of 21. A dense butter cake is soaked in Old Smokey Apple Pie Moonshine, covered in glaze and served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It is really, really good, but it packs a punch if you're not paying attention.


The Shine Cake Packs A Punch

And finally we had the Hummingbird Cake - a southern specialty Chef Art baked up for the birthday's of Lady Gaga, and Maya Angelou. This cake is his most requested recipe, and perhaps rightfully so. I like to think of Hummingbird cake as Carrot Cake's Tropical cousin, with fruity flavors of banana, pineapple, and cinnamon all wrapped in a luscious cream cheese frosting.

You may be wondering how we managed to eat all of this food. The answer is that every one of us left with a doggy bag. Homecomin' is happy to help you box up your leftovers so that you can enjoy each and every bite of their marvelous food. Back at our villa we enjoyed an entire second meal, the dinner plates reheated like a dream.


Three Layers Of Delicious - Hummingbird Cake

Once you are full to the brim with a happy tummy, and you're sold on the pleasures of Chef Art's southern cooking, be sure to stop up front to purchase some of the Florida fresh merchandise. There are a variety of Chef Art's cookbooks, tee shirts, mugs, can cozies, and the awesome house-made hot sauce for sale.


Be Sure To Bring Some Shopping Money
Several Of Chef Art's Cookbooks Are On Sale
Do You Live Gingham Style?
Florida Chicks Shirts

If you'd like to peruse the menu a bit, head on over to the Homecomin' Florida Kitchen Website.

Have you stopped by Chef Art's for a Homecomin' cooked meal yet? Well what are you waiting for!? Don't forget to click the link and read Part 1 of Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' Florida Kitchen at Disney Springs. And if you think you would enjoy a meal here, be sure to pin it to your vacation planning board with the image below!


Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' Florida Kitchen Review