Chef Art Smith's Homecoming

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is the Florida-kitchen-meets-Southern-comfort flagship of Disney Springs’ Landing district, and the place that turned “I’ll just grab fried chicken” into a 90-minute happy memory. Art Smith is a Florida native (and FSU alum who actually did the Disney College Program as a culinary intern) who went on to cook for Oprah and rack up cookbooks and BBQ judging gigs — and all of that personal history is the point here. The food is unapologetically rich, farm-to-fork in spirit, and built around the fried chicken everyone comes for: shatteringly crisp, brined, and worth the calories.

The vibe is loud-in-a-good-way, warm, and busy — this is one of Disney Springs’ most-booked tables, so it never feels sleepy. The connected Shine Bar brings the cocktail-and-moonshine energy (the place practically runs on Southern shine), and the open-air patio seating there is the move when the dining room is jammed. There’s also a Saturday/Sunday Rise 'n Shine Brunch served inside that locals quietly rate above the dinner rush.

What makes it worth a table: it’s a genuine signature-level meal you can have without a park ticket, on the Disney Dining Plan, with a celebrity-chef pedigree that actually shows up on the plate. What might not: portions are huge and prices are firmly $$, so two people ordering three courses each will leave overstuffed and over-budget. Come hungry, share, and don’t pretend you’re getting out light.

This is for the fried-chicken-and-a-cocktail crowd who want a real, satisfying Southern blowout — families, foodies, and anyone flying in or out who wants a no-park-ticket-required welcome (or farewell) meal. If you’re chasing delicate or light, look elsewhere; Homecomin’ is comfort food turned up to eleven, and it’s proud of it. Book ahead — it’s one of the Springs’ hardest tables, and SupaPark’s Drop Watch is your friend when it shows “fully committed.”