Enter Regal Eagle Smokehouse

The arrival of Regal Eagle Smokehouse in early 2020 proved a much-needed boon both for The American Adventure and World Showcase overall.

First, Disney did not skimp on aesthetics at Regal Eagle at all. The restaurant is cozy and inviting with indoor and outdoor seating surrounding an enormous meat smoker outside. You can’t walk through the pavilion without catching the scent of mouth-watering BBQ wafting through the air—a familiar move for Disney. The restaurant fits in beautifully with the historical feel of the pavilion while introducing a slight ruggedness appropriate for celebrating the American spirit. Eagle-eyed guests can also spot a few Easter eggs amidst the restaurants décor (like an homage to certain famously patriotic Muppet who hosted “a tribute to all nations but mostly America!”)

Aesthetics are worthless without good food, however, and in this arena, Regal Eagle delivers.

I’m from Texas, and I’ll admit I’ve had a lot of bad BBQ across the US. Lazy BBQ usually involves overly fatty or chewy cuts of meat, poor smoking that leaves the meat flavorless, and overuse of mediocre sauces to drown the flaws of such-said-sad-meat. I will admit, this is what I expected from Regal Eagle.

Is Regal Eagle the best BBQ I’ve ever had? No way, but it did exceed my expectations, particularly considering The American Adventures dubious culinary history. As a Texan, I tend to gauge BBQ by the quality of the brisket, particularly if it is too fatty, chewy, greasy, or if it lacks flavor.

Our brisket at Regal Eagle was well-smoked, to the point that the meat was tasty without the addition of a sauce—a huge win. As for the sauces, Regal Eagle gives guests options from the full spectrum of American BBQ traditions including a spicy Texas-style sauce, a classic smokehouse sauce, Old Glory Mustard sauce, and a Carolina-style Vinegar-based sauce (it would be nice to see a sweet Memphis-style sauce added to the mix eventually).

The menu offers a good variety of BBQ favorites to please a wide range of palettes, including Memphis Dry-Rub Pork Ribs, a Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich, Kansas City Smoked Half-Chicken, and a North Carolina Chopped Smoked Pork Platter. Other entrees include a BBQ burger, a power greens salad, and a Jackfruit burger for vegetarians.

Sides include familiar favorites like fries, onion rings, baked beans with Kansas City burnt ends, house pickles, coleslaw, and a very nicely executed mac n’ cheese (we were thrilled to see no sign of oozy orange goo and those notorious goldfish crackers that started popping up at the Garden Grill a few years back—great for kids, not so much for adults paying Disney prices). Desserts include s’mores brownies, banana pudding, and fresh watermelon (the apple tart has sadly disappeared off the menu).

Finally, a choice that fits within World Showcase

Regal Eagle is a joy for another simple reason: it feels like it belongs in World Showcase. The biggest problem with past food offerings at the American Adventure was that they felt redundant—pretty much all of the offerings were foods that could be easily found not only throughout Walt Disney World but right across the pond at Future World.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse is a breath of fresh air (smoky, meaty, delicious air) because it feels like it truly belongs in World Showcase. It’s a fitting tribute both to American history and to Disney magic as a whole, offering a crowd-pleasing counter-service option that stands toe to toe with other World Showcase locations in terms of flavor, atmosphere, and accessibility for families.

In short, I am delighted that Disney finally gave us a fitting tribute to American cuisine, particularly our country’s rich BBQ culture. To the minds at Disney who cooked up Regal Eagle, this Texan says thank you for making a decades-old wish come true!

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