A Salute to All American Meals, However Principally Sizzling Canine

“A salute of all American delicacies, however solely sizzling canine” is the title that’s really correct. However that doesn’t match the Sam Eagle quote template from MuppetVision 3D, nor does it make sense. How are you going to salute all of one thing, however then solely a really slender a part of it? No matter. I like that line and felt compelled to make use of it as soon as once more since “Sam’s Centennial Prepare dinner-Off: A Salute to All Prepare dinner-Offs however Principally Barbecue” is already again right here at Regal Eagle.

Anyway, the American Journey in World Showcase is house to one more all-new menu for the 2024 EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition. It’s known as Flavors of America for the second 12 months, so the sales space itself shouldn’t be new new. That sales space (title) debuted final 12 months, and had a relatively expansive menu of bold regional dishes, lots of which have been sizzling and heavy.

Beforehand, this was the Hops & Barley sales space, having debuted again in 2005. We’ve quite a lot of fond recollections from this spot, from free beer tastings (sure, actually–it was a unique period at EPCOT) method again within the day to the fantastic Pumpkin Mousse and Lobster Rolls that have been among the many greatest makes use of of Disney Eating Plan credit ever. Within the final a number of years, the menu has been all over, most likely because it tries to go with the immensely common Regal Eagle’s Distinctly Patriotic Smokehouse (aka “The Muppet Meatery”), which opened just a few years in the past the American Journey pavilion.

Talking of Regal Eagle, our sturdy suggestion in case you’re eating at Flavors of America throughout the daytime hours over the primary half of the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition is to take your meals over to the indoor seating space at Regal Eagle. That gives air-conditioning and shelter from potential afternoon showers, each of which might turn out to be useful.

In reality, we’d advocate grabbing meals from close by cubicles–Japan, Greece, Belgium, and Brazil–and taking it inside Regal Eagle to eat if the climate is sizzling or rain is on the horizon. That is principally a ‘cheat code’ within the eyes of different visitors.

We at all times do that, and didn’t suppose it was that outstanding of an concept till telling different visitors about this in-person and seeing the sunshine bulb go off for them. It’s additionally good as a result of the aforementioned cubicles usually run out of seating completely, whereas Regal Eagle often has ample house indoors (and lined tables outside with seats if the temperature is extra nice.

With that stated, let’s check out the meals menu for the Flavors of America sales space on the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition:

Now for a quick preface that’s seemingly crucial when reviewing any regional dishes at Walt Disney World…

“I give my allegiance to nobody.” -Boba Fett to Din Djarin in regards to the Mandalorian creed, and Tom Bricker to this weblog about meals.

I’ve found through the years that Walt Disney World followers, and presumably folks usually, are weirdly passionate and protecting of meals from their respective areas. Wherever they dwell has the very best and definitive model of no matter, whether or not that factor be pizza or a cookie or, I assume, sizzling canine. To me, that is craziness. All meals is sweet meals.

I’ve lived within the Midwest, South, and California. I swear no allegiances to the delicacies from any of these or different areas. Selection is the spice of life, and I need to see how completely different locations reinterpret and localize meals. This contains Walt Disney World, which seldom has strictly genuine delicacies from wherever because it’s catering to a various world viewers. That is a part of the enjoyable! It’s wild to me that folks complain about it, but right here we’re.

Now that I’ve vacated the soapbox, let’s flip to the new canine critiques. I promise, this isn’t that critical.

New York-style All Beef Sizzling Canine ($6.75) – This sizzling canine is topped with sauerkraut, onion-tomato sauce, and spicy mustard in a brioche bun.

All the sizzling canine at this sales space are the identical–prime quality all-beef franks. The one factor I appreciated was that they use completely different buns. I’m a fan of this softer brioche bun, which supplied a buttery high quality that performed nicely with the spicy mustard. Typically talking, the extra restrained toppings labored nicely. My second favourite of the bunch.

Chicago-style All Beef Sizzling Canine ($6.75) – This sizzling canine is topped with tomato, dill pickle, pickled sport pepper, diced onions, yellow mustard, and Chicago inexperienced relish in a poppy seed bun.

Michigan shouldn’t be Chicago (enjoyable truth!), however rising up this was the new canine I at all times acquired at any time when we went to the native fairgrounds, which was shockingly usually. Similar factor in faculty, particularly as soon as Portillo’s opened an outpost proper down the road (that was harmful for my waistline). So despite the fact that I owe no regional allegiances, I admittedly do have a delicate spot for Chicago canine.

I additionally suppose that is the very best of the bunch–at the very least for the primary month-plus of Meals & Wine–as a result of it’s essentially the most refreshing. It’s meaty and heavy, however the toppings make it excellent for a sizzling summer season day. (I do desire the brioche bun, although.)

Carolina-style All Beef Sizzling Canine ($6.75) – This canine is topped with chili, coleslaw, and yellow mustard in a brioche bun.

That is principally the anti-Chicago canine. It’s hearty and heavy and smothered in chili. I like this one lots, however suppose it’ll be a greater choice on chilly nights or throughout the second half of the pageant. So for now, #4…however most likely prime 2 by late October. (A extra strong bun than the brioche could be good.)

Southwest-style All Beef Sizzling Canine ($7.25) – This sizzling canine is wrapped in bacon with heat pinto beans, tomatoes, jalapeños, avocado crema, and queso fresco in a French roll.

I’m a purple blooded American, so that you’re by no means gonna catch me hating on something wrapped in bacon. To take action could be distinctly unpatriotic. The flavors listed here are all improbable  (I’m a sucker for avocado crema and queso fresco), however this one is difficult to eat with out a knife and fork. And whilst somebody who loves French rolls, I’m not large on them as sizzling canine buns. To every their very own on that, although. That is my #3 sizzling canine, and I really feel just a little responsible rating it so low. However ultimately, they’re all good canine.

Freshly-baked Chocolate Pudding Cake ($5) – For these lamenting the lack of the Eire sales space, America’s acquired you lined. In typical USA vogue, we’re taking dishes from different nations and making them our personal. That’s roughly what’s occurred with this chocolate pudding cake, which merely swaps out the Irish Cream Liqueur Custard for Bourbon Caramel Sauce.

Being distinctly patriot, you’ll by no means get me to confess Eire’s sauce is superior. However that is nonetheless improbable. The cake was extremely moist and gooey, with simply the proper density. It’s a wealthy and decadent indulgence–exactly what you’d anticipate from a sales space slinging 4 completely different sizzling canine. Seize whichever of these catches your eye, and pair it with this extremely advisable dessert!

In the end, it’s without delay unhappy, becoming, and hilarious that Flavors of America has eschewed bold regional delicacies for a bunch of various sizzling canine. After I first learn the menu, I believed it sounded barely like trolling on Disney’s half, however the execution right here is surprisingly sturdy and a focus to element is excessive. These are all among the many greatest sizzling canine you’ll discover at Walt Disney World…I’m simply undecided they’re precisely exemplars of the culinary prowess of America, the best and most numerous nation on the planet for meals (that’s proper, France).

Personally, I’d like to see the cooks take a giant swing right here and showcase the nice meals discovered all through the USA. An evolving seasonal menu (like EPCOT Farmers Feast does with early/center/late throughout Flower & Backyard) could be improbable, and make it attainable to start out with lighter dishes and get progressively heavier because the climate modifications. Within the meantime, this could scratch the new canine itch–and it additionally helps that Harvest Hole is principally the higher-concept American delicacies space.

Take a look at our International Market Sales space Menus & Images for the Epcot Meals & Wine Competition Sales space Menus submit if you wish to see and browse extra about each menu this 12 months! You’ll additionally need to learn our full 2024 Epcot Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition Information earlier than you go to get an concept of what to do, technique for the pageant (sure, you will want a technique), and far more!

Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part it is advisable know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

In case you’ve tried any of the new canine at Flavors of America, what did you suppose? Favorites? Least favorites? What was and wasn’t price it? Ideas on the regional canine or dessert? Something on the menu you’re excited to do this 12 months? Listening to from you is half the enjoyable, so please share your ideas within the feedback beneath!