Homecomin' vs. Reunion: My Foodie Confession

Okay, confession time: I am obsessed with Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Orlando. Like, head-over-heels, fried-chicken-forever, “please don’t judge me for trying to smuggle shrimp and grits through TSA” obsessed. That place is pure Southern magic.

The fried chicken? It literally melts on your tongue: crispy outside, juicy inside, the kind of bite that makes you pause mid-sentence and just mmmmm. And the shrimp and grits? Let’s just say I was this close to rearranging my suitcase to make room for a to-go box. (Don’t worry, I behaved… barely.) Even the stress of battling through that infamous wait list felt worth it the moment the food hit the table. It’s one of those restaurants that makes you whisper to yourself: Yes. This is why I came.

So when the opportunity presented itself to try its Chicago counterpart for brunch, Chef Art Smith's Reunion, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Same chef, different vibe, and I walked in with my expectations sky-high. But honestly? It didn’t quite hit the same. Don’t get me wrong, the chicken and waffles were good. Solid, tasty, brunch-worthy. But the appetizer and the sides … oof. The fried green tomato was uninspiring and the mac n’ cheese and creamy potatoes left me shrugging instead of swooning. When I don’t even feel like taking a second bite of mac n’ cheese, we’ve got a problem.

The homemade lemonade did its best to rescue the moment...refreshing, tangy, and honestly delightful. But lemonade can only do so much heavy lifting. The magic I felt in Orlando just didn’t follow me north. So here’s the truth, friend to friend: Reunion was fine, but it didn’t leave me daydreaming about my next trip back. Meanwhile, Homecomin’? That’s the kind of place I’d gladly wait hours for, suitcase in tow, with absolutely no regrets. Because when it comes to choosing between a Reunion and a Homecomin’, I’ll take the Homecomin’ every single time.

Overall, it was still a yummy brunch and I may give them a second chance to prove themselves. My brunch date made even the worst of it worth smiling for!

That's just my CreativLEEway!