has been an afterthought due to uninspired food for quite some time; but when I started hearing some buzz about a new steak dinner, I knew I needed to get over there ASAP…
This counter service restaurant, located in the American Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase, has always been a reliable stop for “typical” American fare, like hamburgers and french fries.
And because of its large size, it’s a good place to find a spot to eat should you find yourself in Epcot without an Advanced Dining Reservation.
Sign
Let’s go check out the latest!!
Atmosphere
“Liberty Inn Publick Dining Room” — known to most of us as Liberty Inn — is located in the large building that serves as the central location when you look at World Showcase. Situated across from the American Gardens Theatre, the building also houses the American Adventure, an animatronic and film attraction; and an American history mini-museum (a great place to get away from the crowds!).
Entrance
Inside, you’ll find ample seating in the atrium-style dining area. Skylights allow for plenty of natural light, and flags from the original colonies line the brick walls. You can see them up close in this post.
The decor is decidedly colonial, and the surroundings contain many items that look like they came straight from Colonial Williamsburg.
Seating Indoors and Flags
Baker's Rack and other Colonial Decor
Pots, Pans, and Utensils
But if you’d rather sit outdoors, there are several tables on the brick patio outside, with umbrellas to offer respite from the sun.
Outdoor Seating
Liberty Inn is a counter service spot, and the set up is the normal Disney deal. There are multiple cashiers to take your order, which you pick up at the counter beyond.
Ordering Area
We were pretty hungry and anxious to order, so let’s get down to the important stuff: the food!
Eats
There have been a few updates to the menu since we last visited, but basically, you have a nice selection of typically American fare here. That makes Liberty Inn a fantastic option if you have a non-adventurous eater in your group and you find yourself starving in World Showcase with no other plans. 🙂
Entree Menu -- Click to Enlarge
A couple of the children’s items here also feature the Mickey Check nutritional guarantee, so you know that you’ll be providing a nutritious option for the kiddos should they eat here.
Menu -- Click to Enlarge
But being the steak lover that I am, I was excited to see confirmation of the rumor! Could a counter service spot deliver a decent steak? Hmm…
Special Menu Item -- 6-ounce New York Strip Steak with Red Wine Butter, Roasted Potatoes, and Steamed Broccoli
Once you place your order and get your food, it’s off to the condiments stand to get other essentials, like mustard, ketchup, napkins, and the like.
Napkins and Condiments
Condiments
There’s nothing terribly interesting here in the way of condiments, but we did think the themeing on some of the pumps was typical of Disney detail!
Flag Featured on the Condiment Signs
Of course, I opted for the New York Strip Steak with Red Wine Butter Sauce. It was served with a side of Roasted Red Potato Wedges and Steamed Broccoli.
You can see the compound butter that had started on top of the steak, but was slowly melting its way off. 😉 They certainly didn’t skip on it!
Six Ounce New York Strip Steak with Red Wine Butter Sauce, Roasted Potatoes, and Steamed Broccoli
This was definitely a fun addition to the menu. Normally I prefer my steak a little more rare; but for the price and the fact that this is counter service, I thought this was pretty good.
New York Strip -- Cross Section
And fresh veggies are always a nice — and surprising — option. The broccoli was freshly steamed, leaving the guest to add any salt or butter as desired. The potatoes were freshly roasted and crinkly hot — a great addition with some yummy flavor.
Side of Broccoli with New York Strip Steak
We also tried the Grilled Chicken Flatbread with Fries. It’s interesting to note that “flatbread” here = pita. Other places, it usually means pizza. So make sure to look at those pictures so you know what you’re getting!
I loved the presentation of this meal; I couldn’t wait to dig in! And the addition of Monterrey Jack cheese, bacon, and red pepper aioli gave the flatbread some serious flavor!
Grilled Chicken Flatbread with Fries
A quick peek inside shows a closer look at all the ingredients in there. There’s quite a bit going on in this sandwich, and the burst of protein from the grilled chicken will keep you going for a few more hours in the park!
I was really impressed with this sandwich, and would definitely order it again. In fact; I might choose this over the steak!
Grilled Chicken Wrap -- Inside
We rounded out the meal with a fruit cup, which consisted primarily of melon and grapes. Just a warning, in case you aren’t a big fan of these fruits.
Fruit Cup
After those semi-healthy meals (huge amounts of melty butter and bacon aside), we decided to order the S’mores Mousse Brownie for dessert. I’d not seen this particular counter service dessert before, so I was eager to give it a try.
Get a load of this thing! Looks pretty yum, eh?
S'mores Mousse Brownie
A super thick graham cracker crust is the foundation for this brownie cake, which is topped with a fudgy, generous swirl of chocolate “mousse” frosting (note: this is definitely more of a fudge frosting than a mousse). In the middle is this wonderful marshmallow-y creamy goodness.
S'mores Brownie -- Cross Section
This was incredibly rich, moist, and dense — and perfectly suitable for sharing. Three bites and I was done!
S'mores Mousse Brownie -- Up Close. Look at that graham cracker crust!!
What an incredible find this brownie-cupcake fusion was!
Overall
We were quite pleased with our stop at Liberty Inn. To be honest, this is a spot that I normally walk right past. With all of the phenomenal food choices in Epcot, who has time for food that you can get on any street corner?
But with some thoughtful upgrades and twists on American fare, Liberty Inn has made this a spot worth your time and attention. If you’re in need of a counter service option in Epcot, I would definitely give it a try.
Are you a fan of Liberty Inn? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I’m glad to see some added options! We always stop at Liberty Inn because my 10 yr old son is not adventurous at all and we always get his meals here for our Epcot days. Can’t wait for our upcoming trip!
I wish that Epcot had more attractions to keep me entertained for a few more days so I could have enough time to eat everything I wanted! I don’t eat meat, but that black bean burger with corn salsa and chipotle mayo really caught my eye…and that brownie, YUM! Not sure how I’m going to choose among the CS stops in Epcot on my next trip but this is certainly a contender! Thanks for a great review.
That brownie looks divine!!!!!!! Thanks for bringing this place to my attention again!
This review struck a nerve with me. (Don’t worry AJ, it’s written well and I respect your opinion and I would probably order the chicken sandwich too.)
My qualms with this place are completely confirmed by the menu board. THIS is really the best they could do with American food? I get the need for a hamburger and chicken nuggets place somewhere in Epcot, I get that there are lots of kids and lots of people who aren’t too interested in counter service sushi or Moroccan platters. But do they really need to have a CESAR SALAD? A black bean burger with salsa? Spaghetti and meatballs on the children’s menu? I know those are American versions of Italian and Mexican food but there has to be some distinctly American choices for a less adventurous palate. How about BBQ ribs, or Buffalo wings, or a Philly cheese steak? How about instead of the same Caesar salad they serve everywhere in Walt Disney World, they put on something a bit more modernly American like a BLT salad or something with some fresh fruit or craisins, or a spinach salad?
It’s such such such a waste. Every other country gets awesome sit down and counter service restaurants yet as host country, the USA gets a glorified McDonalds.
Hmm…while I am still not a fan of this place on the basis of not wanting to eat American in World Showcase, the smores brownie makes me want to stop by for something other than the American Adventure and the hidden bathrooms in the back of the pavilion.
I, too, will now be taking a closer look at this spot and it’s new menu. Thanks for the update!
How do you cut a steak with cheap plastic knives? 🙂
Glad to see the green veggie option on the kids menu. We were in WDW in Oct and had a hard time finding any green veggies for the kids.
Thanks for the review!
Wow you picked the two items I thought looked the best on the menu. After seeing the steak I had decided it would have to beat the chicken but then I read your chicken review! To be honest this is the last pavilion we would eat at since there are so many other choices that we don’t have at home but this makes me more likely to try it!
Have to agree with NT3: is this the best we have to offer? No problem with burgers, salads and the like. And as a person who eats primarily vegetarian fare, I am always happy to see something interesting on the menu. But where are the regional dishes that would really make this menu shine? Couldn’t they have a soup/stew of the day, at least in colder months? Clam chowder, chicken Brunswick stew, chili, PA Dutch rival soup–so many options to make this an interesting stop for natives and overseas visitors alike. How about those cheesesteaks? Hoagies? Sourdough bread for sandwiches? Po’boys? Muffalata? And though I applaud the funnel cake available outside, why not feature more American desserts, like pumpkin, blueberry or pecan pies, cherry cobbler, New Orleans-style bread pudding, or a cranberry apple crunch dessert? To my husband, the best thing about the American food area at Epcot is that you can get Samuel Adams beer!
GASP. I need that brownie in my life.
I’d like to see a review of that black bean veggie burger. And while I agree with some others that this menu doesn’t do American food justice, this IS a counter service restaurant, there are always tons of people there eating (when I’ve seen it), and if you want regular American fare, go to the front of the park and eat at one of the restaurants in Future World. I see this place as a respite to all the different countries in the World Showcase and perhaps something to keep young kids satisfied while their parents drag them through the countries where there is little to do but look and shop (for them anyway – the World Showcase is my favorite Disney experience but it took some time for my daughter to warm up to it).
I’ve always been a little disappointed that the American pavilion didn’t showcase an upscale restaurant like the other countries at EPCOT do. I could see a high-end version of MK’s Liberty Tree Tavern for example. Maybe a top-of-the-line Kansas City BBQ.
I do not eat here for two reasons. Like many others I just can’t eat in America at EPCOT. I feel like that is just terrible with all of the other great and different things available. I also used to work here so I have had my fill. I will say I was sad to see that they had changed the costumes to the world showcase generic ones. I kind of liked the colonial wear when I worked there (CP 2007)