Hear Ye, Hear Ye
… there have been some recent additions to the menu at everyone’s favorite Publick Dining Room: Liberty Inn, found in Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion!
It’s time to strap on your tri-corner hat and buckled shoes (‘cuz I know you’ve got those handy!) and get ready to travel back to colonial times to check out some of the contemporary fare at this Counter Service option.
True, it’s primarily known as a place to grab a quick burger and fries or a hot dog. So it wouldn’t surprise me if you’re tempted to ask, “Why stop at Liberty Inn when there are so many unique options all around World Showcase?” Well, as mentioned, they’re changing things up a bit, and I must say I’m somewhat intrigued with the direction things are going…
Liberty Inn sign
Entrance to the Liberty Inn
Come on in!
Atmosphere
Even if you’ve never stepped into Liberty Inn (and it’s somewhat easy to miss, blending into the back of the Pavilion), you likely won’t be surprised to know that the atmosphere reflects the colonial era, since that’s the general feel of the rest of the Pavilion. The place where this themeing is most evident is the collection of the thirteen original colony flags lining the brick wall.
Wall of Flags
Add a few touches such as candle “lanterns,” and you’re all set for time travel.
Wall lanterns
With ample natural light streaming in from the huge windows, white trim, and high ceilings, the indoor seating area always reminds me a little bit of the beauty of Crystal Palace.
Indoor dining room
Indoor dining room
I gotta say, the iron chairs aren’t exactly the comfiest in all the World, but they do fit that “conservatory” feel.
Seating
Moving back to the wall of flags, I made sure to snap a picture of the Maryland flag specifically, since I chose an entree honoring this state.
Maryland Flag
And with that, I guess now is as good a time as any to explore the new menu options!
Eats
Here’s the rundown of the updated menu! Among the “regulars,” you’ll still find the New York Strip Steak, and, of course, a good ol’ Bacon Cheeseburger. The “Chick’n” Breast continues to provide a vegetarian protein option.
Liberty Inn Menu
New to the menu is the Surf and Turf Burger (a burger topped with a Crab Cake), Lousiana-style Shrimp (shrimp served with a Cajun tomato broth and served over rice with peppers and onions), and the Red, White and Blue Salad made of field greens, Craisins, pecans, apples, and Blue Cheese, all mixed with a Sherry Vinaigrette.
Liberty Inn Menu
Also new to the menu are Maryland Crab Cakes topped with Spicy Tartar Sauce and served with Old Bay Fries. Like any other self-respecting east coaster, my choice was made the minute I read the words “Old Bay Fries.” Here we go…
Maryland Crab Cakes with Old Bay Fries
Before I go off on an Old Bay tangent, clearly the main component here is the Maryland Crab Cakes, topped with Spicy Tartar. There are some highlights and lowlights here — let’s cover the lows first.
I’m used to a thicker crab cake — these are definitely on the thin side. Because they are thin, the breading (which I found to be slightly over-seasoned) overwhelmed the crab a bit.
Maryland Crab Cake
But the good news is that, yes, it is real crab meat (as opposed to imitation), and once you dig in, the meat tastes good, and does a fair job of representing Maryland’s star dish. I bet it would go well on that new Surf and Turf Burger, too.
Bite of crab cake
The Spicy Tartar has a nice little kick, but is by no means hot. However, even though it is tasty and a fun idea (basically a regular mayonnaise-based tartar with a little heat), I would have preferred it on the side — again, just due to that less-is-more preference here. It’s an accompaniment that I feel would work really well as an option to have with fried fish, actually.
Are they best crab cakes I’ve ever had? No, for the reasons mentioned above. But I still think it’s a fun counter service option.
Next, I was happy to receive a very hearty helping of those Old Bay Fries. Basically, if you’ve ever lived in an area where you can find “Crab Chips” (potato chips seasoned with Old Bay) in your local grocery or convenience stores, then you likely understand what a thing of beauty this is.
Old Bay Fries
For those less familiar with Old Bay, it’s a mix of about 18 herbs and spices (primarily paprika, dry mustard, and celery salt). The exact, official recipe is a McCormick secret, but it’s a deeply loved blend that is primarily used on seafood. Old Bay diehards, however, can come up with about a bajillion other uses, and I find potatoes to be just about the perfect conduit — though corn on the cob is a close second!
Anyway, I found these fries to be seasoned just right — not overdone, but plenty of that spicy goodness to go around the whole batch. These were more of the star of the show, for me, than the Crab Cakes. But as a whole, I enjoyed the entree along with the option for a little more variety at Liberty Inn.
Overall
Liberty Inn is often seen as a place to go to appease young or less adventurous eaters who aren’t very tempted by the other offerings around World Showcase. But I like the new additions and appreciate the attempt at honoring a few American classics that are more than burgers and fries. Though it’s currently just a couple of new items (the Crab Cakes along with the Louisiana Shrimp), I think it would be really cool to see this idea expanded.
What do you think? Just for fun: would you have any ideas from your home state or region to add to the menu? (And for our purposes, we’re not limiting this conversation to the original thirteen colonies here 😉 ). Speaking just for myself, I know I tend to overlook the huge variety and influences involved in American cuisine when I’m in Epcot, and I think it’s cool how the Liberty Inn is trying to reflect a bit of regional fare while keeping the staples.
What do you think of the new items at Liberty Inn? Please let us know with a comment!
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I live in Savannah, Georgia, so how about some Shrimp and Grits?!?
Being from Philly, I have to say that they should get a Philly cheesesteak on the menu!
Becky I’m from Philly also. All the fries need is a side of cheese and they’ll be just like Chickie and Pete’s.
Being a Florida native I think that some key lime pie would be a good desert option!!
I am glad to see Liberty Inn changing their menu. I stopped eating there a few years ago. They had the best apple pie then changed it to “individual” pies. After that it became all crust and very little apple. Maybe when I go to EPCOT again I’ll give them another try. I love crab cakes. Just wish they’d bring back that pie.
Also from just outside Philly…
Have you ever had a “cheesesteak” in Florida???
They butcher it real bad….chunks of steak with bad cheese.
If they would do it, I would hope they do it right!!
When I saw Old Bay Fries I wanted the White American Cheese Sauce so bad from Chickie and Pete’s too! Maybe a Pork Italian before a cheesesteak, Dinic’s style. (Obviously I live in Philly too) How bout Cincinnati Chili, Boudin Balls, Fried Cheddar Curds, Conch Fritters, Smoked Northwest Salmon, and a some SoCal Fish Tacos
I’m so excited to see some changes to the menu here! I have always been so disappointed in it because American food could be represented by so much more than burgers.
I am sad to see the puny, flat crab cakes. It’s a good attempt at something new, but they could try a little harder on the presentation.
I might be trying out that Louisiana shrimp on my next trip around the World Showcase!
HAIL FROM BUFFALO….ID LOVE TO SEE SOME WINGS
Another vote for cheese sauce to have knock off Chickie and Pete fries!
What an opportunity to showcase the melting pot of cuisines that make America great! The execution seems poor but it’s encouraging to see that Disney is moving in this direction. How about New England Clam Chowder, Philly Cheese Steak, New Orleans Jambalaya, St. Louis Ribs, Southern Fried Chicken?
Robert, you had me at Dinic’s. That’s the best sandwich!
As a native Marylander I’ll say these crab cakes are just short of authentic. They should be thicker and, as mentioned, have a bit less bredding. Still – a respectable attempt for theme park fare and the Old Bay fries – spot on. That flag, though, is only actually a quarter of the Maryland flag. Kind of odd they don’t have the whole thing.
I’m a native Marylander who is now a WDW local, so I might have to give this dish a try. I usually scoff at non-Maryland attempts at crab cakes, but my mom and I thought the ones at Liberty Tree Tavern weren’t *too* bad. I hate when they put any type of sauce on them though. A real crab cake stands on its own and doesn’t need to be hidden behind any condiments. 😉 I do like the idea of the fries though. Every now and then I’ll stop at a Race Trac to get my beloved Utz crab chips.
And Kelly, the flags displayed in Liberty Inn are representative of the original colonies. So it is correct for the time period – it’s not meant to be a current example.
MD Crabcakes THEY are NOT! Seriously, if you are going to name them that then they should like the original! Can’t even say good try Disney!
How ’bout some scrapple?
Kentucky Hot Brown sandwiches and Derby Pie (who DOESN’T love chocolate chip pie with Bourbon??).
Living in MD, I have never used tartar sauce on my crab cakes. Usually it is mustard. I do agree that they look thin. Next time I’m there I’ll give them a chance.
Kelly: That is the flag used for the Maryland Colony.
Another vote for New England Style clam chowder!!! I had some at the Epcot F&AT in 2012 and it was fantastic! It wasn’t from the Liberty Inn but a nearby kiosk.
Grrr. Autospell. F&WF
Kelly, I am a native Marylander too. I was thinking the exact same thing on the food. The flag however is folded to fit the frame. It is a shame it takes away from how awesome our flag actually looks
How about adding a lobster roll — sadly missing from this year’s F&W Festival at the America H&B booth — but also found at the MK Columbia Harbor House, so it shouldn’t be a big deal to also have it here at Epcot Liberty Inn. (OK, I love lobster rolls! — I’m from AZ and can’t get them here.) (Include the Old Bay fries with the lobster roll too!)
Those crab cakes are pathetic. Here’s a bold idea: serve the real thing and charge more for it.
Hmm … let’s put a delicious bowl of PA Dutch Chicken Pot Pie on that menu … I’m guessing, though, that it would be hard to come across some true hand-cut dough in the Sunshine state?
Being from Maryland, I was glad to see that they had crab cakes on the menu, although I didn’t try them. I’d like to see some BBQ on the menu, like pulled pork or smoked links. I don’t understand why BBQ isn’t represented here. Fried chicken would be good here too, with Boston Baked Beans. (I love the shrimp and grits idea!)
Also from Maryland ^_^ I’ve never seen such a thin crab cake. I would have liked to try these, but my meals in Epcot were focused on the Food & Wine booths this year.
And Marylanders are rly obsessed with our flag, that’s probably why we’re all like “why is only a quarter of the flag there???” hahaha.
RE: Chairs
It’s a well known trick for counter service and fast food places to have chairs and colors that draw you in…but uncomfortable to sit in; That don’t want people hanging about taking up floor space.
3 weeks until we arrive. I’m not too excited to try the crab cakes. I have yet to find anyone outside of Maryland that can make a Maryland crab cake. Plenty of others but never Maryland style. Although I would consider all Marylanders experts on seafood, my husbands family had one of the original crab packing houses in Maryland, we know good seafood. I don’t expect these to be all that good. No one I know would ever put tartar sauce on a crab cake. I am very excited about the Old Bay fries. Old Bay is just something you cant explain the deliciousness of until you try it.
How about a Pork Tenderloin Sandwich from the Hoosier State. And I bet the Crab Cake is thin because they use them on the burger.
Too many other options, so I’ve never ventured in here… enjoyed this preview!
I’m from Western Colorado, a corner of the SouthWest, and I think one of our best regional offerings is Pork Green Chile! Serve w/a tortilla, or smothered on a burger. That’s my vote for an addition. 🙂
I didn’t realize that they had changed up this place’s menu so much. Geeze, a lot of us are from Philly; there’s nothing like dipping well done fries into plastic cheese. Cheese steaks, scrapple, REAL soft pretzels (with plastic cheese for dipping!) and hoagies would be great for guests to try. I think I’ll have to give this place another look with all of the changes that have been made. Thanks for the news. BTW, we love Old Bay and I’ve found that lobster rolls can be disappointing if they have no Old Bay seasoning in the mix. I agree that fried chicken and baked beans also seem very American, along with fruit pies!
Saw JD mentioned that MK Liberty Tree Tavern had an OK crab cake. Perhaps a topic for another day’s column — which restaurant around WDW has the best crab cakes? Notice (on AllEars menus — have not been there) that Fulton’s also has crab cakes as an appetizer, but very expensive.
Rather than suggest a mere dish to represent the great state of Texas, I humbly suggest an entire pavilion.
So, so, SO loving the great food addition ideas! What is this cheese sauce you all speak of?! I must have IT!!! Also agreed that I’d love to see some good wings. 😉
Being from Charleston SC- shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes are always on my list followed by pecan prailenes (sic.) and Benne….sesame cookies. Living in Charlotte….Vinegar based barbecued pork and Brunswick stew remind me of this place….and you can’t forget the hush puppies…corn bread fritters with honey butter…yum!
I’ve been living in Maryland for 18 years (originally from Philly… and all the talks of cheesesteaks makes me want one so badly), and I got to say, those crab cakes look more like crab latkes. They’re way too thin. And I agree on the notion that a good crab cake should speak for itself and not depend on condiments or fillers.
Still, it is nice to see that Disney is recognizing that there’s so much more to American cuisine than just burgers and hot dogs.
I was born and raised in Maryland (I live in Mass now) so I’m happy to see Md represented at WDW. However, those most definitely do not look like Md crab cakes. The fries do look good though and corn on the cob with Old Bay would also be a great addition to the menu 🙂
Funny, my husband just made Mickey shaped crab cakes a few days ago with lump crab and used my Mickey egg form. I posted pictures of them on the Disney food Blog. They turned out wonderful. Once you see the pic, you’ll agree that this is what Disney should be.
to represent nj – easy: Taylor ham (pork roll for southern nj), egg, and cheese on a bagel
Being from Wisconsin, most of our “signature” foods are already represented in the Germany pavilion, brats in particular. I’ve heard that if you order a Brandy Old Fashioned anywhere else but Wisconsin, they’ll immediately identify you as being from Wisconsin. We are also known for our cheese (obviously), and the fish boil, which is exactly what it sounds like.
West Virginia here. I would like to see Pepperoni Rolls. They are a WV original.
Maxta – I’m also from Buffalo, so I will second your call for wings! Although, after living down south for a few years, I can tell you that not many people do wings right once you leave NY.
Oh and how about beef on weck?
Yay! I’m so glad they finally listened to me. Every year for the past 4 or so years I’ve emailed WDW asking them to put regional specialties on the menu here. I take full credit. Ha!
Other items I mentioned that would fit into counter service are: Buffalo wings, Texas chili, California rolls, St. Louis toasted ravioli, New England clam chowder, Key Lime pie, New York Style cheesecake, Chicago style pizza (sauce is on top and “toppings” are under that), New Orleans gumbo, etc.
I’m from Alaska, so I vote for deep fried halibut to be added to the menu!
I love crab cakes, so I will definitely give these a try if they are still on the menu.
I’m from Michigan and I would love to see a good coney dog (stressing the good), cherry pie or an ice cream float made with Vernors’ Ginger Ale.
This sounds really good! I’ve never had Old Bay seasoning before. Being from Texas, I feel like most of our Tex-Mex is represented at the Mexico pavilion.
Being from just outside of Pittsburgh, PA, I’d love for Primanti Brothers sandwiches to be represented in some way! Just gotta put the coleslaw and fries right on the sandwich.
Chrissy — Love Primanti Bros!
Being from Maryland (now retired in FL), my husband and I are always skeptical when we see anything labeled Maryland Crab Cakes. He tried these at the Liberty and was sorely disappointed in not only the flat and tiny size, but the fact that they had put some “sauce” on top and really didn’t have the authentic taste of Maryland crab cakes. They do give a heaping amount of fries (probably to make up for the lack of crab cake). The fries were ok, nothing to rave about though. Thankfully, we can get Old Bay here at the grocery store and use it to our heart’s content on just about anything (fried chicken, corn on the cob, any kind of fish, etc.).
After reading your review I’m not interested in the crab cakes; but can I just order a side of the Old Bay Fries?