That big chicken

There are those rare days in the Magic Kingdom when there is a chill in the air and the rains tumble down. On these cold, damp days there is something comforting about being able find something to warm that warms on the inside. There are always burgers, fries, chicken nuggets and hot dogs, but sometimes a hot soup is just what you need. Luckily, that is a little known specialty of Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Liberty Square.

The small food stand, known mostly for its sweets and waffles, is based upon Washington Irving’s Hudson River home. Irving, the creator of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, gave the residence the name of Sunnyside in 1841. Back in Walt Disney World, the facsimile anchors one corner of the entrance to Liberty Square with an often photographed view of Cinderella Castle. While most guests walk away from the window with the waffles, funnel cakes or ice cream cookie sandwiches, the Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a great dish to cut the sweet and warm from the inside out.

The soup is a creamy concoction filled with shredded nibbles of chicken, along with rice, carrots and a variety of other vegetables. It has a great, homemade flavor to it, but is not hearty enough to be considered a meal in and of itself. Although, if Walt Disney World wanted to start using sourdough bread bowls, I could definitely foresee this being a great meal option. As it stands, the Chicken and Wild Rice Soup will hit the spot on those nippy days when a sweater is called for.

A word of caution, however, the soup is served scalding hot. Make sure you have a few minutes to let it cool before beginning to scoop the soup.

If you are looking for an off the beaten path dish, something that cannot be found elsewhere in Walt Disney World, I highly recommend a trip to Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. If you aren’t in the mood for soup, then maybe a freshly baked waffle could tempt your palate.