Armstrong's Barbecue - West Helena (Added May, 2004)
(U.S. 49 Business Route) A small, smoky place just next to the high school.

Art's Barbecue & Catering - Ft Smith
(6901 Rogers Avenue – 501 452-2550)

Bubba's Barbecue - Eureka Springs
(116 West Van Buren - 501 253-7706)

Bullock's Cafe - Helena

Cajun Boilers - Hot Springs National Park (Updated March, 2004)
(2806 Albert Pike, 71913 - 501 767-5695) Seafood and authentic Cajun cuisine; Arkansas Times Reader's Choice Award Winner for 10 straight years; diners arrive by boat and car; specialties include boiled shrimp, blackened Red Snapper, Oysters, Spicy Boudin, Gumbo, Alligator and Crawfish (in season).

Catfish'n' - Dardanelle
(210 Dardanelle Dam Road - 501 229-3321)

Cleo's - Marianna (Added May, 2004)
Another classic Delta gathering spot that serves the farmers. Good Southern lunch buffet.

Colonial Steak House -Pine Bluff (Added May, 2004)
(111 W. Eighth St.; 870 536-3488) Great steaks in an old elementary school. Sit in a classroom and enjoy
dinner.

Cotham's - Scott (Added May, 2004)
(Arkansas Highway 161; 501 961-9284) The best hamburger in the state -- known as "The Hubcap." This restaurant is in an old general store in the cotton country south of Little Rock on the banks of an oxbow lake. The onion rings are also tops here.

Couch's BBQ - Jonesboro
(5325 E. Nettleton Avenue, 72401)

Dixie Pig - Blytheville
(701 N 6th St - 501 763-4632) Ordinary looking building with good BBQ; opened in 1923; moved to present location in 1950; pork sandwiches with spicy vinegar sauce; signature Pig Salad (minced pork covered with lettuce, tomatoes, and blue cheese dressing; open 7 days a week.

Earl's Hot Biscuits - W. Memphis
(2005 I-55, 72301 - 870 735-5380)

Ed and Kay's - Benton
(15228 Interstate 30, 72015) Famous for their delicious homemade pies!

Feltner's Whatta-Burger - Russellville (Added February, 2004)
(1410 North Arkansas, 501-968-1410)

Fred's Fish House - Mountain Home
(44 Highway 101 Cutoff - 870 492-5958)

Fred's Grill - Newport (Added May, 2004)
A local joint that has been in business more than 50 years.

Gaskins' Cabin - Eureka Springs (Added May, 2004)
(Arkansas Highway 23 North; 479 253-6001) A log cabin out in the woods near the Missouri border that serves fine dinners; A relaxing experience.

Gene's Barbeque - Brinkley (Added May, 2004)
(1107 N. Main Street; 870 734-9965) A classic Delta diner. Opens at 5 a.m. to serve the farmers and hunters. Breakfast selections even include smoked bologna and eggs along with salt meat and eggs. At lunch or dinner, catfish and buffalo (the fish, a delicacy among many in the Delta) are good. And many Arkansans think the dry ribs are better than what you can get in Memphis.

HB's BBQ - Little Rock
(6010 Lancaster Road, 72209 – 501 565-1930)

Herman's Rib House - Fayetteville
(2901 College Avenue - 501 442-9671)

Jones Cafe - Pine Bluff

Jim Lewis Cafeteria - Fort Smith
(3400 Rogers Ave - 501 783-4569)

Kelley's - Wynne (Added May, 2004)
Where the farmers and everyone in Cross County meet to eat.

Lassis Inn - Little Rock (Added May, 2004)
(518 E. 27th St.; 501 372-8714) Hottest catfish and buffalo fish around in an old wooden building. Restaurant has been in business for decades. Beer in quart bottles. Great blues, R&B and soul on the jukebox. Don't be turned off by the iron bars on the door and windows.

Lindsey's BBQ - North Little Rock
(203 E 14th St – 501 372-9947) Famous for the peach and apple pies made with dried fruit; started by Bishop D.L. Lindsey in 1956; now run by his nephew Richard; "It's not easy mixing religion and BBQ" said Richard. "They're both 24 hour a day jobs."; the sliced beef BBQ is cooked for 14-16 hours; the pork ribs served here are also very good; closed Sunday.

McClard's BBQ - Hot Springs [Photo]
(505 Albert Pike - 501 623-9665) This is Bill Clinton's favorite BBQ joint; Clinton once took 50 lbs. of the stuff back to the White House on Air Force One; opened first location in 1928; the present exterior of this restaurant appears on the opening of the TV program "Evening Shade"; the secret recipe for their BBQ sauce, given to the McClard’s by a down and out traveler in the 20's, is said to be locked away in a safe deposit box in downtown Hot Springs; McClard's originally served BBQ goat ... but now they stick with sliced or chopped pork and beef or ribs; they serve an estimated 7,000 pounds of BBQ per week; hand-rolled hot tamales can also be found on the menu; those with a taste for something spicy should try the Hot Tamale Spread (Fritos, two hot tamales, beans, chopped BBQ, and sauce; former Public Enemy #1 Alvin Karpis was a big fan of the BBQ goat once served here; other famous regulars here are Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, House Speaker Newt Gingrich and NBC Today weatherman Willard Scott; their famous, zingy sauce has been bottled and can be ordered by mail; highly recommended.

Mary Maestri's - Tontitown (Added May, 2004)
(U.S. Highway 412; 479 361-2356) Another place that has been around for more than 50 years in an old Italian community in Northwest Arkansas; Great pasta; The specialty in this leading poultry growing region is fried chicken and spaghetti.

Mary's Family Pie Shop - DeValls Bluff
(149 Route 70 West - 870 998-2279)

Mrs. Miller's - Hot Springs (Added May, 2004)
(4723 Central Ave.; 501 525-8861) Said to have the best fried chicken, fried quail, chicken livers and chicken pot pie in the state; has been serving dinner from an old house next to scenic Lake Hamilton for more than 50 years.

Mollie's - Hot Springs (Added May, 2004)
(538 W. Grand Ave.; 501 623-6582) This place has been around for at least 60 years. It's in an old house. This is only restaurant in the state where you can get Jewish specialties such as chicken in the pot (best thing on a large menu), kreplach and matzo ball soup.

Monte Ne Inn - Rogers (Added May, 2004)
(Arkansas Highway 94 East; 479 636-5511) Call in advance and tell them how many are coming. Great fried chicken dinner served family style with bean soup, green beans, mashed potatoes. They keep bringing it as long as you're hungry ... check 'em out online at www.monteneinn.com.

Pasquale's Tamales - West Helena
(213 Plaza Street, 72390; Toll Free 877 572-0500) Joe St. Columbia's Sicilian family has been making tamales since the early years of the 20th century ... Check 'em out on the web at www.sucktheshuck.com.

The Pig Pit - Arkadelphia (Added May, 2004)
(Interstate 30 and Arkansas Highway 7 at Caddo Valley; 870 246-6552) Generations of people in Southwest Arkansas have been raised on this barbecue; a smokey joint adjacent to the interstate; Great chopped and sliced pork; close enough to the Texas border (an hour away) that one can even get barbecued beef here.

Purity Barbecue - Hot Springs (Added May, 2004)
(1000 Malvern Ave.; 501 623-4006) Not as famous as McClard's, but it certainly gives McClard's a run for its money as the best barbecue in Hot Springs. Beer joint decor. Attracts everyone from bikers to bankers.

Rhoda’s Famous Tamales - Lake Village (Added March, 2005)
(714 Saint Mary Street; 870 265-3108) This excellent soul food dive serves tamales (made from a beef and chicken combo) and fried catfish. Rhoda Adams is well known in this part of the world and her eatery is worth going out of your way to enjoy. Rhoda is a friendly woman who also whips up a tasty pie (try the sweet potato, coconut custard, or lemon ice box … you can’t go wrong!). Open year round for breakfast and lunch. Hours of operation here are quirky; call ahead to make sure Rhoda is on the job.

Rockhouse BBQ - Harrison
(416 S Pine - 501 741-1787) Specialties include Louisiana-style catfish and smoked brisket.  Open 11am 'til 9pm and Sundays 'til 3pm.

Sam-Ann's - Hollis

Sassy Jones BBQ - Montrose
(Mailing: PO Box BBQ, 71658; Physical: 105 Highway 105 Business East - 501 737-BBQ1) "Made in the South by Southerners" is the claim on each bottle of sauce sold here; operated by Bill and Bubba Jones; Bill is a PHB (Philosopher of BBQ); Bubba is the pit master; this place serves mostly pulled pork shoulder, but you can also order chicken, beef brisket, spare ribs, baby back ribs, and rib tips; as Bill Jones says: “Get down and get greasy!”

• Sassy Jones’ Famous Pig Pie:
  Warning: Follow directions exactly

  One layer of corn chips
  One layer of baked beans
  One layer of pulled pork shoulder
  One layer of Sassy Jones Original BBQ sauce
  One layer of shredded cheddar cheese
  One layer of cole slaw

  *If you want a small one, do it in a saucer
  *If you want a big one, do it in a wash tub!

Shadden's Grocery - Marvell
(19771 Highway 49; 870 829-2255)

Sim's BBQ - Little Rock
(1307 John Barrow Road, 72205)

Stubby's BBQ - Hot Springs National Park
(3024 Central Avenue, 71913 - 501 624-1552)

Tale of the Trout - Rogers
(West New Hope Road, 72758)

Troy's Delta Commissary - Osceola (Added June, 2005)
(908 West Keiser Avenue; 870 563-3800)

Walker's BBQ Company - N Little Rock
(5107 Warden Rd, 72116 - 501 758-3145)

War Eagle Mill - Rogers (13 miles east) [Photo 1 | Photo 2]
(Highway 98, 72756) Since 1973 the War Egle Mill has proudly carried on the tradition of the many water-powered grits mills once operating in the South.  Products include flours, cornmeals, roll & bread mixe, grits, oats, and cereals.  Call them at 501-789-5343 or visit them online at www.wareaglemill.com.  A tasty assortment of jams, jellies, and preserves is also available.

The White House - Camden (Added May, 2004)
(323 Adams St.; 870 836-4663) One of the oldest restaurants in the state. Great steaks. More than 50 kinds of beer. A classic joint down in the pine woods of South Arkansas.

Who Dat's - Bald Knob (Added May, 2004)
(2309 Arkansas Highway 367 North; 501 724-6183) We've been told the Cajun food here as good as anything in Louisiana; another of those places that draws people from miles around, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Willie Mae's Rib Haus - West Memphis (Added December, 2003) [Photo]
(321 West Broadway; 870-732-0048) Owners Kenneth & Zenobia Polk keep this spartan rib shack in operation 7 days a week; they open their doors at 10:30 am and close at 7 pm (8 pm on Sat and Sun); we sampled $5.99 lunch buffet which featured rib tips in a nice tangy sauce, fried pork chops, pinto beans bathed in pork fat, delicious collard greens with a hint of sweetness, and some of the best light and airy cornbread west of the mighty Mississippi; atmosphere is nothing to write home about, but who really cares? The grub at Willie Mae's does the talkin'. Pass the hot sauce! As for the curious spelling of "haus," your guess is as good as ours.

^Top^