There are a few things Arkansas has no shortage of: Razorback caps, pickup trucks and great barbecue restaurants. In fact, some of the most famous barbecue restaurants in the country are located right here in the Natural State.
The Southern Foodways Alliance, an
organization that documents and studies the diverse food cultures of the
American South, describes Arkansas’ barbecue style as “mostly pork—either
sliced, chopped, or pulled—piled onto either a bun or two slices of plain white
bread.” As Rex Nelson, a noted Arkansas foodie, has written, “There’s
definitely not just one style of Arkansas barbecue.” Let’s take a look at a few
of the most famous “meccas of meat” in the state.
Jones Bar-B-Q in Marianna is the
oldest operating barbecue restaurant in the state, cooking and selling meat
since 1910. And according to the business journal Black Business,
Jones is considered to be the oldest black-owned restaurant in the nation.
Although it suffered a fire in 2021, the diner recovered and resumed operations
thanks to an outpouring of support from the community. Jones' menu is simple:
pulled pork served on Wonder Bread. The diner opens at 6 a.m. and closes when
the food runs out. In 2017, it was inducted into the first class of the
Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.
Another legendary Arkansas barbecue
restaurant (and my personal favorite) is McClard’s Bar-B-Q in Hot Springs. Alex
and Gladys McClard began selling barbecued goat at their tourist court in 1928
after a guest who couldn’t pay his $10 bill gave the couple a barbecue sauce
recipe. Its current location has been in existence since 1942 and has hardly
changed (although goat has long been off the menu). McClard’s has won numerous
national awards and was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame in 2018.
The McClard Family sold the restaurant and its signature recipes to two Hot
Springs businessmen in 2021, who then opened a second location in Rogers. If
you go, get the ribs and fry platter—your taste buds will thank me.
Finally, Craig’s Bar-BQ in DeValls
Bluff, which opened in 1947, is another Arkansas favorite. Three generations of
Craigs have fed thousands of satisfied customers with a variety of smoked
meats, most notably smoked and sliced pork sandwiches covered with a sauce made
with hints of apple and bell pepper. Craig’s is also famous for its juicy
hamburgers and its savory coleslaw.
There are many other great barbecue
joints in Arkansas such as Whole Hog Café in Little Rock, Smokin’ Buns in
Jacksonville, Rivertowne in Ozark, Dixie Pig in Blytheville and the list goes
on and on. However, I will end this column now as I’ve already gained 10 pounds
just writing it.
A proud sixth-generation Arkansan,
Darrell W. Brown is a lover of all things Arkansas. He served several years
with the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, and worked in all
three divisions. He lives in Saline County with his wife and two beloved Boston
Terriers.
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