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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Burgers Burger joint of the week: Hamburger Barn

Posted by Kat Robinson on Thu, Sep 22, 2011 at 12:19 PM

BURGER & RINGS: Bubba Burger and those beer battered onion rings are awesome at Hamburger Barn.

Kat Robinson
BURGER & RINGS: Bubba Burger and those beer battered onion rings are awesome at Hamburger Barn.

You know, Arkadelphia is home to some great culinary artifacts… one of the few remaining Tico Tacos, an Andy’s and of course dueling brittle makers Andrew’s Candy Company and Juanita’s Candy Kitchen. But since the close of Bowen’s a few years ago I have been at a loss to find a good sit-down place to catch a sit-down bite to eat at a locally created establishment.

Of course, I shoulda known to go to the Hamburger Barn. It’s where the locals go. And it’s about far more than burgers. However, it’s the burgers (and the cheese dip) we’ll be talking about today.

Kat Robinson

Been a couple of times now and have experienced the delicious goodness of the restaurant’s signature charbroiled burger. We’re not talking about cooked on a grill in a kitchen. We’re talking cooked over the coals wonderful. To demonstrate, look at this photo. That’s char from the burger coming off on that bun. That’s good stuff, Maynard. You should dig this sort of thing.

Kat Robinson

That’s a Bubba Burger, by the way. $6.79 for this great half pound burger cooked to order and served up with French fries or onion rings, either or both. Comes with choice of cheese; I went for Pepper Jack instead of American or Swiss. Asked for and got it medium rare. It was very juicy and almost sinful. Tasted like it came from someone’s backyard. Yeah, buddy.

Kat Robinson

Kat Robinson

Better yet, since I got the half and half side I got to experience the dang good onion rings, beer battered and tender and some of the best I have had in Arkansas. The fries were decent, but the onion rings were just downright lovely.

Kat Robinson

Hamburger Barn also serves up cheese dip, which is why I’m talking about them today. They do cheese dip the way most people do cheese dip at home — Velveeta, Rotel and whatever else they decide goes in it. Perfect example of the recipe. There are some that will turn their nose up at that, but that’s their loss. Get yourself some of those fries and dip away, or go for the tortilla chips that go with it.

I’m glad I finally had myself a sit-down at Hamburger Barn. Been back twice. It’s worth it, especially if you’re heading down I-30 and want to put some meat on your bones. It’s on Highway 51 (second exit heading south, turn left at the end of the ramp) and it’s open every day for lunch and dinner (except no dinner on Sunday). (870) 246-5556 or check out the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Tags: Hamburger Barn, Arkadelphia, burger, cheese dip

        
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Comments (9)

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Best burger in Arkadelphia is served by the Honeycomb downtown. Burger Barn is...passable...but avoid getting a steak there. I've always been surprised the place has stayed open as long as it has in my old home town - a lack of other places to eat (other than driving to Hot Springs) is probably the main reason.

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Posted by Michael Roberts on 09/22/2011 at 4:02 PM

I used to be an Arkadelphia local and Burger Barn stays open because you always get what you expect and when Bobby is in the restaurant (six nights a week) the service is always good.

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Posted by Lannie on 09/22/2011 at 8:52 PM

Stop at Dillard's @ exit 63 or The Gurdon Grill at the Jct. of 53 and 67 if you want a good burger in Clark County. Not much on the Barn,but to each his/her own.

Taco Tico is awesome. I don't drink,but it would make great drunk food. El Taco Rienda is a great little food stand right next to Taco Bell,and Allen's BBQ is as good as any Q I've had anywhere.

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Posted by AllenK on 09/22/2011 at 10:57 PM

I'll definitely have to try those places out. Is The Gurdon Grill the building painted entirely red? I almost stopped there about a week ago.

I seriously dig on Allen's. http://www.arktimes.com/EatArkansas/archiv…

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Posted by Kat Robinson on 09/23/2011 at 7:31 AM

Yes Kat it is. The food there is very good,and it's also semi-dive which is always good in my book.

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Posted by AllenK on 09/23/2011 at 9:53 AM

That's the problem, Lannie, every time I've gone to Burger Barn, I've gotten what I expected (and expectations aren't high).

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Posted by Michael Roberts on 09/23/2011 at 10:04 AM

Michael, no offense, but you sound like the consummate complainer. BB has great food. Not sure what you classify as good enough for you, but BB makes good burgers.

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Posted by jtsims on 09/23/2011 at 3:45 PM

I just want to add that The Honeycomb is a wonderful place. I love their food,but what Group Living has done there is even better than that.

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Posted by AllenK on 09/24/2011 at 11:32 AM

Not true, I don't think you'll find very many negative comments from me about restaurants here or on my blog. I've eaten at Burger Barn many times over the years and have always found it wanting both in the quality of food and the service. The relative lack of places to eat in Arkadelphia (although it's gotten somewhat better over the years) is the main reason that the place has been there awhile. As my first comment said, the burgers are passable - that means they're OK. There are other menu items that are not very good - like the steaks. I've often felt like Burger Barn uses inferior ingredients. Head up Highway 7 to Jason's if you want to see the difference - or go downtown to the Honeycomb.

It isn't complaining to disagree with you - it's just disagreeing with you.

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Posted by Michael Roberts on 09/24/2011 at 11:52 AM

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