In what’s become an annual tradition in the Best Restaurants issue,
we once again turned to our readers for help. On our Eat Arkansas blog,
we asked for nominations for the best unheralded dining in Arkansas. And
we were flooded with responses. Below, with help from friends and
regular contributors, we present a crowd-sourced take on “Diners,
Drive-ins and Dives” — a collection of little known gems worth seeking
out. Keep the finds coming at Eat Arkansas
(arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas).

BJ’S MARKET CAFE
Mammoth country helpings. Great pies.

45 Market Plaza, NLR.
945-8884.

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— Ernest Dumas

BIG RED DRIVE-IN Let others enjoy CJ’s Butcher Boy
Burgers and the world-famous Feltner’s Whatta-Burger. Locals will head
to Big Red for burgers, fried chicken and big, messy banana splits. Some
pass up on the decent burgers for the Chuckwagon sandwich, a chicken
fried steak treated like a burger. Can’t go wrong with the fried
catfish, though, served up hot in a basket with fries.

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1520 S. Arkansas, Russellville. 479-968-1960.

— Kat Robinson

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BULLDOG RESTAURANT During strawberry and peach seasons,
there’s nothing better than a milkshake from the Bulldog. So thick with
fruit, sometimes a straw won’t work.

3614 Hwy. 367 N., Bald Knob. 501-724-5195.

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— Caroline Millar

DONALDSON COUNTRY STORE Made to order when you order
it, good fat burgers and deli sandwiches, too. Get a basket. And dip
yourself a pickle or two while you’re at it.

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Front Street, two blocks east of Hwy. 67 in Donaldson. 870-382-2219.

— Kat Robinson

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ED WALKER’S The sign will tell you to order up a French
dip sandwich. That’s not a bad idea, but it’s not all you’ll find on
the menu. Flash your lights for service to order, and choose some Texas
toothpicks (fried onion and jalapeno straws) or a chile relleno. But if
you choose the Giant Hamburger ($22.99) you’d better be driving a van.
That’s five pounds of beef on a custom-made bun, served up with a
generous portion of French fries and a platter of tomatoes, onions,
pickles and lettuce. Impressive, tasty and ample enough to feed a family
reunion. If you can manage dessert, a slice of homemade cake or
strawberry shortcake in a chilled glass should set you up fine. The fact
that Ed Walker’s is the last restaurant in the country that has car hop
service for beer deserves mention.

1500 Towson Lane, Fort Smith. 479-782-3352.

— Kat Robinson

FATIGA’S Hidden in a strip mall shopping center a half
mile from the Oklahoma border, Fatiga’s Sub Station is a Yankee-sandwich
mecca in the unlikeliest of places: Siloam Springs. While the menu has
expanded to pizzas and other items in the past decade, Fatiga’s strength
— and what makes it one of the truly best eating experiences in
Arkansas — is its selection of Italian subs. The gold standard is the
capicola, roast beef and cheese, but be sure to try to the red Reuben,
too. Both are worthy of a pilgrimage to Siloam Springs, but it’s also an
easy detour on any trip to or from Fayetteville.

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1004 S. Mount Olive St., Siloam Springs. 479-524-6277.

— Jason Weinheimer

GIBBS GROCERY & HUNTERS’ OUTPOST You won’t find a busier
establishment at six in the morning on the first day of hunting season.
The popular gas station/restaurant/hunting supply store hugs the west
side of Highway 167 south of Sheridan. The breakfast crowd goes for eggs
to order or, if in a rush, a Saran-wrapped biscuit with sausage or ham
and egg and maybe even cheese inside. For lunch, it’s a choice of a
rather decent burger, deli sandwich or po’ boy, or a good old-fashioned
homemade pimento cheese sandwich. The Lemon Ice Box Pie ($2.19) is
memorable.

7781 Hwy. 167 S., Sheridan. 870-942-5284.

— Kat Robinson

GRANDMA’S HOUSE During game days at Fayetteville,
you’ll see a lot of travelers stopping by this great place on Mount
Gaylor outside of Winslow. Everything is homemade — they do great pies,
fried chicken, huge homemade rolls, vegetables, homemade gravy,
sometimes meatloaf, chicken and dumplings.

21588 U.S. 71, Winslow.

— Janee Crotts

KEENEY FOODMART Outstanding smoked meats, steaks,
homemade pies — just plain cooking.

101 W. Mill St., Malvern. 870-332-3371.

— From the web.

LA PLACITA The best carne asada burrito you’ve ever
had.

1016 Detention and Green, Benton. 501-778-3738.

— From the web.

PHO VIETNAM RESTAURANT It’s all about the vegetarian
sandwiches. They come with tofu, pickled carrots, cilantro, pickled
onions and mayonnaise on French bread. And you put a lot of hoisin and
sriracha on. I know all that sounds fairly disgusting, but the sum of
parts makes it the most delicious thing ever. The sandwiches only cost a
couple bucks, and you get free tea and dessert. Buy 10 sandwiches, get
one free, too.

2214 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, 479-782-3227.

— Leigh Wood

SPUNKY PIG BBQ In a gas station/feed store outside of
Heber Springs, you’ll find the best barbecue you’ll ever eat.

9 Pangburn Road, Heber Springs. 501-206-0444.

— From the web.

TURNER BEND STORE Great made-to-order country-store type
sandwiches.

20034 N. Hwy. 23, Ozark. 479-667-3641.

— From the web.

MORE READER NOMINATIONS:

 


BARNETT’S DAIRYETTE

111 W. Tulsa St., Siloam Springs. 479-524-3211.

BROADWAY GROCERY & BAIT
1126 E. Broadway Ave., Forrest City. 870-633-3924.

COLOMBIA MEX

2155 W. Sixth St., Fayetteville. 479-527-9577.

CUBAN GRILL
1402 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren. 479-474-2247.

ED’S COUNTRY CATFISH
906 Southwest Drive, Jonesboro. 870-802-4223.

FRED’S FISH HOUSE

44 Hwy. 101 Cutoff, Mountain Home. 870-492-5958.

HOLLY’S COUNTRY COOKING
120 Harkrider St., Conway. 501-328-9738.

JANSSEN’S LAKEFRONT RESTAURANT
9999 Edgemont Road, Edgemont. 501-723-4480.

JJ’S BBQ

1000 E. Main St., El Dorado. 870-862-1777.

JO JO’S CATFISH WHARF
707 Hayden Heights Road, Mountain View. 870-585-2121.

JR’S BAR-B-QUE
11166 U.S. 49, Poplar Grove. 870-829-3748.

MOMMA DEAN’S SOUL FOOD KITCHEN

1701 S. School Ave., Fayetteville 479-251-1210.

MURPHY CASH STORE
276 Winchester, Winchester. 870-392-2419.

OINKY’S BARBECUE
318 W. Northend Ave., Paragould. 870-236-4659.

RE-PETE’S PLACE
7830 U.S. 71, Fort Smith. 479-646-4333

SKIPPER’S
711 Hwy. 5, Mountain Home. 870-508-4574.

OLD TYME BURGER SHOPPE
1205 Arkansas Boulevard, Texarkana. 870-772-5775.

POLAR FREEZE
416 Hwy. 67 N, Walnut Ridge. 870-886-9976.

THE VILLAGE STEAKHOUSE
156 Knight Haven Circle, Star City. 870-628-5053.

TOGA MOE JOE’S CAFE
1720 Hwy. 65 S., Clinton. 501-745-3554.

WHITE HOUSE CAFE
323 S. Adams Ave., Camden. 870-836-2255.

WOODS PLACE
1137 W. Washington St., Camden. 870-836-0474.

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