I Hate To Do This To You, But...
I'm going to remind you about Cotham's Merchantile in Scott, home of the Hubcap Burger.
If you're like us, you go weeks, maybe months, without thinking of this little out-of-the-way place, and then, something...the smell of honeysuckle, the sight of a large cottonwood tree, coming across the packaged Cotham's hamburger seasoning at the grocery store...sets it off, and nothing will do but an immediate trip to Scott.
The only dining experience I know of that even comes close to pulling up a chair in a restaurant-on-stilts that is perched on the edge of an oxbow off the Arkansas River is pulling up a chair next to the cast-iron stoves in the kitchen of the original Doe's Eat Place in Mississippi. A regular diet at either establishment would kill you dead, but as an occasional treat, you just can't beat a jaunt out to what Cotham's refers to as "Downtown Scott."
We understand that there are many more items on the menu besides the famous burgers, but we've just never been able to NOT order a Cotham's burger, so haven't sampled them. I was rather pleased with myself for at least sampling the fried green tomatoes this time around. Holy cow, were they ever good.
It still surprises me that there are people--people from the North Little Rock area, even--who do not know of Cotham's. I had the pleasure of introducing one such newbie to the Hubcap last weekend, when I met one of my favorite flickrites, Mandy, aka redjade75, "IRL" (In Real Life). She may never be the same.
I'm no restaurant reviewer, but trust me when I say that there aren't many hamburger experiences comparable to what you'll find at Cotham's. They also apparently have a legendary Mississippi Mud Pie, but I've never survived to the dessert stage with any room to spare, so can't vouch for it.
Mandy and Alex and I took our cameras, and were delighted to discover how many brilliant photo opportunities there were to be found around Cotham's and the Plantation Agriculture Museum, which is worth a trip in itself. Mandy took a BRILLIANT photo of the oxbow behind the restaurant, and it is well worth a click, so PLEASE go check it out!
Most of our photos revolved around our love affair with the beauty of rusted objects (speaking of which, Mandy even caught a shot of yours truly). Think I'm kidding? Rust can be beautiful, people. Behold:
Mmmmmm....piiiiiiiiiie.......
The only dining experience I know of that even comes close to pulling up a chair in a restaurant-on-stilts that is perched on the edge of an oxbow off the Arkansas River is pulling up a chair next to the cast-iron stoves in the kitchen of the original Doe's Eat Place in Mississippi. A regular diet at either establishment would kill you dead, but as an occasional treat, you just can't beat a jaunt out to what Cotham's refers to as "Downtown Scott."
We understand that there are many more items on the menu besides the famous burgers, but we've just never been able to NOT order a Cotham's burger, so haven't sampled them. I was rather pleased with myself for at least sampling the fried green tomatoes this time around. Holy cow, were they ever good.
It still surprises me that there are people--people from the North Little Rock area, even--who do not know of Cotham's. I had the pleasure of introducing one such newbie to the Hubcap last weekend, when I met one of my favorite flickrites, Mandy, aka redjade75, "IRL" (In Real Life). She may never be the same.
I'm no restaurant reviewer, but trust me when I say that there aren't many hamburger experiences comparable to what you'll find at Cotham's. They also apparently have a legendary Mississippi Mud Pie, but I've never survived to the dessert stage with any room to spare, so can't vouch for it.
Mandy and Alex and I took our cameras, and were delighted to discover how many brilliant photo opportunities there were to be found around Cotham's and the Plantation Agriculture Museum, which is worth a trip in itself. Mandy took a BRILLIANT photo of the oxbow behind the restaurant, and it is well worth a click, so PLEASE go check it out!
Most of our photos revolved around our love affair with the beauty of rusted objects (speaking of which, Mandy even caught a shot of yours truly). Think I'm kidding? Rust can be beautiful, people. Behold:
So, in short, get thee to Cotham's, in Scott, Arkansas. You will not be sorry. And if you go early enough in the day, after your meal you can continue on up the road a bit to Keo, and top off your lunch experience with some world-class antique shopping and out-of-this-world pie.
Mmmmmm....piiiiiiiiiie.......
Comments
Damn you woman! You know not what you do. Now I have to go out to Scott...thanks...we'll there goes the diet for a week....mmmm, burgerry..... I will have you know I was personally there when I saw a friend's husband eat not one, but two, hubcaps, each with fries, at one sitting. It was, well, a grotesque feat of unnatural ability.
Posted by: Mr. Rickey![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 11:58 AM
She does not exaggerate. I am ASHAMED that I had never been to Cotham's. OMG. Did I consume more calories in an hour than I usually do in a week? Yeah, so what?! It was wonderful.
And so many lovely rusty & dusty things to photograph! The entire day was a blast & I highly recomend that you take an empty belly, your camera & a few good friends & head to Scott. You won't regret it!
Posted by: redjade75![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 11:59 AM
(posted by proxy)
I'm trying, but the site is convinced I am not signed in - even after I registered. :(
Here's my comment:
OH. MY. GOODNESS!
Why did you do this to me? How am I supposed to get all the way to Scott to get one of these burgers? And Onion Rings!
My suffering is only eased by the lovely photos here - especially the last one.
Pie?!?!?!
Posted by: Belinda![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 12:27 PM
I mapquested Cotham's and my car is full of gas. If I leave Chicago right this moment I should be there in time for, well, maybe a midnight snack. I'll have one hubcap burger with extra onions, an order of those amazing looking onion rings, and a LARGE sweet tea. And, I could care less about the calories....I'll start counting tomorrow! I'm on my way.
ps....did someone mention PIE? Yes, I will need a little something sweet, for the road.
Posted by: Julie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 12:40 PM
I love old towns! Next time I come to Little Rock, you should show me the way to Scott.
Posted by: jessw327![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 12:43 PM
Yes, I'm one of those people from NLR who's never been to Cotham's. But I've been to Charlotte's in Keo many a times. mmmmm, the Keo Classic is my favorite. The pies, you're right the pies are out of this world.
Posted by: thisisdrew![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 12:46 PM
Oh my. Why must you do this to me?
I've actually always wanted to try a Fried Green Tomato, but never have had the chance. Maybe I should put a trip to Arkansas on the books?
Posted by: Rhi![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 12:58 PM
ok, it time to eat..... pies, !
Posted by: Tom![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 01:11 PM
Good gravy, suddenly my lunch looks so unappealing. There are few things I love in this world more than fried green tomatoes and onion rings. Shoo whee.
Posted by: styro![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 01:44 PM
All right. We obviously need to form an organized tour group. We'll start at the Rivermarket and Clinton Museum, then head out to Scott for Hubcaps. From there, on down the highway to Keo, for antiquing at Morris', topped off with a stop at Charlotte's for mile-high PIE. And then you will all die. Happy.
Posted by: Belinda![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 01:55 PM
I've had one of their big 'ole honkin hubcap burgers ~ great food and place. We need go again.....SOON!
Posted by: Debbie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 02:49 PM
Hmm...only 8 hours to Little Rock from here. Looks like a great place to eat and visit.
Posted by: John![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 09:51 PM
Come on down! (Or up, as the case may be!)
Posted by: Belinda![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 14, 2007 11:46 PM
This may actually require a trip from California. If for no other reason than the fact that I suspect the pics don't adequately convey the size of the burgers.
Posted by: Marianne![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 17, 2007 01:27 AM
OMG I want one of everything!
Now, the question is, how on earth do I get to Arkansas to taste of that deliciousness?
And, incidentally? I am exceedingly hungry right now. I wasn't before I read this.
NEED burger, onion rings, fries... and most of all, fried green TOMATOES!
Yummy!
Posted by: Pupsicle![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 17, 2007 05:53 PM
To gauge burger size, place hands on head...that should just about approximate it.
Posted by: Belinda![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 18, 2007 09:03 AM
My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner there. We both enjoyed it as one of our regular haunts. We had a pretty large and formal wedding planned and I thought Cotham's would be a good change of pace. Despite my wife's skepticism, I was right. We offered guests three different options -- a hamburger/fries, catfish or chicken fried steak. We also had the Mississippi Mud Cake. Out-of-towners raved about it. In fact, friends of mine who come for a visit still want to go there. The food is great and the people are wonderful too. Scott, the owner, and his staff are great people. Our favorite waitress is Holly. BTW, there's no comparison to this Cotham's and either one in LR. Stick with the original.
Posted by: ThePiginBlack![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 19, 2007 02:56 PM
Oh, I think a rehearsal dinner at Cotham's sounds FABULOUS! I wish I'd thought of it!
Posted by: Belinda![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 19, 2007 04:52 PM
The next flickr meet-up should be here!
Posted by: jumpedcut![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 19, 2007 06:17 PM
I am TOTALLY up for a flickr meetup at Scott! We can eat burgers, shoot rusty stuff, then head over to Keo and shoot dusty stuff, then have PIE at Charlotte's!
It's the recipe for the PERFECT DAY.
Posted by: Belinda![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/ninjapoodles/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 20, 2007 02:17 AM