People Travel From All Over The World Just To Eat At This Teeny Tiny Arkansas BBQ Joint
By Carol Ann Carson|Published March 08, 2019
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
Arkansas may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking of the best barbecue in the country, but anyone from here knows we do have some of the doggone smoked meats and sauces in the world. One of these, Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, in the small delta town of Marianna, may be the most iconic eatery in Arkansas. This teeny tiny BBQ joint wins awards and taste buds. Let’s take a trip to the east side and savor one of the best BBQ sandwiches you’ll ever enjoy.
Everyone knows the best BBQ is always found off-the-beaten-path and this diner is no exception.
The diner is located at 219 W Louisiana St., Marianna, AR 72360. The Jones' sign in sheet has guests from all over the United States and even the world! Visitors have come from places like China, the Bahamas, Yemen, and everywhere in between.
The Joneses have an outstanding history in the culinary arts.
The family has been in the BBQ business for more than 150 years! Generations of the Jones family have been serving barbecue in some version of the diner since the 1910s. This makes them the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Arkansas. James H. Jones has worked in the diner since he was 14.
Not only have the Jones' won the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame, but they've also earned the James Beard Award for being an "American Classic." Most recently, the little BBQ joint earned a top spot for Food Network's "America's Best BBQ Coast to Coast." Jones Bar-B-Q Diner is more than deserving of all of these awards but that's certainly not the reason to come for a visit.
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Awards aside, the sandwiches are what draw the most visitors. They may be simple but they're absolutely spectacular.
No frills are needed when you have the tastiest prepared meat on your plate. The hickory wood smoking process takes about 12 hours, which creates amazingly tender and flavorful pork (or beef). You can add some coleslaw for a bit of crunch but there's really nothing else needed. What's even better is that one of these delicious sandwiches will only cost you $3.
Just be sure to call ahead before you make your visit.
The only downside to the diner is that the food is so good they run out of meat by midday — every single day. It's just that good. All you need to do is call ahead at (870) 295-3807. They're open Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
You can follow Jones’ Facebook Page for more information. Have you made the trip to Jones Bar-B-Q Diner yet? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
If you’d like to continue south, travel along this gorgeous scenic drive.
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