Here Are The 8 Most-Recommended BBQ Restaurants In Arkansas, According To Our Readers
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Melanie Johnson
Author
What is it about BBQ that we all love so much? The juicy, mouthwatering meat is often a subject of heated debates among our friends and family. Well, here at OIYS, instead of getting in the middle of those BBQ wars, we left it up to our loyal readers to tell us which joints they like the best. And man, over the years, we have gotten so many recommendations from you all. So, without further delay, here are eight places with the best BBQ in Arkansas.
1. McClard’s Bar-B-Q, Hot Springs
McClard's Bar-B-Q Restaurant, 505 Albert Pike Rd, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913, USA
A Hot Springs staple, McClard’s Bar-B-Q has been around since 1928. This BBQ joint is a favorite amongst locals and visitors alike. In fact, it was voted in the top 10 best BBQ spots in the country. With its world-famous secret BBQ sauce slathered on top of hickory smoked beef, pork, and ribs, McClard’s is killing the BBQ game. So, it’s no wonder that our readers have been recommending this joint for years. This BBQ in Hot Springs, AR is the best of the best.
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2. Craig’s Bar-B-Q, De Valls Bluff
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Craig Bros Cafe, 15 W Walnut St, De Valls Bluff, AR 72041, USA
A family-owned, award-winning restaurant, Craig’s BBQ has been serving the community of De Valls Bluff for over 50 years. Don’t expect any bells or whistles when you visit Craig’s, but what you should expect is to eat some of the best BBQ in Arkansas. The signature smoked BBQ pork or beef sandwich with the delicious homemade coleslaw will be one of the best things that you’ve eaten in your life. And Craig’s has been consistently on our nomination list because folks love it so much.
3. Wright's Barbecue, Johnson
Wright's Barbecue Johnson, 2212 Main Dr, Johnson, AR 72704, USA
If you wanna eat BBQ the right way, then this is the place for you. Wright’s Barbecue could arguably be the best BBQ in the state, and they're doing nothing wrong. And the folks in Northwest Arkansas are loving every bit of their Texas-style mouthwatering smoked meats. The brisket is amazing and the ribs fall off the bones, but you can’t skip getting the bacon burnt ends, need we say more?
4. Cunningham’s Barbeque, Atkins
Cunningham Barbecue, 504 N Church St, Atkins, AR 72823, USA
Perhaps you’ve heard of the tiny town of Atkins that’s 60 miles northwest of Little Rock, but have you heard of Cunningham’s Barbecue? This family-owned and operated BBQ joint has a secret sauce that has been in the family for over 100 years. From ribs to brisket to steaks to chicken to pork, Cunningham's got it and it’s all good. With friendly service and mouthwatering food, our readers can’t get enough of this delicious BBQ joint.
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5. Knightfire BBQ, Searcy
Knightfire Barbeque, 304 S Main St, Searcy, AR 72143, USA
What began as a hobby for owner Matthew Knight has manifested itself into one of the most delicious BBQ joints in Arkansas. With an unconventional menu that includes BBQ brisket served on an everything bagel, Knightfire is a foodie’s BBQ paradise. The pulled pork sandwich is equally delicious as well as the smoked sausage, but then again, so is everything on the menu. So, it’s no wonder that our readers love this BBQ spot so much.
6. Jones’ Bar-B-Q Diner, Marianna
Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, 219 W Louisiana St, Marianna, AR 72360, USA
A hole-in-the-wall joint in Marianna Arkansas won the most prestigious award in culinary history, the James Beard Award. And with its world-famous signature pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw and drizzled with the famous vinegar-based BBQ sauce, it’s easy to see why folks love Jones Bar-B-Q and it's one of the most-recommended BBQ restaurants in Arkansas. Be sure to get there early because the slow-cooked, smoked pork shoulder sandwiches don’t last very long.
7. Hoots BBQ & Steaks, McGehee
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Hoots BBQ & Steaks, 2008 US-65, McGehee, AR 71654, USA
Perhaps the restaurant with the largest selection of barbecue, Hoots, is putting McGhee on the BBQ map. While it serves some down-home favorites, the BBQ is definitely the star of the show. Hoots has all the favorites like smoked brisket, smoked chicken, pulled pork, rack of ribs, and so much more. If you’re in the Arkansas Delta, you must stop and order a BBQ platter. OIYS readers highly recommend this joint.
8. Uncle Henry’s BBQ, Sheridan
Uncle Henry’s BBQ, 202 S Rock St, Sheridan, AR 72150, USA
This down-home country-style BBQ is like heaven on earth, and it keeps customers coming back for more. By far, the brisket sandwich is one of the best you’ll find in Arkansas. The smoked meat is sliced thick, and the sandwich is topped with coleslaw and smothered in BBQ sauce. Besides the brisket, the ribs, chicken, ham, and bologna, are out of this world. Our readers love the homey feeling of Uncle Henry’s BBQ and you will too.
Well, folks, what do you think about the best BBQ in Arkansas? Did your favorite make the list? Let us know your favorites in the comments. For more scrumptious barbecue, hit the road and bring the family to more delicious barbecue joints in Arkansas:
The Most Delicious Arkansas Road Trip Takes You To 6 Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Restaurants
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More to Explore
Tasty Treats In Arkansas
What are some unique restaurants in Arkansas?
Unique restaurants in Arkansas include:
- Doe’s Eat Place. An old-fashioned eatery that makes massive steaks and homemade tamales.
- Purple Cow. This is a soda fountain and burger joint with vivid purple decor and some really delicious food.
- The Mammoth Orange Cafe. This was built during the 1950s as a roadside attraction and it looks like a big orange.
- Abe’s Ole Feed House. This is a general store with a cafe that has all-you-can-eat catfish, seafood, and ribs.
Find out more about unique restaurants in Arkansas.
What are the most famous restaurants in Arkansas?
The most famous restaurants in Arkansas include:
- One Eleven at the Capital. Chef Joel Antunes won a James Beard award for the amazing cuisine that you can find here.
- Feltner’s Whatta-Burger. This is a truly nostalgic gem for locals as an old-fashioned burger joint that’s been around since 1967.
- McClard’s. This barbecue joint has been winning awards for years for its slow-roasted meats and scrumptious sauce.
- Weinkeller Restaurant. This European restaurant serves up staples like spaetzle in the middle of Arkansas wine country.
Discover more about the most famous restaurants in Arkansas.
What are some bucket list restaurants in Arkansas?
Bucket list restaurants in Arkansas include:
- Ozone Burger Barn. This is a burger joint hidden in the Ozarks that locals seek out for their favorite burgers.
- Jones Bar-B-Q. This local icon opened in 1910 and is one of the oldest black-owned restaurants in the country, and the food is to die for.
- Bean Palace Restaurant. This restaurant was built inside an old grist mill called the War Eagle Mill. You can get a yummy meal and a historic tour.
- The Venetian Inn. This Tontitown restaurant is an Italian restaurant that’s been around since 1947 where the special dish is fried chicken with spaghetti.
Learn more about bucket list restaurants in Arkansas.