let us do the work

Effortlessly plan your next adventure with AI
State PrideHistory

For More Than 40 Years, Paula & Odell’s Has Served Up The Best Hot Sandwiches In Arkansas

Odell & Paula's Food Center in Willisville offers delicious homemade food and a slice of local history.

Published Mar 5, 2021

Written by 

Carol Ann Carson

This little middle-of-nowhere convenience store is well worth the discovery. Fuel up on more than gas or food - there's history too! Let's take a pit stop to Odell & Paula's Food Center for a taste of the simple but downright delicious food they've been serving for decades.

This humble convenience store is much more than a small town quick trip.

A gas station named "Odell & Paula's" with a convenience store, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
Facebook/Odell & Paula's

Odell & Paula's Food Center is in the tiny southwest town of Willisville. The stop is well known to locals but travelers are in for a treat when they stumble upon this general store.

Odell & Paula's has been serving Arkansans for over 40 years!

A vintage storefront of Odell & Paula's Food Center with Coca-Cola signage and vending machines outside.
Facebook/Odell & Paula's

The general store began back in 1978! Many folks living within the radius of Odell & Paula's have multiple generations of "Willisville Mall" fans.

The shop has a little bit of everything but the hot sandwiches are the favorite.

A hand holding a cross-section of a sandwich filled with lettuce, tomato, ham, and other ingredients on toasted bread.
Flickr/BXGD

Come for a fill up but stay for a fantastic lunch! The little eatery serves homemade breakfast, pizza, and plenty of old fashion burgers and sandwiches.

Enjoy your sandwich in the store or take a deli cut to-go.

A woman in a butcher shop holds a tray of ribeye steaks, smiling at the camera with a vintage-style backdrop.
Facebook/Odell & Paula's

Odell & Paula's has plenty of seating for dine-in but they also have a mouthwatering deli counter. Savor the bacon, ribeyes, and seasoned turkey! Those thick-cut ribeyes routinely go on special so you may just be in luck during your visit.

Grab your odds and ins, have lunch, and finish with a sweet bite.

Two chocolate pies in crusts, one on a pedestal and one on a flat surface, showcasing glossy, rich filling.
Facebook/Odell & Paula's

The homemade chocolate pies here are irresistible! Have a slice or just pie the whole pie, we promise it won't go to waste!

We hope Odell & Paula's is around another 40 years to serve Arkansans!

Blue shirt with the text "Odell & Paula's" and "Willisville, Arkansas" in white lettering.
Facebook/Odell & Paula's

You can follow their Facebook Page for more information.

This place was nominated by OIYS fans! You can nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now right here.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Trips & Routes

The Instagrammable Roadside Attraction Is Worth the Drive From Dallas

Forget Paris; just a short drive from Dallas, Texas, is a whimsical Eiffel Tower worthy of your Instagram. Here’s what makes it worth the trip.

by Melanie Johnson
on Jul 21
Views of a replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas, with a large red cowboy hat on top.
Stays
Vacation Rentals

This Historic Brick Brownstone Is One of the Most Successful Airbnbs in Massachusetts

Step inside a historic Victorian brownstone overlooking Union Park in Boston’s sought-after South End. With three floors of living space and some of the city’s best restaurants, shops, and landmarks within walking distance, this Airbnb offers a memorable way to experience Boston.

by Megan Todaro
on Jul 21
The exterior of a brick building in Boston Massachusetts, where one of the most historic Airbnbs is.
Trips & Routes
Unique Trips

The 11 Most Spectacular Tree Tunnel Drives in America

Some roads exist just to get you somewhere else. These eleven don't, and that's exactly the point.

by Marisa Roman
on Jul 21
Cypress tree tunnel at Point Reyes, California, USA
Trips & Routes
Small Towns

The 17 Most Charming Hidden Towns You’ve Never Heard Of Across the U.S.

Every state hides at least one town this good, and locals would rather keep it that way. We found 17 of them, from quiet river towns to desert outposts, so you can get there before everyone else does.

by Marisa Roman
on Jul 21
Dahlonega, Georgia aerial view, one of the most charming hidden towns in the U.S.
Trips & Routes
Travel Preparation & Advice

The Regional Airports Across America With the Most and Least Expensive Airfare (2026 Rankings)

Only In Your State used government data to compare average airfare costs for departing flights at more than 100 of America’s regional airports to find where travelers get the most bang for their buck.

by Josh Koebert
on Jul 21
ATI cargo Boeing 767 aircraft and air traffic control tower, SeaTac Seattle, USA