In Search of BBQ in Arkansas

Last weekend my wife & I, along with road partners Jeff & Liz embarked on a 4 day weekend trip (5 yrs. since last trip for Pam & I). This was to be a nice relaxing no time limit cruise through central and NW Arkansas. I'm going to tell you right now that this 4 day trip has enough material for at least 3 Blog entries, so be ready.

While planning this excursion, Jeff and I were doing some looking around and planning to eat at some of the best known area BBQ joints. This was not a trip for eating at chain establishments. This was to be a true road rider trip, eating at local dives where you always find the best food.

Russellville found us at Stoby's, not a BBQ joint, but a really cool atmosphere with trains and such. If you have the opportunity, check it out.

Then Hot Springs had a well known famous BBQ joint that is based in Little Rock. We found it!

Doors closed, out of business.. had to settle for Mexican. The food wasn't bad, had a guy singing Mariachi style with an occasional Whoop!, which Jeff began to imitate rather well.




Still suffering from BBQ withdrawl, we found ourselves in Ft. Smith the next day. The guy at the Harley Dealership said that "Wilson's Rib Shack" (also a biker bar) was the best. We went.








Jeff & I ordered ribs, our wives ordered pulled pork, and our guts ordered Imodium AD, Tums, with a side of Bllllaaaaggggghhhh! Poor ol' Jeff took one bite of the ribs and quietly said "they lied", the girls who ordered pulled pork, well..... it was spoiled... smelled bad, tasted worse.



We've now dubbed it the Wretch SHack. We wound up making a fast trip to Braum's for Ice Cream to get the taste out of our mouths. We did come to the conclusion however that if a biker were to drink enough beer there he would certainly blame the drink rather than the food..LOL



Finally, Sunday night found us in Eureka Springs and there was of course Bubba's, we knew this was good, but the girls just weren't in the mood for BBQ at that point. so it was Ermillios, a fine Italian Dining joint, food was good, well prepared, atmosphere was kinda fruity, after all it was Eureka Springs.



We have come to the conclusion that there just ain't much good BBQ in Arkansas, after several hundred miles of windingf roads, incredible views, and mountains galore, we made it to Nixa.



Almost home, BBQ withdrawl running rampant, guts churning for that good ol' smokey BBQ taste. "BUMSTEADS!!!!!!" Whew! finally, something palatable.