No doubt Arkansas has a delectable selection of fine dining. There’s nothing wrong with dressing up, making reservations and ordering from a menu that doesn’t have any prices listed. However, most of us would take a blue plate special or burger and fries over a fancy meal any day. Here are some of our favorite family-owned cafes that are ready to serve up big flavors with that small town flair.
- Mama Z’s Cafe — Tontitown
Google Maps
Flickr/Su-Lin There’s no better way to pair your excursion to the town known for its wine than with a plate of homemade spaghetti from Mama Z’s. You can start your day off with one of their breakfast specials and cinnamon rolls or stick with one of their delicious pasta platters. Everything is made in-house, including the rolled and cut noodles for every Italian-inspired order.
Mama Z’s is located at 357 W. Henri de Tonti Blvd. in Tontitown.
- Main Street Cafe — Hackett
Google Maps
Facebook/Siloam Cafe Everyone is family at Hackett’s Main Street Cafe. Folks may be sitting at separate tables but usually the whole room is sharing in on the conversation. Breakfast is hard to beat, but you can’t go wrong ordering their special of the day. This is one hole-in-the-wall you shouldn’t skip on your trip through town.
Main Street Cafe is on 102 N Main Street in Hackett.
- Siloam Cafe — Siloam Springs
Facebook/Siloam Cafe Lunch is great but you have to make it to Siloam Cafe for their early bird breakfast special. It’s not every day you can find a breakfast plate that will keep you full for only $4. If you’re in a hurry, not to worry, take advantage of their call ahead to-go option.
The Siloam Cafe is located at 906 E Main St. in Siloam Springs.
- Jenny Lind Country Cafe — Greenwood
TripAdvisor/markgs72901
TripAdvisor/markgs72901 If you’re craving a home-cooked meal then drive off of the main drag and come to the Jenny Lind Country Cafe. Stay simple with the bologna and eggs or get your portion of protein with an 8-oz. rib-eye. Their wet fries, topped with gravy, are our favorite. Since it’s so delicious, we’ve decided the calories don’t count for a side order.
Jinny Lind County Cafe is located at 2655 Gate Nine Rd. in Greenwood.
- Bonnie’s Cafe — Watson
Google Maps
Flickr/Nicole Davis This Watson staple has a well-deserved loyal fan base. Miss Bonnie Davidson has been breakfast and lunch since 1985. Fill up with a lunch special like their smothered country-fried steak with sides and a slice of cornbread or try their signature burgers. Their flat-smashed burgers will have you coming in the door but be sure to save room for a slice of butter cake before you leave.
Bonnie’s Cafe is at 304 Front St. in Watson.
- Ole Sawmill Cafe — Forrest City
TripAdvisor/Terik
TripAdvisor/BrittB14 The Ole Sawmill has a history nearly as rich as its food. The cafe began when Matriarch Liberty Bell sold nickel hamburgers at a street car in 1939. After moving to the store space next to her husband’s barber shop, the Ole Sawmill became the signature stop for anyone driving through Forrest City. Load up on deep-fried chicken or stick with a classic burger, but be sure to try their biscuit pudding. The Ole Sawmill Cafe is located at 2299 N Washington St. in Forrest City.
- Wilson Cafe — Wilson
Facebook/Wilson Cafe
Facebook/Wilson Cafe For a modern twist to the classic Arkansas cafe, take the trip to Wilson in the upper delta. Joe and Shari’ opened the cafe in what had been the Wilson Tavern. The dining spot has been a Wilson town square staple for over one hundred years, and this new cafe has been carrying on the tradition. Nearly all the veggies come from the Wilson Gardens for fresh daily specials. Their blue plate specials are the perfect mix of small-town southern cookin’ with a sleek modern flair.
The Wilson Cafe is located at 2 N Jefferson St. in Wilson.
- PJ’s Rainbow Cafe — Mountain View
TripAdvisor/Ken F
TripAdvisor/Darlene W This mom and son cafe is the signature stop on Mountain View’s Main Street. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere and get full with comfort food classics. Dinner specials can range from chicken-fried steak to homemade Mexican casseroles. The Rainbow Cafe has you covered for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
PJ’s Rainbow Cafe is located at 216 W Main St. in Mountain View.
- Connie’s Cafe — Bull Shoals
Google Maps
Facebook/Ozark Cafe No one leaves hungry at Connie’s Cafe. The family-oriented cafe has breakfast all day and serves a mean burger. Come early to catch their lunch specials like this Guinness pot roast or take advantage of their weekend steak specials.
1603 Central Blvd. in Bull Shoals.
Of course, these are just some of our favorites, it’d be impossible to list them all! What’s your go-to cafe stop? Or did you discover a hole-in-the-wall on your last trip around the state? Share your favorites with us in the comments below!
Google Maps
Flickr/Su-Lin
There’s no better way to pair your excursion to the town known for its wine than with a plate of homemade spaghetti from Mama Z’s. You can start your day off with one of their breakfast specials and cinnamon rolls or stick with one of their delicious pasta platters. Everything is made in-house, including the rolled and cut noodles for every Italian-inspired order.
Mama Z’s is located at 357 W. Henri de Tonti Blvd. in Tontitown.
Facebook/Siloam Cafe
Everyone is family at Hackett’s Main Street Cafe. Folks may be sitting at separate tables but usually the whole room is sharing in on the conversation. Breakfast is hard to beat, but you can’t go wrong ordering their special of the day. This is one hole-in-the-wall you shouldn’t skip on your trip through town.
Main Street Cafe is on 102 N Main Street in Hackett.
Lunch is great but you have to make it to Siloam Cafe for their early bird breakfast special. It’s not every day you can find a breakfast plate that will keep you full for only $4. If you’re in a hurry, not to worry, take advantage of their call ahead to-go option.
The Siloam Cafe is located at 906 E Main St. in Siloam Springs.
TripAdvisor/markgs72901
If you’re craving a home-cooked meal then drive off of the main drag and come to the Jenny Lind Country Cafe. Stay simple with the bologna and eggs or get your portion of protein with an 8-oz. rib-eye. Their wet fries, topped with gravy, are our favorite. Since it’s so delicious, we’ve decided the calories don’t count for a side order.
Jinny Lind County Cafe is located at 2655 Gate Nine Rd. in Greenwood.
Flickr/Nicole Davis
This Watson staple has a well-deserved loyal fan base. Miss Bonnie Davidson has been breakfast and lunch since 1985. Fill up with a lunch special like their smothered country-fried steak with sides and a slice of cornbread or try their signature burgers. Their flat-smashed burgers will have you coming in the door but be sure to save room for a slice of butter cake before you leave.
Bonnie’s Cafe is at 304 Front St. in Watson.
TripAdvisor/Terik
TripAdvisor/BrittB14
The Ole Sawmill has a history nearly as rich as its food. The cafe began when Matriarch Liberty Bell sold nickel hamburgers at a street car in 1939. After moving to the store space next to her husband’s barber shop, the Ole Sawmill became the signature stop for anyone driving through Forrest City. Load up on deep-fried chicken or stick with a classic burger, but be sure to try their biscuit pudding. The Ole Sawmill Cafe is located at 2299 N Washington St. in Forrest City.
Facebook/Wilson Cafe
For a modern twist to the classic Arkansas cafe, take the trip to Wilson in the upper delta. Joe and Shari’ opened the cafe in what had been the Wilson Tavern. The dining spot has been a Wilson town square staple for over one hundred years, and this new cafe has been carrying on the tradition. Nearly all the veggies come from the Wilson Gardens for fresh daily specials. Their blue plate specials are the perfect mix of small-town southern cookin’ with a sleek modern flair.
The Wilson Cafe is located at 2 N Jefferson St. in Wilson.
TripAdvisor/Ken F
TripAdvisor/Darlene W
This mom and son cafe is the signature stop on Mountain View’s Main Street. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere and get full with comfort food classics. Dinner specials can range from chicken-fried steak to homemade Mexican casseroles. The Rainbow Cafe has you covered for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
PJ’s Rainbow Cafe is located at 216 W Main St. in Mountain View.
Facebook/Ozark Cafe
No one leaves hungry at Connie’s Cafe. The family-oriented cafe has breakfast all day and serves a mean burger. Come early to catch their lunch specials like this Guinness pot roast or take advantage of their weekend steak specials.
1603 Central Blvd. in Bull Shoals.
If you need to burn off some calories from all the comfort food, you should visit this town with an endless amount of outdoor activities.
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