There is nothing half-baked about Neighbor’s Mill Bakery and Café in Harrison.
After operating a national chain restaurant for about eight years, Mike and Karin Nabors decided they wanted to open a bakery and restaurant featuring the best, made-from-scratch breads and baked goods possible. The couple studied baking concepts, worked with bakers, practiced their skills, tested recipes and then built the Harrison location. Since 2000, the couple have produced more than 25 varieties of breads, as well as cakes, pies, cookies, muffins and other offerings. The breads are used for the sandwiches and menu items, much to the delight of a steady flow of customers.
Karin Nabors presents some of the wonderful bread offered at Neighbor’s Mill Bakery and Café.
Karin says a gristmill that is more than 100 years old is used to grind whole grains that produce the flours for the breads. The couple’s vision and diligent dedication has resulted in a beautiful restaurant with a warm ambience. The restaurant building’s design was influenced by the old Graue Mill in Oak Brook, Illinois. Exposed beams, the working gristmill and repurposed antique doors, which serve as the base for the service counters, add to the restaurant’s appeal.
I sampled the Honey Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich during a late lunch weekday visit when the restaurant was very busy. The sandwich includes made-from-scratch chicken salad — some of the best I’ve ever had — served with lettuce on freshly baked, out-of-this-world Honey Wheat Bread.
With a nod to the University of Arkansas, Neighbor’s features a Woo Pig Sooie! Sandwich of smoked ham, crispy bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato with barbeque-chipotle ranch on Neighbor’s Bronze Honey Wheat Bread. The meats and toppings are excellent, and the bread is perfect.
I plan to try the Pimento Cheese Sandwich on a future trip. The menu describes Neighbor’s pimento cheese as having a slightly smoky flavor, served on a secret recipe Woodstock Bread.
The Salad Sampler is a great way to try a few items.
The rich Tomato Basil Soup has a tasty, tangy goodness. I will confess: I dipped the yummy focaccia bread in the soup to marry the outstanding flavors. Don’t judge, as it was a treat.
The Salad Sampler is served with a green salad and either chicken salad or tuna salad with fruit salad, a slice of focaccia bread and a jumbo muffin for dessert. This popular menu item is a lighter option that provides a great array of Neighbor’s Mill offerings.
The standout Reuben Sandwich.
The Reuben Sandwich is another example of great bread for a step-above sandwich. The delicious sandwich has a double-layer of lean corned beef with Swiss cheese and house-made Thousand Island dressing on fresh, toasted pumpernickel rye.
Some other baked items at Neighbor’s Mill include muffins, bagels, carrot cake, lemon blueberry cake, banana cream cake, Italian cream cake, chocolate ganache cookies, chocolate strawberry mousse cup, coconut cream pie, pecan turtle cheesecake, blueberry cheesecake, chocolate caramel cream pie and chocolate peanut butter mousse
Chocolate coconut pie, one of the many tempting desserts.
cup.
With the success of the Harrison location, the Nabors family has opened locations in Rogers and Springfield, Missouri. Family members Lauren Nabors Brown and Clifton Brown own and manage the Springfield location. Mike and Karin’s son, Cary, is the general manager of the Harrison location. The Rogers location is the first franchise store.
Stop by Neighbor’s Mill Bakery and Café and enjoy a great meal. And plan on purchasing additional breads and desserts to take home and share with friends.
Dining recommendations? Contact Rob Roedel at rroedel@aecc.com