Flock to Lady Birds

Southern comfort meets Tex-Mex magic at Sheridan cafe

Lady Birds Cafe in Sheridan is quickly becoming a favorite place for Arkansans to enjoy homemade Southern comfort food, Tex-Mex favorites and classic American dishes.

I could taste the love and quality that the kitchen staff put into the food. Lady Birds is housed in a classic red brick building in a historic area of Sheridan. The décor features exposed beams, a welcoming country charm and lighting that provides a cozy, relaxed dining experience. The staff is friendly, attentive and ensures that guests feel right at home. I fell in love with the restaurant’s overall vibe.

The portions are very generous, so come hungry. The attention to presentation detail for each dish was a testament to the professionalism and pride of the staff.

My first item to try was the Philly Cheese Steak Egg Rolls. The wonderful flavor let me know that the egg rolls were made from scratch with fresh ingredients, not the frozen version. The combination of shaved steak, bell peppers, onions and cheese rolled in Lady Birds’ special wontons blended into a flavor explosion of goodness. A whole new dimension was added by dipping the egg rolls in a white cheese sauce.

Each item that I sampled included a special twist of culinary creativity, including the Spinach Artichoke Dip. I couldn’t nail down that unique flavor in the dip, topped with panko breadcrumbs … so, I just enjoyed sampling it with the fresh pita chips.

The menu includes some top-notch Tex-Mex offerings. I especially liked the Firecracker Tacos. The three large golden-brown fried shrimp were tossed in Lady Birds’ spicy cream sauce and garnished with lettuce, red cabbage, pico de gallo, cheese, sliced avocado and radish. The warm flour tortillas that held this slightly spicy creation guaranteed that each bite featured the perfect mix.

If you are craving some seafood, try the Caribbean Salmon. The wild-caught salmon was seasoned and cooked to perfection. I loved the sautéed grilled shrimp, onions and pineapple chunks that were included on the plate. The serving also included cilantro rice and grilled vegetables.

The Fried Catfish Plate was served on a very large metal tray. The “plate” included three well-seasoned, hand-breaded fried catfish fillets accompanied by fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, green tomato relish, fried corn on the cob and borracho beans. My order also included eight large, hand-breaded fried shrimp. Not only was the serving large, but each item was also large in Southern flavor.

If you are looking for a good Country Fried Steak, then Lady Birds can fix your craving in a big way. My steak was covered with a rib-sticking, white cream gravy that provided extra country comfort to the steak. The 19 options of side dishes ranged from deviled eggs to cornbread salad to potato salad. I selected homemade mashed potatoes with cream gravy, French cut green beans and macaroni and cheese to round out my plate.

A variety of salad selections are offered. The Chef Salad arrived beautifully arranged, with vibrant layers of shredded iceberg lettuce, juicy tomatoes, savory ham and turkey and slices of hard-boiled egg. Crisp purple onion, smoky bacon and a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese added both color and flavor, all brought together by a creamy, freshly made ranch dressing.

Owner Kim Marquez, who is originally from Sheridan, bought the building, remodeled it and opened the restaurant about three years ago to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter. She loves birds, thus the restaurant name and the theme of the décor.

“I love making people happy with food,” she said. “People love Lady Birds because the food is delicious and we have something for everybody.”

Lady Birds Cafe is a Sheridan favorite for good reason. With hearty meals, a cozy setting and a menu that caters to a wide range of tastes, it’s a place where you won’t leave hungry — and you’ll likely come back for more.