Gavin's Downtown
117 N Main Street, Harrisburg, Arkansas
Phone: (870) 578-0385
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5 p.m. to 11 a.m.
Chris and Micah Crews had a dream of owning and operating their own restaurant, and in 2018, the couple made it happen when they bought Gavin’s Downtown in Harrisburg.
The couple worked in the restaurant business and law enforcement during their careers. Micah continues to work in law enforcement, while working at the restaurant.
“My family has allowed us to make our dream come true,” Chris said. “We are very thankful to our community for supporting our restaurant. We are very thankful for the friendships we have made.”
Gavin’s Downtown is in a classic red brick structure built in 1885. Before becoming a restaurant, the building was a drugstore, hardware store and other retail outlets. It has a charming feel, with upstairs seating overlooking the front dining area.
The Smoked Sausage Plate appetizer, featuring slices of smoked sausage sprinkled with a tasty barbeque seasoning, cheddar cheese cubes, pickles and crackers, is a perfect way to start a meal. The homemade spicy pickles are the star of this plate, and according to Chris and Micah, customers often ask to buy jars to take home.
Chris and team make all of the sauces in-house, including the Bang Bang sauce used in the spectacular Bang Bang Shrimp. The appetizer’s aroma and presentation was very nice, and the flavor was out-of-this-world amazing. Be prepared to eat all 12 fried shrimp tossed in a sweet-and-spicy chili sauce!
The Classic Cheeseburger is oh, so good. Chris prepared a double version, which was double the goodness. The french fries were perfectly cooked.
Many northeast Arkansans have recommended Gavin’s steaks as a must-try. So, I was excited to finally check the experience off my list. Chris presented me with a 12-ounce certified angus beef ribeye with a baked potato, green beans and a roll. My fork and taste buds were at the ready, as I savored my first taste of the perfectly prepared hand-cut steak. Wow. Just wow. My friends were right, as the beef was outstanding.
And then, Micah presented the fork-tender, melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon. Chris and his team must have some magic seasonings, as this was one of the best filets that I have had. I could go on and on, but just order it during your visit. You can thank me later.
The team at Gavin’s is a family affair, which includes Chris and Micah’s daughter, Sonni; Chris’ parents, Donna and Gary Crews; Micah’s parents, Mike and Lana Parks; and Micah’s sister, Mallory Long. The rest of the great staff also works to ensure that guests receive friendly service.
Chris’ mother, Donna, is a pie queen whose desserts have become well-known in northeast Arkansas. On the day of my visit, I enjoyed a slice of strawberry pie. Desserts vary from day to day, but each one is made with love and care. Some of the more popular items include chocolate, peanut butter, Oreo and coconut pies, homemade banana pudding and Texas Turtle Cake.
Gavin’s offers weekday lunch specials that are much loved in the Harrisburg area. Specials range from Mexican dishes to Chinese dishes to Southern comfort foods. Each weekend, Chris and the team offer guests “something a bit different.” He mentioned specials like king crab legs, oysters Rockefeller and prime rib.