Saucy Secrets

Best barbecue bets off the beaten path

It may surprise you to know that Arkansas has more than 350 barbecue restaurants. They range from long-established mainstays to brand-new upstarts, from brick-and-mortar edifices to mobile food trucks. One thing is certain: Arkansas loves barbecue.

For the past year and a half, I’ve delved deeply into communities all across the state to suss out every single restaurant that has barbecue as its claim to fame. I can happily say all 75 of Arkansas’ counties have at least one purveyor of barbecue.

I’ve discovered regional styles and preferences, namely pulled pork in the Arkansas Delta, pork steaks in northeast Arkansas, brisket in northwest Arkansas and stewed brisket in southern Arkansas. And I met and chatted with more than 100 pitmasters.

The result: a book just released called “The Arkansas Barbecue Traveler: A Roadside Companion for Hungry Wanderers,” a guide to every barbecue restaurant I have found in The Natural State. It will be followed by “The Arkansas Barbecue Classics,” a book that will dive into the history of barbecue in Arkansas and the stories from the oldest barbecue restaurants in the state.

In the course of my research, I found a great number of barbecue restaurants that haven’t made the news yet. These are all places where the smoked meats are magnificent, but outside of those communities, they’re just not well-known. I’m happy to share these places that should be considered on your next road trip. They’re here in alphabetical order, and they’re all outstanding.

AR Tillery’s Barbecue (Bella Vista). Rod Tillery moved his family from Oregon during the pandemic, and this year followed a dream and started a mobile barbecue operation. Tillery is using tri-tip instead of brisket and showcases it alongside candied pork belly bites, smoked chicken and the outrageous but craveable Artillery Shells — jalapeños stuffed with smoked beef and cheese, wrapped in bacon, smoked and doused in barbecue sauce. Find the truck out front of Lowe’s or in Blowing Spring Park, or see where the trailer will be today at ARTillerysBBQ.com; (541) 270-0578.

Beau’s Bayou Smokehouse (Farmington). Beau McManus combines his south Mississippi upbringing and his training in Florida kitchens with Arkansas Ozark cuisine to create a thick menu of smoked meats and sides at his one-man concession in a gas station parking lot. Sausages, brisket, pulled pork and ribs are all accented with his unique sides, like an addictive blue cheese coleslaw, new potatoes cooked in Cajun boil and a too-good-to-be-true mac and cheese. On top of all that, he makes cheesecakes in different flavors that you’ll come back for time and time again. 243 Main St., Farmington; Facebook.com/BeausBayouSmokehouse; (479) 871-5373.

Bearded Guy Barbecue and Eats (Mena).  This family-run operation on the northwest side of downtown Mena opened in September 2003 and became an instant hit. A menu with great brisket, pulled pork and chicken leg quarters, the star on this menu may be The Mess, fries covered in pulled pork with cheese, beans, jalapeños, green onions and moonshine barbecue sauce. The chicken is succulently sublime. 414 Mena St., Mena, search for Bearded Guy Barbecue and Eats on Facebook.com; (479) 208-5928.

BigMac’s Barbeeque (Hope). Margaret McLaughlin’s booming startup on the north side of town has quickly become Hope’s barbecue mecca. With pitmaster Doug Ozment working the smoker, the eatery’s quickly racked up all the local awards for best restaurant, boss and waitress, and keeps folks coming in the door with smoked brisket, ribs, turkey, sausage and pulled pork. If that isn’t enough, catfish is also available, and you can get your fries, potatoes, nachos and mac and cheese loaded up with barbecue any time. 2703 N. Hazel St., Hope; search for BigMac’s Barbeeque on Facebook.com; (870) 722-8011.

Brothers Meethouse (Bentonville) Rob Nelson’s much-anticipated oversized barbecue joint just opened in October. After more than seven years of intense barbecue research, Nelson’s worked out a menu with pitmaster Alex Glass to conjure an OZQ (Ozark barbecue) menu with something for everyone. The brisket is marvelous, the belly bites are already a favorite, but do yourself a favor and try that smoked turkey — it’s extraordinary! 405 SE Fifth St., Bentonville; Facebook.com/BrothersMeethouse; (479) 553-7199.

FlavorSmith’s Craft Barbecue (Fayetteville). Billy Ray Smith’s newly opened joint at the location of Fayetteville’s beloved The Beer Keg has quickly gained notice and traction in a city already well-stocked with barbecue joints. His tiny shop and smokehouse knocks out briskets, jalapeño cheese sausages, ribs, pulled pork and turkey at a satisfyingly quick rate to keep up with the sudden demand. You absolutely must try the banana pudding. 50 E. Township St., Fayetteville; search FlavorSmith’s Craft Barbecue on Facebook.com;
(479) 879-1902.

Harold’s Bar-B-Q and Catering (Corning). One of the older restaurants on this list, Harold’s doesn’t have much of a following outside of Corning, yet. But when word of The Shenanigator gets out, it will. A stunning stack of smoked meat begins with a thick slice of smoked and fried bologna, then a hefty amount of pulled pork, then slices of barked smoky brisket, all topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and barbecue sauce on a seedless bun. You’ll want your photo taken with this one! 1108 W. Main St., Corning; Facebook.com/HaroldsBBQCorning; (870) 857-2223.

L&Y Barbecue and Carwash (Crossett). Barbecue at a carwash? More like a carwash at a barbecue. The family that opened a barbecue joint in this gas station kept having folks walk in and tell them they needed to open a carwash. Peer pressure won out. Now you can have your smoked ribs, sausage or chicken dinner while your car receives a complete detail and wash — a good one, as I can personally attest! 1034 Arkansas 133, Crossett; Facebook.com/GreatBBQCrossett; (870) 305-1101.

Links at Chaffee Crossing (Fort Smith). Kim Flanagan runs the front, and Terry Flanagan is in the back — working the smoker and delivering juicy brisket, ribs, pulled pork and cheese for epic mac and cheese. Great smoked meats are brought to the table with sides made from longstanding family recipes. Kim did factory work and Terry worked for the gas company before both retired to take over the concession on the golf course at Fort Chaffee in 2018. This is one of those spots you have to know about, as it’s tucked back off the highway a fair bit, but well worth it. 11701 Custer Blvd., Fort Smith; Facebook.com/LinksAtChaffeeCrossing; (479) 226-3126.

Lorado Grocery and Grill (Jonesboro). Brandon and Mika Pugsley run this third-generation operation that began as a tiny convenience store and deli and evolved into a country one-stop with epic pulled pork sandwiches, wraps and plates throughout the week. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Pugsleys pull out all the stops with smoked pork steaks, chicken halves and racks of ribs, and the house stays packed all night long. 31 Arkansas 168 W. north of Jonesboro; LoradoGrill.com; (870) 275-4654.

Pig Barn BBQ (Fort Smith). David Waits left factory work to start up his barnyard-themed food truck on the south side of Fort Smith. With juicy brisket, tender chicken and smoky pulled pork, he can’t go wrong. Folks come for the good stuff but also for the ridiculous Brisket Cheddar Honey Bun Sandwich, an ample portion of shredded brisket covered in melted cheddar and barbecue sauce between two whole jumbo honey buns. Outrageous, but he’ll sell a half dozen every day. 9101 US 71 S., Fort Smith; Facebook.com/PigBarnBBQ; (479) 252-4000.

Pork-N-Stuff (Piggott). Brittany Owens may hail from the Kansas City area, but she’s learned the pitmistress skills to become an extraordinary Arkansas Delta barbecue ace. This spot on the east side of town is known for its ribs and for pork steaks so tender, you can cut them with a plastic fork. Drop in, place your order and write your name on the wall — it’s all right!
1259 E. Main St., Piggott; Facebook.com/PorkNStuffPiggott; (870) 634-6374.

Prime Country Meat Market (Horatio). It started out with a processing facility, then a meat market. Then in 2023, it started offering all sorts of on-site smoked meats, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, with a varying menu that covers everything from brisket and ribs to prime rib, tri-tip, and even pork belly cinnamon rolls. 223 Main St., Horatio; Facebook.com/PrimeCountryMeatMarket;
(870) 832-4805.

Sammy J’s BBQ (Heber Springs). A cousin to the famed Johns family of Blytheville, Sammy Johns is bringing Arkansas Delta barbecue to Heber Springs. His hickory-charcoal-smoked pork shoulders are meted out to sandwiches, nachos and plates and served along with a thin vinegar sauce and coleslaw for that classic flavor. Opened in the summer of 2024, Sammy J’s is a standout with a difference in the north-central Arkansas town. 2020 Arkansas 25B, Heber Springs; search for Sammy J’s BBQ, LLC on Facebook.com; (501) 365-3243.

Southern Unorthodox (Blytheville). Matthew Huffman grew up on the same street as the folks who run Kream Kastle and Dixie Pig. He’s making a name for himself in a town best known for pig sandwiches by breaking out with brisket, smoked pork belly and whatever he feels compelled to create each day. Look for the long black food trailer, usually parked in the used car lot east of the viaduct, or follow where he is on Facebook; search for Southern Unorthodox on Facebook.com; (870) 623-3469.

The Swamp (England). Brian and Tina Hawkins took over this Cajun restaurant and added marvelously smoked briskets, pork butt, chicken halves and gator sausages for an all-encompassing blend of menu items that will please everyone in your party. The Louisiana notes like fried oyster and fried shrimp sandwiches and gumbo just enhance the experience. 223 N. Main St., England;
Facebook.com/SwampOfEngland; (501) 842-1414.

Yankabilly BBQ (Springdale). Aaron and Renee Kemper have created the little yellow trailer that could, producing gorgeously smoked meats and an impossibly creamy mac and cheese to cement their position as one of the region’s best new barbecue eateries. 327 E. Emma Ave., in the Mothership Building in Springdale. Facebook.com/@yankabillysmokehouse; (833) 468-2867.