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When it comes to comfort food, Arkansas does it right! From crispy catfish and creamy cheese dip to sweet chocolate gravy and spicy tamales, the Natural State is full of dishes that spark nostalgia and make you want to come back for more. These iconic Arkansas dishes are found everywhere from off-the-beaten-path diners to establishments that are well known in Arkansas and beyond.
While not an exhaustive list by any means, this guide showcases some of the most notable locations to try some of Arkansas’s most well-known dishes. Whether you grew up with these staples or are tasting them for the first time, there’s no better way to explore Arkansas than through its most iconic bites.
Fried Catfish
Fried catfish is perhaps the most quintessential Southern dish, and Arkansas serves it up in abundance. Known for its crispy batter and tender meat, Arkansas’ fried catfish is often paired with hushpuppies, coleslaw and fries.
Where to Try It:
- JoJo’s Catfish Wharf – Mountain View
JoJo’s is located in Mountain View and offers rustic charm on the banks of the White River. Generous portions of crispy, golden catfish are served with sides like hush puppies and pickled green tomatoes. The restaurant’s ambiance, with its stunning river views and cozy decor, enhances the authentic Southern dining experience. - Dondie’s White River Princess – Des Arc
Housed in a stationary riverboat replica, Dondie’s is a beloved spot for its buffet-style dining featuring catfish, shrimp and more. The unique setting overlooking the White River, makes it a favorite among locals and a place to which folks are willing to make the drive. - More Catfish Destinations
For additional recommendations, check out food writer Kevin Shalin’s list of 8 Favorite Catfish Spots Around Arkansas.
Photo courtesy of Blue Cake Honey Pies.
Arkansas Possum Pie
Possum Pie is an Arkansas favorite. This layered dessert features a bottom layer of chocolate pudding, followed by a cream cheese layer and topped with meringue or whipped cream. It’s a unique dessert that’s full of flavor but don’t worry, it doesn’t actually contain possum!
Where to Try It:
- Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets – Keo
Located in a charming historic building that once housed a pharmacy, Charlotte’s is a pie lover’s paradise. Their pies are legendary, boasting towering, fluffy peaks and rich, homemade fillings. The crusts are thick, buttery and always perfectly flaky. Given their popularity, it’s wise to arrive early and order your pie first to ensure you don’t miss out. Note: Charlotte’s accepts only cash or checks. - Blue Cake Honey Pies – Little Rock
Blue Cake Honey Pies bakery is renowned for its handcrafted pies, made from scratch with love and attention to detail. Their offerings include a variety of flavors, from classic pecan to the uniquely Southern possum pie, each featuring a flaky crust and rich, flavorful fillings. For those looking to sample multiple varieties, they offer mini pies, allowing you to enjoy a delightful assortment in one visit. - More Arkansas Pies
Check out the Arkansas Pie Trail and discover delicious pies all over the state.
Photo courtesy of The Faded Rose.
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is a Southern classic, and you can try hearty and comforting versions at cafes and diners across Arkansas. Made with tender chicken and soft, pillowy dumplings, this dish is perfect for a cozy meal.
Where to Try It:
- The Root Cafe – Little Rock
This Root Cafe focuses on farm-to-table dining, and their chicken and dumplings are made with locally sourced ingredients. Their recipe isn’t traditional but the flavor is rich, and the potato dumplings are light and fluffy. It’s worth stepping outside of your comfort zone. - The Faded Rose – Little Rock
Known for its New Orleans-style menu, The Faded Rose also serves up a classic take on chicken and dumplings that’s a local favorite when it’s featured as a special during lunch on Fridays. Their version is rich and comforting, with tender chunks of chicken, soft dumplings, and a seasoned broth that hits all the right notes.
Cheese Dip
Arkansas proudly claims to be the birthplace of cheese dip, and honestly, this creamy, melty, slightly spicy concoction is more than just a sidekick to chips—it’s a way of life. Whether you’re team yellow or team white, prefer it spicy or mild, there’s a cheese dip out there for you.
Where to Try It:
- Heights Taco & Tamale Co. – Little Rock
Heights Taco’s cheese dip is a fan favorite, served up warm and silky with just the right amount of kick. Their signature yellow dip has won awards and hearts alike, and it’s the perfect companion to their house-made chips. The restaurant’s laid-back vibe and creative Mexican-influenced menu make it a go-to for cheese dip connoisseurs across central Arkansas. - Stoby’s – Conway and Russellville
A staple since the ’80s, Stoby’s has built a cult following around its legendary cheese dip. Ideal for dunking everything from tortilla chips to sandwiches, their cheese dip is available in both white and yellow versions. Locals swear by it, and out-of-towners often make a special stop just to get a fix.
Chocolate Gravy
Chocolate gravy is a rich, cocoa-infused sauce that’s ladled over warm biscuits. It’s similar to a warm pudding and tastes incredible. I, myself, was a hard convert, but once I finally tried chocolate gravy, I was hooked! Whether you’re revisiting childhood memories or discovering it for the first time, Arkansas provides some of the best spots to indulge in this unique delicacy.
Where to Try It:
- Ozark Café – Jasper
Established in 1909, the Ozark Café is one of Arkansas’s oldest eateries, renowned for its hearty breakfasts and historic charm. Their chocolate gravy, served over fluffy biscuits, has garnered acclaim, with Delish.com naming it one of Arkansas’s must-try foods. The café’s cozy atmosphere and rich culinary history make it a perfect spot to savor this classic dish. - Chit, Chat & Chew Café – Searcy –
World Championship Chocolate Gravy Competition Winner, Professional Division- 2023, 2024 & 2025
This down-home diner in Searcy offers chocolate gravy year-round, making it a go-to destination for enthusiasts of this Southern staple. Served over homemade biscuits, Chit, Chat & Chew Cafe’s rendition of chocolate gravy captures the essence of comfort food. Plus you’ll love the small town ambiance and friendly service. - World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff – Searcy
For those seeking a festive celebration of this beloved dish, the annual World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff in Downtown Searcy is a must-attend event. Held each spring, the cookoff features amateur and professional chefs competing for top honors, with attendees sampling a variety of chocolate gravy creations and voting for their favorites.
Photo courtesy of Knightfire BBQ.
Arkansas-Style Barbecue
Arkansas barbecue is as diverse as the state’s various regions and cultural influences. While pork—be it sliced, chopped, or pulled—is a staple, the preparation and flavors vary across the state. In the Delta, you’ll find pit-smoked meat, often tossed with a thin, vinegar-based hot sauce. The Southwest region leans into Texas traditions, smoking meats over hardwoods like hickory and oak, complemented by thicker, sweeter sauces. Meanwhile, the Ozarks are known for their smoked turkey, sausage, and ham topped with a sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce. Despite the regional differences, everyone seems to agree that barbecue sandwiches should be topped with coleslaw.
Where to Try It:
- Knightfire BBQ – Searcy
Knightfire BBQ offers a modern take on Arkansas barbecue, emphasizing smoked meats with bold flavors. Their menu features a variety of meats, including brisket and pulled pork, all smoked to perfection. The restaurant’s commitment to quality and innovation has made it a favorite among locals seeking a fresh barbecue experience. - McClard’s Bar-B-Q – Hot Springs
A Hot Springs institution since 1928, McClard’s is renowned for its hickory-smoked pork and beef, served with a spicy, vinegar-based sauce. Their signature “hot tamale spread”—a hearty combination of tamales, beans, Fritos, chopped beef, cheese, and sauce—is a must-try. The restaurant’s dedication to traditional recipes and generous portions has earned it a loyal following. - Wright’s Barbecue – Johnson, Bentonville, Rogers, Little Rock
Wright’s Barbecue brings Texas-style barbecue to Arkansas, focusing on meats smoked low and slow over real wood. Their offerings include thick-sliced brisket, spareribs, and sausage, accompanied by hearty sides like mac and cheese and pit-smoked beans. Recognized by Southern Living as the best barbecue joint in Arkansas, Wright’s has expanded its reach while maintaining its commitment to quality.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes are a staple of Southern cuisine, and Arkansas does them right. These tomatoes are dipped in cornmeal and flour, then fried to golden perfection, often served with a tangy dipping sauce.
Where to Try It:
- Southern Food Company – Fayetteville
Southern Food Company in Fayetteville offers thick-sliced green tomatoes fried to order, served on a bed of spinach with a side of homemade cayenne ranch for dipping. Their fried green tomatoes are also featured in their Bacon, Lettuce, Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, adding a Southern twist to a classic BLT. - Disco’s Grill – Eureka Springs
Disco’s Grill in Eureka Springs occasionally features fried green tomatoes as a special. While not a regular menu item, these crispy delights are worth trying when available. Enjoy them on their own or as a topper on one of Disco’s delicious burgers. - Maddie’s Place – Little Rock
Maddie’s Place in Little Rock offers fried green tomatoes topped with crabmeat and remoulade. This dish features thick-coated, crunchy slices of fried tomato that hold up well to the accompanying crab and remoulade, making it a standout appetizer.
Fried Pickles
There’s something magical about the combination of salty, tangy pickles and a crispy, golden batter. Fried pickles are an Arkansas-born snack (yes, really—the first batch was reportedly served in Atkins back in the ’60s!) and they’ve since become a beloved appetizer across the South. Whether you like them in thick spears or crunchy chips, with ranch or a spicy dip, fried pickles hit the spot every time and they are featured on appetizer menus across the state.
- The Ohio Club – Hot Springs
At The Ohio Club, Arkansas’ oldest bar, you don’t have to choose between spears or chips—they serve both! Their fried pickles come as a generous combo of slices and spears, giving you the best of both textures: thin and crispy chips, plus thick, juicy spears with a satisfying crunch. It’s a fun and flavorful starter at one of the state’s most historic watering holes. - The Original Fried Dill Pickles – Atkins
If you’re a fan of fried pickles, a pilgrimage to Atkins is a must. This small town is the official birthplace of the fried dill pickle, thanks to Bernell “Fatman” Austin, who served the first batch at the Duchess Drive-In in 1963. While the original spot is long gone, the town still celebrates its claim to fame—and the legacy lives on at the annual Atkins Picklefest.
Tamales
While tamales are often associated with Mexican cuisine, Arkansas has its own unique take on tamales, especially in Southeast Arkansas’s Delta region, where the dish has its own unique roots. Unlike their Mexican counterparts, Arkansas Delta tamales are typically smaller, spicier, and simmered in a seasoned broth rather than steamed.
Where to Try It:
- Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales – Lake Village
Rhoda’s is a Lake Village institution, renowned for its homemade hot tamales and pies. Established by the late Rhoda Adams, the eatery offers tamales that are a testament to Delta tradition—spicy, savory, and wrapped in corn husks. - Pasquale’s Original Tamales – Helena-West Helena
Pasquale’s Tamales has been a family-owned business in West Helena since the early 20th century. Their tamales are made from freshly ground yellow cornmeal and high-quality beef, simmered in a spicy broth for six hours to achieve a mouthwatering flavor. The recipe, passed down through generations, originated from the encounter between Sicilian immigrant Peter St. Columbia and Mexican workers in the Delta, resulting in a unique fusion of culinary traditions.
Southern Biscuits and Gravy
Biscuits and gravy are a staple of Southern breakfasts, and Arkansas does this classic justice with fluffy, made-from-scratch biscuits topped with creamy, sausage gravy. It’s comfort food at its finest.
Where to Try It:
- Wagon Wheel Country Café – Greenbrier
The Wagon Wheel is a beloved family-owned diner in Springdale that has been serving up classic comfort food for nearly 15 years. Their biscuits and gravy are a standout, featuring soft, buttery biscuits smothered in rich, peppery sausage gravy. It’s the kind of hearty breakfast that evokes memories of grandma’s kitchen and keeps locals coming back for more. - The Buttered Biscuit – Bentonville & Fayetteville
At The Buttered Biscuit, the name says it all. This popular breakfast and brunch spot takes their biscuits seriously. They offer them freshly-baked and flaky with a variety of creative toppings and add-ons. Their classic biscuits and gravy is a fan favorite, but you can also customize your plate with eggs, bacon, or fried chicken for the ultimate morning indulgence. - The Croissanterie – Little Rock
While known for their buttery croissants and artisan pastries, The Croissanterie also nails their biscuits. Their take on biscuits and gravy blends classic Southern flavor with upscale flair—think tender, house-made biscuits topped with thoughtfully seasoned sausage gravy. It’s rich, refined, and a little unexpected—just like the rest of their inventive brunch menu.
Whether you’re road-tripping across the state or just craving something comforting and delicious, keep this list handy and give these iconic Arkansas dishes a try.
Cover photo courtesy of Chit, Chat & Chew Cafe.
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