Uh oh...
It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!
Read More about this safari issue.
Oh my goodness… there’s no cinnamon-roll story more special in Arkansas than Calico County in Fort Smith. It’s not chips and salsa or even a basket of cornbread here. When you’re seated, your server brings menus in one hand and a basket of warm, soft cinnamon rolls in the other.
I know, right?
The Calico Way
When my folks were in town for Thanksgiving, we headed to Fort Smith to explore some history and finally visit the spot I’ve seen all over Instagram. Everyone who recommended Calico County has said the same thing: “But it’s all about the cinnamon rolls.” And of course, they’re right. (Even the Food Network lists them as one of the top places to eat!)
Honestly, we were hooked before we even looked at the menus. These cinnamon rolls come warm, without icing, and with just the right amount of sweetness. The dough is tender but sturdy, the kind that doesn’t collapse under your fork. It’s easy to see how they’ve served nearly 10 million of them over the years.
But the Calico County Way is more than just cinnamon rolls. It’s about family, hearty portions, country cooking and kindness woven into every interaction. Look around the dining room and you’ll see businesspeople, retirees, military training teams, families with toddlers and grandparents out for breakfast. Everyone belongs here!
Located just off Rogers Avenue, the building itself is simple and modest. Inside, however, it’s full of nostalgia; vintage décor, photos that look like your grandpa’s barn wall, and murals that instantly evoke “remember when…” stories. It’s the kind of place where comfort is served right alongside your plate.
Home Cooking Menu
Calico County’s menu isn’t complicated, and it doesn’t need to be. It offers honest, made-from-scratch food crafted from recipes passed down through generations. Guests often tell the staff, “I haven’t had this meal since my grandmother made it,” and that captures the true heart of what Calico aims to preserve.
A few menu highlights include:
- Daily Specials: Monday through Friday bring options like chicken-fried steak, BBQ Ribs, a “Lite Plate” of vegetables and the Friday Burger Bonanza. And yes, turkey and dressing every week.
- Breakfast Favorites: From traditional scrambled eggs and pancakes to pork chops, biscuits and gravy, omelets and hearty platters.
- All-Day Favorites: Granny’s Crispy Catfish (marinated for 24 hours), chicken-fried steak, the Deluxe Bacon Cheeseburger, plus classic country plates, sandwiches and seasonal dishes like chicken and dumplings, chicken potpie and Irish stew.
- Holiday Feasts: A grand menu of spiral-cut ham, turkey plates, classic sides and assorted pies, including “high apple” and possum pie.
- Day-Old Rolls (The Insider Tip): You can grab a box of fresh or day-old rolls to go. We took home a box and turned ours into a French toast breakfast casserole. It was everything a Christmas morning breakfast needs!
- Catering: One of Calico County’s best-kept secrets is its catering service. Office Christmas party? Wedding or reception? They can do far more than country plates – full spreads of proteins, sides, desserts, and custom menus to fit your event.
And in case you’re one of those chili-and-cinnamon roll people, yes… Calico has you covered. Chili appears on the daily menu, and of course, there’s always a basket of cinnamon rolls waiting. If you didn’t grow up with this combo, it actually has a long history in Midwestern school cafeterias and became a staple during WWII rationing years. Hey, as they say, “it’s an Arkansas thing!”
Stay and Explore
If Fort Smith isn’t already on your holiday itinerary, don’t worry, Calico County is open year-round, and the cinnamon rolls flow daily. They’re located close to I-49, which makes it easy to pop off the highway, enjoy a meal and hop back on your way.
But if you do have time, Fort Smith is an excellent winter destination; many of their museums and historic sites are just as enjoyable in the cold months as in summer.
Where to explore in Fort Smith:
- US Marshals Museum
- Fort Smith Historic Site – National Park Visitor Center and Grounds
- Fort Smith Museum of History
- Clayton House and Museum
- Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
- Fort Smith Little Theater
- Unexpected Art Mural tour – grab a hot beverage and walk or drive to the destinations
- Fort Chaffee Barbershop and Military History Museum
- Chaffee Crossing
- Trail of Tears and Native American Heritage
- Fort Smith National Cemetery
- Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum
Whether you’re traveling, visiting family or searching for the perfect holiday meal, Calico County is one of those Arkansas originals that feels like home from the moment you walk in. And trust me… once you taste the cinnamon rolls, you’ll be back.
Calico County
2401 S. 56th Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas
We do the work.
You check your email.
Sign up for our weekly e-news.
Get stories sent straight to your inbox!
Like this story? Read more from Keisha Pittman McKinney
Every year, as we unpack our Christmas boxes, stories unfold with each...
At Christmas, a hotel lobby tree, a church pageant, and stopping at a...
Fayetteville has once again gained national attention as it hosts the...
Join the Conversation
Leave a Comment