Top 10 Good Ol’ Southern Food Restaurants in Northwest Arkansas

November 02, 2023

You can find incredible southern food in Northwest Arkansas.  As is to be expected, Southern cooking is not difficult to come by in Bella Vista, Gentry, Rogers, Fayetteville, Springdale and Eureka Springs, AR.  Fried chicken, chicken fried steak, ham, corn, beans, mashed potatoes, and buttermilk biscuits are all examples of a southern cooked meal.

The Top 10 restaurants below all have a good selection of southern prepared food:

EUREKA SPRINGS

Myrtie Mae’s $$Myrtie Mae’s is located inside the Best Western Inn Of The Ozarks in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. is a must-visit for those looking for authentic Southern cuisine. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes including fried chicken, catfish, and collard greens as well as homemade pies and cobblers for dessert. The cozy atmosphere adds to the overall experience making it a great place to bring family and friends.

FAYETTEVILLE

Catfish Hole Fayetteville $$4127 W Wedington Dr, (479) 521-7008

The Catfish Hole in Fayetteville is a haven for lovers of Southern cuisine. The menu features mouth-watering catfish dishes, hushpuppies, fried okra and delectable desserts like pecan pie. The cozy atmosphere makes it the perfect spot to enjoy true Southern cooking with family and friends.

Southern Food Company $$3575 W Wedington Dr Suite 3, (479) 313-7646

Southern Food Company serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.  As the name suggests, food is authentic southern food, and compares favorably with down home Memphis flavors. Dirty Bird and Chicken Fried Steak are exceptional.  Atmosphere is fun, and service is friendly and efficient. Go there once, and you’ll probably be hooked.

GENTRY

Wooden Spoon $1000 S Gentry Blvd, (479) 736-3030

You may have to wait a minute or two to be seated, but the amazing down-home food will more than make up for the wait. Located on HWY 59 in Gentry, the Wooden Spoon specializes in excellent, taste-tripping food whether you’ve ordered their signature chicken salad, excellent meatloaf, or fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs.

Their bakery items including, breads, cobblers, pies, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cakes are made-from-scratch fresh daily. The chocolate Bread Pudding and the Red Velvet Cake are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The plain fact is, you can’t go wrong with any item on the menu.

ROGERS

Monte Ne Chicken Inn $$13843 AR-94, (479) 636-5511

Favorite for all-you-can-eat fried chicken, bean soup, country mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, coleslaw, green beans, homemade rolls and apple butter served family style. In business for forty years, loyal customers keep coming back year after year. This is the only menu that is served. Reservations are encouraged. Note: Image at top of the page is courtesy of Monte Ne Chicken Inn.

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SILOAM SPRINGS

Cathy’s Corner $1910 US-412, (479) 524-4475

The management and staff at Cathy’s corner know how to ensure you have a terrific dining experience. The food is marvelous regardless of what you order, and the service is friendly and efficient.

The burgers are awesome and the fries are perfectly cooked. Good food, good service and good prices can be expected at Cathy’s Corner.

SPRINGDALE

Neal’s Cafe $806 N Thompson St, (479) 751-9996

Since 1944 Neal’s Cafe has been specializing in delicious homemade meals including fried chicken cooked in the old iron skillets. Other standard southern dishes on the menu are catfish, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, chicken pot pie, smothered steaks and homemade pies and rolls.

And they may have some of the best fried pickles in the NWA area. Look for the familiar pink building.

Susan’s Restaurant$1440 W Sunset Ave, (479) 751-1445

You can expect home cooking, great prices and a friendly, efficient staff at Susan’s. The cinnamon rolls are out of this world, so say their loyal customers.

The pecan waffles can’t be beat, and are a local favorite. Open 7 days a week from 6 AM to 2 PM; breakfast is served until 2 PM.

Wagon Wheel Restaurant $$4080 N Thompson St, Springdale, AR 72764(479) 927-1510

Some Southern food fans think  the Wagon Wheel Restaurant is the best family restaurant in town. Homemade rolls, real mashed potatoes, country fried chicken are just a few of the favorite menu items. The owners do their very best to ensure that you have a good dining experience each and every time you come in.

HONORABLE MENTION

Cracker Barrel $$2307 SE Walton Blvd, (479) 268-5907

Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is known for their country cooking and gracious, friendly service. The Cracker Barrel offers traditional country food like biscuits and gravy. Each restaurant has an on-site general store. Try their Buttermilk Fried Chicken Plate, you’ll be hooked.

Ricks Iron Skillet $1131 S School Ave, (479) 442-2200

Rick’s Iron Skillet is known for serving delicious Southern food dishes including biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak, country styled ham, hot open faced sandwiches with gravy and mashed potatoes.  The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable.