Texarkana
In the southwest area of Arkansas, in Texarkana, you’ll find a lovely city. Even though Texarkana isn’t as big as Little Rock or Fayetteville, its food scene has grown a lot in the last ten years. There are lots of delicious places to eat in Texarkana, from hip cafés to fancy steakhouses.
We have put together a list of the 13 best places in Texarkana in this article. We’ll talk about what makes each restaurant unique, their most famous dishes, their price range, and why you should put them on your list of places to eat in Texarkana! These 12 restaurants have great food that you won’t want to miss, whether you live in the area or are just going through.
1. Best Local Sweet Shop: Holly’s Country Candies
Finally, people in Texarkana can satisfy their sweet tooth all year long thanks to Holly’s Country Candies, an old-fashioned candy shop that has been open since 1979. When you walk inside, the smell of sugary sweets from their on-site candy kitchen fills the room.
Candy like Squirrel Nut Zippers, Mary Janes, and BB Bats, as well as chocolate creams, caramels, brittles, and fudge made in-house, are available at Holly’s. The store also sells treats for kids and kids at heart. They also have quality ice cream, chocolate malt shakes, and strawberries covered in chocolate that people love. If you want to satisfy your desire for old-fashioned candy, stop by Holly’s.
Fudge, chocolate creams, and chocolate malt shakes stand out as great sweets.
The reason you should go: Holly’s candy store is full of cookies and sweets that are made from scratch with love, just like grandma used to do.
2. Best Lunch Spot: Wake Up Café
For fresh, healthy lunch options, Wake Up Café is Texarkana’s top choice. Their diverse menu features freshly made salads, rice bowls, sandwiches, soups, and more using local ingredients.
Standouts include their rainbow vegetarian grain bowl loaded with vegetables and their barbecue chicken flatbread sandwich. Wake Up Café also offers an ample smoothie and juice bar, specialty coffee drinks, and daily lunch specials every Texarkana local looks forward to.
Standout Dishes: Grain bowls, barbecue chicken flatbread
Why You Need to Go: Wake Up Café brings vibrant, delicious dishes created with quality ingredients and health in mind. It’s an excellent lunch destination for vegetarians too.
3. Best Pizza: Big Willy’s Pizza
Runner up for Texarkana’s best lunch is Big Willy’s Pizza, a local favorite for over 20 years. Unlike the big chain pizzerias, Big Willy’s handcrafts their pizzas with homemade sauce, fresh toppings, and crust made in-house daily.
Favorites include their Texarkana special with smoked sausage, pepperoni, hamburger, onions, and mushrooms and the Homer’s Delight with Canadian bacon, sausage, beef, and extra cheese. Big Willy’s also lets you build custom pizzas exactly to your liking. Whether you dine-in or order takeout, Big Willy’s presents pizza the way it oughta be.
Standout Dishes: Texarkana special pizza, Homer’s delight pizza
Why You Need to Go: When locals crave pizza, Big Willy’s is the neighborhood go-to. Their generously-sized pies never skimp on high-quality ingredients.
4. Best Brunch: Bread + Butter
Forlazy weekend brunches accompanied by bottomless mimosas, Bread + Butter rules as Texarkana’s primo brunch destination. Their creative menu puts gourmet twists on all your favorite breakfast and lunch dishes.
The chicken and waffles comes fried to crispy perfection and drizzled in whiskey maple syrup while their shrimp and grits feature cheesy garlic grits and spicy Cajun shrimp. Bread + Butter also offers steak frites, loaded omelets, specialty Benedicts, salad, and sandwiches in case chicken and waffles isn’t your speed.
Standout Dishes: Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits
Why You Need to Go: If you love cuisine with a contemporary flair, Bread + Butter’s elegant entrees give familiar brunch classics an upgraded experience.
5. Best Deli: Katz & Co Deli
When you visit Katz & Co, you instantly feel transported to an authentic New York-style deli right in the heart of Texarkana. Katz serves up traditional Jewish favorites from towering pastrami sandwiches to hearty matzo ball soup along with specialty sandwiches and daily lunch specials.
Their Reuben sandwich brings perfect harmony between salty pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing between griddled rye bread. You also can’t miss their pastrami cheese fries, crunchy fries smothered in pastrami bits, cheese, sour cream and green onions.
Standout Dishes: Pastrami sandwich, matzo ball soup, pastrami cheese fries
Why You Need to Go: Katz brings a taste of New York’s iconic delis to Texarkana complete with piled-high sandwiches on rye and signature sides.
6. Best Tex-Mex Restaurant: Casa Rodriguez
Tex-Mex cuisine holds a special place in Texarkana’s culinary scene, so choosing the #1 spot came down to Casa Rodriguez. Family-owned for 30 years, Casa Rodriguez presents Tex-Mex standards like enchiladas, tacos, and fajitas along with their fabulous signature queso made in-house.
From sizzling chimichangas and burritos to their topped-to-perfection nachos, Casa Rodriguez nails the full spectrum of flavors you want from a stellar Tex-Mex joint. Refreshing margaritas and salsa that packs some heat perfectly complement Casa’s authentic dishes.
Standout Dishes: Queso, chimichangas, nachos
Why You Need to Go: When craving fajitas, enchiladas, and other Lone Star State classics, Casa Rodriguez takes the top prize for tasty Tex-Mex done right.
7. Best BBQ Restaurant: Big Jake’s Texas BBQ
All great Southern towns boast an ace BBQ spot and Big Jake’s holds court as the king of smoked meat in Texarkana. They slow smoke juicy brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, savory sausage and more using local White Oak wood. Beyond the traditional meats, Big Jake’s also plates up impressive barbecue chicken and pulled pork sandwiches topped with their signature BBQ sauce.
Their smokehouse chili, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and pecan pie also shine as ideal BBQ sidekicks. Big Jake’s casual counter-service setup echoes the languid pace of authentic Texas barbecue done properly. Just grab some napkins and dig into tender smoked meat prepared by true local pitmasters.
Standout Dishes: Brisket, ribs, pulled pork sandwiches
Why You Need to Go: When it comes to TX ‘cue, Big Jake’s time-honored smoking methods produce traditional barbecue flavors that can’t be beat.
8. Best Fine Dining: Table 219
If you’re seeking a fine dining experience in Texarkana, book your reservation at Table 219. As a wine-centric restaurant, Table 219 stores over 200 varietals at any given time with 25 wines by the glass. Their refined dinner menu centers around seasonal ingredients and technique-driven preparation.
Start your meal with expertly fried calamari or duck fat potatoes before indulging in Table 219’s tender filet mignon, sesame crusted tuna, or classic French coq au vin. Every dish receives careful attention aimed at elevating flavors and presentation alike. For special occasions or whenever you crave elevated cuisine, Table 219 delivers sophisticated fare worth savoring.
Standout Dishes: Calamari fritti, filet mignon, sesame tuna
Why You Need to Go: The talented chefs at Table 219 apply their culinary artistry towards upscale entrees paired beautifully with their extensive wine selection.
9. Best Steakhouse: Mr. B’s Steakhouse
Nothing satisfies quite like an exceptional steakhouse dinner and Mr. B’s stakes its claim as Texarkana’s best spot for USDA Prime steak and seafood. Their aged Delmonico and Kansas City strip steaks melt in your mouth while fillets like Chilean sea bass and pecan crusted trout shine as stellar alternatives.
Beyond impeccable proteins, Mr. B’s also brings classic side dishes like au gratin potatoes, creamed spinach and roasted asparagus that feel nostalgic yet refined. With white linen service and ambient lounge, Mr. B’s elegant atmosphere mirrors their exacting culinary standards.
Standout Dishes: Bone-in Delmonico, Kansas City Strip, Chilean Sea Bass
Why You Need to Go: Mr. B’s flawlessly cooks premium cuts of steak and fresh seafood in an intimate steakhouse setting ideal for date nights and special gatherings.
10. Best Local Coffee Shop: Oak + Reed Coffeehouse
No great town lacks an exceptional local coffee shop where regulars and visitors mingle over incredible artisan coffee. For Texarkana, that special spot is Oak + Reed Coffeehouse near downtown. Their talented baristas prepare smooth pour overs, creamy lattes, and iced coffee refreshing enough for hot Arkansas days.
Beyond expertly brewed coffee, Oak + Reed’s homey space offers freshly baked pastries from regional bakeries and grab-and-go lunch items like paninis and rice bowls. Free community events like open mic nights and coffee cupping classes reflect Oak + Reed’s status as a welcoming neighborhood hub.
Standout Drinks: Pour over coffee, vanilla latte, cold brew iced coffee
Why You Need to Go: Oak + Reed not only serves Texarkana’s best artisan coffee and espresso drinks but also functions as a lively gathering place.
11. Best Burger: Freeway Diner
No list of Texarkana’s best restaurants omitted the iconic Freeway Diner and their sensational smashburgers. Open since 1969, Freeway Diner serves piping hot burgers prepared on a flattop grill that locks in flavor and juices beneath a beautifully crisped exterior.
Their double cheeseburger presents two griddled beef patties oozing melty American cheese best enjoyed alongside crinkle cut fries and a creamy milkshake. During lunch hours, Freeway Diner packs out as locals flock for these unbeatable burgers done right.
Standout Dishes: Double cheeseburger, fries, milkshakes
Why You Need to Go: A hole-in-the-wall establishment, Freeway Diner enduringly satisfies Hungry travelers exit off Interstate 30 knowing they’ll be met with delicious burgers and shakes.
12. Best Italian Restaurant: Bellacino’s Italian Bistro
With exposed brick and strings of wine bottles lining the interior, walking into Bellacino’s Italian Bistro instantly ignites big city Little Italy vibes. Their menu bursts with Italian favorites like crispy calamari, meatballs bathed in marinara and pasta prepared every which way. For your main dish, order the Parmesan crusted chicken tenderloins or lingui e vongole with olive oil poached shrimp for a touch of seafood.
Of course, Bellacino’s offers pizza and subs too for lunch or late night bites. With good food, great wine and welcoming service, Bellacino’s transports you straight to Italy for the night.
Standout Dishes: Shrimp linguine, meatballs, pizza
Why You Need to Go: With its checkered tablecloths and aromas of garlic and oregano wafting through the dining room, Bellacino’s nails all the charm of authentic Italian cuisine.
13. Best Sushi: Maru Sushi Bar
Maru Sushi Bar remains many local’s go-to spot for getting their sushi fix handled with skill and precision. Their expansive maki menu presents every sushi roll variety imaginable while their sashimi and nigiri selection stays stocked with impeccably fresh cuts.
Beyond seafood, Maru also plates up teriyaki chicken, hibachi steak and tempura to ensure all tastes leave happy. For the best value, try one of Maru’s boat options that feeds multiple people. No matter your preferred sushi style, Maru executes top-notch Japanese fare seven days a week.
Standout Dishes: Spicy tuna rolls, sashimi combos, hibachi chicken
Why You Need to Go: With elegant presentation and consistently fresh fish, Maru remains many local’s go-to spot for getting their sushi fix handled with skill and precision.
14. Best Seafood: Hook Line & Sinker
As Texarkana is right on the border between Arkansas and Texas, restaurants like Hook Line and Sinker offer residents access to Gulf fish that is immaculately fresh. This counter-service restaurant serves big amounts of golden-fried shrimp, catfish, and oysters that are shucked every day. They are known for their po’ boys, tacos, baskets, and plates.
Grilled shrimp with a light batter is put on top of a soft hoagie roll in their signature Sinker sandwich. It comes with lettuce, pickles, and spicy boom boom sauce. People who like spicy food also love Hook Line and Sinker’s Sissy sauce, which has more peppers and vinegar added to it.
Sinker sandwich and fried shrimp, oyster, and catfish bowls stand out.
The reason you should go: People have been coming to Hook Line and Sinker for over 35 years to eat their fresh Gulf shrimp and oysters with their own special flavors.
15. Best Breakfast: Minnie’s Pancake House
Minnie’s Pancake House has the best breakfast in all of Texarkana. Minnie’s has been family-owned and run since 1956. For a great way to start the day, they serve hearty, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast favorites.
The big, fluffy pancakes at Minnie’s, which come in tastes like blueberry, pecan, and chocolate chip, are legendary in the area. Add some tasty bacon, breakfast sausage, or Minnie’s famous chicken fried steak with white gravy to your short stack. Minnie’s homestyle cooking is always a treat, whether you stop by for a quick bite during the week or a relaxing brunch on the weekend.
Dishes that stand out: pancakes and chicken fried steak
The reason you should go: Texarkana’s Minnie’s is a hometown gem that has been loved by generations of people who live there. Their fresh pastries from the bakery and friendly, diner-style decor make it even more charming.
Conclusion
With its small town charm and dynamic dining scene, Texarkana’s top restaurants offer fantastic meals morning, noon and night no matter your preferences or budget.
So next time hunger hits in this delightful section of The Natural State, explore Texarkana’s top dining destinations for scrumptious Southern fare.