13 Best Restaurants in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Ed Walker’s Drive-In is a Fort Smith institution for big burgers and shakes. When it first opened in 1949, it was just a walk-up root beer stand. People can still order onion rings, burgers, and thick milkshakes from the comfort of their own cars today.

Sit at a picnic table on a nice day and enjoy the old-fashioned feel. The chili cheese dogs and the seasoned curly fries are must-tries. That classic neon-trimmed building really adds to the retro feel. You can taste that it was made from scratch because all the materials are new. Ed Walker’s Drive-In always serves tasty comfort food in the style of a diner.

3. Table Mesa Bistro

To have a high-class meal, make a dinner ticket at Table Mesa Bistro. Chef Joel Antunes, who has been recognized by James Beard, serves high-end food with Southwestern and Mediterranean flavors in a stylish city setting. The prickly pear margarita is a creative drink that goes well with your food. Then you can eat food like bison steak with chimichurri or duck breast with polenta.

The meal changes with the seasons based on the best foods to use. Table Mesa is a great place for a sweet date night because it has exposed brick walls, chandeliers, and tables lit with candles. The long wine list has bottles from all over the world that will go well with your food. Table Mesa should be your first choice in Fort Smith for special events or for anyone who likes food that looks like art.

4. Neumeier’s Rib Room

Neumeier’s Rib Room, which is on Garrison Avenue, has been serving barbecue to people in Fort Smith since 1941. Premium cuts are still slowly smoked over the original brick pits by third-generation owners. The beef is soft, and the ribs are so tender that they fall off the bone.

Put baked beans or potato salad on the side with your meat. You could also get the Rodeo Special, which comes with Texas toast and full-fat baked potatoes. Neumeier’s is the place to go for classic Southern barbecue in a casual pub setting with live music on the weekends. Make sure you have extra napkins and wipes on hand.

5. La Huerta

Craving authentic Mexican food? Look no further than La Huerta. This lively downtown restaurant specializes in dishes from the Hidalgo region of Mexico. Crowd pleasers include the table-side guacamole, fajitas sizzling on cast iron skillets, and mole poblano bursting with complex flavors. La Huerta’s signature dish, however, is Cabrito al Pastor. Tender young goat is marinated in spices and roasted on a revolving trompo.

Carved table-side with fresh tortillas, white onions, and cilantro, it’s a unique dining experience you won’t soon forget. Colorful ribbons, papel picado banners, and Mexican music create a festive ambiance. With its blend of tradition and hospitality, La Huerta represents the heart of Fort Smith’s Latin American community.

6. 21 West End

For Southern comfort fare with gourmet twists, make a lunch or dinner reservation at 21 West End. Housed in a 1920s bungalow, this cozy restaurant feels like your eccentric Aunt’s house. Chef offerings might include duck fat tater tots, adult mac and cheese with lobster, or chicken and dumplings with a scratch-made pie crust.

The menu changes often, but you can trust that everything utilizes seasonal ingredients. Stop in on a weekend morning for chicken and waffles drizzled with honey bourbon sauce and spicy pecans. Handwritten chalkboards, mismatched vintage furniture, and funky art create a welcoming, laid-back vibe. When you want homestyle classics reinvented with upscale flair, 21 West End hits the spot.

7. Eastside Bistro

Eastside Bistro brings contemporary cafe cuisine to Fort Smith in a repurposed modern space. Huge windows flood the sleek dining room with natural light. The scratch kitchen takes a farm-to-table approach and utilizes fresh ingredients from local purveyors. Build your own omelets shine at brunch, accompanied by fluffy buttermilk pancakes with maple cinnamon butter.

For lunch, try the blackened shrimp tacos with pineapple salsa or the Insta-worthy rainbow veggie bowl. Thirst-quenching mimosas, wines, and Fort Smith Brewing Company craft brews complement any meal. The recently revamped dinner menu includes pan roasted chicken in thyme cream sauce, seared diver scallops, and hand-cut steak frites. For a lighter take on modern dining, Eastside Bistro excels with quality and sophistication.

8. Calico County

If you have out-of-town visitors, take them straight to Calico County. This beloved meat-and-three spot captures old Fort Smith charm. Red-and-white checkered table cloths, vintage Coca-Cola signs, and copper pots hanging from the ceiling enhance the cozy diner aesthetic.

Of course traditional comfort fare takes center stage here. The slow-roasted pot roast with brown gravy, chicken fried steak, and baked spaghetti can’t be beat. And don’t forget to save room for a hot fudge brownie sundae! With friendly counter service and prices that can’t be beat, Calico County offers the perfect taste of nostalgia. Be prepared to wait during peak mealtimes as locals and tourists flock here.

9. Clayton’s Family Diner

Ask any Fort Smith local where to find the best breakfast biscuits and gravy – everyone will point you to Clayton’s Family Diner. This beloved greasy spoon with only 16 bar stools opens early to serve hefty plates of comfort food. Customer favorites include fluffy pancakes as big as dinner plates, loaded hashbrown bowls, and three-egg ham steak omelets.

Of course you can’t miss the giant country fried steak smothered in peppery gravy. Homemade pies, cinnamon rolls dripping with icing, and lunchtime sandwiches keep hungry patrons coming back. Decorated with local sports memorabilia and family photos, Clayton’s feels like the community’s kitchen table. The cash-only policy and no-frills setting just enhance the old-school appeal. So arrive with an empty stomach and loose pants if you visit Clayton’s!

10. The Pancake Shop

For 60+ years, Fort Smith locals and hungry travelers have started their days at The Pancake Shop. This tidy diner slings out delicious breakfast plates featuring golden brown pancakes and waffles cooked on the flat-top grill. Flavors like pumpkin spice or chocolate chip elevate the traditional favorites. Hearty three-egg omelets bursting with fillings also satisfy.

Be sure to also try the flaky biscuits blanketed in savory sausage gravy or sweet strawberry sauce. With swift counter service from friendly staff, this straightforward establishment focuses on doing the basics right. Daily lunch specials like pot roast, chicken pot pie, and meatloaf keep patrons coming back for later meals too. If you want hot, hearty comfort foods in an old-fashioned setting, look no further than The Pancake Shop.

11. Doe’s Eat Place

Ranked as one of the best steakhouses in America, Doe’s Eat Place deserves a spot on any Fort Smith foodie’s list. This no-frills restaurant stays true to its Greenville, Mississippi roots from 1941. Expect butcher paper covered tables, questionable cleanliness, and incredible hot tamales and charbroiled porterhouses.

Skip the salad and fill up on the crispy French fries instead. Then cut into tender char-crusted steaks oozing juices and melting butter. Just be prepared to pay for quality. Doe’s Eat Place accepts only cash for payment to this day. With a speakeasy vibe and famously friendly staff, Doe’s remains a true American original after over 80 years in business. Just come hungry!

Conclusion

From iconic steakhouses to contemporary cafes, Fort Smith offers an array of dining gems for every taste and budget. Barbecue lovers flock to Neumeier’s while Mexican food aficionados praise La Huerta’s authenticity. For special occasions, the elevated fare at Table Mesa impresses while homey joints like Calico County excel at friendly comfort.

Whether visiting historic landmarks or shopping at the boutiques downtown, be sure to sample the local flavors at these 13 best Fort Smith restaurants. With creative chefs and fresh ingredients, the food scene here invigorates residents and delights newcomers. Indeed, the culinary diversity proves that Fort Smith offers appealing cuisine beyond just its Arkansas location. So pull up a seat and stay awhile at one of these wonderful dining establishments.