Soul food in Arkansas is more than just a meal, it’s a connection to family tables, Sunday dinners, and recipes passed down through generations. Across the state, you’ll find small restaurants and cafés where the food tastes like it came straight from home kitchens. Here are some of the best spots to try when you’re craving fried chicken, greens, cornbread, and more.
1. Sims Bar-B-Que (Little Rock)
When you walk into Sims Bar-B-Que, you can almost hear stories echoing off the wood-paneled walls. Locals have trusted this Little Rock institution since 1937 for plates that taste like someone’s grandma spent all morning cooking. The secret’s in the sides as much as the barbecue itself.
Order a slab of ribs or a pile of fried chicken, but don’t skip the collard greens, tangy baked beans, and cornbread cooked on a hot griddle. There’s no pretense, just big portions and flavors that remind me of church potlucks and family reunions. On any given day, you’ll see regulars and first-timers trading recommendations, all with that unmistakable Southern hospitality.
Sims keeps things simple, which is exactly why it works. The food never tries to impress you with frills. Instead, it wins you over with the kind of honest cooking that makes Arkansas’s soul food so beloved. If you’re searching for that feeling of being welcomed at someone’s table, Sims manages to deliver it, one plate at a time.
2. Ron’s Family Affair (Pine Bluff)
There’s a warmth to Ron’s Family Affair that goes beyond the food. Stepping through the door, I’m greeted like family, even if it’s my first visit. The place feels like a real community hub, where everyone from grandparents to grandkids finds something to love…