The smell of ribs cooking over a wood fire gets my attention every time. I’ve lived in Arkansas long enough to know that some of the best barbecue in the state sits miles off the main route, and I’ve happily made those drives more times than I can count.
Ribs are always high on my list when I visit a barbecue spot. When they’re done right, the meat is tender, the smoke flavor comes through clearly, and the sauce or seasoning adds just the right finish.
Over the years, I’ve spent plenty of afternoons driving across Arkansas to try ribs that locals kept recommending. Some of these restaurants have been serving barbecue for decades, while others built their reputation more recently…