LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT/Edited News Release) – A few current and past Northeast Arkansas restaurants are among this year’s finalists in the 2025 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced finalists on Thursday. You can watch the Governor’s announcement here.
Launched in 2016 by the Division of Arkansas Heritage, the program celebrates Arkansas’ unique culinary heritage by recognizing its best restaurants, proprietors and food-themed events.
“Every year, we’re amazed by the passion and pride residents bring to the nomination process,“ Marty Ryall, director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage. ”These finalists are more than just names – they’re stories, memories, and celebrations of the places that bring us together over a great meal.”
Arkansans nominated their favorite restaurants and chefs earlier this year in these five categories:
- Gone But Not Forgotten
- Food-Themed Event
- Proprietor of the Year
- Arkansas Food Hall of Fame
- People’s Choice
Finalists include:
Gone But Not Forgotten
- Browning’s Mexican Grill – Little Rock
- Cajun’s Wharf – Little Rock
- Polar Freeze – Walnut Ridge
Food-Themed Event
- Arkansas Pie Festival – Cherokee Village
- Mayhaw Festival – El Dorado
- The Arkansas Cornbread Festival – Little Rock
Proprietor of the Year
- Jim Keet – Little Rock
- Joe St. Columbia – Helena-West Helena
- Susie Powell – McGehee
Arkansas Food Hall of Fame
- Big Banjo Pizza Parlor – Pine Bluff
- Brave New Restaurant – Little Rock
- K Hall & Sons – Little Rock
- Taylor’s Steakhouse – Dumas
- The Dixie Pig – Blytheville
- The Ohio Club – Hot Springs
- White House Cafe – Camden
People’s Choice Semifinalists
(Voting is now open for the public to pick the top three winners.)
- Jesse James Foods – Batesville
- Meme’s Burgery – Batesville
- Oxley Store & Diner – Oxley
- Salty Dalty’s BBQ Food Truck – Morrilton
- The Gypsy Willow Scratch Kitchen & Oyster Bar – Cave City
“Earning a place in the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors in our state’s culinary scene,“ said Shea Lewis, secretary for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. ”It’s a testament to the dedication, creativity, and heart that these chefs and restaurants pour into every dish.”
In addition to Food Hall of Fame finalists, Arkansas Heritage also announced this year’s food of the year. The Food Hall of Fame committee has chosen to honor the official state grape, Cynthiana grapes.
Honorees will be inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame during a special event this fall. Event details will be announced later this year.
More information about the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame can be found at ArkFoodHOF.com.
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