From longtime local favorites and roadside dairy bars to small-town diners serving up homemade pies, Arkansas has plenty of stories to tell through its food. Across several Arkansas TV programs, viewers can take a trip around the Natural State to discover the restaurants, recipes and people that make its food scene unique. Whether you're revisiting a familiar favorite or discovering a new place to add to your must-visit list, these programs offer a taste of Arkansas and the communities behind it.
“TASTE BUDS”
“Taste Buds,” hosted by actor/comedian Brett Ihler, highlights favorite local restaurants around the state and the friendly faces behind them. Arkansas TV’s film crew traveled across the state, telling stories of Arkansas’s favorite restaurants. Each episode takes a half-hour journey in search of the most fantastic flavors and friendliest faces across Arkansas. “Taste Buds” highlights Arkansans’ favorite places to eat – all while catching up with local community members to get the inside scoop on what makes these dishes favorites in Arkansas.
Restaurants highlighted in “Taste Buds” include:
- Dixie Pig in Blytheville.
- Mud Street Cafe in Eureka Springs.
- Star of India in Little Rock.
- Taylor’s Steakhouse in Dumas.
- Oark General Store in Oark.
- Pops Place in Texarkana.
“ARKANSAS DAIRY BARS: NEAT EATS AND COOL TREATS”
A popular mid-century sight all across America, dairy bars – restaurants where customers order ice cream and burgers outdoors through a window – are thriving. Food historian, author and enthusiastic foodie Kat Robinson visits these iconic restaurants across the state in the new special, “Arkansas Dairy Bars: Neat Eats & Cool Treats.”
Restaurants featured in “Arkansas Dairy Bars: Neat Eats & Cool Treats” include:
- Feltner’s Whatta-Burger in Russellville.
- Bailey’s Dairy Treat in Hot Springs.
- Dairyette in Mount Ida.
- Susie Q Malt Shop in Rogers.
- Burge’s Hickory Smoked Turkeys & Hams in Lewisville and Little Rock.
- Ray’s in Monticello.
- Salem Dairy Bar in Benton.
- Kream Kastle in Blytheville.
- The Bulldog Restaurant in Bald Knob.
- Hamburger Station in Paragould.
- Troy’s Drive-In in De Witt.
- The Original ScoopDog in North Little Rock.
- Daisy Queen in Marshall.
“MAKE ROOM FOR PIE”
“Make Room for Pie” is the story of Arkansas, told through a diverse and eclectic batch of pie bakers, from the Delta to the Ozark Mountains. Author Kat Robinson takes viewers on a delicious tour of old-time diners and off-the-beaten-path cafes, where pies are created with love and sweet perfection.
Restaurants and bakeries highlighted in the film include:
- Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets in Keo.
- Big John’s/Tacker’s Shake Shack in Marion.
- Lindsey’s Hospitality House in North Little Rock.
- Honey Pies in Little Rock.
- Miss Anna’s on Towson in Fort Smith.
- Ed Walker’s Drive-In in Fort Smith.
- Sweet Treats Sandwich & Pie Shop in Lamar.
- Hillbilly Hideout in Ozark.
- PattiCakes Bakery in Conway.
- Shangri-La Resort in Mount Ida.
- Mr. & Mrs. Chef in Hot Springs.
- The Skillet Restaurant in Mountain View.
- Batten’s Donuts & Bakery in Paragould.
- Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales & Pies in Lake Village.
- The Backyard B-B-Q Co. in Magnolia.
*NOTE: Some restaurants featured in these shows may have since closed.
WATCH NOW
Watch these programs on the Arkansas TV YouTube channel.