1. Whole Hog Café
Back Story: A longtime favorite of Arkansans, Whole Hog Café has won more awards than we can count, and remains Arkansas’ only “World Champion” barbecue café. It was even featured on Food Network’s “Tasty Travels with Rachel Ray” and listed in Fodor’s as a “don’t miss” in Arkansas.

The Dish: Smoked to perfection, the selection includes pulled pork, pork loin, beef brisket, smoked chicken, and of course, Whole Hog’s award-winning ribs, which are slathered in a top-secret, 16-ingredient glaze. Six sauces, ranging from sweet and mild, to tangy, to spicy, please every palate.

  • 2516 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 664-5025
  • 12111 W. Markham St., Little Rock, (501) 917-6124
  • 5107 Warden Road, North Little Rock, (501) 753-9227

WholeHogCafe.com, WholeHogCafeNLR.com

2. Lindsey’s Hospitality House
Back Story: Lindsey’s barbecue isn’t just a specialty; it’s a family tradition dating back to their first restaurant in 1954, opened by D.L. Lindsey Sr. Their homemade (and highly addictive) sauce has become so popular it’s sold by the bottle.

The Dish: Try a beef, pork or smoked link sandwich, or ribs with sides of fried okra and black-eyed peas. For dessert, order a fried pie. (Yankees: A fried pie is pie dough filled usually with fruit and then fried to flaky perfection, in a half-moon shape.) They’ve got peach, apple or chocolate. Good luck with that decision.

207 E. 15th St., North Little Rock, (501) 374-5707
LindseysBBQNMore.com

3. Capitol Smokehouse & Grill
Back Story: This is a fairly new BBQ joint, but its owners, Doug and Candy Wilkerson, aren’t rookies in the restaurant biz. They’ve taken their 20 years of experience and made this cozy restaurant a real gem. Less than a mile from the State Capitol, CSG is decorated with political memorabilia and is always bustling with a mix of loyal local patrons and visitors.

The Dish: We recommend ordering a pulled pork sandwich topped with one of three signature sauces: Froggy Bottom, Pigtrail or mild. Pair it with baked mac ‘n cheese and fresh squash casserole. CSG also serves daily Southern lunch specials, like chicken and dressing and meatloaf.

915 W. Capitol Ave., Little Rock, (501) 372-4227
CapitolSmokehouseAndGrill.com

4. Sim’s Bar-B-Que
Back Story: Sim’s has been dishing up delicious barbecue since 1937 when it was opened by Allen and Amelia Sims. They have three “sit down” restaurant locations in central Arkansas, and several carry-out express restaurants are in the works.

The Dish: Slow-cooked, hickory smoked items include pork ribs, whole chickens and brisket. They also serve more unique items like barbecued salad and smoked bologna sandwiches. Pair your meal with turnip greens and potato salad, and polish it off with a fried pie or a slice of homemade sweet potato pie. You won’t regret it.  
1307 John Barrow Road, Little Rock, (501) 224-2057
SimsBarbeque-AR.com

5. Chip’s
Back Story: Family owned and operated, Chip’s has been a Little Rock favorite since 1961, when Tom and Tina Chipman opened it as a neighborhood “drive-in.” Chip’s preservative-free barbecue sauces are bottled daily at their Markham Street location and are shipped all over the country for visitors who get hooked.

The Dish: Try their hickory smoked beef, pork, ham, chicken breast, turkey and ribs with sides of their crispy, golden fries and hushpuppies. For dessert, sample a slice of one of their homemade pies. Offerings include coconut, banana, pumpkin, pecan, lemon and, our favorite, chocolate. 

9801 W. Markham St., Little Rock, (501) 225-4346
Chips-Barbecue.com