WA M inning enu

Arkansas takes food seriously. From agriculture to local restaurants to the jobs that employ many in The Natural State, food is at the heart of what everyday life means to many Arkansans. Each year, AY About You asks its readers to vote for their favorite restaurants to enjoy every type of food, dessert and drink you can think of. From Best Appetizer to Best Pimento Cheese, there are so many eateries worth celebrating.

According to the National Restaurant Association’s Arkansas State Statistics, there were 5,554 eating and drinking locations in 2021, with $6.5 billion estimated to be spent at these locations. Not only can Arkansans celebrate really great food, but when guests spend money at Arkansas restaurants, they are also supporting the entire state’s economy.

Grapette, cheese dip, fried okra, fried catfish and possum pie are just a few of the foods known for their iconic Arkansas connections and the legacy of these foods celebrated in restaurants around the state. Next time you decide to eat out, be sure to check AY About You’s 2023 Restaurant Readers Poll Winners list. Below are some of our favorites; check out the entire list to see how your go-to restaurant fared and in what category.