34
taste
The Diner Things in Life Words Dwain Hebda images courtesy featured restaurants
A few years ago, a group of us spent some time in Fort Smith attending the Old Fort Days Rodeo. After a particularly entertaining evening on the grounds, we were looking for a late dinner that showed off the local fare. It was only our second or third trip to the city, so we didn’t know our way around well and we stuck to the downtown area where we were staying. Wanting to eat, the non-bar options appeared slim that night until we turned a corner and Benson’s Grill came into view. We slid into a booth, unaware that we were about to eat like kings, as fascinated by the fact there was still an independent, 24-hour spot to be had as we were impressed by the impeccable burgers and sides. Upon doing some research, we found Fort Smith actually
enjoys a trove of riches when it comes to diners. Ed Walker’s Drive-In (for the French Dip) and Miss Anna’s on Towson (try the plate lunches) have also enjoyed a long and flavorful partnership with the community, providing home cooking and tradition to a restaurant scene increasingly dominated by chains. Being as this is Arkansas, a land of patchwork small towns and close-knit communities, the hometown diner is as alive and well here as anywhere. We sniffed out a few of these below, but what follows is nothing close to an exhaustive list. That’s the fun of diners and small-town cafés: you never know when you’re going to discover something delicious. So, get off the highway and take the backroads this summer and drop us a line about what you discover. We’re always hungry to hear from you.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
