I’m of the firm belief that the best barbecue in the world comes from the tiniest, most unsuspecting places. Whether that’s because they’ve invested in the recipe more than the venue or just because barbecue tastes better when served with a smile, I’ll never know. If you also believe the best barbecue comes from hole-in-the-wall eateries, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find nine of the best BBQ restaurants in Arkansas, and they’re all small enough to make you feel right at home.

1. Jones Bar-B-Q Diner
Facebook/Jones Bar-B-Q Diner
Yelp/Jennifer H.
This one is going to make it near the top of our barbecue lists every time, y’all. Jones Bar-B-Q Diner is an institution, a James Beard award winning Arkansas eatery that is the very definition of "hole in the wall." Be cautious about when you go to Jones Bar-B-Q Diner though, as they run out of slow-cooked meat very early in the day—and I do mean every single day. It’s just that good.

Address: 219 W Louisiana Street, Marianna, AR 72360
Visit the website by clicking here.
2. H.B.’s Bar-B-Q
Yelp/Rhett B.
Yelp/Rhett B.
H.B.’s isn’t about to open up a boring old chain. They do what they do best—and that’s mouthwatering barbecue made in a small neighborhood restaurant. When I say they’re a neighborhood restaurant, I really mean that. They call a residential neighborhood home. H.B.’s has been in the barbecue business since 1961, and they’re still serving up roasted meat to die for.

Address: 6010 Lancaster Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209
Visit the website by clicking here.
3. Hog Pen
Yelp/Jon F.
Yelp/Henry K.
Don’t worry, they don’t really have a hog out in their outside pen. Inside, however, they do have some fine barbecue. From dry-rubbed ribs to their own incredible barbecue sauce, the Hog Pen is great eats in a clean, friendly setting.

Address: 800 Walnut Street, Conway, AR 72032
Visit the website by clicking here.
4. Gene’s BBQ
Yelp/Hotels H.
Yelp/Chris J.
Gene’s is a favorite hiding in the small town of Brinkley. You’re going to love the awesome barbecue there, and all the other Arkansas favorites they serve alongside it. It isn’t unheard of to get catfish and barbecue on the same plate at Gene’s.

Address: 1107 AR-17, Brinkley, AR 72021
Visit the website by clicking here.
5. Craig’s
Tripadvisor/Mike M.

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Tripadvisor/tcut
Craig’s isn’t much to look at, but if you’re after totally delicious hunks of meat slathered in drink-able barbecue sauce, you’re looking at a restaurant you don’t want to miss. They offer a full menu of down-home favorites in a cozy, hometown setting.

Address: 15 Walnut, De Valls Bluff, AR 72041
Visit the website by clicking here.
6. Pig’n-Chik
Tripadvisor/Darrell B.
Yelp/Dale R.
If you’re looking for mouthwatering barbecue in a laidback atmosphere, you need to head to central Arkansas, to the town of Sherwood. You’re going to find a variety of comforting items on their menu, including some absolutely fantastic barbecue. From ribs to pulled pork, they serve slow roasted meat to die for.

Address: 7824 AR-107, Sherwood, AR 72120
Visit the website by clicking here.
7. Sims Bar-B-Q
Yelp/Craig B.
Yelp/Arcadian B.
Okay, Sims does have more than one location around Little Rock, but all of their homes are humble abodes. Folks in Little Rock have grown up on Sims, partly because they’ve been around since 1937. It isn’t only tradition that’s kept Sims in business so long. They’ve stuck around because their barbecue is out of this world.

You can find a Slims location by clicking here.
8. Kibbs BBQ
Yelp/Joe G.
Tripadvisor/3duckdave
Homemade fries and perfect, smokey meat awaits you in Stuttgart. Kibbs has been serving up falling-off-the-bone meats for more than 40 years and they’re still going strong. The restaurant doesn’t look like much, but boy their plates have a lot going on.

Address: 1102 E Harrison Street, Stuttgart, AR 72160
Visit the website by clicking here.
9. Bubba’s Barbecue
Tripadvisor/Linda M.
Tripadvisor/MahCarrenho
If it weren’t for the sign you’d probably think Bubba’s in Eureka Springs was somebody’s house, right? Well, you can’t exactly order a truly enormous plate of ribs at somebody’s house. Bubba’s pit barbecue is absolutely decadent, and that home-like atmosphere adds to the experience, too.

Address: 166 W Van Buren, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Visit the website by clicking here.

Did your favorite make the list? What do you think are the best BBQ restaurants in Arkansas?

For more hole in the wall restaurants in Arkansas you’ll love, click here. To find your complete barbecue bucket list, try this list.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best BBQ Restaurants In Arkansas

Marisa Roman | September 27, 2019

Is Arkansas known for BBQ?

When most people think about barbecue, they immediately think of the south. But with all the local restaurants in Arkansas, it’s only right that this state harbors some of the best BBQ around. In fact, Arkansas even has a BBQ Trail to tackle, which includes a ton of deliciousness throughout the best barbecue restaurants dives, joints, and holes in the wall. You can enjoy the savory barbecue sauces that are mustard or tomato-based and indulge in some seriously good barbecue whenever you visit Arkansas. Just keep in mind that not all Arkansas barbecue joints are made the same! Check out the spots in advance so you know exactly what style of barbecue to expect when you visit.

What style of BBQ can be found in Arkansas?

For some people, barbecue is barbecue. But for others, there is a major difference between types of barbecue throughout the country. For instance, Arkansas barbecue draws on traditions from Texas and Memphis, which uses beef and pork with a red sauce. Memphis style BBQ is slow-cooked in a pit and can be prepared either wet or dry. While there may be some hole in the wall restaurant in Arkansas that strays from the style of BBQ this state is known for, many of the restaurants tend to follow the same style of BBQ throughout. While some residents may think the best barbecue in Arkansas has a tomato-based approach, others may go head over heels for the more vinegar-based style. Just know before you go so that you can always enjoy the best of the best according to your tastebuds.

What are the other best hole in the wall restaurants in Arkansas?

Not every hidden gem restaurant in Arkansas has to be a barbecue restaurant. In fact, there are plenty of hole in the wall restaurants in Arkansas that have nothing to do with barbecue at all! Just remember that big flavor often comes in small packages, which means these tiny restaurants sure do pack a punch. A few of the best hole in the wall eateries in Arkansas include Tiny Thai Place in Monticello, Stroud’s Diner in Mayflower, Pat’s Place in Stuttgart, Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales in Lake Village, Shark’s Fish & Chicken in Jacksonville, Four Corners Kitchen in Fayetteville, Sky Lark Cafe in Leslie, and Heirloom in Rogers.

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Explore Arkansas

Featured Addresses
219 W Louisiana St, Marianna, AR 72360, USA
6010 Lancaster Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209, USA
800 Walnut St, Conway, AR 72032, USA
1107 AR-17, Brinkley, AR 72021, USA
15 Walnut, De Valls Bluff, AR 72041, USA
7824 AR-107, Sherwood, AR 72120, USA
1102 E Harrison St, Stuttgart, AR 72160, USA
166 W Van Buren, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, USA