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The Top 10 Restaurants In Springdale, Arkansas

AQ Chicken House
AQ Chicken House | © Stefan Krasowski, Flickr

Arkansas is home to lush vegetation, impressive mountain ranges, and the Mississippi River – and the state’s fourth largest city, Springdale. Named the ‘Poultry Capital of the World’ in 2013, Springdale is the place to try some of the region’s exceptional Southern dishes. Here, The Culture Trip charts the top 10 restaurants in Springdale, Arkansas.

E Emma Ave

MarketPlace Grill

MarketPlace Grill prides itself on delivering fresh, wholesome meals for the families of Arkansas. Inspired by the local produce and community values of the traditional American marketplace, MarketPlace Grill was founded in 1995 with a mission to bring the soul of home cooking back to the restaurant industry. Sample flavorful southern delights including boom boom shrimp, wild hog tacos, grilled raspberry chicken, and Jambalaya pasta. For gluten-free eaters, there’s an equally colorful and extensive menu with a Thai crunch salad, portobello burger, and MarketPlace’s favorite pulled pork with signature barbecue sauce.

Marketplace Grill, 1636 S 48th Street, Springdale, AR, USA (+1) 479-750-5200

Angus Jack

If a quintessential American burger is what you’re after then Angus Jack is where to get your fix. Angus Jack aims to elevate fast-food into a better experience with its range of quality meat (100% Angus beef) and hand-cut french fries. Try the Black Jack, an Angus beef patty with blue cheese crumbles, blackened seasoning and grilled jalapeños, or the colossal LumberJack, a three-patty, three-cheese stack with unlimited vegetable fillings. There’s also non-beef options like Angus Jack’s ultimate grilled cheese, Jumpin’ Jack chicken tortilla wrap, as well as onion straws, sweet potato fries and more. Wash it all down with a chilled milkshake or a Jack Frost, available in 20 and 22 flavors respectively. It’s the end of bun-less burgers, as Angus Jack also strives to deliver an uncompromisable experience for gluten-intolerant eaters too.

Angus Jack, 2638 W Sunset Ave, Springdale, AR, USA (+1) 479-717-2940

AQ Chicken House

AQ Chicken House

Restaurant, American

If fried chicken is a hallmark of South American cuisine, then AQ Chicken House is one of Arkansas’s longstanding purveyors. In 1947, original founder of AQ Chicken House (AQ standing for ‘Arkansas Quality’) Roy Ritter, launched the restaurant to prove just how good chicken could taste, Southern style. Serving over a million hungry customers each year, AQ Chicken House has two Arkansas locations, Springdale and Fayetteville. Southern favorites from the menu include deep fried chicken livers, Blackbird sandwich (the house special crust, chicken breast, Swiss cheese, salad and ciabatta bun), and the chicken ‘over coals’ with the house lemon and pepper sauce.

Blue Fin Sushi Bar & Grill

Sushi fans know where to go for their California rolls in Springdale. Blue Fin’s low-key but vibrant restaurant has a menu with flair that delights lovers of Japanese cuisine. For appetizers try the tempura calamari, stuffed jalapeños, or crab rangoon – fried crab meat stuffed with cream cheese and scallions, wrapped in wonton skin. Sushi rolls are their speciality; popular choices include the Volcano Roll (spicy crab, avocado, baked crawfish, spicy mayo), Highland Roll (red snapper, jalapeños, avocado, deep fried), Wasabi Tuna Roll (white tuna, cucumber, honey wasabi sauce and spicy mayo). Children won’t feel left out with the Hello Kitty fried rice. Blue Fin also has regular promotions which you can find on their Facebook page.

Blue Fin Sushi Bar & Grill, 4276 W Sunset Ave, Ste B, Springdale, Arkansas, USA (+1) 479-717-2877

Onyx Coffee Lab

Onyx Coffee Lab

Located on the east side of Springdale, Onyx Coffee Lab puts customer experience at the heart of its project. The antithesis of global coffee chains, Onyx hosts regular coffee testings and brewing classes by skilled baristas. Founded by coffee enthusiasts Jon and Andrea, Onyx coffee is sourced directly from fair trade farms and hand roasted on-site in small batches to contain the correct aroma of the bean. Guatemala Ceylan Orange Bourbon (notes of kumquat, sweet nut brittle, black tea, juicy herbals), Sugar Skull Blend (milk chocolate, candied walnuts and orange zest) and Ethiopian Baraka Buna (tropical fruit, perfumed honey, sweet cherry, coconut milk, black tea) are among some of the best sellers.

Onyx Coffee Lab, 7058 W. Sunset Ave, Springdale, AR, USA (+1) 479-419-5739

Charly’s Taqueria

This family-run taqueria is a firm favorite with the locals of Arkansas for their traditional Mexican cuisine, great service and low-key ambiance. Charly’s range of Mexican dishes are both authentic and delectable; ceviche and horchata and burritos grandes are especially recommended. And if you’re there on the weekend, be sure to try menudo, a Mexican speciality. Excellent value and quality flavors keep fans coming back again and again.

Charly’s Taqueria, 1830 S Pleasant Street, Springdale, AR, USA (+1) 479-751-7888

Mary Maestri’s

This genuine Italian Grillrooom has been a family enterprise since 1923. Mary Maestri‘s serves gourmet Italian cuisine, including signature steaks, as well as homemade pasta and bread. Sample a fillet mignon or New York strip steak Italian style, with a choice side of homemade spaghetti, french fries, zucchini pomadori or broccoli milanese. And steaks don’t stop at meat; there’s a huge variety of fish available such as red snapper, pecan-crusted salmon, and grilled jumbo shrimp. Don’t forget to make room for dessert, the tiramisu and chocolate espresso torte are local favorites.

Mary Maestri’s, 669 E. Robinson (Highway 412 E.) Springdale, AR, USA (+1) 479-756-1441

Spring Street Grill

Situated in downtown Springdale, Spring Street Grill opened in 1987, with the principle of offering simple home-cooked goodness. The restaurant offers crisp-fresh salads, a wide selection of hot or cold sandwiches, unrivaled burgers, and an impressive breakfast menu. Those with an appetite should opt for the colossal steak and eggs – an eight ounce rib eye steak with two eggs, home fries and a choice of biscuit and gravy, biscuit with butter, English muffin or toast. Also not to be missed are the delicious homemade pies which are heralded the neighborhood’s best.
Spring Street Grill, 101 Spring Street, Springdale, AR, USA (+1) 479-751-0323

Tupelo Biscuits & Gravy

Susan’s Restaurant

Hailed for its winning breakfasts and friendly atmosphere, Susan’s Restaurant has been serving top-notch comfort food for 19 years. Freshly-made iced tea, classic American biscuits and gravy, fluffy pancakes, freshly-baked cinnamon rolls, outstanding omelets, French toast and Belgian waffles…the choice is extensive. While the breakfast proves popular, the lunch is a hit too with burgers, steaks, Italian-style chicken and spaghetti on the menu.

Susan’s Restaurant, 1440 W Sunset Ave, Springdale, AR, USA (+1) 479-751-1445

James at the Mill

Featuring stunning contemporary architecture, award-winning restaurant and hotel James at the Mill elevates the traditional Southern dining experience. Blending traditional and contemporary American flavors, chef Miles James has created a menu of Ozark Plateau Cuisine. Try delights including the Cuban-style ‘chicken-fried’ filet of beef on cilantro rice, black beans, lime aioli, red pepper and scallion. Alternatively, try the herb-seared wild Scottish salmon with corn-chickpea succotash, sautéed greens and white wine butter sauce. There’s also a five-course tasting menu.

James at the Mill, 3906 Johnson Mill Blvd., Springdale, AR, USA (+1) 479-443-1400

About the author

Alice White Walker is a freelance writer with an eternal appetite for the unknown. After studying English Literature and Classics at the University of Reading and working in digital publishing, a niggling thirst for the French language and caf? society drove Alice to swap her native London for Paris. A year-something into living la vie fran?aise, Alice loves to unearth Paris's best bars, eateries and museums for The Culture Trip and her blog www.alicewhitewalker.co.uk. At her happiest reading in Buttes-Chaumont, making an Aperol Spritz or planning the next road trip. Her favorite spots are Naples, New York, the Greek Islands, and of course, Paris.

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