Twelve Arkansas restaurants are finalists for Arkansas Heritage’s 2023 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism announced the list on Monday:
Betty’s Old Fashion, El Dorado; Big Banjo Pizza, Pine Bluff; Black Angus, Little Rock; Bulldog Restaurant, Bald Knob; Daisy Queen, Marshall; DeVito’s Restaurant, Harrison; Hugos, Fayetteville;; Kream Castle, Blytheville; Meachams Family Restaurant, Ash Flat; Ozark Cafe, Jasper; Skyline Cafe, Mena; and the Ohio Club, Hot Springs.
Established in 2016, the Hall of Fame recognizes “Arkansas’ legendary restaurants, owners and food-themed events across the state,” according to a press release.
Finalists for the Owner of the Year honors are Chuck Taylor, Taylor’s Steakhouse, Dumas; Chester and Laura Huntsman, Beech Street Bistro, Crossett; David Stobaugh, Stoby’s Restaurant, Conway; James Woods, Lumberyard, Camden; Jamie McAfee, Pine Bluff Country Club, Pine Bluff; and Jim Keet, JTJ Restaurants, Little Rock.
Finalists for “Food-Themed Event”: the Slovak Oyster Dinner of the Knights of Columbus in Slovak; the Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cook-Off at Magnolia; and the Mayhaw Festival in El Dorado.
Gallery: 2023 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Finalists
Gone But Not Forgotten Finalists – honoring once influential Arkansas restaurants that are no longer in operation: 4-Dice Restaurant, Fordyce; Bohemian restaurant, hot springs; Chips BBQ, Little Rock; and Sir Loin’s Inn, North Little Rock.
All nominees and finalists are listed on ArkFoodHOF.com.
The Food Hall of Fame Committee reviewed more than 1,800 entries in five categories (including People’s Choice) from all 75 counties of Arkansas in October.
They will select the winners and announce them and the People’s Choice Award winner (based on total nominations received) at a hybrid ceremony (in-person and virtual) on March 6 at the Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Avenue, Little Skirt. Admission tickets are $20.
The committee, made up of Arkansas historians, chefs, foodies, and food writers, includes Paul S. Austin, Jimmy Bryant, Chip Culpepper, Quantia “Key” Fletcher, Cindy Grisham, Montine McNulty, Rex Nelson, Tim Nutt, Kat Robinson, Stephanie Wade, David Ware and Stanley Young, and Mike Mills, Secretary of the Heritage Department.
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