If you truly want to understand a city, ask the locals where they eat. In Fort Smith that answer doesn’t involve a chain logo or a drive-thru. Instead, it carries a story, one rooted in family, culture, traditions, and a genuine love of good food.
Fort Smith’s dining scene reflects the city’s diverse culture. Immigrants who once stayed at Fort Chaffee brought authentic Korean, Vietnamese and Thai recipes that remain family traditions today. Others filled a need for modern flavors, introducing freshly baked bread, seafood, food trucks, and fusion menus. And then there are the classics, those Southern comfort spots where locals gather over biscuits and gravy, smoked ribs or a vintage milkshake.
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or wanting to eat like a local, here are the places that define Fort Smith’s flavor for residents.
Don’t miss our tips for Fancy Date Night Dinners and Hispanic-owned eateries we love!
Fort Smith Staples
🍽️ Neumeier’s Rib Room & Beer Garden
📍424 Garrison Ave.
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A Fort Smith landmark, the Rib Room combines smoky barbecue with live blues and a lively downtown vibe along the designated entertainment district. The outdoor beer garden hums with locals on warm nights, while inside, the walls tell stories from Garrison Avenue’s musical past. You’ll enjoy pulled pork, ribs and brisket cooked just right, along with cold beer and live music that keeps the patio busy year-round.
Fan favorite: Slow-smoked ribs with house barbecue sauce.
🍽️ Ed Walker’s Drive-In
📍1500 Towson Ave.
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Since 1943, Ed Walker’s Drive-In has been a Fort Smith icon and one of the last true drive-ins in Arkansas. Known for its massive French dip sandwich and cold mugs of root beer, it’s the kind of place where time feels like it’s stood still. Guests can still order from their car, just like previous generations did, or sit in a booth surrounded by vintage photos that tell the story of Fort Smith’s mid-century golden days. Every meal here feels like a retreat to simpler times, where comfort food and friendly faces never go out of style.
Fan favorite: French dip sandwich and a mug of housemade root beer
🍽️ Benson’s Grill
📍2515 Rogers Ave.
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There’s no place in town quite like Benson’s Grill—open 24 hours and known as the spot where night owls, early risers and everyone in between gather. Since the 1960s, this tiny diner has been serving up pancakes, omelets and burgers around the clock. The red vinyl stools, sizzling griddle and constant hum of conversation create a scene straight out of a classic Americana postcard. Whether you’re ending your night or starting your morning, Benson’s always feels like home.
Fan favorite: The Benson Burger, loaded with bacon, cheese, and a fried egg
🍽️ Calico County
📍2401 S 56th Street
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Calico County is a Fort Smith classic where nostalgia meets homemade comfort. Since the early 1980s, it has been serving hearty home-cooked meals that remind locals of Sunday dinners and family reunions. The decor feels like a cozy farmhouse kitchen, with mismatched chairs, floral tablecloths, and cinnamon rolls delivered to your table before your meal. Generous portions and friendly service make this one of those “everybody’s favorite” places—perfect for breakfast, business lunches or family celebrations.
Fan favorite: Chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and cream gravy. But the real reason is the homemade cinnamon rolls.
🍽️ Bonnie’s Dairy Freeze
📍5400 Midland Blvd
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At Bonnie’s Dairy Freeze, not much has changed since the 1950s and that’s precisely why locals love it. This cash-only drive-in still offers burgers wrapped in white paper, fountain sodas, and hand-dipped cones just like it did for generations. The sign out front is perfectly retro, and the line of regulars on warm evenings shows the timeless appeal of simple, well-made food. It’s the kind of place grandparents bring their grandkids to say, “This is where I came when I was your age.”
Fan favorite: a classic burger and shake or a chocolate-dipped vanilla cone.
Discover more reasons to visit Fort Smith!
Ethnic Cuisine
🍽️ Green Papaya
📍4412 Grand Ave. & 6301 US Hwy 271
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A beloved Vietnamese and Thai restaurant, Green Papaya is a key part of Fort Smith’s diverse food scene. The menu is full of bold flavors—hot pho, sweet-spicy stir-fry and fresh basil rolls—and the family running it has been serving local diners for years.
Fan favorite: Pho Beef Soup and Spring Rolls
🍽️ Phở Việtnam
📍2214 Rogers Ave.
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Family-owned since the early 2000s, Phở Việtnam offers an authentic taste of Vietnam with rich, aromatic broths and fresh herbs. The owners, who originally connected with Fort Chaffee’s refugee community, have built a reputation for warm hospitality and flavorful dishes that have endured for decades.
Fan favorite: BBQ pork Bahn Mi sandwich
🍽️ Tassanee’s Thai Cuisine
📍1611 Dodson Ave.
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Tassanee’s Thai Cuisine is one of Fort Smith’s hidden gems. Run by a Thai family with generations of recipes, each dish feels like it was made just for you. From spicy curries to delicate noodle dishes, the menu offers a mix of comforting and adventurous options, bringing loyal customers back week after week.
Fan favorite: Panang curry
🍽️ R&R’s Curry Express
📍1525 Rogers Ave.
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A quick and flavorful stop for Indian cuisine, R&R’s Curry Express offers the bold spices of India in downtown Fort Smith. It’s great for takeout or a quick casual lunch, and the portions match the rich flavors.
Fan favorite: Chicken tikka masala
Eat Like a Local
🍽️ Harvest Moon
📍5441 S 24th Street | Fort Smith
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This modern bakery and café celebrates local flavor in every sense of the word. Known for artisan breads, soups and fresh pastries made daily, Harvest Moon has become a go-to spot for weekday lunches and Saturday brunches. The cozy, bright space invites you to linger—and the smell of sourdough in the oven ensures you do.
Fan favorite: sourdough bread and donuts
🍽️ See’s Seafood
📍1229 Towson Rd
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One of Fort Smith’s newest gems, See’s Seafood, brings a Gulf Coast vibe to the River Valley. Expect fresh oysters, shrimp boils and catfish prepared perfectly—served in a relaxed space where every plate feels like a weekend at the beach.
Fan favorite: Cajun shrimp boil
🍽️ Art’s BBQ & Burgers
📍8203 Rogers Ave.
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Family-owned and proudly local, Art’s BBQ has long been the go-to place for barbecue and burgers done right. With a crowd that spans generations, the smoky aroma of pulled pork and brisket is their signature scent.
Fan favorite: Smoked brisket sandwich
🍽️ River City Bistro
📍3106 S 74th St
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River City Bistro offers a taste of New York-style deli dining right in the heart of Fort Smith. Its clean white walls, framed artwork, and inviting booths make it a favorite for both business lunches and weekend brunches. From matzo ball soup to fresh bagels, this place combines big-city flavor with Fort Smith charm.
Fan favorite: Reuben sandwich on marble rye
In Fort Smith, food tells the story of the city—its people, history and spirit. From classic drive-ins and international cuisines to new local spots, these beloved restaurants demonstrate why Fort Smith remains one of the top places to dine in Arkansas.
While you’re here, discover more to do around town, from shopping to history museums, military destinations, regional art experiences, outdoor art, coffee corners and fall foliage. We have much to discover!
