On Feb. 7, Arkansas Heritage announced the latest inductees into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. The program was launched in 2016 to recognize legendary restaurants, proprietors and food-themed events across the state.

 

These kings and queens of the state’s culinary scene may be new to the Hall, but not to our hearts — nor our taste buds. Each entry represents so much of what makes the fabric of Arkansas’s food landscape special, and they have been for a long, long time. 

 

The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame categories are: 

  Gone But Not Forgotten

  Food-Themed Event

  Proprietor of the Year

  People’s Choice 

  Arkansas Food Hall of Fame

 

“It’s special to see Arkansans from across the state come together to celebrate food, an important part of our state’s heritage and culture,” says Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “We are honored to recognize such incredible proprietors, restaurants and food-themed events that mean so much to our state and its residents.”

 

Winners were selected from a group of finalists announced in January, which were derived from a record number of nominations that flooded in from all 75 counties. This year’s inductees were chosen by a committee of Arkansans who are historians, chefs, foodies and food authors. The committee consisted of Hurst, Arkansas Heritage Director Jimmy Bryant, Paul S. Austin, Chip Culpepper, Quantia “Key” Fletcher, Cindy Grisham, Montine McNulty, Rex Nelson, Tim Nutt, Kat Robinson, Stephanie Wade, David Ware and Stanley Young. The People’s Choice category is the only exception, as it is decided by votes from the community.

 

Arkansas Heritage also named the Food of the Year for 2022 as chicken. Past foods include rice and corn. 

 

“Celebrating Arkansas food is a great way for all of us to enjoy our state’s heritage and share it with others, especially during uncertain times,” Hurst says. “We are thankful for each person across the state for getting involved.”

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Gone But Not Forgotten

“This award remembers the collective culinary legacy of a once-and-always influential
Arkansas restaurant that has since ceased operations.” 

 

Coy’s Steak House 

1945 – 2009 | Hot Springs

 

The humble beginnings of Coy’s Steak House were among the qualities that made it special — as they say, simply “a love for perfectly aged, expertly seasoned steaks.” From there, a restaurant blossomed, then two, then three. But no matter how popular the brand got, or how many customers walked through the doors, the mission always remained the same: work hard and treat people right. 

 

 

Such an endearing essence only made the tragedy that occurred in 2009 more heartbreaking. A fire destroyed the original location in Hot Springs, the only Coy’s remaining at that point. 

 

Since then, the brick-and-mortar side of things is gone, but the legacy remains in the famous seasonings — under the name Coy’s Southern Eats — which are available for purchase on the website: coyssoutherneats.com.

 

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People’s Choice

“This award identifies the public’s favorite. It is truly in the hands of Arkansans. The restaurant or food truck that receives the highest number of votes wins.”

 

La Casa de Mi Abuelita (Mawmaw’s House)

Central Arkansas

 

La Casa de Mi Abuelita has had a meteoric rise to food fame over the past few years. 

 

The food truck fleet, which nimbly serves multiple cities in Central Arkansas, is the brainchild of Chef Geovanny Villagran. Originally from Mexico, Villagran worked his way through the ranks of many kitchens throughout the state upon taking root here. One thing led to another, and La Casa de Mi Abuelita was born, a mobile way to showcase more authentic Mexican recipes. 

 

It might be a relative novelty, but it winning this popularity-based award is a testament to Villagran’s skills and the deliciousness of the fare. In addition to this recognition, Villagran also recently took home the title belt in the statewide cooking competition Diamond Chef Arkansas in 2021. 

 

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Proprietor of the Year

“This award honors a chef, cook and/or restaurant owner in Arkansas who has made significant achievements in the food industry.”

 

Capi Peck & Brent Peterson

Trio’s Restaurant Little Rock

 

It’s been a long time coming for Capi Peck and Brent Peterson, the partners behind the inimitable Trio’s Restaurant. Peck and Peterson have both been nominated numerous times, as has their restaurant, Trio’s, a 2021 Food Hall of Fame Finalist. The couple ultimately won the category this year, joining an exclusive group of Arkansas restaurateurs. 

 

 

She is the granddaughter of Henryetta and Sam Peck, local legends in their own right who ran the old Sam Peck Hotel in downtown Little Rock. The path she’s forged with Trio’s pays plenty of homage to their legacy, as many of the menu items at the restaurant originated from her grandfather. 

 

 

In addition to her executive chef/co-owner title at Trio’s, Peck also serves as the City Director of Little Rock’s Ward 4, is chair of the Advertising and Promotion Commission of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and is past president of the Arkansas Restaurant Association. 

 

 

Peterson co-founded Trio’s alongside Peck in 1986. He is also a native Arkansan, who attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where he graduated with honors and captained the swimming and water polo teams.

 

Prior to teaming up with Peck on Trio’s, he worked in various vocations, including as a wellness professional, an administrative aide for Rep. Beryl Anthony and waiter at Anderson’s Cajun’s Wharf.

 

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Food-Themed Event

“This award honors a community food-themed event or festival that makes our state a great place to live and visit.”

 

World Championship Duck Gumbo Cookoff

Stuttgart

 

If there’s one thing that attracts the masses to Stuttgart every year, it’s the ducks. That, and the World Championship Duck Gumbo Cookoff, a branch of the Wings Over the Prairie Festival. 

 

Thousands of people — from around and outside of Arkansas — flock to the city every year for the heralded event. Over the years of tradition, heritage and good times it represents, it has become one of the most popular social gatherings in the state’s history. 

 

So much so, that it’s not uncommon to rub shoulders with literal celebrities at the festivities. Jerry Jones is one of the frequent flyers, as are numerous politicians and big-time business folk. 

 

Between all the socializing is the star of the show — gumbo. Dozens of teams compete for the crown of World’s Best Duck Gumbo, while attendees compete to get a taste of each and every one. 

 

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Food Hall of Fame

“This award recognizes those long-standing restaurants that have become legendary attractions in Arkansas.”

 

Colonial Steak House

Pine Bluff

 

Colonial Steak House has a history that is as rich as the food. 

 

The location was originally an elementary school in 1912 and became a training facility for returning veterans after World War II. What is now Colonial Steak House was founded by Mildred Compton in 1974 a few blocks away, later moving into the old school/veterans facility in 1987 after a fire destroyed the restaurant. 

 

 

It’s passed through the hands of several owners along the way, most recently Allison Hall, but its impact on the community and its popularity have never wavered.

 

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Dairy King

Portia

 

Discreet would be a word to describe the fabled Dairy King location in Portia. Its unassuming building is located in an indiscreet town — thankfully, you can’t pass through without someone pointing you to the building that simply reads “Dairy King: Ice Cream, Catfish, Steaks, Shakes.” No frills, just food. But, as folks already familiar with the legendary spot can attest, that’s about all you need to know. No further advertising necessary. 

 

 

Its origins date back to the 1950s, as it began as “Dairy King Drive In.” Like many long-standing restaurants, a few things have changed over the years — but not much. It’s a place dripping with nostalgia, comfort and stick-to-your-ribs Southern fare.

 

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Neal’s Cafe

Springdale

 

For more than 70 years, Neal’s Cafe has been a landmark in Northwest Arkansas. Founded in the 1940s by Bertha and Toy Neal, it is a cultural and culinary staple of the region. 

 

 

Neal’s is one of those places where it is hard to narrow down the crowd favorites. The breakfast spreads are chattered about for miles, but so too are lunch and dinner. The chicken fried steak turns heads, along with the meatloaf and chicken and dumplings. Its walls are filled with taxidermied elk and deer heads, rifles and a stone fireplace. It’s the perfect concoction of everything that is good about old-fashioned, country cooking.

 

 

READ MORE: Legends Never Die: Legendary Arkansas Eateries Bucket List