Brinkley sits in the Arkansas Delta, and Exit 216 on I-40 puts a whole row of food stops within a short drive of the ramp. Some are national names you already know. Others are local spots that serve fajitas, fried catfish, and other plates you will not find at every exit.
This list covers seven places along North Main Street and nearby, so you can pick the right meal for the moment. Need breakfast at any hour? Want a sit-down dinner with the family?
Looking for a quick sandwich before the next stretch of road? Each stop here has its own reason to be on the list, and a few of them might change where you pull off next time you pass through.
1. Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant, Brinkley, AR
Fajitas are the headline here, served in generous portions at this Mexican restaurant on North Main Street. Shrimp fajitas and the Ranchero Special stand out, and Carne Asada is another menu highlight.
The dining room has table service, and the menu covers lunch, dinner, and dessert. A kids’ menu and high chairs make it workable for families, and a full vegetarian menu gives meatless eaters real choices.
The restaurant sits less than half a mile from I-40 at Exit 216. It is open every day from 11 AM to 9 PM, accepts reservations, and has a roomy parking lot. Expect to spend roughly $10 to $20 per person.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest. If your schedule is flexible, weekday afternoons are calmer. The phone number is 870-734-1855 if you want to plan ahead for a group.
2. JJ’s Fish and Grill, Brinkley, AR
Truckers and road-trippers get a break here, because there is parking beside the building. JJ’s is both a casual restaurant and a convenience store, so you can eat and grab supplies in one stop.
Fried catfish and shrimp are the draw, and the menu highlight is the 3 Fish and 3 Wings combo. It is a straightforward comfort food stop with small plates and quick bites for lunch or dinner.
Counter service and table service are both available, and takeout and delivery are offered. A kids’ menu is on hand for younger travelers.
Hours run from 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday and on Sunday, and until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is at 1107 N Main St, and the phone number is 870-734-9965. Prices land in the $10 to $20 range per person.
3. Waffle House, Brinkley, AR
Open 24 hours a day, every day, this is the stop for road-trip schedules that do not follow a clock. Breakfast is available all day, and the signature waffles lead the menu.
Scattered Hashbrowns are a menu highlight and can be made vegan. Coffee, comfort food, and a full vegetarian menu round out the choices for lunch, dinner, or a late snack.
The kitchen sits within the dining area, so you can watch your order come together. Seating and table service are available, along with takeout, but reservations are not accepted.
You will find it at 1407 N Main St, close to the Exit 216 interchange. Mornings on weekends are the busiest stretch, while Monday night and Tuesday evening are quieter. The phone number is 870-734-3533.
4. McDonald’s, Brinkley, AR
Early risers have a clear option, since the doors open at 5 AM. This McDonald’s stays open until 11 PM most nights and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
The Big Mac and the Happy Meal Hamburger are the menu highlights, and coffee is a draw for morning drivers. You can eat inside, use the drive-through, or choose curbside pickup, takeout, or delivery.
Families get a few extras, including high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. The restaurant also offers Wi-Fi, which helps if you need to check a route before pulling back onto the interstate.
It is at 1406 N Main St, and the phone number is 870-734-1410. Parking is free and usually plentiful.
5. Pizza Hut, Brinkley, AR
A sit-down pizza stop with a salad bar is a nice change when the road has been all drive-through. This Pizza Hut offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery, and its menu is built around pizza, wings, pasta, sides, and desserts.
The salad bar offers a variety of options, which gives lighter eaters something to build a plate from. Pizza here comes with evenly spread toppings and a well-cooked crust.
Travelers in a hurry can use the pick-up window instead of staying for a meal. That makes it flexible for both a relaxed family dinner and a fast grab-and-go order.
The address is 1516 N Main St, and the phone number is 870-734-1351. Hours are 10:30 AM to 10 PM most days, with a later close of 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Sunday and Friday evenings are the busiest times.
6. Sonic Drive-In, Brinkley, AR
Shakes and popcorn chicken make a fine reward after a long drive. This Sonic has an old-school drive-in feel, with retro-style car service alongside takeout and a drive-through.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert are all on the menu, and late-night food is available. Hours run from 6 AM to midnight Monday through Saturday and from 7 AM to midnight on Sunday.
Dogs are allowed outside, which is handy for travelers with a four-legged passenger. Restrooms are available, and a kids’ menu keeps the younger crowd covered.
The location is 1305 N Charlyne Ave, just off North Main Street. The phone number is 870-734-2434, and afternoons tend to be the busiest.
7. Subway, Brinkley, AR
For anyone trying to eat lighter on a long haul, this counter-serve shop makes it easy. Sandwiches and salads are built to order, and the menu includes healthy options plus full vegetarian and vegan choices.
The shop is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it also offers catering. You can dine in, take your order to go, or choose curbside pickup or delivery.
Electric vehicle drivers will like the location, since a Tesla Supercharger station is within walking distance. That gives you time to eat while the car charges.
It is at 1305 N Main St, and the phone number is 870-734-2100. Hours are 8 AM to 9 PM Monday through Friday and on Sunday, but only until 4 PM on Saturday. The lot is small, so finding a space can take a minute.
From fajitas to catfish to a quick sandwich, Brinkley gives you plenty of ways to turn a highway stop into a real meal.
Share this story
