Some of the best steaks in Arkansas are served miles from the nearest stoplight. Think cotton fields in the Delta, log cabins in the Ozarks, and a restaurant on the banks of the White River. These eight steakhouses sit on rural highways and back roads, and each one has its own reason to make the trip.
Some focus on dry-aged cuts, others pair steak with tamales, trout, or lake views. Several keep short weekly hours, so a little planning goes a long way. Here is where to point the car next time you want a thick steak without the chain restaurant crowd.
1. Taylor’s, Dumas, AR
Cotton fields and farmland surround Taylor’s on AR-54, well outside the small town of Dumas. The restaurant calls itself a casual steakhouse, and it specializes in both dry-aged and wet-aged steaks.
The Dry Aged Ribeye Steak is a menu highlight, and a bone-in 30 day dry aged ribeye is among the cuts steak fans look for. The kitchen works with USDA Prime beef, which gives the menu a serious footing for a place so far from a city.
Dinner is served Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 to 9 PM, and the restaurant is closed the rest of the week. Reservations are accepted and recommended for dinner. Dessert, a wine list, and a kids’ menu round things out, so it works for couples and for families.
Plan on a higher price point, since the cost runs $100 or more per person. Free parking is available, and takeout is an option too.
2. Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, Eureka Springs, AR
A restored historic log cabin is the dining room here, set along the winding AR-23 just outside Eureka Springs. Woods press in on the road, and the cabin makes dinner feel like a small occasion.
The menu leans toward steak and seafood. Prime Rib and Filet Mignon share space with Shrimp Scampi, Escargot, and a Wedge Salad, while the sides include Steakhouse Mac N Cheese. For dessert there is Chocolate Bread Pudding.
A fireplace, a bar, and a private dining room are part of the setup. Expect a possible wait, so reservations are recommended.
Doors open for dinner only, Wednesday through Sunday, starting at 5 PM. Prices run roughly $40 to $100 per person, and the parking lot is free.
3. The Tamale Factory
Steak and tamales on one menu sounds like a mix-up, but in the Arkansas Delta it makes sense. The Tamale Factory in Augusta serves Delta-style tamales alongside T-bone steaks and catfish.
Portions are large. Groups often share a dozen tamales with chili, then move on to salads and a big porterhouse before dessert.
Hours are short and simple: Friday and Saturday, 5 to 10 PM. Everything else is closed, so this is a weekend plan. Reservations are accepted, and a bar is on site.
Dinner usually lands between $20 and $70 per person, which keeps it friendlier on the wallet than most steakhouses. Parking is free and usually plentiful, and takeout is available if you want to eat elsewhere.
4. The Grill at Whispering Woods, Jordan, AR
Sunset over Norfork Lake is part of the draw at this restaurant on State Highway 177. The road runs through hills and bluffs in the small community of Jordan, and the dining room looks out over the water.
The menu goes beyond steak. Scott’s Steak sits next to the Whispering Woods Burger and Fried Green Tomatoes, and homemade desserts finish the meal. Vegetarian and vegan menus are available too, which helps mixed groups.
Lunch and dinner are served Tuesday through Sunday, and Monday is closed. Evenings, especially Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, tend to be the busiest.
Outdoor seating, a fireplace, and live music add options, and dogs are allowed outside. Reservations are recommended for dinner, and prices run about $20 to $60 per person.
5. Gaston’s Restaurant, Lakeview, AR
Breakfast at 6:30 AM is not what most people expect from a steakhouse list. Gaston’s opens early and stays open until 8 PM every day, with the White River right outside.
The setting is a cabinlike room filled with antiques and old memorabilia. Steaks and seafood anchor the menu, including fresh trout, and Trout Poppers are a signature starter. Prime rib is served on Saturdays only, so time your visit if that is the goal.
Sunday brings a brunch with made-to-order omelets, pancakes, and French toast. The crowds peak on Sunday and on Saturday afternoons and evenings.
Reservations are recommended and sometimes required, so call ahead. Meals run about $20 to $30 per person, and parking is free.
6. 178 Club Restaurant, Bull Shoals, AR
Prime rib, catfish, fried walleye, and shrimp tacos all share one menu, and that range is the appeal at 178 Club. The restaurant serves scratch-made entrees from Central Blvd in the small Ozarks town of Bull Shoals.
Steaks come thick, and Prime Rib and Shrimp Scampi are among the highlights. Vegetarian and vegan menus are available, along with a kids’ menu.
Lunch and dinner run Wednesday through Sunday, with closing at 9 PM on Wednesday through Saturday and 8 PM on Sunday. Evenings midweek and on weekends are the busiest stretch.
Reservations are accepted, and dinner reservations are recommended. A fireplace, a bar, and outdoor seating are on site. Prices range from $10 to $40 per person, the gentlest on this list.
7. The Fat Chef, Rogers, AR
Few drivers on AR-12 expect a small steakhouse in the woods east of Rogers. The Fat Chef sits on the road toward Beaver Lake and focuses on scratch-made entrees and signature sides.
Steaks like ribeye and New York Strip lead the way, with Surf and Turf, Scallops, and Walleye as other options. Stuffed Mushrooms and Twice Baked Potato show up on the side, and Homemade Bread and Bread Pudding fit in too.
Dinner is served Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM. The room is small, so reservations are recommended.
This is a splurge, with a price range of $100 or more per person. Vegetarian and vegan menus are available, and outdoor seating and free parking are on site.
8. Chopping Block Steakhouse, Mena, AR
Mena sits deep in the Ouachita National Forest, and the Chopping Block fits the mountain setting as a log-cabin-style eatery. It serves steaks and traditional comfort food at prices that stay modest, about $20 to $30 per person.
Ribeye steaks are the draw, and juicy burgers give lunch crowds another reason to stop. Unlike many steakhouses, it opens at 11 AM, so you can eat midday.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday until 9 PM and closed Sunday and Monday. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to be busiest.
A kids’ menu, a private dining room, and outdoor seating for dogs add flexibility. Reservations are accepted, and parking is available on site.
Share this story
