Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism

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Try Charlotte Bowls’ renowned coconut pie at Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets in Keo.

From barbecue to cheese dip, Arkansas has a palate as diverse as the state’s topography. We thought we’d do the Southern thing and share a few of our favorite foodie staples here for you to enjoy.

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CHEESIN’

Arkansas is known for many things, but one of the best — and the most delicious — has got to be our world-famous cheese dip. The delicious cheesy concoction, (not to be confused with queso), had its humble beginnings in Hot Springs at Mexico Chiquito.

Recently, Arkansas senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton brought one version of the state’s cheese dip to the Senate floor in a face-off against Texas queso. Cheese dip was proclaimed victorious. We weren’t surprised.

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SLICE OF HEAVEN

We know a thing or two about pie here in The Natural State, but don’t just take our word for it.

In the Jan. 22, 2010, edition of USA Today, SeriousEats.com creator Ed Levine highlighted The Family Pie Shop in DeValls Bluff as one of his top 10 pie spots in the nation.

If you can’t get enough of the tasty treat, try out Arkansas’s Pie Trail. The trail, which traipses across the state, stops at some of the best down-home pie eateries in Arkansas. 

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SOUTHERN STAPLES

If you couldn’t tell, Arkansas loves its foodie (and craft beer) trails. But we’d be remiss without mentioning the state’s BBQ trail.

As you make your way through our most popular dry rubs, mustard or mayo vinegar sauces atop the beloved pork varieties, you’re sure to discover why we have such an affinity for barbecue and all the sides that inevitably come along with it.

Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism

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A taste-test of Arkansas’s food scene would be remiss without trying Rhoda’s famous hot tamales in Lake Village.

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DOWN-HOME EATS

The state has been blessed with long-standing favorite dining destinations across the state. This year, the Department of Arkansas Heritage designed the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame awards to highlight all things delicious, and Arkansan nominations were opened to the public and judged by a 12-member committee.

The inaugural class honorees included Jones Bar-B-Q Diner of Marianna, Lassis Inn of Little Rock and Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales of Lake Village. These Arkansas staples have withstood the test of time while staying true to their tasty roots.

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THE BEST IN BEER

Arkansas is home to many a great beer. From the heavy hitters like Diamond Bear Brewing Company in North Little Rock, to smaller craft breweries like Saddlebock Brewery in Springdale, you can taste all that Arkansas’s beer scene has to offer along the Arkansas Brewery Trail. The trail starts in Rogers and winds its way down the state to Hot Springs hitting the state’s finest breweries.

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COFFEE CULTURE

Arkansas is quickly becoming known for its extensive coffee scene.

• Onyx Coffee Lab has brought the craft coffee scene to Northwest Arkansas with inventive creations.

• In Little Rock, Blue Sail Coffee Roasters and Zeteo Coffee have recently opened locations in downtown.

• In Hot Springs, Arkansas native Adam Moore opened Red Light Roastery where he serves small-batch, complex roasts.

And with more shops opening, it’s safe to say the coffee culture in Arkansas is on the rise.

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VIVA LA BRUNCH

Northwest Arkansas takes brunch very seriously — and that’s apparent in the number of imaginative brunch spots that have opened up in recent years.

Try down-home Southern breakfast favorites at The Buttered Biscuit in Bentonville or head to the square for one of the town’s most popular spots, the Pressroom.

In Fayetteville, be sure to check out Prelude for their delicious pancakes or Arsaga’s for new takes on all things toast. Fayetteville resident Meg Bourne even said brunch-hopping around Northwest Arkansas is her favorite weekend pastime.