Some of the guys I work with and I have come up with a totally badical idea. It’s called Lunch Tour and it involves eating lunch at obscure locations around Fayetteville rather than the normal places that bore the hell out of us on a consistent basis. After compiling our lists, we came up with a good handful which includes:
- Washington Regional Hospital (cafeteria)
- Springdale Bowling Center (snack bar)
- Sam’s Club (snack bar)
- Aviator Grill (at Drake Field airport)
- Brenda’s Bigger Burger
- Charlie’s Chicken
- Chili Billy’s
- Curt’s Place
- Art’s Place
- Flapjacks
- Hog’s Breath Eatery
- Rick’s Iron Skillet
- Waffle House (not obscure but still sweet)
I guess we should start rating these places or something and possibly post a list (or blog) online, however, I am not sure any place is going to be better than the one we visited today. We should’ve saved this one for later in the tour instead of blowing the Lunch Tour 2005 wad in the first week.
Enter the Sale Barn Cafe in South Fayetteville. It’s a TINY place next to the building where the weekly cattle auction takes place. If it weren’t for the fact that Dustin’s grandfather used to own the auction, we might not have ever found out about this gem of a restaurant. The smell of fresh cow crap greets you as you pull into the gravel lot and the sounds of terrified cattle fill the air while walking to the front door of the Sale Barn Cafe. Once inside, if you can deal with the fact that you’re the only person in the room who is not wearing boots, a hat and carrying a spit-cup, then you’re in for quite a suprise. Your choices are pretty much limited to a hamburger, cheeseburger or the “Special” (which today was brisket, taters, beans and a roll). My cheeseburger was damn good and according to Jay and Dale, the brisket wasn’t bad either. Dessert options included an assortment of homemade pies and a peach cobbler. I had banana cream. Mmm.
I’m not even going to attempt to give directions. Even if I led you directly to the building itself, you would easily miss it, given it’s tiny white paper sign that is taped to the door. If somehow you can find the Sale Barn Cafe, I highly suggest it for the experience alone. But they’re only open on Wednesdays and Thursdays so good luck…
April 7th, 2005 at 10:33 pm
I know for a fact that the Sam’s Club snack bar and Curt’s place are absolutely fantastic dining experiences! In fact, Allison (my wife) and I have gone on a date to Sam’s Club and eaten dinner there (both of us for under $5, leaving full). And it’s great people-watching, too!
Wow…as I read what I just wrote, it’s kind of sad and pathetic. Oh well. BBB (Brenda’s Bigger Burger) is also really great!
April 8th, 2005 at 8:06 am
Sweet. Thanks for the heads up on Sam’s Club. Now, where in the heck is Curt’s place? We got that one out of the phone book but have no idea how to get there. Is it in Springdale?
April 8th, 2005 at 8:20 am
If the Sam’s Club snack bar is anything like the Costco snack bar, then you ARE in for a treat. Giant slice of pizza for $2! Not bod!
And is the Sale Barn over by El Conquistralla?
April 8th, 2005 at 12:14 pm
Curt’s in in Johnson (though it’s technically in Fayetteville zoning). Right off Main Street in Johnson, next to a gas station.
April 8th, 2005 at 6:12 pm
Where can I get a Lunch Tour 2005 T-Shirt?
April 10th, 2005 at 2:35 pm
i’ve eaten at the sale barn. just as you described it. smelly, felt out of place but the food was good.
is drakes still open…pink building on the way to that town that starts with an E on the way to the pig trail?
ricks used to be a favorite!!!
DaD
April 10th, 2005 at 2:45 pm
Are you kidding?! You’ve actually been to the Sale Barn Cafe?!
April 10th, 2005 at 10:39 pm
been there done that…remember the guy who worked on the citation for you? he told me about it.
i went once.
daD
April 11th, 2005 at 9:33 am
Oh, man - Hog’s Breath Eatery? Their baked potatoes are to die for. It violates the “Never-Eat-Anything-Bigger-Than-Your Head” Rule. Awesome.
April 11th, 2005 at 10:27 am
“Never-Eat-Anything-Bigger-Than-Your-Head” rule? I guess that means no more whole pumpkin-eating for me.
April 11th, 2005 at 9:05 pm
Notice that, under the “nothing bigger than your head” rule, you would still be allowed to eat your own head.
April 26th, 2005 at 7:00 pm
Don’t let annonymous fool you.He used to get coconut creme pie from
there. He might have only been there once, but he ate the pie more times than that. Hummm maybe carry out!