Fort Smith, Arkansas, is the original gateway to the Wild West and was once the last chance for civilization before entering the wilderness of the Indian Territory. Because people from all over the world wanted to travel west, Fort Smith ended up with settlers from almost every corner of the world. You can still see this in the diverse culinary scene in the area with a diverse selection of restaurants. Make sure to check out these Fort Smith treasures to tempt your taste buds.
Paizi’s Gryos
Paizi’s on Rogers Avenue is a local favorite that serves up delicious Mediterranean food. This place started out as a food truck, and is now in a permanent brick and mortar location. The gyros are to die for with rich lamb, rosemary, chicken, and garlic. They also have a wonderful beef pita, and the Greek salad is always a hit. Another favorite is the stuffed grape leaves, along with the tzatziki sauce which is flavorful and delicious. The staff at Paizis are always friendly and helpful, and the place is clean and comfortable.
21 West End
For a classic bistro experience, head to 21 West End. This place has an upscale atmosphere with some unique menu items and an extensive wine list to provide plenty of options for pairing. To start, make sure to try the cream cheese crabcakes or the spinach salad. For dinner, the blackened salmon is always delicious along with the rosemary roasted chicken breast. For a real treat, make sure to get the famous cognac pork tenderloin. This is a fantastic cut of pork, topped with a signature cognac demi-glace and caramelized pears.
Eureka Pizza
Eureka Pizza is a local institution that serves high-quality homemade pizza. The sauce is made from scratch right in the kitchen using fresh-packed tomatoes. Eureka also makes their dough fresh each day and then hand tosses each pie to order. The selection of pizza ranges from the traditional pepperoni or veggie to some more unique flavor pairings such as the barbecue beef, Tuscan chicken, or the Eureka supreme. You can also create your own pizza with all your favorite toppings, or try the oven baked Buffalo wings or the Tuscan cheese bread.
AJ’s Oyster House
Enjoy a fun and casual night out at AJ’s Oyster House. This restaurant has the flavors of New Orleans combined with fresh seafood. The service is always excellent, and the kitchen staff makes everything from scratch. Make sure to try the shrimp po’boy or the fish tacos, and if you want a treat, save room for the banana pudding. Another popular menu item is the cat-toufee. This catfish dish offers the choice between grilled, fried, or blackened, it comes on top of a bed of rice, and then everything is topped with crawfish étouffée.
There are so many different dining experiences in Fort Smith that you can always find something new to try, or if you prefer, you can keep to your old favorites.
Photo by GW Fins | Licensed under cc BY 2.0
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