BBQ Hotspots in Mississippi County
Dixie Pig in Blytheville / photo courtesy of @smoretimetogether_in_arkansas
Rex Nelson, longtime Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor and expert on all things Arkansas, once called Mississippi County “Arkansas’ Barbecue Capital.” We couldn’t agree more! With summer barbecue season in full swing, we asked the Arkadelphia native to share his top three barbecue hotspots in Mississippi County.
In his response, Rex noted that his order at each restaurant would be the “pig sandwich.”
“You must get it WITH slaw and that vinegar-based sauce for which the county is known,” he said. “I usually ask for extra sauce.”
Us too, Rex.
Without further ado, here are Rex’s top three stops for a Mississippi County pig sandwich:
Dixie Pig in Blytheville is loved by locals and visitors alike. Founded in 1923 by the Halsell family, Dixie Pig has been dishing up award-winning BBQ for a century, and has been featured in publications like The New York Times and Southern Living.
Inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame earlier this year, Kream Kastle in Blytheville is another family-run establishment with a long history in the Delta. The restaurant was started in 1952 with drive-in service only by Steven Johns, son of first-generation Lebanese and Syrian immigrants. He added barbecue to the menu in 1955, and the rest, as they say, is history. The drive-in ordering option remains, and it’s a can’t-miss experience.
Hog Pen Barbecue in Osceola is another solid option. People come from far and wide to try their barbecue and other “Southern Comforts,” such as the fried bologna sandwich.
So make the most of your Arkansas summer and head to one, or all, of these establishments. And be sure to tell them Rex sent you!
