Big Springs Trading Company in Saint Joe, AR
This is a tiny restaurant in a tiny town in North Central Arkansas. Jennifer Jones is the owner/operator/chef/baker/maintenance/etc. She smokes her own meats and cheeses. You can order sandwiches and has a deli of foods to take with you to the Buffalo River, just down the road. Her dad owns a farm and she gets homegrown vegetables and meat from there, as well as other local farms. You can order food for catering. Steaks and bacon in the freezer. "Ham bits and pieces" available to take and use in your next pot of pinto beans. Homemade sides like fried cabbage, Cole slaw, potato salad, carrot and raisin salad. Ozark hash is chunks of potatoes, summer sausage, onion, mushrooms and can be served with shredded cheese and a fried egg (without the egg for Guy). Skillet blackened catfish with a couple of sides for the health conscious. Fancy salads with meats and cheeses also available, with homemade dressings. North of the River nachos with many types of toppings available. A bacon sammich (that's how it's spelled) is a traditional BLT and the bread comes from Neighbor's Mill restaurant just up the road in Harrison, AR. You can order a plate of meats--ham, turkey, pulled chicken, pulled pork, brisket and choose your sides. A starter that's available is the Grazing Board, with cheeses, meats, crackers, pickles, and some seasonal things..sometimes pickled okra, sometimes cherry tomatoes, etc. Now let's talk desserts. Oh my! First she always has huge cookies. No-bake cookies, chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, harvest dream. Cobblers--peach, mixed berry, blackberry, strawberry. All based on what's seasonal. Jenn also has skillet brownies. Salted caramel, espresso, birthday cake. She makes homemade oatmeal creme pies and honestly, when I get one, it takes about 3 days to eat it because it is so big, so rich, so delicious. She posts specials on social media, so you know what to make a special trip for. (I only have 3 steaks left for tomorrow, starting at 4 pm, so if you want them, you better holler.) You can order ahead of time, via a phone call or social media. She made fresh pimiento cheese 2 weeks ago and I messaged her, told her I was coming through town the next Thursday. Would she have the supplies to make me some for that day? She said she would do it. When I came in, she had 3 containers ready to go, with my name on them! Jenn is amazing. Locals go there often, because there just aren't many places to go in this tiny town. People who come to float the Buffalo River come to get supplies for their trips. It's also the perfect stop on the way to Branson, MO. She is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and January. Sometimes emergencies come up and she posts it on social media. If you are still wet from floating the river, there's outside seating available. Two stray cats have made the front porch home. Vlad and Tavvy greet the customers, but don't let them inside (no matter what they tell you!) I live 120 miles south and it's worth the drive. It is always my stopping point on the way to/from Branson. PLEASE COME SEE JENNIFER JONES!!! She will definitely be worth your time.