The best way to get to Bransom from Little Rock is up Highway 65, and if you pass through Greenbrier while hungry, you’re in luck. At the Wagon Wheel, freshly-baked, high-domed rolls envelop breakfast sandwiches of eggs and Petit Jean bacon; bread baskets come piled with white toast that is rich as cake; and tall meringue pies are blue-ribbon beauties.
We were taken to the Wagon Wheel by our favorite Arkansas tipsters, Tony and Donna Perrin, and while they both sang the praises of the good pies and breads, Tony was particularly enthusiastic about the chocolate gravy. Yes, chocolate gravy — with morning biscuits! Normal gravy is available, too, and it is excellent, but we had to try this extremely odd variation; and lo, it’s pretty darn good. It is not as sweet as pudding and in fact it does seem to have a savory component, but there is no denying its chocolate essence. Chocolate pudding is not for everyone, but if your taste buds want to go where few taste buds have gone before, we recommend it.
Despite its location on the road to Bransom, this is a cozy sort of place where locals hang out and discuss things over coffee every morning. We were charmed by veteran waitress Lynn Lockie who, when she came to take our order, pulled up a chair and sat down to write on her order pad. “My legs are tired,” she said. “I’m not; just my legs.” Lynn confided that a few days before, the cook had put too much corn starch in the pies, but that they were definitely up to snuff today. Yes, indeed, the tall meringues were Arkansas-excellent, and that is saying a lot, for Arkansas is one of this nation’s premier pie places.
Sunday | CLOSED |
Monday | 5:30am - 8pm |
Tuesday | 5:30am - 8pm |
Wednesday | 5:30am - 8pm |
Thursday | 5:30am - 8pm |
Friday | 5:30am - 8pm |
Saturday | CLOSED |
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Old Mill Bread & Flour Co.
Little Rock, ArkansasThe Old Mill Bread & Flour Co. specializes in soft-crusted “American hearth breads” including spinach feta, cinnamon swirl & cranberry pecan.
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The Root Cafe
Little Rock, ArkansasThe Root Cafe is an inviting Little Rock gem that sources local ingredients for such dishes as chunky sweet potato fries with ‘Hickory Chip’ mayo.
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The Pantry
Little Rock, ArkansasThe Pantry is a homey Little Rock gem serving such German and Czech dishes as béchamel spaetzle, mushrooms & shallots, and a snappy house-made brat.
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Feltner’s Whatta-burger
Russellville, ArkansasAt this Russellville, Arkansas, Whatta-burger restaurant, the boast is that burgers are “custom made,” which they are, and they are beautiful.
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McClard’s Bar-B-Q
Hot Springs, ArkansasA destination for BBQ fans from Arkansas and beyond. McClard’s signature rib and fry plate is a rack of meaty bones smothered by superb French fries.
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Mr. Whisker’s Catfish
Hot Springs, ArkansasMr. Whiskers is the place to go in Hot Springs for platters of catfish (fried or blackened), shrimp and oysters. Sides include hushpuppies, fries and slaw.