Benton County Growth Offers Fesidents New Restaurants

A decade ago, Benton County residents didn’t have that many choices when it came to restaurants. A couple of venerable eateries — such as Tale of the Trout and Fred’s Hickory Inn — were well established, but there was little else besides hamburger joints and drugstore cafes.

Then came Northwest Arkansas’ mid-1990s growth spurt. And restaurants began sprouting all over Benton County.

“I have lived here all my life, and we haven’t always had all these choices,” says Raymond Burns, president of the Rogers Area Chamber of Commerce. “The population increase has brought in the national chains.”

Burns says cultural changes have made America a nation of people who dine out more frequently than in the past.

“Now, it’s often more affordable if feeding one or two to eat out instead of at home,” says Burns.

Although the increase in restaurants has given Benton County residents more choices, there is a downside: Some of the better-known, locally owned restaurants — such as The Plaza — have closed in the wake of competition.

“It’s all about numbers and people being in a hurry,” says Burns. “We have a lot of opportunities out here.”

Here’s a list of some of the restaurants that have opened in Benton County since January 1997 (according to area chambers of commerce):

Rogers:

• Arena B-N Me Grill and

Supper Club

• Basil’s Cafe

• Blimpie’s

• Cafe Nova

• Chili’s

• Curiosity Book Shop

• Don & Ada’s Family Restaurant

• Iron Horse Coffee Co.

• Jim’s Razorback Pizza

• Kettle Restaurant

• Kisor’s Grill & Bakery

• Old San Francisco Coffee Roasters

Bentonville:

• A&W Restaurant

• Bobbisox

• Cassidy’s Break Time

• Coy’s

• Crumpet Tea Room

• McDonald’s

• Mexican Delight

• Molly MaGuires

• Muffy’s

• The Kitchen Table

• The Village Inn

Bella Vista:

• Ronaldo’s Pizzeria

Lowell:

• Acambaro

Garfield:

• Across the Creek Restaurant

Pea Ridge

• Mermaid’s