Hickory House Goes Mexican

Prairie Creek Hickory House, one of Northwest Arkansas’ best-known restaurants, is under new management and — in addition to the regular menu — has added a Mexican food menu.

Manuel Trujillo took over operation of restaurant July 1 and changed the name to Prairie Creek Hickory House and Corona Restaurant to reflect the menu change.

Trujillo said he is in the process of purchasing the building and real estate from John Marpfeld, who has owned it for the past 26 years.

The restaurant is on Arkansas Highway 12 in Prairie Creek, about four miles east of Rogers.

Trujillo is originally from Guanajuato in central Mexico. He spent 19 years living in California before moving to Arkansas four months ago.

In addition to serving the old menu that included barbecue and seafood, the new Hickory House serves “authentic” Mexican food that isn’t as greasy as Tex-Mex food, Trujillo said.

Prices are around $5 for lunch entrees and $9 to $15 for dinner entrees. The restaurant is open seven days a week and serves an American buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.