3-Pete’s Pie Takes the Cake (Business Lunch)

Our lone reviewer found himself in Fort Smith recently and took a native’s tip on 3-Pete’s Place for lunch.

It’s a family-style diner set in a shopping center — complete with a cash register/candy counter near the door — so the décor and furnishings are modern but modest.

Of course, 3-Pete’s operators strategically placed the pie display so it’s the first thing you see when entering. Our reviewer took note of this Fifth Avenue marketing ploy and immediately decided to have dessert, which he usually skips at least once a day.

There were plenty of open tables near the end of lunch hour, and the service was prompt and friendly.

Like a lot of family diners, 3-Pete’s tries to cover a lot of culinary ground. It offers everything from a roast beef plate lunch ($6) to a grilled yellow-fin tuna salad ($6). The menu looked like a good mix of traditional down-home offerings with a few favored forays into creative dining.

The reviewer eyed another table’s fare and considered the cheeseburger with fries ($4.50), but his wandering eye was caught by two sacred words: tamale spread. A tamale spread, for those not in the know, usually consists of a tamale base, covered in chili (sometimes barbecue sauce and diced beef) topped with Fritos cornchips. It is generally smothered in grated cheddar cheese and onions.

When asked about the selection, the waitress said the spreads were good and popular with the regular crowd. The reviewer was sold.

He ordered the small spread ($4.25) which came with three small tamales. Cheese and onions were by request.

Despite the waitress’ warning, the spread wasn’t as spicy as our real man would have liked. The chili had good flavor, but even with a generous helping of Tabasco, it was a little flat in the kick department. The tamales, the waitress said, were not homemade, but the chili was from the cook’s own recipe, she assured. He had to think some of the other menu items would have been a better choice on that particular day.

After the tepid tamales, his eyes turned to the pie case. The homemade Oreo Peanut Butter ($2.25) pie was light and creamy with crushed Oreos mixed in and a delightful cookie crust. To say “Delicious!” would be the the understatement of the year, he said.

3-Pete’s Place is definitely worth an afternoon stop for coffee and pie.