The City Wire Business of the Month: Neumeier’s Rib Room and Beer Garden

Editor’s note: The City Wire will highlight each month a business operating in the Fort Smith region. Business struggles, accomplishments, philanthropic support and many other factors will be considered when selecting a business to profile. Input from The City Wire readers also will be considered.

story and photos by Robert Parson

Neumeier’s Rib Room and Beer Garden reopened May 1 after more than a year of renovations that owner Bill Neumeier said cost “over $500,000.” The new two-story restaurant provides an even better showcase for the bands and performers that the venue is well known for.

Neumeier started with a Coney Island in 1988, purchased a pizza wagon in 1990 (which he later sold), began serving barbecue in 1994, and formally changed the name of the restaurant to Neumeier’s Rib Room and Beer Garden. He also bought Angelo’s in 1996, changing the name to Papa’s. In 1994, Neumeier won the Arkansas State Barbecue Championship for his dry rub pork ribs.

“The first time I ate dry rub ribs was at a place in Memphis called Rendezvous, and I said, “This is what I want to do.’ I worked real hard for a couple years to come up with my own dry rub and sauce recipes, and it worked out real well,” Neumeier said.

Ribs are the main fare at the Rib Room. There’s also chicken, pulled and chopped pork shoulder, sliced pork loin, and it is the only restaurant in Fort Smith serving Shorty’s Tamales. Most menu items are between $10 and $15.

Neumeier says perseverance, a strong focus on detail, good customer service and treating employees well has allowed him and his restaurant to be successful. He is proud of the fact that some of his employees have worked for him almost 20 years. Neumeier presently employs about 40.

Neumeier’s Rib Room and Beer Garden is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 5 p.m. until the last customer leaves Tuesday through Saturday.

Jayne Hughes, with the city of Fort Smith Downtown Development Central Business Improvement District, said the new Rib Room serves as an investment example for others thinking about downtown Fort Smith.

“Developers see the investment other developers make downtown, and it can act as a catalyst for even more development,” Hughes said.

Hughes said said the Rib Room is good for tourism because visitors will enjoy the food and music and return home to tell their friends about the good time they had in Fort Smith, which encourages them to come and visit.