Adam & Eats: Art’s BBQ

 

Editor’s note: Adam Brandt is a graduate from the Cobra Kai School of Culinary Callousness, where he received their highest award, the Red Apron of Merciless Eating. Aside from eating and talking about eating, he makes pots, paintings, prints, books, photographs, and generally, a big mess. He has been the studio assistant at Mudpuppy Pottery for almost nine years and is attending a local university in a desperate attempt to earn a biology degree.

For weeks now, I’ve been taunted by a sign that sits in front of one of the local barbeque joints. The sign boasts that they have the “best burger in town.”

After last week’s adventure where I found the best burger in town, I was eager to see if my luck would hold and I would once again raise the bar on burgers.

Located just west of Central Mall on Rogers Avenue is the home of Art’s BBQ. Art’s décor is definitely a walk down memory lane in the Fort Smith of old. Well, at least the Fort Smith of say, 10 years ago. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Warehouse Music sign that hangs on the wall. (If anybody sees Stix Lane, send him my regards will ya’?)

Between the Blues memorabilia and the signs from businesses gone, but not forgotten, the place feels like Fort Smith and if you are from here, that means that it feels like home. The simple tables and chairs are usually filled with various groups of people who all know each other and don’t hesitate to have a dialogue between tables and with the crew behind the counter. The staff, up front and in the kitchen, are kind, helpful, and down-right friendly people who go out of their way to make you feel like kin.

But alas, friendliness and good manners only go so far when it comes to a restaurant. Food is what carries most of the weight in the eatery world and Art’s has made one helluva claim. So, let’s get right down to brass tacks. Is Art’s burger better than the reigning champion, the Inferno Burger? The short answer is, no, it is not. This “best burger” was weighed, measured, and found wanting.

It is, however, really friggin’ close. I’d say it is tied for second with Benson’s, Brannon’s, and Ed Walker’s.

Even though the Art’s burger comes on a commercially made bun, it is a really good commercially made bun. Plus, it is buttered and toasted on the grill which gets it a lot of points in the contest. Also, the patty (which seems homemade) is well seasoned and perfectly crispy while maintaining its juiciness. This is no easy feat. Think about it. How many times have you made burgers from scratch, got them perfectly crunchy on the outside while still juicy and tender on the inside? My point exactly.

Of all of the burgers at Art’s, one of the best is the Hickory burger which is a regular burger topped with shredded cheese and Art’s own tangy BBQ sauce.

As far as other fare goes, the smoked sausage is top notch and the baked beans are sweet, savory, smoky, and spectacular. The brisket sandwich is good, but it is better when you get it as a melt (with cheese, grilled onions, and peppers). The pulled pork is also good, but not the best in town.

At the end of the day, Art’s is not the best around, but it never leaves you disappointed. If you haven’t tried their burgers, you should. They are definitely worth your while.

Until next week, good eating to you and yours.

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Adam also has this thing called Sandwich Control.