Arkansas’ Small-Town BBQ Spot That Locals Swear Smokes Ribs Worth The Drive
I used to think the best ribs required a pilgrimage to Memphis or Kansas City, but then I rolled through McGehee on a lazy Saturday afternoon and followed my nose straight to Hoots BBQ.
This unassuming spot along US-65 has quietly built a reputation that stretches far beyond the Arkansas Delta, pulling in road-trippers, locals, and skeptics like me who leave plotting their next visit before the napkins hit the table.
The smoker runs nearly nonstop, the bakery case tempts you before you even order, and the ribs deliver a sweet-heat punch that justifies every mile.
The Delta Detour Locals Whisper About
Point your hood down US-65 and stop in McGehee, where Hoots BBQ hums like a friendly roadside beacon. It is a full-service, small-town joint with a loyal crowd and a bakery case that tells you people plan dessert early.
State tourism even flags it for barbecue and house-baked sweets, and in 2025 AY About You readers crowned it Best Restaurant Worth the Drive. I stumbled on it during a Delta road trip, and the parking lot alone told me I was onto something good.
Locals treat it like their secret, but word spreads fast when ribs taste this honest.
Ribs That Steal the Plate
Smoke clings to each bone, the rub leans sweet-heat, and the bark snaps lightly before the meat gives. Regulars say the ribs are the star of a sampler plate that also pulls brisket and pork into the orbit.
It is the bite that turns a casual stop into a plotted return. I tried to pace myself on my first visit, but by the third rib I was already mapping out my next trip through McGehee.
The texture hits that perfect balance where the meat slides off without falling apart, and the seasoning builds with every chew.
More Than One Way To Feed a Carload
Tables fill with ribs, pulled pork, and brisket, but the big chalkboard also lists steaks, burgers, seafood, and hearty plates for the friend who wants something else. It reads like a small-town promise to feed everyone at the table.
I brought a crew once that included a seafood fanatic and a burger purist, and both walked out satisfied while I stuck to my rib ritual. The variety means you can visit on repeat without ordering the same thing twice.
That flexibility keeps families and mixed groups coming back.
The Sweet Finish Locals Brag About
McGehee folks will nudge you toward the bakery case, where Italian cream cake, carrot cake, cookies, pies, and banana pudding wait for a fork.
AY Magazine once called out Hoots for the best dessert in Arkansas, a nod that matched what travelers had been saying for years.
I made the mistake of skipping dessert on my first visit, and a regular at the next table shook his head like I had just insulted his grandmother. The second time, I ordered the Italian cream cake and understood the loyalty.
Save room, or you will regret it.
When To Go, What To Expect
Lunchtime can bring a steady line, and weekends draw road-trippers. Call ahead for a reservation when the calendar says Friday or Saturday, then plan for table service and a relaxed pace once you sit down.
Current listings show open hours most days except Sunday. I learned the hard way that showing up on a Saturday at noon without calling means waiting, but the staff keeps things moving, and the atmosphere stays friendly.
Patience pays off when the ribs land in front of you, still warm from the pit.
Where You’ll Find It
Set your route along US-65 into McGehee and watch for the Hoots sign along the highway. It is the kind of place you spot after the smell finds you first, an easy waypoint on Delta drives.
I passed it twice before I finally pulled over, and now I plan my trips through the Delta around meal times just to justify another stop. The location makes it convenient for anyone traveling between Little Rock and the Mississippi border.
Once you know where it sits, you will never miss it again.
What Travelers Keep Saying
Reviews praise tender ribs, generous plates, and friendly service, with plenty of photos of that sprawling chalkboard menu. It reads like a chorus from locals and passersby who plan their next stop before the last bone hits the tray.
I scrolled through the online reviews before my first visit and thought people were exaggerating, but every comment turned out to be accurate. The consistency impresses me most because even on busy days, the quality never dips.
The reliability builds the kind of reputation that keeps the parking lot full year-round.