Old-School Arkansas Café Serving The Same All-You-Can-Eat Buffet For Generations
Arkansas has cafés that feel like stepping into a cherished memory, and Ole Sawmill Cafe at 2299 N Washington St, Forrest City, AR 72335, is one of the best examples.
Generations have gathered around its all-you-can-eat buffet, where hearty, home-style dishes taste just like they did decades ago.
From golden fried chicken to savory sides and desserts that feel straight from grandma’s kitchen, every plate is comfort on a tray.
Locals keep returning, drawn by familiar flavors and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
In Arkansas, some meals are timeless, and Ole Sawmill Cafe proves that a classic buffet can become a beloved tradition.
The Buffet That Never Quits
Walking up to that buffet line feels like Christmas morning for your taste buds.
The spread goes on forever, packed with everything from golden fried chicken to tender catfish that practically melts on your fork.
Hot trays stay full because the kitchen staff constantly monitors what’s running low.
You’ll find classic Southern staples like collard greens, black eyed peas, navy beans, and yams sitting alongside crispy fried shrimp and fall-off-the-bone ribs.
Corn nuggets add a sweet crunch that kids go crazy for. Biscuits arrive fresh and fluffy, begging for a smear of that whipped honey butter.
The salad bar offers lighter options if you want to pace yourself. But honestly, most folks come here to indulge in comfort food without apologies.
Prices stay shockingly reasonable, with buffet nights landing in the teens, while Friday seafood costs more. Value feels strong because you can eat until you’re satisfied and easily save space for the dessert bar.
Fried Chicken Worth the Drive
People plan entire road trips around this fried chicken, and I’m not exaggerating even a little bit. The crust comes out perfectly seasoned with a crunch that echoes across the dining room.
Each piece gets cooked just right so the meat stays juicy while the outside achieves that golden-brown perfection.
Some reviewers claim it’s the best they’ve ever tasted, and after one bite, those claims start making serious sense.
The kitchen doesn’t skimp on portions either. You can load your plate with as many pieces as your heart desires since the buffet keeps everything stocked.
Locals who’ve been coming here for decades still rave about the consistency. That’s impressive considering how many restaurants let quality slip once they get popular.
Even picky eaters who usually avoid buffets make exceptions for this chicken.
The seasoning blend remains a closely guarded secret, but whatever magic they’re working in that kitchen needs to be protected at all costs.
The Cracker Barrel Connection
Here’s local chatter that first-time visitors hear a lot. Plenty of people compare Ole Sawmill Cafe to Cracker Barrel because both lean into a cozy, country feeling.
Any direct connection is hard to confirm, but the similarities are easy to spot. Rustic wood accents, nostalgic touches, and a relaxed pace make the place feel familiar.
A gift shop sits up front, stocked with quirky souvenirs and old-fashioned candy. Fans often say Ole Sawmill feels more personal, with comfort food that tastes like it came from a home kitchen.
The layout feels recognizable if you’ve ever stopped at a roadside country restaurant, yet it comes across more genuine. Less corporate polish shows, and more small-town charm invites you to linger over coffee.
One visitor summed it up by saying it feels like what every country chain tries to be. Praise like that explains why travelers so often turn into regulars.
Located Right Off Highway 40
Finding Ole Sawmill Cafe couldn’t be easier for travelers cruising through Arkansas. The restaurant sits at 2299 N Washington St in Forrest City, a quick hop from Interstate 40.
Road trippers between Memphis and Little Rock have turned this spot into a pit stop. It beats the usual fast food exits by about a million miles.
The location makes it perfect for breaking up long drives with real food instead of sad drive-thru burgers.
Many visitors mention stumbling upon it during cross-country trips and immediately adding it to their permanent rotation.
Forrest City might not be a major tourist destination, but Ole Sawmill gives people a solid reason to exit the highway.
Doors open at 6 AM daily, with closing times that vary by day, keeping breakfast and dinner within easy reach.
Big travel stops can be convenient, but nothing beats a buffet of home cooking served with small-town warmth. Local pride runs deep, and this cafe represents Arkansas hospitality at its best.
Dessert Bar Dreams
Save room for dessert or you’ll regret it later. The dessert bar alone justifies the trip, loaded with Southern sweets that’ll make your dentist weep.
Peach cobbler stands out as the star attraction, mentioned in review after review as an absolute must-try. The fruit comes cooked down to jammy perfection with a buttery topping that crumbles just right.
Other options rotate but typically include pies, cakes, and puddings that taste homemade because they actually are. Nothing comes from a factory freezer here.
Kids go wild over the variety, bouncing between chocolate options and fruit-based treats. Adults appreciate that the sweetness levels stay balanced instead of overwhelming.
The dessert bar comes included with your buffet price, so there’s zero reason to hold back.
Some strategic diners even scope out the dessert situation before filling their dinner plates, planning their entire meal around saving space for sweets.
Gift Shop Full of Surprises
Before you even get to the dining room, you’ll walk through a gift shop that demands attention. Shelves overflow with nostalgic knickknacks, Elvis memorabilia, and Arkansas souvenirs.
One reviewer admitted coming back specifically for the gift shop, which tells you something about its appeal. The selection rivals what you’d find at much larger tourist traps.
Homemade cookies baked by one of the waitresses get sold at the checkout counter. These aren’t your average cookies either, decorated beautifully and tasting even better than they look.
The nostalgic atmosphere transports you back several decades with vintage signs and old-fashioned candy displays. It’s the kind of place where grandparents love buying treats for grandkids.
Prices stay reasonable, unlike some gift shops that gouge tourists. You can actually pick up a few items without feeling like you need a second mortgage, making it easy to grab souvenirs for folks back home.
Service That Keeps Glasses Full
The servers at Ole Sawmill don’t mess around when it comes to keeping your table happy. Multiple reviews mention how quickly drinks arrive, often before you’ve even finished your first buffet trip.
Attentiveness runs high across the board, with staff constantly checking if you need refills or fresh plates. One server named Terry earned specific praise for going above and beyond.
The kitchen staff even comes out periodically to check buffet levels and chat with diners. That kind of hands-on management keeps food fresh and shows they actually care about the experience.
Friendliness seems baked into the culture here rather than forced through corporate training. People genuinely seem happy to be working, which translates into better service for customers.
Even during busy periods, the team maintains efficiency without making you feel rushed.
They understand that Southern dining is about taking your time and enjoying the meal, not wolfing down food and sprinting out the door.
Family-Owned and Proud
Corporate chains dominate the restaurant landscape these days, which makes finding a quality family-owned spot feel like discovering treasure. Ole Sawmill remains independently operated, and you can feel the difference.
The owners respond personally to online reviews, thanking customers and addressing concerns directly. That level of engagement shows they’re invested in every single dining experience.
Decisions get made with the community in mind rather than shareholders in some distant boardroom. Menu items reflect what locals actually want to eat, not what focus groups in other states think might sell.
Supporting this business means your money stays in Forrest City, helping the local economy instead of padding corporate profits.
Many reviewers specifically mention choosing Ole Sawmill over chains for exactly that reason. The family pride shows in small details like the homemade cookies and the carefully maintained decor.
These folks aren’t just running a restaurant; they’re preserving a piece of Arkansas culture for future generations to enjoy.
Breakfast Buffet Worth Waking For
The dinner buffet gets most of the glory, but breakfast deserves recognition too. Doors open at 6 AM every day, ready to fuel early risers and road warriors.
The morning spread leans into Southern comfort, with hot options that feel filling. Plates start right away with eggs, breakfast meats, and classic skillet sides that keep you going.
Hash browns and breakfast potatoes give you carb options, while pancakes and French toast bring a sweet note for anyone craving something cozy. Biscuits come with creamy gravy so you can build a hearty plate fast.
Lighter choices show up too, making it easy to balance your meal without missing the fun. Oatmeal, grits, and a few staples help pace things out.
At $11.99 per person, the breakfast buffet delivers strong value. Plenty of travelers eat enough to skip lunch, then hit the road ready for the next long stretch through Arkansas.
The Catfish That Converts Skeptics
Catfish appears frequently in customer reviews, and for good reason. One reviewer boldly claimed it’s the best cooked catfish in the entire state of Arkansas.
The fish comes out tender and flaky, fried to perfection without any of that muddy taste that sometimes plagues poorly prepared catfish.
The breading adds crunch without overwhelming the delicate meat underneath.
Southern restaurants live or perish by their catfish quality, so getting it right matters tremendously. Ole Sawmill clearly understands the assignment and executes flawlessly.
Even people who normally avoid fish find themselves converted after trying a piece here. The freshness makes all the difference, along with whatever secret seasoning blend they’re using.
Pairing the catfish with sides like collard greens and black eyed peas creates the ultimate Southern comfort meal.
It’s the kind of food that makes you understand why people get so passionate about regional cuisine and why traditions matter.