11 Forgotten Arkansas Snacks Locals Believe Should Make A Comeback
Arkansas has a rich snack history that many have nearly forgotten, but locals remember each bite with fondness.
From crispy treats to savory delights, these snacks carry flavors that once defined kitchens and lunchboxes across the state. Each one tells a story of tradition, creativity, and comfort.
Fans hope these tasty treasures will return to menus and pantries, proving that some flavors are timeless and deserve a comeback for new generations to enjoy.
1. Grapette Soda: The Purple Nectar of Arkansas Childhoods
Nothing quenched an Arkansas summer thirst like ice-cold Grapette! Born in Camden in 1939, this purple soda had a grape flavor so authentic you’d swear they squeezed real fruit into each bottle.
Locals still reminisce about saving pennies for that distinctive glass bottle with the smiling grape logo.
The Camden-born beverage eventually sold worldwide before disappearing in the 1970s, though limited resurrections have only intensified the craving for a full comeback.
2. Orangette: Grapette’s Citrus Cousin That Vanished Too Soon
Sipping on Orangette was like biting into a perfectly ripe orange without the sticky fingers.
Created by the same Camden company behind Grapette, this citrus sensation became a staple in Arkansas refrigerators during the mid-20th century.
Kids would debate which was better – Grapette or Orangette – creating playground divisions that lasted decades.
The bright orange liquid in that signature glass bottle disappeared alongside Grapette, leaving Arkansans with nothing but memories of that distinctive tang.
3. Duchess Drive-In Fried Dill Pickles: The Original Pickle Perfection
Long before fried pickles became a nationwide phenomenon, Duchess Drive-In in Atkins was frying up dill slices to golden perfection.
Legend has it that in 1963, owner Bernell Austin invented this crunchy delicacy when looking for something new to offer hungry customers.
The original recipe featured perfectly crisp dill slices in a secret cornmeal batter that balanced tangy and savory notes.
Despite countless imitations across the country, Arkansas natives swear nothing matches the original Duchess version that started it all.
4. Atkins Pickles: Jarred Perfection from The Pickle City
Atkins wasn’t nicknamed “Pickle City” for nothing! These locally-produced pickles were the pride of Pope County, with a crunch and flavor that store brands simply couldn’t match.
Families would make special trips to Atkins just to bring home jars of these legendary cucumber creations.
The pickle plant employed generations of locals before closing its doors, taking with it the secret to that perfect balance of dill, garlic, and spices that made Atkins Pickles the gold standard for pickle enthusiasts across the state.
5. Old South Tomolives: The Pickled Green Tomato Gems
Martini drinkers mourned when these pickled green tomato pearls vanished from Arkansas pantries.
Created by the Stuttgart-based Old South company, these olive-sized pickled green tomatoes added a tangy twist to cocktails and relish trays at every sophisticated Arkansas gathering.
Grandmothers would serve them alongside cheese straws at bridge club meetings.
Their unique flavor – more complex than an olive but with similar brininess – made them impossible to substitute with anything else, leaving a Tomolive-shaped hole in Arkansas entertaining traditions.
6. Old South Pickled Okra: The Crunchy Southern Delicacy
Forget limp, slimy okra – Old South’s pickled version transformed this polarizing vegetable into a crunchy addiction.
Stuttgart’s pickling experts managed to capture okra at its perfect tender-crisp stage, then enhanced it with garlic and dill that had Arkansas natives opening jars at alarming rates.
Bloody Mary garnishes haven’t been the same since these vanished from store shelves.
The satisfying snap when biting into these pickled pods was a textural experience that modern substitutes simply can’t replicate, leaving a generation of Arkansans searching farmers markets for anything remotely similar.
7. El Dorado Spudnuts: The Potato Flour Donuts Worth Driving Hours For
Regular donuts pale in comparison to the legendary Spudnuts from El Dorado.
Made with potato flour instead of regular flour, these breakfast treats achieved an almost supernatural lightness that had people lining up before dawn.
The small shop’s glazed variety practically melted in your mouth, leaving just enough sweetness to make you reach for another.
When the El Dorado location closed, devoted fans would drive across state lines searching for other Spudnut shops, only to return disappointed – nothing matched the original Arkansas version.
8. Juanita’s Peanut Brittle: The Candy That Defined Arkansas Gift-Giving
Receiving a tin of Juanita’s meant someone really loved you. This wasn’t ordinary peanut brittle – it was thinner, crispier, and packed with more fresh-roasted peanuts than seemed physically possible.
Made in Little Rock for generations, the secret recipe allegedly included a weather-dependent technique that couldn’t be replicated on humid days.
Holiday seasons in Arkansas homes weren’t complete without the distinctive tin appearing on coffee tables.
The satisfying crack when breaking off a piece announced the official start of celebration season across the Natural State.
9. Old South Watermelon Rind Pickles: Summer’s Sweet Preservation
Transforming watermelon scraps into treasure was Old South’s specialty with these translucent, jewel-toned treats.
Stuttgart’s pickling wizards took what most folks throw away and created a sweet-and-sour delicacy that graced holiday tables across Arkansas.
The crisp texture combined with cinnamon-infused syrup made these a favorite with the grandparent generation.
Children would initially eye them suspiciously before becoming converts to this uniquely Southern preservation tradition – one that combined thriftiness with culinary artistry in true Arkansas fashion.
10. Possum Pie: The Dessert With The Unfortunate Name
Despite its alarming name, no marsupials were harmed in the making of this beloved Arkansas dessert.
This layered delight featured a pecan shortbread crust topped with cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream – creating a sweet symphony that appeared at every serious Arkansas gathering.
Local diners across the state each claimed to have the definitive version.
The dessert got its quirky name from “playing possum” – hiding the chocolate layer beneath the cream. While recipes exist, nothing compares to the perfectly balanced versions once found in small-town Arkansas cafes.
11. Chocolate Gravy & Biscuits: The Breakfast That Confused Outsiders
Arkansas grandmothers created childhood memories with this unlikely breakfast combination that out-of-staters find baffling.
This sweet gravy – essentially a pourable chocolate pudding – ladled over fresh buttermilk biscuits created a breakfast-dessert hybrid that defined weekend mornings for generations of Arkansas kids.
Family recipes were guarded jealously and passed down through handwritten recipe cards.
The perfect chocolate gravy achieved a silky texture that soaked into hot biscuits without making them soggy – a culinary balancing act that’s becoming increasingly rare as busy modern lifestyles leave less time for traditional breakfast preparations.