The Hidden Arkansas Spot Locals Say Serves The Crispiest Fried Chicken Around
Hidden just off West Van Buren in Eureka Springs, Myrtie Mae’s is the kind of Arkansas treasure locals whisper about and travelers brag over.
The fried chicken here snaps with a whisper-thin crust and a juicy center that makes polite conversation pause mid-sentence.
With small-town warmth, wallet-friendly prices, and flavors built on repetition, it feels like a throwback that never lost its touch.
Stick around long enough and you’ll understand why 4.4 stars barely tells the story.
Here’s why this hidden restaurant keeps earning its legend.
Legendary Fried Chicken Plate
Crunch meets comfort the moment a drumstick shatters under your fork.
Steam rolls out, carrying the scent of seasoned chicken done the right way.
The batter is thin, audibly crisp, and gently peppered, clinging rather than caking.
Every bite finishes clean, never greasy, like the cook knows patience is the secret ingredient.
Order it classic with mashed potatoes and cream gravy for pure Southern comfort.
Swap in green beans if you want a lighter tilt without losing the charm.
The price lands in that friendly $10–$20 zone that proves great food doesn’t need theatrics.
Add the modestly priced salad bar for an extra layer of crunch before the main event.
Arrive before the dinner rush to catch the kitchen in its best stride.
Locals say the bird sings loudest around lunchtime, and they would know.
Breakfast Comforts That Stick
Morning at Myrtie Mae’s starts with the sizzle of hash browns and the smell of real butter melting into toast.
Steak and eggs arrive with a confident char and yolks that shine like Arkansas sunshine.
Biscuits split open to cradle creamy gravy that tastes like Saturday memories.
Menu favorites keep things honest, hearty, and large enough to humble big appetites.
Coffee refills appear like clockwork, turning strangers into regulars one cup at a time.
Most breakfast plates hover around ten dollars, which feels almost nostalgic.
Ask for veggie hash browns if you want crispy edges with a colorful lift.
French toast comes golden and soft, soaking up syrup without surrender.
Breakfast here does not do half measures, so consider skipping lunch if you go big.
Salad Bar That Earns Its Keep
Before the chicken arrives, the salad bar does quiet but important work.
Crisp lettuce, bright veggies, and classic sides line up without pretense.
It is the kind of addition that turns a fried chicken craving into a complete meal.
Reviewers mention it is clean, well-kept, and refreshingly priced.
For just a few dollars, you add color and crunch that balance the heavier plates.
Build it your way, then let the greens set the stage for the main course.
Dressings lean familiar, which is exactly right for a Southern table.
When the chicken lands, that contrast becomes even more satisfying.
Service With Small Town Heart
Hospitality runs the room like a soft, steady melody.
Servers remember refills, trade jokes, and steer you toward the best picks of the day.
The pace is calm, never rushed, allowing conversations to breathe.
One morning, Connie topped off my coffee before I even asked, then slid extra napkins like she had read the future.
Questions about sides were answered with practical tips rather than a script.
It is not white-glove service, and that is the point.
It is consistent, kind, and grounded in the kind of warmth that lingers long after the meal.
That human heartbeat seasons the food just as much as the pepper.
Finding The Entrance Like A Local
The trick is knowing Myrtie Mae’s sits inside the Best Western Inn along West Van Buren.
Parking is easy out front, and you enter through the hotel doors to reach the dining room.
It feels like a secret handshake locals learned first.
Some visitors mention the signage can be modest, so trust the address and walk in with confidence.
Inside, the space opens into a bright, family-friendly room with classic booths.
The hum of chatter tells you you’re in the right place.
Hours run seven days a week from 7 AM to 8 PM, keeping plans flexible.
Call +1 479-253-9768 if you’re wrangling a group or timing a tight drive.
The minor hide-and-seek is worth the reward.
Value That Feels Old School
Sticker shock takes the day off when plates land heavy and totals stay friendly.
Most menu items fall between ten and twenty dollars, stretching appetites and budgets.
Portions look like they were plated by someone who respects hunger.
Breakfast deals make mornings easy, while lunch and dinner keep the same generous spirit.
Add the salad bar without your wallet flinching, then spend the saved dollars on pie.
Service supports the value with speed and care that maximizes the experience.
Hot food arrives hot, coffee stays full, and sides taste like a cousin cooked them.
Even in a tourist town, this bill feels like a hometown promise.
When The Kitchen Misses, They Fix It
Perfection is a tall order in a busy room, and sometimes a dish arrives off-tempo.
What matters is how fast a fix follows, and here it usually does.
A burnt fillet got replaced quickly for one reviewer, with apologies and a smile.
That willingness to correct course builds trust bite by bite.
If something seems dry or overdone, speak up and the staff will make it right.
The tone stays respectful, not defensive, which keeps the meal pleasant.
On my visit, a lukewarm side was swapped before the coffee cooled.
Small hiccup, tidy solution, and the table kept chatting.
Accountability pairs nicely with gravy, as it turns out.
Sweet Finishes Worth Saving Room For
Desserts lean classic, anchored by cinnamon rolls with true bakery swagger.
They unwind in gooey spirals that send a cinnamon cloud across the table.
A light glaze hugs the top and leaves just enough on your fingers.
Pies rotate through comforting favorites, from chocolate to fruit that tastes like summer.
Slices satisfy without slipping into regret territory.
Coffee pairs beautifully, especially after a salty main.
One morning, I split a cinnamon roll and still claimed victory over breakfast.
The leftovers didn’t survive the parking lot.
Save room if you can, but no judgment if you cannot.
Plan Your Perfect Visit
Set your GPS to 207 W Van Buren, Eureka Springs for a visit that hits just right.
Arrive around midday for peak chicken crunch or early for a smooth breakfast run.
Dinner stays mellow, filled with locals, road trippers, and families.
Check hours at myrtiemaes.com or call ahead if timing matters.
The attached hotel makes it an easy stop between downtown strolls.
Parking is generous, keeping arrival stress low.
Pair your meal with a scenic Eureka Springs drive, then loop back for pie.
Come for the chicken.
Stay for the comfort.
Leave planning your next excuse to return.