Having worked in the Delta the past four years, my most recent points of reference have been in east Arkansas when it comes to finding good, locally owned restaurants.
One of the nice things about this new job is the chance to also travel west again. On Wednesday, I was in Clarksville for a meeting at the University of the Ozarks. Following that meeting, I accompanied Larry Isch and Mike Smith of the university staff down the road to Lamar for lunch at a place called Sweet Treats.
The plate lunch special for the day was ham and beans, cabbage, fried potatoes and cornbread — all for less than $5. And it was great.
The pie took the cake, though. The pie took the cake? You know what I mean.
I had coconut. Larry and Mike had told me to save room for dessert. They knew what they were talking about.
Thus Sweet Treats in Lamar — you have to get off Interstate 40 and onto U.S. 64 to find it — makes my Top 10 for best pie joints in Arkansas.
Thanks to all of you who responded to the earlier pie post. For the rest of you, it’s time to vote. Where can you find the best pies in Arkansas?
Rex,
I enjoyed this blog, as I do most of your writings.
BTW – excellent pies at the farmer’s market restaurant at Protho!
Take care,
Nicholas Stehle
Rex,
I claim to be a connoisseur of homemade desserts and pies. I have tried most all places in Arkansas and North Texas that make homemade desserts with few exceptions. Chocolate & pecan pies are my favorite pies. Those pies at Sweet Treats at Lamar are about as tasty as you’ll find anywhere. If you factor in price and selection I would go so far as to say they are the #1 homemade pie value in the state of Arkansas.
The really cool thing about it all is that I live just outside Lamar and have the opportunity to play pie critic regularly at Sweet Treats. Catching them having a “bad pie day” is all but impossible.
Thanks, Van
Van: It was almost good enough to convince me to move to Lamar — Rex
I was so excited to read that Sweet Treats was recognized for thier food and desserts. The article was spot on. I love visiting them so much that I will sometimes close my consignment store down for lunch just to go eat there. I CRAVE IT..LOL. Not only is the food great but the service is great. The owners are the sweetest people. Thier name fits them well.
Congrats to SWEET TREATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. One more added bonus that I like they offer is: You can get on thier email list and be sent the weekly menu. What more can you ask for?
I have to agree with the earlier comments. I am lucky enough to live in Clarksville so with Sweet Treats being just right up the road, I am a regular customer. I love the fact that everyone is so nice and they make it a point to know their customers. When we walk in the door they practically meet us
at the table with our drinks. And I’ve never had a piece of pie there that I didn’t love.
Rex,
How does Sweet Treats compare with the Pie Shop in DeValls Bluff? I still have dreams about that coconut pie. By the way, our favorite magazine “Garden and Gun” has noted the Pie Shop as one of the South’s great secrets. Hope word doesn’t get out too much.
Kane: I give the slight edge to DeValls Bluff. But my Delta bias might be showing after my years of work in east Arkansas. My mom is from Prairie County. A special trip to either Lamar or DeValls Bluff is in order, though — Rex
Wow. How could I have missed your blog on pies. I don’t consider myself an expert on very many things, but pie may be one of them.
I’ve been gone from the Delta almost 20 years, but still remember the meringue pies at the Sharecropper by the railroad tracks in Blytheville. We would call ahead at lunch time and have them save us some. Debate still rages within as to whether the chocolate or coconut was best.
I have since tried Charlotte’s Pie Shop in Keo. Pretty darn good stuff there too. Rex, I’d like to visit with you and have a head to head contest between them. If there’s something in LR that compares, I’m willing to open up the competition.
As far as the Sharecroppers goes, we’d have to call ahead and have them save us some.
I would like to be on your mailing list menu from Charlotte’s, Keo, AR