Shortlist: Eight Best Restaurants In Hope (AR) That Locals Love!

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Last updated on December 1, 2022 by Wandering our World

Hope is a friendly community in Arkansas’ Timberlands area. It is primarily known for its annual watermelon festival and as the hometown of former American President Bill Clinton. But apart from its historic nature, Hope is also known for its great parks and awesome food!

The dining scene is bustling with exquisite options ranging from eclectic Japanese to flavorful Mexican. There are also some pretty stellar BBQ joints and American diners to choose from.

And if you’re looking to eat at all the best places in town, we’re here to help by showing you a few of our favorite restaurants in Hope, AR.

beer and burgers at a restaurant
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/NatashaPhoto

Our Top Eight Restaurants In Hope, AR: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. El Agaves Mexican Restaurant

Authentic Mexican flavors, freshly made by the family who owns it, with outdoor seating available.

There are many Mexican restaurants in Hope, AR, but this one has a special place in the hearts and minds of locals.

Always full of loyal patrons, El Agaves Mexican Restaurant deserves the plaudits too due to its authentic Mexican food, friendly and efficient staff, and lively atmosphere. There’s always a fiesta at El Agaves Mexican Restaurant, so if you’re looking for an excuse to celebrate, head on over and celebrate in style!

Regulars absolutely rave about their Fajitas, Quesadillas, and Burritos, so if you like any of those things, you will definitely not be disappointed when visiting.

Made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients this family-owned and run restaurant always makes its food with love. You can feel the difference because of how it tastes. The blend of flavors that they add to each dish is not an easy feat, making each bite delicious. You’ll want to savor the food while it lasts. Order a glass of homemade Horchata as well and you’ll be in seventh heaven.

Even the interior of the place is a full-on party. Everything about the décor is just so festive. From the bright yellow walls to the funky booth-style seating, there are plenty of photo opportunities to make friends and family back home jealous, so make sure you take some against the restaurant’s colorful backdrop. Each chair also has an innovative and unique back design making them super interesting. The attention to detail in regards to the décor is truly spectacular.

There’s also some outdoor seating that you can make use of when the weather is nice outside.

El Agaves Mexican Restaurant is always open! Every day of the week: Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am to 10 pm.

Address: 501 N Hervey St., Hope, AR

Many types of tacos on the table.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Gulcin Ragiboglu

2. BigMac’s Barbeeque

Big, bold, and beefy BBQ joint with a touch of local hospitality, great for the entire family.  

Known for its traditional BBQ joints, Arkansas is home to many great eateries that pride themselves on the best BBQ. And BigMac’s Barbeeque is slowly putting Hope on the map of great BBQ places to stop by when you’re in this part of the country.

Locally owned and operated, BigMac’s Barbeeque (not a typo, this is how they spell their restaurant!) delivers unreal flavors with their tender, melt-in-your-mouth-meat and great atmosphere, making it easily one of the best restaurants in Hope. Make sure you add it as a must-go on your list! Because you wouldn’t want to miss this.

The establishment just moved to a bigger place this year all due to the support of the local communities, and before they moved to their current location, the old place didn’t even have a dine-in option. Locals would just pick up and eat on the go.

It speaks volumes of the fact that their loyal customers made sure that the community came together and celebrated this local eatery, making it popular enough to buy a new place. Now, the place has plenty of tables to sit at and enjoy the food in. The vibe is comfortable and simple, making it all about the food.

As far as the food is concerned, the favorites that you simply must try are the brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Every other dish that includes these staples is excellent too like the sandwiches and combo plates. They also have a daily special that you can inquire about, that’s usually made and served fresh.

No matter what you end up ordering, it’ll be sublime. So, relax, unwind and eat to your heart’s content because this place will make your worries disappear.

BigMac’s Barbeeque is closed on Mondays and opens Tuesday to Thursday 11 am to 8 pm, Friday from 11 am to 9 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays, again opens from 11 am to 8 pm.

Address: 3505 US 278 Hwy W, Hope, AR

3. Hiro Hiro Restaurant

Classic Sushi place with chicken and beef options and Boba Tea. Dine-in & roadside collections are available.

One of the most famous restaurants in Hope for Hibachi, Sushi, and Boba Tea, this small, locally owned eatery is supremely popular with the young people of Hope.

A much-needed addition to the city’s culinary scene, Hiro Hiro brings a lot of Asian flavors and spice, adding to the diversity of dining options that the city has, making it the perfect spot to end up during your tour of the town.

With a huge menu full of delicacies, it can be difficult to know what to order, that’s where we step in! We recommend trying their Bento Boxes and Hibachi, as well as their Special Sushi. If you aren’t into Sushi, they have some chicken and beef options that you can experiment with as well.

Plus, their Boba Tea is the latest addition to the menu, so try out the Boba Latte and see what you think of this hugely popular Asian drink.

The restaurant’s interior is simple, with many tables making it easy to find a place even on busy days. Some traditional elements of Japanese culture like lanterns adorn the ceiling and the walls, making the vibe put you in the right mood for Japanese food. The lime green walls also add a touch of character and whimsy to the place, brightening it up and making it feel lively.

Hiro Hiro is open Monday to Friday 11 am to 8 pm and on Saturdays from 12:30 pm to 8 pm. It’s closed on Sundays so make sure you don’t leave it for the last day.

Address: 1110 N Hervey St, Hope, AR.

Sushi platter
Photo for illustrative purposes only (iStock.com/AtlasStudio)

4. Tailgater’s Burger Company

Good, old-fashioned American burger joint with a lively atmosphere and outdoor seating

An American town simply cannot be considered a food haven unless it has a local burger joint that many rave about. Tailgater’s Burger Company is exactly that for Hope.

With extraordinary burgers, some fantastic sides, and a great environment this restaurant is, in our opinion, one of the best places in the city to enjoy the pulse of the place.

Their bacon cheeseburger and sweet potato fries are the stuff of dreams, while their fried pickles, chicken wraps, and onion rings are super popular too. Everything is made from the freshest ingredients, there and then, so even if there is a bit of a wait, your order will be made from scratch.

They also have a separate kids’ menu to make choosing your little one, a whole lot easier. Plus, to end your feast, we recommend trying their flywheel pies, which are simply divine.

The vibe and eclectic décor of the restaurant adds to its overall aesthetic as well. From bicycles hanging off of walls to motorbikes hanging off of the ceilings, you’ll be reaching for the camera to take some truly amazing and memorable pictures from your trip to Tailgaters.

It’s also very popular amongst locals and is easily regarded by them as one of the best restaurants in Hope, AR, so you will have the perfect opportunity to meet and interact with some friendly townsfolk and ask them about more places that you should visit during your time there.

Tailgater’s Burger Company is only closed on Sundays! It’s open throughout the week from Monday to Friday 11 am to 8:30 pm, making it a reliable spot to end up at on days you are unsure of where to eat.

Address: 101 S Main St Hope, AR.

Burgers on board display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/karandaev

5. Dos Loco Gringos

Authentic Mexican flavors served in a family-style restaurant with a festive ambiance.

A locally owned, family-style Mexican Restaurant focusing on fresh, handcrafted Mexican food, scrumptious steaks, and traditional American cuisine, Dos Loco Gringos is a great spot to try. So, if you’re looking for a place that will appease everyone in your family, this might just be the safest option you can choose for a fun, family night out.

Their Favorite Mexican Dinner, Southwest Chicken Salad, Ribeye steak, and Fajitas are some of the locals’ favorites. Plus, their Supersize Sopapilla is a very famous dessert that has to be a part of every order, so make sure you order some for the table.

Also, they have a separate kids’ menu that can make orders for your little munchkins, a breeze. So, make sure you take a look at that before finalizing your order.

The restaurant’s façade is the perfect place to take a picture against, making it a lifelong memory for everyone, so make sure you take some! The inside is a lively blend of lights and color, full of Mexican elements like Sombreros that you can also wear while you eat. Getting into a party mood has never been so much fun.

Plus, there’s plenty of seating around to choose from, both booth style and table seating options are there. The aesthetic of the place is fun and warm, making it the right atmosphere to enjoy a meal in.

Dos Loco Gringos is open Monday to Saturday, 10:30 am to 8 pm, and on Sundays from 10:30 am to 2 pm, so make sure you catch them on a time their open!

Address: 2406 N Hervey St Hope, AR.

Mexican food display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Elihu Castillo Ramirez

6. Sheba’s Family Restaurant

Quaint family-owned restaurant with a vast variety of classic American dishes and all-day breakfast. Outdoor seating is available.

Want to feel like you belong? Well you’ll feel a part of Sheba’s family when visiting Sheba’s Family Restaurant, a place that will burrow itself into your heart and find a place to stay forever.

That’s because this family-owned and operated little place has a lot of warmth and love to share. Serving some classic American favorites this quaint restaurant is bound to become a family favorite.

With all-time favorites like steak, Surf and Turf, and pasta, there’s plenty of great options on the menu. Plus, if you’re in the mood for some Indian cuisine, the restaurant also does a mean Chicken Tikka Masala, so make sure you try some.

If you have teenagers or picky eaters with you, the place also serves all-day breakfast, so those are bound to make even the grumpiest of souls, happy and joyful. No wonder Sheba’s is one of the most popular restaurants in Hope, AR!

The interior is done up in red, black, and brown with a lovely coffee corner set up to get you in the mood for a hot beverage.

The décor is simple and effective with booth-style and table-style seating options available. The staff is courteous and kind, and they always have great recommendations on what to order and know about the daily specials as well. So, make sure you ask them about those before ordering.

Sheba’s Family Restaurant is open from 7 am to 9 pm Monday to Friday, on Saturdays, it’s open from 6 am to 8 pm. It remains closed on Sundays, so make sure to visit it midweek sometime.

Address:  1013 North Hervey Hope, AR.

Delicious breakfast on a light table
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/tbralnina

7. Big Jake’s Bar-B-Que

A BBQ place like no other, for all your carnivorous needs. Drive-thru option available

Another BBQ joint joins the list, because of its big flavors, service, and ambiance. Big Jake’s Bar-B-Que is a great option for days when you’re craving BBQ that’s done just right.

Owned and operated by Matthew Palmer and his family, this business had humble beginnings where Matthew used to do everything himself, but it now has grown into an establishment that has 6 branches in 2 states. Making it a popular eatery in many regions. Whenever you go to Big Jake’s, you’ll always be served food of the highest quality.

The restaurant’s brisket, sloppy joe, and BBQ sandwiches are our recommendations, as are its Ribs and Potato Salad. For dessert make sure you spare some room for its fried pies because they are truly the perfect end to an amazing meal.

There’s also a separate kid-friendly menu that you can choose to order for your little ones! And if you’re all meat lovers then ordering the family package or big family meal might also be a great idea, so you can look into those as well. Depends on how hungry everyone is, but rest assured, with all the tantalizing aroma around you, everyone will be famished by the time the food comes.

The interior is a whimsical mix of gingham tablecloths and tiny curtains adding to the charm of the place. There are plenty of seating options in a large open-floor seating plan. The restaurant also has a drive-thru option for days when you just want to grab & go.

However, you experience it and whenever you go, one thing’s for certain, the flavors will truly deliver and you’ll have a great meal. Making a trip to Big Jake’s worth it, in our eyes.

Big Jake’s Bar-B-Que is open Mondays to Thursdays from 10:30 am to 8 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 am to 9 pm. It’s closed on Sundays so make sure you go during the week to make the most of what it has to offer.

Address: 603 W. Commerce Hope, AR.

Full rack of BBQ grilled pork spare ribs on a marble board
Photo for illustrative purposes only (iStock.com/Vladimir Mironov)

8. Amigo Juan Mexican Restaurant

Traditional Mexican food cooked home-style, large portion sizes, and great Margaritas.  

Last but not least we have Amigo Juan Mexican Restaurant that serves traditional Mexican food, made homestyle, fresh every day. A place that locals swear by, with a big heart and lots of community involvement this eatery is unlike any other on our list, simply because of the quality of food that it serves.

Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, margaritas, or tamales, this place has everything, and that too in abundance. With great serving sizes and a huge variety of options to choose from, Amigo Juan will not let you down. They also serve chips and salsa to munch on while you ponder over your order, which is just a great added detail.

Since the portion sizes are so large, they do have a shared platter fee, so if you’re thinking of just ordering a single entrée, they will add that fee to your bill. It’s good to have that in mind if you’re thinking of sharing.

The interior is just the best though. A true color extravaganza, full of light and traditional Mexican decorations, you’ll be in awe of how much effort has gone into setting the place up. With so much to look at we recommend taking pictures of all the lovely decorations so that you save some precious memories from your trip to this special place in Hope.

Amigo Juan Mexican Restaurant is open Monday to Thursday 11 am to 9 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s open from 11 am to 9:30 pm, and on Sundays, it’s open only for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm.

Address: 1300 N Hervey St, Hope, AR.

Selection of tacos
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/DavidPrahl

The Best Restaurants In Hope, AR: Our Final Thoughts

That’s it, guys! Our roundup of all the best restaurants in Hope, AR. We hope you make it to at least some of these places because as far as small towns go, Hope really does have a lot of great locally or family-owned places that are truly worth visiting.

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.