There is something special about an old-fashioned Arkansas dairy bar.
In Arkansas, dairy bars are usually small walk-up restaurants serving ice cream, cheeseburgers, fries, milkshakes and other simple food. The ice cream cones are often enormous, the burgers are cooked on a well-seasoned flat-top and many of the customers have been coming since they were children.
Arkansas still has quite a few of these classic little restaurants scattered around the state. Some have been serving their communities for more than 50 years.
Around here we also tend to be deeply nostalgic about our dairy bars. For example I can’t pass Kream Kastle without remembering all the times my family stopped there on the way to the lake when I was a child…and that was many years ago.
If you want to learn more about the history of the dairy bars in Arkansas then I highly recommend looking into Kat Robinson’s book: Arkansas Dairy Bars Neat Eats and Cool Treats. Kat is the guru of the history of food and restaurants in Arkansas.
Our Readers’ Favorite Arkansas Dairy Bars
We recently asked our Facebook and Instagram followers to name their favorite Arkansas dairy bars. They responded with lots of recommendations. Best of all, they also shared some of their wonderful memories.
People told us about buying milkshakes for their parents, eating lunch at the same dairy bar every day for decades and taking their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to places they visited when they were young.
This post is not a ranking of the best dairy bars, and it definitely is not a complete list.
Instead, these are 15 of the places that received the most recommendations and had especially memorable stories attached to them.
We have been to many of these dairy bars but not all. The others are now on my list to try!
Important: Hours at small dairy bars can change, and some operate seasonally. Check the restaurant’s current hours before making a special trip.
Salem Dairy Bar in Benton
Salem Dairy Bar is the dairy bar I visit most often because it is closest to my home. I love it. It is also on our list of our favorite restaurants in Benton.
It tied for the most recommendations from our readers, and people had very specific opinions about what to order. The swirl cones were mentioned several times, along with the burgers and hot-fudge sundaes.
One reader warned that a large cone at Salem Dairy Bar really is large. She even suggested asking for an extra cup before driving away unless you want melting ice cream all over your hands.
Other readers recommended the burgers and I agree. I always get a burger at Salem Dairy Bar to go with my milkshake.
Salem Dairy Bar is in the Salem community near Benton. Although it is close to the growing Benton and Bryant area, it still has a small-town feel.
Readers recommend: Swirl cones, hot-fudge sundaes and burgers.
Bailey’s Dairy Treat in Hot Springs
Bailey’s Dairy Treat received just as many reader recommendations as Salem Dairy Bar, and the Bailey’s comments were the most personal.
One woman remembered stopping at Bailey’s to buy her mother a milkshake on the way to visit her. Another said she lived near Bailey’s for a while and had to have a peanut butter shake almost every day.
Several readers also mentioned the owner and said he remembers his customers even when they have not visited in a while.
Of course, Bailey’s is not only about the milkshakes. Readers also praised the burgers and fries.
This is a dairy bar that I have been to on many occasions. I try to stop by for a shake whenever we are in the area. It is located in a small building on Park Avenue in Hot Springs.
Readers recommend: Peanut butter shakes, burgers, fries and just about any milkshake.
King Kone in Hot Springs
King Kone in Hot Springs also has a very loyal following. It was another one of the most frequently mentioned places on the list.
The vanilla and chocolate swirl cone was the specific order that came up more than once. I’m sure it is delicious, but I also suggest that when they have the pineapple whip as a special…get that! So refreshing on a hot summer day.
King Kone is on Malvern Avenue and serves the classic dairy-bar combination of burgers, hot dogs, fries, ice cream and shakes.
Readers recommend: The vanilla and chocolate swirl cone, the pineapple whip.
Frosty Treat in Hot Springs
Yes, there is still another recommended dairy bar in Hot Springs. Frosty Treat was also a Hot Springs favorite.
The restaurant opened in 1951 and is currently the third-oldest dairy bar in Arkansas. Its location on East Grand Avenue has been serving ice cream and traditional dairy-bar food for generations.
This one is super easy for me to stop at on my way into Hot Springs from Little Rock. On summer evenings, you almost always see people gathered around the outdoor tables.
Honestly, with Bailey’s, King Kone, and Frosty Treat all receiving multiple votes, Hot Springs could almost have its own list of favorite dairy bars.
Readers recommend: Ice cream treats and classic dairy-bar food.
Daisy Queen in Marshall
Daisy Queen in Marshall is an easy place to see while driving through town on Highway 65.
We have stopped at this Daisy Queen many times over the years. We obviously like it, and our readers do too. Several of their comments simply called it “the best.”
This dairy bar has been operating in Marshall for more than 50 years and has even received multiple nominations for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. It’s a popular stop for people traveling through Marshall on their way to the Buffalo National River, Mountain View, Branson, or other destinations in the Ozarks.
Do not confuse this Daisy Queen in Marshall with the Daisy Queen near Harrison. The two restaurants are not related, although both were recommended by our followers.
Readers recommend: Ice cream, milkshakes and burgers.
Kream Kastle near Lonsdale
Kream Kastle is on Highway 70 between Benton and Hot Springs.
The restaurant has been a familiar stopping point along this road for many years. As I mentioned above, it is where my family always stopped on summer days on the way to the lake. I also remember a good wading spot in a creek just across the street.
The restaurant closed for a time in 2023 before the owners of Salem Dairy Bar took over and reopened it. In our opinion, Kream Kastle is even better than before.
Several readers said they had eaten there recently and were impressed. Milkshakes received a special mention, but one person said she had never ordered anything at Kream Kastle that she did not like.
Readers recommend: Milkshakes, burgers and ice cream.
Dairyette in Mount Ida
The Dairyette has been serving Mount Ida since 1958 and is still a popular stop for both locals and travelers passing through town. We go to the town of Mena often and the Dairyette is on our route.
We always find ourselves pulling in as if our car is magnetized.
Our readers recommended the cheeseburger baskets and large twist cones. One person said the Dairyette has the best Oreo mixers anywhere and wished she lived closer. I agree. The Oreo mixer is my go-to order.
Another reader suggested an entire order: a cheeseburger basket and a large twist cone. That would be a delicious meal!
The Dairyette is on Highway 270, making it a good stop not just on the way to Mena, but also to the crystal mines around Mount Ida or anywhere in the western Ouachita Mountains.
Readers recommend: Oreo mixers, cheeseburger baskets and twist cones.
Yellowjacket Drive-In in Sheridan
The Yellowjacket Drive-In is a longtime Sheridan restaurant serving burgers, fries, sandwiches and ice cream.
The restaurant is named for Sheridan’s school mascot, and it’s located in a brightly painted yellow and blue building to match the school colors. This gives it the kind of strong hometown connection found at many Arkansas dairy bars.
Readers especially recommended the cheeseburgers, along with the ice cream and other classic drive-in food.
Readers recommend: Cheeseburgers.
Kennon’s Dairy Bar in Fair Oaks
Kennon’s Dairy Bar sits near the intersection of Highways 49 and 64 in the Fair Oaks community.
I’ll be honest, I have driven all over this state and had never heard of Fair Oaks. In case you haven’t heard of it either, Kennon’s has a McCrory address.
Kennon’s is known for old-fashioned burgers, shakes and other dairy-bar favorites.
The reader comments told us that we really need to order the hot-fudge cake. Somebody else told us to order the burger with nacho cheese added. She warned that it would be messy but worth it. Sounds good to me!
Several people also shared fond memories of when Hazel Kennon ran the restaurant.
Readers recommend: Hot-fudge cake and a burger with nacho cheese.
Spradlin’s Dairy Delight in England
A few people mentioned Spradlin’s Dairy Delight, and their stories were so good that we knew it needed to be included.
One woman said her husband, who is now in his 80s, has eaten lunch at Spradlin’s almost every day since he was in high school. Another said that she takes her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren there. She hopes the next generation will continue the family tradition.
I think these are the kinds of memories that make old-fashioned Arkansas dairy bars so special.
Spradlin’s is on Main Street in England and serves burgers and other classic diner food. They are also known for their Frito chili pie.
Readers recommend: Burgers and Frito chili pie.
Wink’s Dairy Bar in North Little Rock
Wink’s Dairy Bar is on East Washington Avenue in North Little Rock near Rose City. It has been operating since 1968 and is still a locally owned neighborhood restaurant.
It has that perfect old-fashioned feeling with desserts on cake stands topped with glass domes.
Wink’s serves burgers, plate lunches, shakes, malts and other simple comfort food. Several people have recommended the footlong hot dog, and others said you have to try the pies and cakes.
Readers recommend: Burgers, footlong hot dog, pies
Lion’s Den Drive-In in Clarendon
Lion’s Den Drive-In is in the small Delta town of Clarendon and as you might guess from the name, the local high school teams are the Lions.
The recommendations specifically mentioned the burgers, barbecue, and ice cream, specifically the butterscotch sundae.
Readers recommend: Burgers, barbecue, and butterscotch sundae.
Jackrabbit Dairy Bar in Lonoke
Jackrabbit Dairy Bar is on Front Street in Lonoke.
People who have lived in the area for a long time may remember it as Tidwell’s Dairy Bar, but Jackrabbit is still in the same location and dates back to 1962.
Jackrabbit Dairy Bar is named after the local high school mascot. They serve burgers, fries, shakes, and all the familiar dairy bar food, but they are especially known for their delicious cheese dip!
It is a convenient stop for anyone traveling east from Little Rock along Interstate 40.
Readers recommend: Burgers, shakes and cheese dip.
Dairy Dream in Mountainburg
Dairy Dream has been a Mountainburg fixture since 1954.
It is best known for the Mountainburger, a loose-meat sandwich that is different from the standard dairy-bar hamburger.
I’m not sure how to describe it. I’d say it is sort of like chopped up meatloaf but with hamburger condiments. Perhaps it’d be easier to just say, it’s good! It’s a burger I look forward to when I drive through the area in the summer.
It was actually a drink called the Purple Cow that inspired one of our readers to nominate Dairy Dream. I have not had a Purple Cow myself, but apparently you make it by combining grape soda with vanilla ice cream.
I’m guessing like a root beer float but with grape soda? Someone let me know!
Dairy Dream is on Highway 71 and makes a fun stop when traveling the scenic drive through Mountainburg or visiting Lake Fort Smith State Park.
Readers recommend: The Purple Cow and the Mountainburger.
Daisy Queen Hi-Boy near Harrison
This Daisy Queen is south of Harrison on Scenic Highway 7.
Let’s talk about the name. The sign out front says Daisy Queen Hi-Boy, while its Facebook page calls it Daisy Queen 7 South. I have always called it Daisy Queen Hi-Boy, so that is what I am using here.
Whatever you call it, it is not the same as the Daisy Queen in Marshall. Although they have the same name and both serve old-fashioned dairy-bar food, the two restaurants are not related.
Daisy Queen Hi-Boy serves the traditional burgers, fries, ice cream and milkshakes, but it also has a menu that includes plate lunches, homemade desserts and daily specials.
One of our readers said that everything here was delicious. I typically just get a burger, but now I’m thinking that I need to try something else the next time we stop by.
Readers recommend: Burgers, ice cream and milkshakes.
More Arkansas Dairy Bars to Explore
These 15 restaurants received the most recommendations from our readers, but they are certainly not the only dairy bars in Arkansas.
Readers also mentioned the Dairy Diner in Charleston, Bulldog in Bald Knob, Mel’s Dairy Bar in Malvern and Diamond Drive-In in Clarksville.
Betty’s Old Fashion in El Dorado surprisingly did not receive a nomination in our informal reader survey. It opened in the 1930s and is generally identified as the oldest continuously operating dairy bar in Arkansas.
Arkansas Dairy Bars Are About More Than Ice Cream
When we asked our followers to name their favorite dairy bars, we expected to hear about burgers, milkshakes and ice cream cones – and we did – but we also heard stories about family and memories.
People remembered stopping with their parents, meeting friends after school and eventually bringing their own children and grandchildren. In some small towns, the dairy bar has been one of the community’s main gathering places for generations.
How many of these old-fashioned Arkansas dairy bars have you tried?
