This place is perfect for drinks and bar food that is restaurant quality (not your standard grill)…read more My kids really like the food here, but the atmosphere can be overstimulating for some of us. Get the thin and crispy fries!!! They're worth the wait. My first time here I ordered one of their loaded fry entrees and it was okay, but when I returned for a second shot I had a spicy grilled chicken sandwich that was very good and generously portioned. The drink menu looks promising, unfortunately I haven't made it to this restaurant without kids yet so I haven't tried anything from the bar.

The Bourbon Blitz Smashburger at Twisted Spud (Batesville)…read more Some burgers try to impress you. This one hits you square in the chest and then politely asks if you'd like fries with that. Twisted Spud's Bourbon Blitz Smashburger is what happens when a kitchen understands restraint and swagger at the same time. Let's start with the build. The double smash patties are pressed thin enough to get those deep, lacy, beef-forward edges--the kind that crackle when you bite in. That's not accidental. That's someone back there paying attention. The beef flavor leads, not the toppings, which is the first sign you're dealing with a serious burger. Then comes the pepper jack, melted just enough to coat the meat without hijacking it. You get heat, but it's controlled--no gimmicks, no cheap spice tricks. The bourbon glaze is where things turn special. Sweet, smoky, and just sticky enough to linger without drowning the bite. It's not dessert-sweet; it's confidence-sweet. The kind that knows exactly when to stop talking. Chipotle mayo adds a quiet, creamy warmth underneath everything--less "hey look at me" and more "you'd miss me if I weren't here." And those hand-breaded onion tanglers? Absolute chaos in the best way. Crunchy, savory, slightly wild--textural contrast that keeps every bite interesting all the way through. All of it comes together on a soft potato bun that actually understands its role: hold, support, and get out of the way. Paired with fries, this plate doesn't feel like bar food--it feels intentional. Thought through. Respected. Now let's talk about the vibe. The staff at Twisted Spud are exactly what you want in a place serving food like this: friendly without hovering, proud without being pushy, and clearly happy you're there. Service is quick, warm, and genuinely welcoming--the kind that makes you want to come back even before the check hits the table. Add to that multiple screens to watch some sports and have a drink with friends Bottom line: This isn't a "pretty good for a small town" burger. This is a flat-out good burger, period. If you're in Batesville and you skip Twisted Spud, that's on you. If you order the Bourbon Blitz and don't close your eyes on the first bite--check your pulse.

We had a great time with a group of 7. Accommodated us well and were attentive. Brought things…read morebefore I even had a chance to ask.

The food was good, but my chicken was partially pink. The service was good according to the people…read moredelivering my meal. It had the most welcome southern ambiance to the place. Will reccomend.

Great place! Smokehouse burger was great. Great flavor and the bread didn't get in the way. The…read moreboudin burger was good but I'm from Louisiana and like spicier boudin. The hot chicken sandwich had good kick. On another note, this is a Christian business that is not ashamed. I loved it. Keep up the good work!

A breakfast burrito that rides the rails straight into legend…read more Some meals feed you. Others announce themselves--plant a flag in your memory and refuse to leave. Jesse James Foods, a train-car restaurant tucked into Batesville, Arkansas, does the latter with the confidence of a place that knows exactly who it is and what it's doing. I arrived from Austin with the quiet skepticism of someone who's eaten well and often. I left recalibrated. The stage is already set the moment you step inside: a railcar theme reborn as a diner, humming with the kind of honest energy that only comes from food made by people who care. And at the center of it all is Jesse himself--part conductor, part craftsman, wholly in command of his kitchen. I ordered two takeout breakfast burritos (mom in hospital) that could not have been more different in temperament yet equally accomplished in execution: the Ghost Aioli Ham Breakfast Burrito and the Sausage Breakfast Burrito. Let's talk about the ghost pepper first--because Jesse did. Knowing my Texas background and my respect (and caution) for ghost pepper heat, he paused. He explained. He offered a taste, not as a dare, but as an assurance. That confidence was earned. The ghost aioli, when paired with the ham, is a masterclass in restraint. The heat is real--but it's civilized. The richness of the ham tempers the ghost pepper's fire into something warm, aromatic, and deeply satisfying rather than aggressive. It doesn't shout; it hums. Of the two burritos, it was the clear favorite--layered, bold, and balanced in a way that tells you this wasn't an accident. This was thought through. The sausage burrito, meanwhile, is comfort done right. Savory, grounded, and generous without being heavy. It's the kind of breakfast that steadies you for the day ahead. And then there's the detail that separates good from great: a proper crispy hash brown aside the burrito. Not limp. Not steamed into submission. Crispy. Structural. Intentional. It adds texture, contrast, and proof that Jesse understands breakfast at a fundamental level. Service matters, and here it shines. Jesse and his staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely proud of what they're serving--because they should be. There's no pretense here, just hospitality backed by skill. Jesse James Foods isn't just a stop. It's a destination. If you're anywhere near Batesville, you owe it to yourself to climb aboard. This is a must-try--and a reminder that some of the best food in America isn't found in big cities, but in railcars run by people who care enough to get every detail right. - M. Brown

Best and biggest chicken strips in town! We had leftovers to take home for the next day. Awesome…read moreburgers too! Great service with a good vibe!

If you lose our order, don't put us in the back the line and make us wait. Blaming the issue on…read moretechnology is lame. Fries and tater tots were room temperature. Burger was good. Shrimp and grits were good.

There is a segment in the restaurant community that does well by making the simple things you can…read moremake at home. There is not only nothing wrong with that, it is sometimes exactly what you need. Exotic flavor combinations and ingredients that aren't in your regular shopping cart is not what you want. A simple sandwich, BLT for her, Club for me, with crinkle cut fries gets the job done sometimes. It satisfies that 5th grader that lurks inside of all of us no matter how old we are. I also think the older we get, the more satisfied we are with safe, neutral flavors. A pinch of salt, the indication of a whisper of pepper, a patina of mayo. We were in town for my wife to visit a quilting cornerstone spot for her. We are retired now, and closer than we had been over in MD, so we hopped in the car and made a 3 day odessy, good time had by all. Our visit got off to a little of a rough start, [at the time an unexplained delay after tea delivery - the other staff could have taken the initiative of coming to take our order, but I don't know the internal dynamics here] however the young lady bounced back well, and there are no complaints on actual service or the food. I suspect it is quite popular with the locals, I see a lot of lofty praise in the reviews, and our hotel clerk recommended we try it.

I'm so disappointed with Whistle Stop. After reading some very positive reviews I met some friends…read morefor an early evening dinner. First what was done right... We ordered the green tomatoes to share and they were yummy. Probably the best I ever had. My friends were both satisfied with their meal, one ordered a salad, and the other one had a chicken sandwich. Unfortunately, for me, I ordered a hamburger with fried okra. The okra was pretty good, however the hamburger was absolutely inedible. Dry and flavorless! I took one bite and couldn't believe how bad it was! Worst of all, when I complained the girl said "Oh, sorry about that." and walked away. I didn't want to make a scene, since I was with new friends. Needless to say, I will not be going back. There are other options in Batesville.

The Monster Omelet is AWESOME!! Friendly attentive staff…read more Biscuits and gravy are like your mama used to make. This is a lost art. I'll be back.

Wow had someone tell me this was a good place so I stopped for lunch my girl friend ordered the…read moreMonterey chicken I ordered the hamburger steak, first the Monterey chicken had this sauce pour over it I have no idea what it was but was not good at all. My hamburger steak was burned and the mash potatoes tasted funny I didn't eat them. Best part of the meal was my salad it was very good with fantastic ranch dressing on it. I don't like leaving bad reviews but at $40 it should have been better. Very disappointed. The staff was very friendly no problems with them at all.

Great pizza done by some awesome folks!…read more I try to time my trips through Batesville around their hours so I can grab a pizza!

Rocket Brew is alright…read more I'm glad y'all are still in business, but I miss your sandwiches.

We really enjoyed Cowboys Barbecue! It has that casual, welcoming feel of an old-fashioned barbecue…read moreplace. You don't have to wait to be seated--you just come in, find a table, and make yourself at home. The service is especially friendly because all the girls seem to take care of everyone. Instead of having just one server, they all work together to make sure you have what you need. It makes the whole place feel relaxed and welcoming. But the FOOD is what really got me! We used to live in Texas, and I have missed good Texas-style brisket so much. Their brisket took me right back--it was absolutely outstanding! Tender, flavorful, and exactly what I've been looking for. The barbecue sauce is sweet and tangy, just the way I like it. And the fried okra... I honestly think it may be the best fried okra I've ever had. So crispy and delicious! The nachos were outstanding too, and the portion was HUGE--more than enough to fill up one hungry person. The brisket dinner was just as generous. There was so much food on my plate that I couldn't finish it all. If you've been looking for great barbecue, generous portions, friendly service, and that laid-back hometown atmosphere, Cowboys Barbecue is definitely worth a visit. We will absolutely be back!

Decided to try this place on a recommendation from a co-worker. I was in town for the week…read moreworking. I decided to get the 2 meat plate with ribs and brisket. Also had beans and potato salad. When my food arrived I could immediately tell it had been reheated in the microwave. Even with that the ribs were tender and tasted pretty good. The Bad- the brisket was dry and because it was reheated in the microwave it was way overcooked. Dark dark gray color with no juice in it what so ever. It was flavorless and very underwhelming. Beans were just beans. Be better if they were seasoned and put on smoker to get the flavor. Potato salad was good. Liked their hot bbq sauce.