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    Cecil's Cafe

    5.0 (1 review)
    Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    2 months ago

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    The Parsonage - Biscuit sandwich

    The Parsonage

    3.8(120 reviews)
    57.0 mi
    $$

    When visiting Jonesboro, we decided to grab lunch at this cute cafe in the entertainment district…read moredowntown. The inside decor was very eclectic with art, paper stars hanging from the ceiling, and mix-matched furniture. It felt very fun. We chose to sit in a booth by the window around 1:00. There was only one other table of patrons when we arrived. It was very cold inside, but it looked clean. I ordered a ham sandwich with chips. My mom ordered a pick two with half BLT and a half cup of chicken and wild rice soup. The wait was slow for some cold sandwiches and premade soup. My sandwich was good but it just tasted like regular deli meat on white sandwich bread. The chips came from a basket with two different types of sun chips, which were not my favorite. My mom's soup did not have any chicken or meat in it, just the broth and lots of beans. It was also very spicy, which unfortunately didn't work with her dietary restriction. She wasn't able to eat much of it. We both got drinks, as well, but never refills. Our waitress didn't come back to check on us. Together the bill was in the mid $30s + tax and a tip. It just felt overpriced for mediocre food and service. Cute place, but I probably won't go back.

    Quick dining experience, lots of seating, also incredible decor for the holiday season! I really…read moreloved the huge Yeti watching us eat. I think the food was only okay, it seemed a bit lacking in flavor and I found myself putting more and more hot sauce on it with every bite. However, the price point is seemingly appropriate for that! Great place for an easy bite and holiday cheer!

    Photos
    The Parsonage - Near bar

    Near bar

    The Parsonage - Chef's Choice Omelette

    Chef's Choice Omelette

    The Parsonage

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    Who Dat's Cajun Restaurant - Fried Alligator Bites

    Who Dat's Cajun Restaurant

    4.2(78 reviews)
    48.5 mi
    $$

    Who dat say dey gonna eat dem Cajun... foods... in Arkansas? Anyway, yup, a genuine Louisianan chef…read morehas worked his way up to Bald Knob and maintained this wonderful establishment. Let's go through things one by one. * Expect a wait. For being half a mile off the Interstate with no signs, it was packed. At 8 pm on a weekday, I waited 20 minutes as a single attendee. They do their best to clear tables and keep things moving, but this means the locals know this place and love it. And by "locals", the ones across from me lived an hour away and came up two days in a row to get some fresh crawfish before it was gone ("last weekend" was advertised). That tells you something. * Patient and friendly staff. Refilled my car-trip water bottle for me. Brought over a fresh hot sauce because my table was nearly out. Pro tip: ask for Louisiana brand, it's all natural and the name says "I am Cajun." * Fun atmosphere. Open but down-home. It sure doesn't feel corporate, they did a nice job touching it up. The only non-food downside: No wi-fi available. With that, on to the foods: * The gumbos are probably a little overpriced for their size, but I expected that. The chicken sausage gumbo had wonderful dark roux flavor, just a little runnier than I'm used to my gumbo. But I don't eat gumbo often, so this may be the right consistency. * The crawfish etouffée, on the other hand, is a wonderful value. Yes, it's got quite a bit of rice at its base (maybe I shouldn't have gotten two rice-based dishes), but it has quite a bit of crawfish and vegetated sauce on top. Again, very flavorful. * You get a little puffy roll with the gumbo. You get a little puffy roll with crawfish etouffée. Make sure every dish you order comes with at least one, preferably up to infinity, puffy rolls. SO GOOD. I want to go drive back there right now for more but they're closed for the night. * I didn't order the hushpuppies but I noted I was intrigued on someone else's plate, and they magically ended up on mine. (It was, in fact, part of the dish anyway.) Turns out they're rather oily and were a bit overfried. Oh well. * They may or may not have desserts besides bread pudding, but the non-local locals I waited with up front said there's a different bread pudding flavor every day. They magically had a whole loaf of bread pudding in their hands moments later - those are up by the register and disappear quickly. Now, I'm not a bread pudding guy, but if there is ONE flavor that will get me, it's berries. And they offered triple berry bread pudding the night I was there. I was stuffed from dinner, so I brought it home and ate it the next day. Despite still being stuffed, I couldn't wait. If anything, I wanted Even More Berries inside but it's a good sized slice for the price. The loaf is a steal, comparatively, but I knew I couldn't pack one of those away. It was gone when I left, to no surprise. The verdict: A couple of imperfections noted above - the wi-fi, the hushpuppies - but considering the location and the food quality, I'm leaving all my stars and recommendations for travelers in the area I've now heard of.

    My wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Who Dat's this past week, and it was an unforgettable…read moreexperience from start to finish. This place nails the perfect blend of authentic Southern hospitality, mouthwatering food, and a cozy, down-home vibe that makes you feel like family. I ordered the Cajun blackened catfish, and let me tell you--it was perfection on a plate. The seasoning was bold, spicy, and perfectly balanced, with a crispy exterior giving way to tender, flaky fish. My wife went for the ribeye, cooked to a juicy medium-rare, and it was one of the best steaks we've had in years--rich, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. We shared the stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer, and they were an absolute highlight: plump, savory, and bursting with cheesy, garlicky goodness. Portions? Massive. We left stuffed and happy, with leftovers for the next day. The value here is outstanding. The service was top-notch--our server was friendly, attentive, and full of great recommendations without ever feeling rushed. The restaurant itself has such a fun, welcoming atmosphere: walls covered in taxidermy, quirky photos, and local charm that spark smiles and conversation. It's the kind of place where you linger after your meal just to soak it all in. If you're craving real Cajun flavor, generous helpings, and a true hometown feel, Who Dat's is a five-star winner. We can't wait to go back!

    Photos
    Who Dat's Cajun Restaurant - Funny signs

    Funny signs

    Who Dat's Cajun Restaurant - Chicken/sausage gumbo and fresh roll. I added the rice.

    Chicken/sausage gumbo and fresh roll. I added the rice.

    Who Dat's Cajun Restaurant - Grilled seafood Bayou Platter for Two

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    Grilled seafood Bayou Platter for Two

    Ground Zero Blues Club - Deep Fried Pecan Pie

    Ground Zero Blues Club

    4.2(176 reviews)
    57.8 mi
    $$

    Best catfish I ever ate! Great place for blues music too. Staff here are wonderfulread more

    Of course, their music was what attracted many people over from all over the world, but I can…read morehonestly say that out of the food that I have had, I thoroughly enjoyed it all in terms of taste. It was economical, too, so we had quality food while spending a reasonable amount of money. I had the catfish BLT, which was a simple catfish burger with the most basic ingredients. Yet the catfish itself was so tasty that I didn't even need ketchup or mayo for the burger. It was so seasoned that it definitely made the burger an enjoyable experience. My partner had the kingfish platter which was essentially catfish as well. But then there was a small cup of coleslaw that we both thought was the best we've had, mainly because they didn't use mayo but some kind of vinegar to supplement the taste. And then my partner had the deep fried pecan pie and I had a taste of it. Even though I am not even the biggest fan of pecan pie, I really enjoyed that one and I think it was because the deep fried aspect along with whipped cream complemented the gelatinous material in pecan pies (don't know how to call it). There was music 365 days a week in the club, and particularly we were there during the annual Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival, so it was extra special. There were visitors all over the world attending the festival and many great bands played in the club. The amount of mess on the walls in the club speaks to the historically and culturally rich aspect of this club and of this town. Definitely a 5 star experience.

    Photos
    Ground Zero Blues Club - Inside of restaurant

    Inside of restaurant

    Ground Zero Blues Club - Cobbler and ice cream

    Cobbler and ice cream

    Ground Zero Blues Club - Nobody at the bar except me, and the bartender on her phone the whole time. Terrible service.

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    Nobody at the bar except me, and the bartender on her phone the whole time. Terrible service.

    Hurley House Cafe

    Hurley House Cafe

    4.3(43 reviews)
    47.2 mi
    $

    As a northerner stepping into a Southern-style spot, I have to agree with another Yelp reviewer…read moreabout the sweet tea. It's not that true Southern sweet tea you hear legends about -- the kind that practically hugs your soul and spikes your dentist's anxiety -- but honestly, it's not bad at all if you're trying to watch your sugar. Consider it "Midwest sweet." Polite. Respectable. Not trying to put you into a sugar coma. Now let's talk food. My kiddos ordered the popcorn chicken and mini dogs -- and as any parent knows, the highest culinary honor is the empty plate. They ate every last bite. From my 5-year-old, that's basically a Michelin star review. My husband had the BBQ burger. When asked for a detailed description, I received his usual top-tier food critique vocabulary: "It was good." I ordered the BBQ bacon chicken with tots. The tater tots deserve their own moment -- perfectly crisp, not oily, and seasoned just right. The chicken itself leaned a little on the dry side, but the BBQ sauce definitely stepped in and saved the day. Overall? I'd definitely stop here again -- especially over chain restaurant which seem to be the only other commonly options in the next town over. This place feels like the better pick when you want something satisfying without the big-chain blah.

    The good here is amazing! The breakfast is cooked to order. The lunch specials are the best deal…read moreyou will find in the area. The staff is extremely nice and friendly.

    Photos
    Hurley House Cafe - BBQ bacon chicken

    BBQ bacon chicken

    Hurley House Cafe
    Hurley House Cafe - Mini dogs

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    Mini dogs

    Soul Fish Cafe - Catfish, okra and cucumber salad, to go!

    Soul Fish Cafe

    4.3(587 reviews)
    45.6 miCooper-Young
    $$

    I can not believe I have not reviewed Soul Fish as of yet. I am a huge fan…read more Let me preface this review by saying ... My grandfather owned two successful catfish restaurants. As a child I grew up on fried fish filets and hush puppies until my grandfather had to retire and sell his restaurant due to his Health. He still cooks up a mess of catfish for us about two or three times a year when we visit. Yum! My standards for good catfish are extremely high. Good fried catfish is not greasy, light cornmeal batter, tender flaky inside, and slightly crispy on the outside. Sounds simple enough but the truth of the matter is... Good fried catfish takes skill. After an epic searched for any decent catfish in Memphis and surrounding areas that took a few years ... My family and I decided to give up. And when I heard about Soul Fish it took some considerable convincing to get them to go. We where, none of us, disappointed! Soul Fish is without a doubt the best Catfish in Memphis. It is perfectly fried... Hushpuppies are tasty, coleslaw edible if not always yummy, fried pickles crisp and tart, pickle green tomatoes so yummy I could swim in them, and vegetables always cooked and seasons well (special recognition to the cabbage, broccoli, and black eyed peas). The service is always friendly, fast, efficient, and correct. The blackened catfish is pretty tasty too ... Sometimes they get a little heavy handed on the seasoning. Deserts are pretty great as well. My sister loves the Mississippi mud chocolate thingy they have (I'm not a chocolate fan). I've introduced many people (about 40 or so) to Soul Fish - locals and visitors alike - and no one ... And I mean not a single one of them where disappointed. So why four stars instead of five? True... the catfish is the best in Memphis - however it is not the best I've ever had. And Sometimes a filet or two at Soul Fish fall short of perfection... However ... I'm a regular and a fan of Soul Fish Cafe. If you have spent hours and disappointed meals trying to find good catfish in Memphis ... Look no further ... This is the place for you. I promise you will not Be disappointed!

    Still on the amazing food stops from our December 2025 Smoky Mountains trip, our final Tennessee…read moremeal had to be memorable--and Soul Fish Cafe delivered. Memphis is a slight detour on our way back to Texas, but there was no way we were settling for fast food along the highway. We wanted good seafood--fresh, satisfying, and worth the stop. So glad we chose this spot. From the outside, it's simple and unassuming. Inside, it feels like a slightly bougie fish cafe--clean, cozy, and well-kept, with subtle holiday decor and that warm Southern hospitality greeting you at the door. Our server, Denise, was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. The one-page menu keeps it simple, and she walked us through it along with the daily special. We ordered the gumbo, salmon burger, and a grilled salmon plate--everything tasted fresh and cooked to order. A perfect seafood meal in Tennessee. We left full, happy, and already planning what to try next time. Definitely a spot worth revisiting.

    Photos
    Soul Fish Cafe - Cozy, clean and inviting

    Cozy, clean and inviting

    Soul Fish Cafe
    Soul Fish Cafe - Interior

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    Interior

    Cecil's Cafe - soulfood - Updated July 2026

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