Pie Haven at Big John's Shake Shack in Marion.

Fried pies, icebox pies, baked pies, meringue pies, even pies you could never conjure in your mind. Big John's Shake Shack offers a plethora of pies in all shapes, sizes and styles in Marion, Arkansas.

Eat The City: 9 Places To Dine in West Memphis (and Marion).

Headed to a town in Arkansas but don't know the culinary terrain? Here's the first of several travel dining guides to take you to the best and sort through the rest of The Natural State's tasty towns.

When it comes to culinary destinations in Arkansas, the capital city comes tops.  You'll find plenty of locals to share Little Rock's bounty, from the Little Rock Foodcast to The Mighty Rib, Eat Arkansas and Rock City Eats.  There are a large number of amazing eateries in Hot Springs, Fort Smith and northwest Arkansas. But let's look at some other population centers around the state.

Let's start with West Memphis.  The point of entry from travelers from the east for centuries, this town over the levee got going as the place to fuel bodies and cars during the great heyday of the early interstate highway system, with US Highway 70 rolling through town as Broadway.  Elvis not only dined here (his last breakfast before heading to report for Army duty at Fort Chaffee was at the town's Coffee Cup location), he performed here alongside many of the great blues and rockabilly giants of the era.  

While Memphis and Beale Street during the 50s and 60s had a set curfew, the many diners and bars that lined Broadway often stayed open later and captured hungry dancers and music lovers who made their way across the bridge for early morning sustenance.  

Over the years, Memphis has boomed and West Memphis has busted, but there are still a good number of classic restaurants around, serving everything from doughnuts to barbecue in style.  A number of new enterprises have cropped up as well, and if you find yourself in West Memphis for business, pleasure or otherwise, you can find a pretty good bite to eat most hours of the day.

Here are my dining picks for the city.

Breakfast:  Howard's Donuts.

So much more than just your average doughnut shop, this original location now has spin-offs in Memphis proper.  Cinnamon doughnuts, German chocolate and red velvet varieties and cream-topped (rather than filled) pastries are all sinful delights.  The true specialty is the Hawaiian fritter - a pineapple-chunked pastry with heft.  Look for the daily scripture on the whiteboard.

1711 N. Missouri * West Memphis * (870) 735-2046

Barbecue:  William's Bar-B-Q.

Want a great barbecue sandwich? You won't get ribs or wings at William's, but you will get huge, fat Boston butt sandwiches with thick sauce and chunky slaw.  Hearty.  But don't wait too late in the day, or you'll just have to settle for a burger.  Oh, count all the TV sets in the restaurant, working and not, just for fun while you wait.

106 S. 14th Street * West Memphis * (870) 735-0979 * Lunch Tuesday-Saturday.

More barbecue:  Roadside Bar-B-Q.  This little shack just off I-40 is where you get ribs in West Memphis.  The pork sandwiches are celebrated, and the barbecue chicken is lauded.
196 Arkansas 147 * Bob Ward * (870) 733-9208 

Burgers/Pie:  Big John's Shake Shack.

Catfish, chicken, barbecue and country ham sandwiches all grace the menu at this dairy diner opened back in 1977, but you'll want to get the burger here, too.  And saving space for pie is not an option.  There are fried pies, baked pies, icebox pies, fruit pies, cream pies, nut pies, chocolate pies, and even a pie made with Tang.  Say hello to Ms. Loretta and enjoy all the Elvis memorabilia.  Also serves breakfast.

409 Military Road * Marion * (870) 739-3943 * Facebook * Mon, Tue, Thu 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Wed 8 a.m. - 6 p.m, Fri 8 a.m, -  8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Bakery:  The Parsonage.

A great secret in downtown Marion, this old church facility is now a bakery and restaurant featuring great sandwiches, salads and a marvelous Saturday brunch.  The waffles are of legend.  Best spot in the area for a good vegetarian meal -- and fish dishes all through Lent.

198 Military Road * Marion * (870) 559-2133 * Facebook * Tue, Thu 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wed, Sat 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat & Sun 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Steak: Bourbon Street Steakhouse.

Located within Southland Gaming and Racing, this high-end steakhouse offers quiet, candlelit dining and sumptuous, almost gratuitously tender steaks and fresh seafood.  Bourbon Street holds claim to the best prime rib in the area, and the Lafayette Blue Crab Cakes are fantastic.  Date night stuff. Reservations suggested.

Inside Southland Gaming and Racing * West Memphis * (800) 467-6182 * Website * Wed & Thu 5-10 p.m., Fri & Sat 5-11 p.m., Sun 4-9 p.m.

Mexican:  Mi Pueblo.
Good, cheap, somewhat authentic Mexican fare.  Chile relleno is a hit, and burritos are ample.  I keep being told about the margaritas... take that for what it's worth.
650 West Service Road, Suite 121 * West Memphis * (870) 702-6151 * Lunch and dinner daily.

Ark-Mex:  Pancho's Mexican Restaurant.

Still kicking since the 1950s, this classic Ark-Mex lays claim to one of the first cheese dips in the state.  Unlike everywhere else, here it's served cold.  Enchiladas, tostadas, burritos and everything else you'd expect to find, plus a salad dressing people beg for.  Kids love this place.

3600 East Broadway * West Memphis * (870) 735-6466 * Website 

Italian:  Uncle John's.

A short drive from West Memphis, the Marconi family still cranks out traditional pastas, ribs ad such in an old storefront in Crawfordsville.  Go for the toasted ravioli and the lasagna.  Read more here.

5453 Main Street * Crawfordsville * (870) 823-5319 * Lunch Mon-Fri, Dinner Tue-Sat.

* * *

If you must dine the chains, here's what's available:
Lenny's Sub Shop (a sandwich chain out of Memphis) * 1806 N. Missouri Street * (870) 772-9700
Domino's Pizza * 1405 N. Missouri Street Ste. C * (870) 735-7600
Krystal * 1804 N. Missouri Street * (870) 732-3375
Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen * 1344 N. Missouri Street * (870) 735-4212
Cracker Barrel * 1600 N. 6th Street (south service road)* (870) 733-0469
McDonald's * 3901 Petro Road (in the truck hub) * (870) 735-6881
Denny's * 3000 Service Loop Road (next to Flying J) * (870) 400-2094

How Green Is My Love?

Ideas for a different sort of Valentine

Is your kind of girl the sort that would look at those dozen red roses and bemoan the fact that the flowers were raised with chemicals and will soon be dead? The sort that prefers a weekend saving the planet to a weekend of selfish exuberance? You’re in luck. Here are some ideas for places to go to choose that perfect gift for the ecologically friendly lover in your life.

Pick up a gift at The Green Corner Store on South Main in Little Rock. Lots of neat items that have been recycled, repurposed or created from local materials. Something cute: Sushi Jewelry, made from felt to resemble the popular Japanese-style snack food. Also, Flip-Off Jewelry, made from the “flip off” caps from insulin bottles kept out of landfills. Enjoy the double entendre. TheGreenCornerStore.com.

If you have a little money to spare and want to give your sweetheart something that’s truly original, try a unique item from Miller’s Mud Mill Pottery in Dumas. Gail Miller’s pieces have drawn the interest of thousands who seek out her unique and colorful creations. Her wheel-turned bowls, trays, cheeseboards and coffee mugs aren’t just useful, they’re works of art. Check out the website, MillersMudMill.com.

Or how about fine art? Local artists need your support. Eureka Thyme specializes in art and products that are all eco-friendly and made locally. From soy candles made in Arkansas to original photography by Randal Thompson and Dale Johnson to the whimsical Boston terrier paintings by Betty Johnson, you’ll find something you love for that someone you adore. EurekaThyme.com.

Does your darling dig the spa? Delve into natural body and skin products and more at Maumelle’s It’s All Green And More store. The business is working to bring eco-friendly, recycled and fair-trade items to the local market at a reasonable price. Whether its Wild Carrot Soap, Hemp Exfoliation Pads or Wild Weed Balm, you’ll find plenty to give your green dream mate -- including eco-friendly packaging to contain your purchases. Check out the website, ItsAllGreenAndMore.com.

Does your love enjoy the fine scent of a good candle? Save on the paraffin and go for the soy with Belle Candles. These double-scented creations out of Marion come in one standard size -- a 24 ounce candle that smells just as strong or sweet at its last burning as its first. Popular scents include Litsea & Basil, Brandied Pears, Pecan Pie and Green Tea -- and for the more whimsical, Monkey Farts, a blend of flavors including pineapple, banana, orange, coconut rum, green apple and vanilla. An Arkansas-made product you’ll enjoy sharing. Find them at The Green Cornerstore or The Historic Arkansas Museum downtown, or learn more by visiting their website, BelleCandles.com.


Other Ideas For Your Earth-Friendly Sweetheart
A personalized water bottle gift set. Buy two with your lover’s name emblazoned on the side -- so he’ll always have one that’s clean and ready to go.

A subscription to the Basket-A-Month program from the Certified Arkansas Farmers Market. Give the one you adore the gift of fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy for three months or more -- really a gift that keeps on giving.

A shake-charge flashlight. These little flashlights only require a good shake to provide light -- hence, no batteries to send to the landfill.

An under-the-sink compost bin. Perfect for the apartment-bound or for that person in your life who’s too busy to take vegetation out every day, the charcoal-filtered bin allows one to create compost without smelling up the kitchen.

Bamboo pajamas. Utterly renewable material that’s surprisingly soft, light, and comfortable. A good reason to wear pajamas to bed.

Solar powered cell phone charger. Whether you camp or just want a way to keep your phone charged without worrying about electricity, this little panel eliminates the excuse “I would have called, but my cell phone was dead.”

Help the animals. Make a donation to the Little Rock Zoo Conservation Fund in the name of the one you love to monkey around with. Consider a Zoo membership, while you’re at it.