Asian Restaurant and Sushi Winner: Fuji Kim’s Sushi & Grill Fuji Kim’s Sushi & Grill is sushi central for Texarkana. Featuring a wide range of rolls, including one named after Texarkana, there is a flavor for all sushi lovers. Featuring other Asian-flavored entrees for those not sushi inclined, they […]
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Asian Restaurant and Sushi
Winner: Fuji Kim's Sushi & Grill
Fuji Kim's Sushi & Grill is sushi central for Texarkana. Featuring a wide range of rolls, including one named after Texarkana, there is a flavor for all sushi lovers. Featuring other Asian-flavored entrees for those not sushi inclined, they have a list of appetizers including their famous fried spider crab and a bar offering beer, wine and cocktails, Fuji Kim's has the roll for you.
Asian Restaurant and Sushi Runner Up: Osaka Japanese Steak House
Bakery, Brunch, Caterer and Desserts
Winner: Julie's Deli
Julie's Deli is a Texarkana tradition, with a range of sandwiches, soups and salads. They have various breads, dishes and more ready for purchase, along with pre-made meals for busy families on the go. Julie's Deli even offers catering services for those who need good service and food brought their way.
Bakery and Desserts Runner Up: The Cookie Lady
Brunch Runner Up: Johnny B's
Caterer Runner Up: Big Jake's Bar-B-Q
Bar
Winner: Fat Jack's Oyster and Sports Bar
Fat Jack's Oyster and Sports Bar is a favorite in Texarkana and one of the to-go places in the bar scene. Not only offering a range of beverages in a familiar setting, the oysters remain legendary as does the entertainment. Fat Jack's is one of those places that Texarkananians can count on in local entertainment.
Runner Up: Arrow Bar
BBQ and Ribs
Winner: Naaman's BBQ
A grilling champion, this local favorite recently expanded their restaurant space. Naaman's BBQ offers a range of meats, adding steaks and more. Naaman's BBQ brings in the hungry crowds every day for lunch or dinner. The ribs are considered mouth-watering Texas BBQ and the atmosphere is "unique and a great vibe" according to reviews. Diners also recommend the brisket, coleslaw and cheesy corn.
BBQ Runner Up: Big Jake's Bar-B-Q
Ribs Runner Up: Verona Restaurant
Breakfast Restaurant and Donuts
Winner: Shorty's Donut Shop & Diner
The oldest restaurant still in operation in Texarkana, Shorty's Donut Shop & Diner still offers its selection of early morning fare for its dedicated diners. Eggs made how you like, a selection of breakfast meats including steaks, Shorty's is a tradition still found in the Twin Cities. Their famous Southern Maid cream, mixed and glazed donuts also have a sweet spot in customer's hearts.
Breakfast Runner Up: Johnny B's of Texarkana
Donuts Runner Up: Shipley's Do-Nuts
Brewery
Winner: Redbone Magic Brewing Co.
Redbone Magic Brewing Co. has the motto "Make Texarkana fun again." Featuring oven-cooked pizza, a menu full of comfort food and beer brewed on site, along with a range of entertainment, Redbone Magic seeks to live up to its motto.
Runner Up: Pecan Point Gastropub & Brewery
Buffet
Winner: Golden Corral Buffet & Grill
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill is known nationwide for its extensive offerings. It has also become known for its breakfast buffet, available on weekends. Want a custom omelette? More than one? You can get that here. In addition, they also have steak, made to your preference.
Runner Up: The One Buffet
Chips and Salsa, Mexican Food
Winner: Loca Luna
This was a good year for Loca Luna. Not only offering their unique brand of Mexican food, complete with delicious burritos, enchiladas and grilled fish dishes, their chips and salsa are also reader favorites. They also have added a location in Texarkana.
Chips and Salsa Runner Up: Zapata Grill and Mexican Cantina
Mexican Food Runner Up: TaMolly's Mexican Kitchen
Cocktail, Happy Hour, Margarita
Winner: Zapata Grill and Mexican Cantina
Zapata Grill and Mexican Cantina offers fine dining and Mexican food, as well as a bar of finely crafted cocktails. One of particular note is their frozen wonder, the Cuba Libre. Also, their Bloody Mary is tasty. And pitcher of margaritas awaits your order.
Cocktail Runner Up: Benchmark American Brassiere
Happy Hour and Margarita Runner Up: On the Border
Coffee and Frozen Yogurt
Winner: Taste and See
Taste and See is your coffee, yogurt and confection place. If what you want is hot and brewed, cold and brewed, cold and served or a selection of chocolate flavors, you can find it at Taste and See. Their goal is to provide the best coffee to everyone and they offer a large selection from around the world.
Coffee Runner Up: Starbucks
Frozen Yogurt Runner Up: Fifteen Below
Family Restaurant
Winner: Dixie Diner
This locally owned treasure continues to offer its brand of country comfort cooking. Dixie Diner's pork chops, fried fish, chicken fried steak, as well as fresh cornbread and down-home flavors, are what it is all about.
Runner Up: Wayne's Family Restaurant
Hamburger
Winner: 30 Burger
Since 30 Burger entered the Texarkana restaurant scene, it specializes in featuring gourmet configurations of hamburger. Besides traditional sides, you also can order sweet potato fries, cheese curds and brussel sprouts. In addition, wash it all down with your beverage of choice from their bar.
Runner Up: The Dugout
Home Style Cooking
Winner: Mother Kelley's Home Cooking
"It is made with love," according to the Mother Kelley's Home Cooking motto. From meatloaf to chicken fried chicken to delicious sides, homemade desserts and all things delicious, they bring comfort cooking to lunch continually. They specialize in serving Texarkana spoon-delivered smiles.
Runner Up: Dixie Diner
Hot Wings
Winner: Wingstop
If wings are your thing, Wingstop is your stop. Specializing in the chicken wing fling, this one is the local way to have wings your way. So says Texarkana wing fans.
Runner Up: Hooters
Ice Tea
Winner: McAlister's Deli
Enjoy your hot or cold sandwich with soup on the side your way at McAlister's Deli, but wash it down with Texarkana's choice of iced tea, cold and fresh-brewed. And, once a year, during the height of summer, come get a glass of tea for free.
Runner Up: Chicken Express
Italian Food
Winner: Joe's Pizza & Pasta
Texarkana Italian food fans do have choices and said fans chose Joe's Pizza & Pasta. Not only does the menu display a good choice of pizza and pasta. But for more exotic choices like baked fish dishes, some of the city's best stuffed mushrooms, wine and bread that does not stop, Joe's Pizza & Pasta awaits.
Runner Up: Verona Restaurant
Liquor Store
Winner: Chubby Cheeks
Beverage fans of Texarkana continue to wet whistles with the huge selection at Chubby Cheeks. Beer, wine, spirits, cocktail components, get it all there, along with a modest selection of food stuffs, such as pickled quail eggs.
Runner Up: Party Factory
Pizza
Winner: Gusano's Chicago Style Pizzeria
Gusano's Chicago Style Pizzeria is known for its distinctive Chicago-style pizza and friendly service. The menu features pizzas such as "Carnivore Craze," "Herbivore Delight," "The Big Cheese" and the "Hawaiian." Reviews mention the restaurant's "great vibe and atmosphere" and "yummy pizza."
Runner Up: Scooter's Pizza
Queso
Winner: On the Border
On the Border has been serving up its Tex Mex recipes since 1982. The Texarkana location has proven to be a popular place for dinner or special occasions. The menu includes generous portions of favorite foods including chicken quesadillas, fajita steak nachos and chicken flautas. The famous queso is one of the most popular appetizers.
Runner Up: TaMolly's Mexican Kitchen
Romantic Dinner
Winner: Verona Restaurant
With indoor and outdoor seating, a comprehensive wine list and romantic atmosphere, Verona Restaurant in downtown Texarkana keeps customers coming back for all of their special occasions. The menu features carbonara, pollo fettuccine Alfredo, crab cakes and calamari. Dessert items include tiramisu, crème brûlée and tasty New York style cheesecake. Weekend brunch and a kid's menu are other services offered.
Runner Up: Cattleman's Steakhouse
Salad Bar
Winner: Jason's Deli
Freshness is the key word at Jason's Deli. It is famous for its delicious sandwiches, crisp, fresh salads and more meals made with fresh ingredients. The menus include gluten sensitive options and vegetarian options in addition to is famous salad bar. "My husband and I eat plant based...This restaurant always accommodates our unique dietary needs," said one review.
Runner Up: Golden Corral
Seafood Restaurant
Winner: The Mighty Crab
Anyone with a taste for seafood will find something they like at The Mighty Crab. The restaurant's menu features everything from snow crab and black mussels to fried shrimp and catfish. Other specials include clam chowder and seafood bisque. "Food and service was fantastic. Steamed and spicy," said one review. "Very tasty seasoning. Large portions" said another review
Runner Up: Almost N-EATthing Food Truck
Smoothie
Winner: Tropical Smoothie
Tropical Smoothie brings a little part of the tropics to Texarkana. The establishment serves smoothies in a variety of tropical flavors along with wraps and other food items. "Best healthy wraps and smoothies. Recommended 100%" said one review.
Runner up: Smoothie Blendz at Legends Gym & Health
Sports Bar
Winner: Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
Walk-On's Sport's Bistreaux offers some unique delicacies for dinners with friends or special events. The gator wrap is packed with blackened gator, boudin and bell peppers. Another favorite is the cajundilla. A chipotle tortilla filled with chicken, sausage, and boudin and served with red beans and rice. There are lots of TV sets to enjoy games and over 40 beers on tap.
Steak
Winner: Texas Roadhouse
Whether it's a special occasion or just a Friday night, Texas Roadhouse is known for its juicy steaks cooked various ways to please patrons. The restaurant is known for its hand-cut steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, legendary margaritas and baskets of fresh-baked bread with cinnamon butter. Texas Roadhouse also serves chili for those cooler days. Service is also something the staff is proud of. "Top-notch service," reads one review. "Drinks never went dry and food was out quickly and hot" read another.
Runner up: Cattlemans Steak House
