Where to Eat in Texarkana, Texas
Texarkana eats like the crossroads it is — a mix of East Texas barbecue, Southern cooking that nods toward neighboring Arkansas and Louisiana, and plenty of Tex-Mex. Dining here happens on both sides of the state line, so a night out might start in Texas and end in Arkansas a few blocks away.
The city has its share of beloved institutions, some still going and some sorely missed. Here's how to eat well in Texarkana.
Barbecue and Southern Tradition
Texarkana's Southern location gives it a strong barbecue tradition, and Big Jake's is the local staple, with multiple locations turning out brisket and ribs alongside crowd-favorite sides like cheesy corn and twice-baked potatoes. Like a lot of good Texas barbecue, the brisket is a get-it-while-it-lasts proposition, so go early.
Longtime residents will also tell you about Bryce's Cafeteria, a Texarkana institution from 1931 famous for its fried chicken and its lineup of more than a dozen pies. Bryce's served its final meal in 2016, and its closing genuinely marked the end of an era — but it's still part of any conversation about the city's food history, and the appetite for that kind of classic Southern cafeteria cooking lives on in other local spots.
Tex-Mex and Everyday Eats
As in every East Texas city, Tex-Mex is a cornerstone of the Texarkana dining scene, from full-service sit-down restaurants to family taquerias, with generous portions and reliable value. These spots are the everyday workhorses where locals go for enchiladas, fajitas, and margaritas.
Beyond that, Texarkana offers the full range of Southern and American comfort food — plate lunches, chicken-fried steak, burgers, and home cooking — plus the chain options clustered along the interstate and the main commercial corridors. The two-state layout means you've effectively got two cities' worth of restaurants within a short drive.
Downtown and the State Line
Downtown Texarkana, centered on State Line Avenue and Main Street, has worked to revive its dining and nightlife alongside its historic theaters and museums. It's the most walkable part of the city and the best area to find independent restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, especially around events at the Perot Theatre.
Because the state line runs right through the heart of the city, you can cross from Texas into Arkansas in a single block — handy to know, since the two states have different rules on things like alcohol sales. When in doubt about the current best spot, ask a local; in a city this size, the good word-of-mouth recommendations are the ones that count.
BBQ
Naaman's BBQ
$$Known for: Brisket and ribs
Been doing BBQ in Texarkana for a long time and the locals swear by it. Brisket's the star, but the ribs hold their own. The kind of place where you show up hungry and leave with a to-go box you definitely don't need.
State Line Avenue
Tex-Mex
Zapata's
$$Known for: Enchiladas and margaritas
Solid Tex-Mex that's been feeding Texarkana for years. Nothing reinventing the wheel — just good enchiladas, strong margaritas, and the kind of chips and salsa you'll demolish before the food arrives.
Texarkana
American
Pecan Point Gastropub & Brewery
$$Known for: House-brewed craft beer and gastropub fare
Craft brewery and restaurant right in the downtown area. Good beer list — they brew their own — and the food goes beyond typical bar grub. It's become one of the spots people actually recommend when someone asks where to eat.
Downtown Texarkana
Iron Horse Grill
$$$Known for: Steaks
Downtown spot with a meat-and-potatoes vibe. Steaks are the move here. The atmosphere leans into the historic building it sits in, and it works. Good date night option if you want something beyond fast casual.
Downtown Texarkana
Hopkins Icehouse
$Known for: Burgers and cold beer
Laid-back burger-and-beer joint that draws a crowd on weekends. The menu's straightforward and the prices don't hurt. It's the kind of spot where you end up staying longer than you planned.
Texarkana
FAQ: Dining in Texarkana
Big Jake's is the local barbecue staple, with multiple Texarkana locations known for brisket, ribs, and sides like cheesy corn and twice-baked potatoes. Go early, as the brisket can sell out.
No. Bryce's Cafeteria, a beloved Texarkana institution since 1931 famous for fried chicken and pies, served its final meal in 2016. It's remembered fondly but is no longer open.
Yes. Texarkana has a full range of Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants, from sit-down spots to family taquerias, concentrated along the city's main commercial corridors on both sides of the state line.
Downtown, along State Line Avenue and Main Street, is the most walkable area and home to independent restaurants, coffee shops, and bars — especially lively around events at the Perot Theatre. You can cross between Texas and Arkansas in a single block.
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