The city of Siloam Springs offers a number of choices when it comes to dining out. One of my personal favorites is Hawg City Grill. Linda likes it too. We usually eat there at least once a week. If you are the sort who enjoys really good smoked meats, then a stop at Hawg City Grill should be on your "to-do" list.
Owners Hoppy and Shawnda Free have been in business since 2009, and it is obvious that they both take pride in serving up quality food. Hoppy uses genuine hickory wood to smoke his meats. And, it doesn't matter if you are looking for pork, beef, chicken or sausage; you can find what you are looking for at Hawg City Grill. Or, if you prefer fried catfish, fish tacos or seasoned Buffalo wings, you can choose those as well. I think the catfish is some of the best in Benton County.
The menu is large and the prices are reasonable. Hawg City is a good choice if you are budget conscious or looking for more bang for your buck. The servings are large, and I promise you won't go away hungry.
Hawg City Grill is located just off of U.S. Highway 412 at 1004 S. Mt. Olive, Suite H, right behind the Phillips 66 station. It doesn't matter if you are simply looking to enjoy a nice meal out with family and friends or if you are just looking for a cold beer or maybe a hamburger and fries; Hawg City has a menu custom-designed to satisfy the most discriminating tastes.
And, if you are a sports fan, you will be able to watch your favorite team or sporting event as you eat. The bar has several televisions along its length and the dining area is also surrounded by flat screens, so no one has to miss an important game or event. The top of the bar has the logo of all the SEC schools on it with a large Razorback logo in the middle. If the Razorbacks or Sooners are playing, you might want to get there early since the regulars turn out in force when the home teams are playing.
The atmosphere at Hawg City Grill is conducive to good conversation, with music playing in the background and the lights turned low. It isn't too loud, but you don't have to worry about folks at other tables overhearing you. The dark coolness is relaxing and makes for a fun place to sit with your wife or a friend and talk over the issues of the day, or to sit at the bar and talk sports over a cold beer. Hawg City offers a number of beers on draft and quite a few imported bottled beers. The draft beer is cold enough to have soft ice in it, so it goes down well, especially with some of the house potato chips or an order of onion rings. Hawg City doesn't really need to offer a Happy Hour since their beer prices are already the lowest in the Siloam Springs area. Make sure you have your identification with you, though, since you can't purchase a beer without one. Just ask my wife. She forgot to take her purse last week and had to settle for unsweetened tea. Poor girl. For some reason my Shiner Bock draft tasted especially good that evening.
Hawg City offers an assortment of wraps, salads and either individual smoked-meat sandwiches or baskets with your choice of sides. You can also order two or three meat sandwiches if you wish. The regular hamburger is a half-pounder that tastes great. There are a variety of hamburgers to choose from, including a new pork belly burger that will melt in your mouth. This is Hawg City's regular hamburger with a couple of thick slices of smoked pork belly on top. They're simply delicious! Or, if you're lucky, they may have some pork belly sliders on special. I didn't realize just how good a hickory-smoked pork belly sandwich could be. You'll have to try one for yourself.
Weekday meal times are not as busy as the weekend, but they should be since Hawg City Grill offers some of the best food in the area. I think this little restaurant is one of the best kept secrets in Northwest Arkansas. Those who have discovered it feel like they have hit the jackpot. In fact, they invariably become regulars.
Hawg City Grill is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday brunch is served from 9 to 3. Be sure to take your family or a friend and check it out. Chances are you will become a regular too.
Sam Byrnes is a Gentry-area resident and weekly contributor to the Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 07/05/2017