CAVE CITY — Mention Cave City and many Arkansans immediately think of the immensely popular watermelons grown here. But those big green-striped watermelons with the authentic Cave City watermelon seal are not the only claim to fame for this northeast Arkansas town.
Located in a historic rock building in downtown Cave City, Bailey’s Family Restaurant is drawing locals and visitors to try its home-style cooking, including its most famous offering — The Caveman Burger, which was recently named Arkansas’ Best Burger by the Arkansas Beef Council.
To check out this monster burger — the single has a 2-pound patty with a 9-inch bun — my sister and I headed to Cave City on a recent Saturday, arriving near the lunch peak. Most of the restaurant’s 20 or so tables were occupied with folks enjoying a variety of dishes from the extensive menu, including the daily specials, which included a brisket plate ($13.99), an open-faced roast beef plate ($11.99), a half-rack rib plate ($16.99) and vegetable beef soup ($6.99). Although the specials sounded very good, especially after having only yogurt for breakfast before our two-hour drive from Little Rock, I was there on a mission — to check out the state’s best burger.
When the waitress arrived to take our order, she smiled as she issued a warning about the Caveman’s unusual size. Unfazed, I told her I would take what I didn’t finish home in a box. My sister, a fried catfish aficionado, ordered a fried catfish dinner with plans to also sample my burger. For drinks, we each ordered sweet tea.
As we waited for our order, a waitress brought food to the customers at the table next to us.
Papa Bills two-piece fried catfish dinner comes with fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw, tartar sauch, onion, pickled tomatoes and pinto beans. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Sheila Yount)
“Oh my God,” one person said as a Caveman Burger order was delivered to their table, complete with a large steak knife planted in the middle of the sesame-seed bun. It is hard to imagine just how big they are until your order arrives.
I ordered mine with a single patty and American cheese ($24.99). You can also add bacon, and if you are really ravenous and/or brave, there is the double patty version ($31.99). I added an order of fries. My sister got the Papa Bill’s two-piece catfish dinner ($12.99), which came with fries, hush puppies, pinto beans, coleslaw, onions, pickled tomatoes and tartar sauce.
I asked for all the fixings and the waitress suggested I get them on the side so that the burger wouldn’t get too “mushy,” especially if there were leftovers for the trip home. My order was delivered on a platter with the giant burger on one side and a plate with mustard, mayonnaise, onions, dill pickles lettuce and tomato on the other. The handmade patty, made daily from fresh, not frozen, ground beef, was covered with what appeared to be at least four, maybe five, melted cheese slices.
I used the knife to cut the burger in half, and then cut each half into thirds. Each third was about the size of a regular burger. I could have easily cut the thirds into slider-size and fed three or more people.
Does anyone finish the Caveman in one sitting, I asked? Yes, there have been a few, including two young girls, ages 8 and 9, who managed, much to the restaurant staff’s amazement, to polish one off at the restaurant.
My burger was truly grilled to perfection — well done throughout but not overcooked. The combination of the moist burger, toasted bun and fresh fixings created the perfect traditional cheeseburger. While I am not opposed to trying burgers with exotic seasonings and toppings, just give me an old-fashioned burger like the Caveman, and I will be completely satisfied.
What about the catfish? My sister gave it a thumbs up, noting that it was among the best she has had. She especially enjoyed the side of pinto beans, which reminded both of us of those made by our mother. I sampled the fish, which was straight out of the fryer. The traditional cornmeal-based breading was just right — not too thick or too thin — while the fish was moist and flaky.
BEST BURGER CONTEST
Although the Caveman and the restaurant’s other dishes have been a hit for a while now, their popularity has gotten a big boost since the Arkansas Beef Council, which promotes research and market development for the beef industry, named the Caveman burger the state’s best burger last month.
It was the first year for the contest, which got more than 2,400 nominations for more than 410 different burgers, according to a news release from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Ten finalists were named.
“The Caveman burger received the highest score among the finalists from an anonymous panel of judges with evaluations based on the taste of the burger patty, appearance and presentation, proper cooking, and overall impression,” the news release said.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Bailey’s Family Restaurant is owned by Andi Bailey and operated by her sister McKee and her parents, Scott and Shelly, who “work together alongside a staff that feels like part of the family,” according to the news release.
In addition to catfish and burgers, Bailey’s offers:
Granny Marlene’s Baskets of hand-battered chicken tenders, chicken fritters and butterfly shrimp served with fries, slaw and roll. ($9.99 to $11.99)
Papa Frank’s Burgers and Sandwiches, including regular-size burgers ($7.99 to $13.99), a patty melt ($9.99), grilled chicken sandwich ($8.99), fried bologna sandwich ($6.99) and several more.
Appetizers such as battered mushrooms ($5.99), cheese curds ($5.99), fried pickles ($5.99), chips and queso ($5.99) and chips and salsa ($3.99)
Bailey’s also offers daily lunch specials such as those mentioned above, and a list of desserts far too long to name here, including the restaurant’s bestseller, strawberry delight, and in season, the city’s famous watermelon. We bought a piece of triple-chocolate cheesecake and an order of strawberry delight, which was made with vanilla cake, whipped cream and strawberries, to go. After returning home, we enjoyed those desserts, as well as our leftovers, and agreed that our trip to Cave City and Bailey’s was certainly worth the drive.
Bailey’s Family Restaurant
- Where: 207 S. Main St.
- Cave City
- (870) 916-2195
- facebook.com/baileyscountrycookin/
- Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.