Faces of Arkansas honors 4th-generation pitmaster Harold Jones of Jones Bar-B-Q Diner

LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — Faces of Arkansas, an ongoing series that highlights Arkansans each month, has selected Harold Jones, a 4th generation owner of Jones Bar-B-Q Diner in Marianna.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the series’ newest feature Monday, June 1.

Each featured Arkansan receives a written profile, portrait photograph, and a short video as part of the installment.

Just before you approach the historical establishment, you will see a white sign with nostalgic black lettering that reads: “Jones’ Bar-B-Q Diner — Jones’ Family Business Since 1910.”

The sign is a longtime landmark, that introduces you to where many consider the best barbeque destination in the South.

Good food, coupled with familiar faces has stood the test time at the widely acclaimed diner.

The current diner location first opened in 1964 on Louisiana Street. However, traces of its existence stretch back earlier than 1910.

Despite operating in the segregated South under Jim Crow, the establishment remained upbeat. Harold makes preparations to serve the community on a consistent, timely basis.

“12. I get up at 12,” said Harold. “Come down here and set everything up. Put the meat in the warmer there. Then come 7:00, open the doors up. Do that every day.”

Nationally, the diner has gained widespread acclaim. But here in the Natural State, it garners praise from customers of all backgrounds.

“I just try to take care of whoever come in that door,” he said. “You think about what you do for folks. You think about what folks do for you. So, you know, it’s a whole lot.” That may be the real secret behind Jones’ lasting more than a century. Not the smoker. Not the sauce. Not even the recipe. It’s the feeling people leave with after walking through those doors — the feeling that, for a little while, they belonged there.

Jones Bar-B-Q Diner was recognized as the first food destination in the state to receive the James Beard Award, followed by the foundation’s America’s Classics Award in 2012.

An interview with Jones can be found here.

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