The year 2025 promises to be a historic one for the Berryville Public library and, by extension, for the town of Berryville. We broke ground on the new library in April, so the library should be finished in the spring of 2026. Preparation for the new building has made us at the Berryville Library nostalgic and reflective, not just about the library’s history but also about the town’s history. Other seminal moments in Berryville Library history occurred in 1938 and 1978, so we’ll be looking back this year on what Berryville was like then, as well as what it is like now, as we also look to the future.
For May, we’re looking at where Berryville eats in the past and the present.
No defunct restaurant in Berryville seems to loom quite as large in the town’s culture as the legendary Check’s does. The business opened in 1913 and closed in 1997, and to this day, people still reminiscence fondly about the famous Check’s burgers and chili.
In fact, the Carroll County Historical Society periodically revives Check’s burgers for fundraisers as Re-Check’s, and there is always a stampede to get them. I have heard many people debate what exactly went into a Check’s burger, though the general consensus is that crushed crackers are an essential addition to the ground meat. More than one person has told me that residual cigar ash from the chef is also a vital component, which I never see in any recipe for it, but we won’t delve into that.
In any event, I feel like it is safe to assume that 1930s Berryville was as wild about Check’s burgers as 2025 Berryville is.
It has been difficult to piece together favorite eateries in Berryville from 1930s compared to other decades. Mary-Esther located some cool pics of a place called Perry’s, but we didn’t have much luck finding anything else out about it. (Does anyone know anything about Perry’s? Let us know!)
Historic postcard featuring the Berryville Square and Perry’s,
courtesy of the Carroll County Historical Society
It is much easier to identify Berryville favorites for the 1970s. By that point, several businesses that are local food institutions were already well-established and firm favorites.
Ozark Cafe has moved a few times in its long history, but it has been a stalwart on the square for decades. It still attracts a loyal and lively crowd for breakfast and lunch 6 days a week.
Historic pictures of the Ozark Cafe, courtesy of the Carroll County Historical Society
Luther Stubbs opened Stubbs Grocery in 1953, and it is still family run by his sons Steve and David. Luther’s daughter Carol Ann was also our longtime library director who retired in 2011. Stubbs added its famous sandwiches to the menu in the 1970s, and to this day, you can still grab a Luther Burger (bologna sandwich). We provided them to attendees at our Peace, Love, and a New Library fundraiser in 2023.
Stubbs advertisement from November 1978, courtesy of Carroll County Historical Society
Garner’s opened in 1958 as a Dari Delite. By the early 1970s, the Garner family had bought it and renamed it. Garner’s–and, by extension, Dari Delite–are part of an Arkansas tradition called dairy bars. You can order burgers, fries, milk shakes, and other ice cream products, as well as a lot more, at dairy bars across the state. Garner’s closed down late last year, and I personally went into tremendous state of mourning because I thought I wouldn’t get anymore of their double cheeseburgers and fries. However, Garner’s reopened with new owners Nora and Deborah just a few weeks ago, and it is still delivering all of the original favorites from the menu, plus sushi!
Now defunct restaurants from this time period that came up when I was researching this post include McKinney’s Dairy Bar, which was around where the Learning Center is currently located. We also once had a Dairy Queen where Economy Drug now sits and a Big Boy, a sit-down burger chain, approximately where Equity and CS Banks are currently located.
Berryville’s Dairy Queen, courtesy of Carroll County Historical Society
Now, in 2025, Ozark Cafe, Stubbs, and Garner’s all remain popular places to eat, but they’ve also been joined by many other newer restaurants that have made their mark.
Farmer in the Deli and Hometown Cafe both conduct a lively lunchtime business on the square, with Hometown also specializing in breakfasts and coffees.
As our Hispanic community has grown, we’ve gained several wonderful places to eat, including the Rancho Latino store (their tamales are a universal favorite), Taqueria El Guerito (I am obsessed with their enchiladas, personally), and Taqueria Navidad (aka Happy Taco–I am obsessed with their enchiladas too 🙂 ).
As food trucks have gained in popularity, Berryville has acquired several hotspots for food trucks and the community to gather. Some of the food trucks are open year-round while others specialize in summer treats, like Shaved Ice Paradise.
In 2023, popular Harrison restaurant Jamie’s opened a location in Berryville, and it quickly emerged as a favorite place to eat.
Poncho Goldstein’s also opened that year and gave Berryville its own Irish pub. Poncho’s has also emerged as a leader in the local food-to-table movement here.
Needless to say, there are plenty of places to find tasty treats and delicious food in Berryville.
But now we want to know your favorite places to eat in Berryville, both now and in the past, and what your favorite foods are, including what you love to make at home!
You can answer the prompts at any of our collection stations at the library, the community center, and the historical society. Also feel free to email us your responses and any food-themed pictures you have from the 1930s, 1970s, and now at celebrateberryville@gmail.com.
Everyone who fills out the prompt is eligible for our prize drawing. Each month up to five lucky people will win small prizes that celebrate fun things to do, fun places to eat, fun things made–you get the idea–all in Berryville! Responses and photos are also eligible for inclusion in our commemorative book at the end of this project.
Learn more about Celebrate Berryville on our landing page!
A special thank you to Mary-Esther Bizzell and Kristy Noble Tesch with their assistance in researching this post.
The following sources were also especially helpful:
David Bell. “Albert’s Gas Station Becomes Check’s for a Day.” Carroll County News. July 15, 2014.
Mike Ellis. “Historic Check’s Closes in December.” Green Forest Tribune. November 26, 1997.
Kaitlyn McConnell. “Family-Owned Stubbs Grocery Still Serves Berryville after 70 Years.” Springfield Daily Citizen. https://sgfcitizen.org/springfield-culture/stubbs-grocery-berryville-ar/ February 1, 2022.
Rex Nelson. “Deep Roots in Berryville.” Arkansas Democrat Gazette. February 16, 2022.
Rex Nelson. “On Berryville Square.” Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. September 22, 2018.
Kelby Newcomb. “Historical Society Brings Back Tasty Tradition for Fundraiser.” Carroll County News. June 1, 2018.
Rachel Silva. “Walk Through History: Downtown Berryville.” Arkansas Historic
Preservation Program. May 16, 2015. https://www.arkansasheritage.com/docs/default-source/ahpp-documents/sandwiching-tour-scripts/berryville-tour-script-2015b611f167-35b1-4d6a-a67b-5b2ee0a0ccd5.pdf?sfvrsn=8095d8f2_5
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