McClard's Bar-B-Q Restaurant

This is what a breath of fresh air looks like. Let’s count it out. History in this place is beyond compare. Waitresses are real sweet yet somewhat sassy. If you ask what types of beer do you have you better not order an orange Fanta! Fries cut perfectly, beef ribs are #1 top notch delicious, let’s talk Cole slaw, lightly sweet-just a touch, lightly spicy-just a touch, it acts like it’s creamy but it’s not,🤤 made there and is by far best I’ve ever had. Without a doubt a must stop in Hot Springs and worth making a trip to get here. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

McClard's is a Hot Springs fixture, a favorite of Bill Clinton from his years growing up in Hot Springs. He had McClard's barbecue flown to him in the White House while he was president. The restaurant itself is akin to a diner, with rows of booths in a long room that features counter service as well, with stools to sit on. Seating is first-come, first-served, and places to sit can be scarce during peak hours of business. The barbecue, which, to my taste buds has not been quite so good on recent visits as it has been in the past, features a not-too-sweet tomato-based sauce that McClard's sells in bottles both on site and in local grocery stores. You can choose beef or pork, either chopped or sliced, and, in typical Arkansas fashion, if you order a sandwich, it will come topped with cole slaw unless you ask for that to be omitted. McClard's also offers hot tamale plates, an Arkansas thing with roots in the Delta region of Arkansas and Mississippi. The beans served as a side dish with these plates are not sweet, and that's very much to my palate. They're robustly seasoned with cumin and have a light tomato sauce with, I think, some ground beef cooked in it. The cole slaw is also not overly sweet, in welcome contrast to what you'll find now in most Arkansas eateries. The fries are made from whole Idaho potatoes and are tasty. You don't come to McClard's for atmosphere unless atmosphere means lots of noise, rather uncomfortable booth seating, and rubbing shoulders with locals devoted to McClard's or to tourists who have heard it's a spot to visit in Hot Springs. You come for the barbecue. My favorite plate is the rib plate with fries, with beans and slaw ordered as additional side dishes. But be forewarned: that plate is enormous and one person can scarcely eat it all at one sitting, unless she or he has a gargantan appetite. Wait staff are almost always very nice, and they deserve credit for remaining patient while waiting on large numbers of people every day in a less than restful setting.

If you’re looking for a tasty lunch true homemade BBQ look no further, this is it. Feels good supporting this institution and its local employees. Hubs had the barn sampler subbing turkey, teens had the ribs and I had the tamale spread. Bursts of flavors thanks to the bbq sauce and the well cooked pork and beef. Special restaurant, I’ll come again!

I have been coming her since I was a kid and now I am 64. My favorite is the half Tamale! My friend got the ribs and she said they were delicious! You can easily split/share both. It is so much food and the prices are really good. 10 out of 10.

I would give this place 7 stars if I could! We had the barn sampler, turkey sandwich, and rib plate Fresh cut fries! Everything was delish, 0 complaints, Debbie our server, and a fellow buckeye was AWESOME! you could buy the bbq sauce and rubs for $6.50 which I did! we preferred the sweet bbq sauce the best. original had a little bite and was good also. We almost went back a 2nd night on our 3 day trip to the area! Triple D took us there and it didn't disappoint. They have been in business 97 yrs and that says just about all you need to know!

We are visiting from Texas and i like to think i know a thing or two about BBQ. We loved this place. Got the sampler with beef, pork, sausage and ribs and then we got beans and coleslaw as well. Everything was delicious and not the same style we are used to but now we will always make a stop here when we are visiting. Service very friendly and prices more than affordable compared to what we are used to. Very pleased and excited to come back. The sauce was great too i should have bought a bottle

Had the special dry rubbed ribs. This place has great no frills BBQ. Ribs pulled apart nicely. The sauce is perfectly seasoned with the right amount of spice.

Grew up in Hot Springs, my favorite place to eat when I visit. When I’m in town I eat there at least 2-3 times. Even after being sold to new owner a few years ago, the food is still the same yummy food I crave when back in Dallas. Chopped beef, slaw, and fresh cut fries…wow! Great service always from Eleanor and Louise. 😘🎉🤩

Fabulous food as always! Always our go-to when we go to Hot Springs! Full Spread is my favorite!

If you want great barbecue in Hot Springs, McClard's Bar-B-Q is the place to visit. If you don't believe me, then just ask former president Bill Clinton! Because apparently, Bill was/has been a regular visitor at McClard's. Bill Clinton spent some of his formative time in Hot Springs, and it's been said that this restaurant is one of Clinton's favorites for barbecue in the area. I can see why, because the food is great. But if you need proof, just ask the owner, and he will show you photos of Bill Clinton. He has photographic proof of Bill's attendance! And they're framed. The owner will show you the framed photos of Bill Clinton inside McClard's Bar-B-Q. (See my Yelp photos for photos of Clinton inside this restaurant.) American presidents aside, the barbecue is great. I got the ribs with slaw and beans, and the ribs were melt-off-the-bone tender. Let's talk about the slaw. Now, I don't usually like cole slaw, but this slaw was chopped fine and wasn't at all gloopy. McClard's serves a slaw that a person who doesn't love slaw could love, and you need to try it. McClard's lowkey is also the place to get tamales. The tamales here are a little different than the tamales I grew up with in Southern California. They are their own thing: skinny and wrapped in paper instead of corn husks. If you want to experience tamales the McClard's way, then get a tamale plate, which is a tamale with Frito corn chips, beans, chopped beef, cheese and onions. It's a whole meal unto itself, and can serve at least two to three people. My meal ended with a freaking great berry cobbler with ice cream. What is it about barbecue joints that, even though you're completely full, you still have room for dessert? How is that possible? I'm glad I pushed through and had dessert, because the berry cobbler here is wonderful. Get it with vanilla ice cream, of course.

Holy Hog Heaven! I was in town looking at property for my retirement home and I got carried away and the next thing I know it was about 4:30 in the afternoon and I hadn't eaten yet. I stopped by McClards as the locals had raved about it, they've been in business for over 100 years. Parking is a little sparse but believe me, you'll find some thing and it's well worth the extra effort. I walked through the door just before five and the restaurant was about half full (a good sign in my book) ordered the baked potato with chopped beef on it and it came out almost immediately, like I literally didn't have to wait more than two minutes... And I really wish that I had taken a picture of the massive, ginormous perfectly seasoned and baked potato that was absolutely loaded with everything from chopped meat, cheese, sour cream, and God knows what other deliciousness they crammed in there because it was absolutely dripping off the 9" plate. One bite and I was literally in hog heaven. The meat was succulent and juicy that's what is plentiful and the green onions added just the right texture and bite... it paired perfectly with my southern sweet tea, but their service that was most outstanding. The staff, including the kitchen staff were all very friendly, welcoming and made me feel right at home. Escrow closes on my new pad in Diamondhead and I know I'm gonna be a regular at this joint, it's a must try if you're in the area! PS: I took home easily 4/5 of my order and when I stopped at valet parking at the Arlington I was worried I may offend the valet by offering my leftovers up as I was flying out the next day and there was no way I would have room in my tummy to eat it. You KNOW it's good when the valet refuses your cash tip, accepts the offer of my cards barbecue and is beyond giddy with his score.

We arrived around 1130an and there was no waiting. Friendly and prompt service! We loved the potato salad, just like grandmas. The ribs were tasty, although a bit skimpy on meat. Just an ol' time bbq joint, very nostalgic but not really a destination for me.

Interesting Coleslaw... but GREAT service and love that sauce comes on the side with bulk meats

McLard's is in its own right, part of the history of Hot Springs. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit and will go again. The service was quick and with a smile and everyone was very friendly. I had a half tamale spread and when it was brought to the table I could not believe how big it was, and this was just a half. Let me tell you, it was delicious! It is an old building that is filled with history and character. It was casual and laid back.

A+ food, A+ service. No bbq is the same and I'm glad we visited. Surprisingly, Hot Springs has a few bbq options but this staple is the anchor. It is not the typical bbq menu. Let's start with the zesty slaw... excellent!! Ribs were excellent and definitely smokey. 4 ribs and fries is a meal! The fries were also top level. The half-order tamale pie was a meal for two lol...Half is more than enough. You can see photos from other reviews, just know it's legit.

McClard's is our "must not miss" place when we go to Hot Springs. Due to the exception food, it is a popular local restaurant. While it is usually very busy, the time spent waiting for a table to open is never very long. It is a cozy, 50's looking bbq diner with just enough counter service to give it character but more than enough table seating. The waitresses are always friendly and helpful and the service is seriously fast. I wanted 4 ribs (2 to take home as leftovers) and French fries. This was not listed on the menu like that, but the waitress will always tell you the best way to get exactly what you want. I am not typically a fan of French fries, but their fries are a must for me. They are hand cut and absolutely delicious. My husband had the rib order. We shared the peach cobbler. Everything was delicious. I especially appreciated their sweet bbq sauce which was new to me. My husband is a fan of their original sauce, which is a vinegar based sauce. We always make sure we have ribs for leftovers, but if we are in town long enough, we always come back a second time to eat their tamales. You need to have an open mind because they will not taste like the tamales you have at home. They are huge and one is actually enough for a meal. You can get them without anything on them or you can get the "half spread" with chopped beef, beans, Fritos, onions, and hidden under the most grated cheese you have ever seen on a single plate. This option is enough for two people even if you only get the half order. The whole order has 2 tamales hidden underneath the cheese and I imagine can feed a whole family.

Food was pretty good. Service was really good. Ambiance was like eating in a diner. I would go back. Try it sometime!

OK barbecue... Not great. Had the barn sampler. The pork was pre-sliced so it was dry. The beef had also been sliced earlier, so also dry. Fries out of a frozen bag, even the potato salad didn't seem made in house. Just ok. Service was great... so they have that going for them.

Had dinner at 7pm and there were about 3 parties there. You seat yourself anywhere that's open. The ribs were tasty, but not fall off the bone. The brisket is tender, lean and thick. It had some smoked flavor, but not a lot. It would be good for those who like a milder smoked flavor. The sausage was on par with others I've eaten. Peppery and chewy. The turkey was dry and tasted as expected, but I usually don't like turkey from bbq restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised by the beans, which were white northern beans and chili seasoning. It tasted like chili and was delicious and filling. We were also given 3 thick slices of bread and butter. The bbq sauce was flavorful -- a tomato sauce, vinegar, and pepper base. It's not my preferred style, but I could appreciate the taste. Let's say the bbq tasted better with more sauce since most of it landed on the leaner side of what I've eaten for bbq. Pictured is what $20 would buy and was shared between two people not overly hungry.

Tried McClards after walking around hot springs all day! Walked in and definitely had a little hole in the wall vibe... our waitress was so sweet and attentive! The food was so delish got a picture of the loaded fries but we didn't get a picture of all the other stuff because we ate too quick lol definitely give this place a try if you're in the mood for no frills good bbq

a hard no: no smoke flavor no meat flavor it seems their basis of flavor is sugar. i found it extremely disappointing. i do not like to leave bad reviews. i typically just don't review if i have issues, but i cannot let this happen to others. sorry.

A place you have to try.... On the 100 places to eat before you die. We stopped in for a quick bite to try it out. Ordered the bbq pork sandwich and an iced tea. A"greasy spoon diner" look and feel. The staff were fun and friendly. A family owned and run bbq diner since 1928. Loved sitting at the counter and watching the hustle and bustle of the place. Makes you feel like you stepped back in time just a bit. The sandwich had a good flavor to the sauce and a generous amount of pork. Prices are great. They serve chicken only on certain days.... Will go back to try that. Also the tamale spread looks delicious for the next visit

I can't say anything new that hasn't already been said. Get the ribs with beans and slaw. It's all good. So good I bought a shirt.

Worst bbq I've ever had. Not sure who thinks this place great food. That's truly a joke. Service was good and the ambiance was a bit loud at lunch.

This place is almost 100 years old! Started in 1928's McClard's is a family favorite any time we're in the area! The food is delicious, hot, and plentiful! The portions are huge & easily shared!

I have been eating there since McClards came to this location and before. My favorite food is their smoked half chicken with their new sweet sauce. Delicious! But I went by there twice this week and they were closed on Tuesday and Thursday...What's with this? I know you are closed on Monday, but have you gone out of business???????

I don't know why I've come across some bad reviews for McClard's. We stopped in because my hubs was so curious about the tamale spread. Based on reviews, he ordered a half spread and didn't even finish it. Probably because he was already thinking about pecan pie. Lol. I couldn't decide between ribs or sausage, so our waitress was very helpful. She said ribs were the best choice, but I could get sausage as a side. For my other side, I asked her what was better between fries or coleslaw. She suggested the slaw. When this plate came, it was huge! The meat (both ribs and sausage) were delicious on their own. But I had to try their sauce too. I'm very picky about bbq sauce and usually make my own at home. Y'all! This was so damn good! My husband announced to our waitress that this was one of the best bbq meats he's ever eaten, and he's right about that! I also need to make a comment about the coleslaw. It's very unique. Chopped so finely that it almost feels like rice. I can't put my finger on the dressing, but it has black pepper. It was just so good that I kept taking more bites. My son ordered chicken nuggets with fries. Let's give extra points for homemade chicken nuggets! Wow! Hubs and son had desert...pecan pie and a scoop of ice cream. But I was too full, so I ordered my peach cobbler to go. Not before sneaking a yummy spoonful. And we departed with big smiles, full tummies, and a bottle of bbq sauce to take home!

McClard's serves good BBQ and has great service. I tried the meat sampler which contained your choice of 4 meats. I had ribs, sausage, beef and pork, for sides I had the homemade French Fries and coleslaw. My favorite of the meats were the sausage and ribs, the beef and pork were both cut thick and a little dry, both sides were good and the coleslaw was noteworthy.

Was really hoping I loved it, but it fell short of expectations. Things they could have done to tidy things up. Great service

The ribs here were excellent. Huge servings. If you a traveling with another person, one order will fill you both. Peach cobbler and ice cream for dessert. Yum!

Stopped by McClard's on our way out of town and it was a solid 3.5 stars BBQ place but since I can olny give whole stars, I will round up. We got the sliced beef sandwich and the half spread (one tamale). I know what you're thinking - tamale at a BBQ place?! Yeah me too so of course I had to try it. The tamale was huge and piled high with chopped meat, a ton of cheese and everything good in the world (sauce, onions and Fritos). I personally love a vinegar based BBQ sauce so this was my style. However if you do not like vinegar based sauces, you will not like their sauce. The sliced beef sandwich was good but not great. They gave you a nice helping of meat and it was tender but the meat didn't have a strong flavor. The mac and cheese was a winner so if you go on Friday or Saturday, we recommend the mac and cheese.

We ate here last Friday at lunch. Ribs as usual were outstanding. The fries were mostly burned up. The best slaw on the face of the planet seemed a little different. Things have changed a little since the new owners took over. This place is old but well kept and clean. Waitress was excellent.

Our friends brought us here while visiting. I had the chopped beef sandwich that was very good with so much beef I could have made a second sandwich. My aunt had the ham and cheese which she enjoyed. My friends had the rib plates, which I tasted and they were great. But I have never had a tamale and it was soooo good. The best thing on the table was the homemade coleslaw. It is the best I have ever had anywhere. We had one each of the desserts and they were all good. The place was packed at lunch time. If ever in Hot Springs you must try this place. I will definitely go back when I visit again. We met the owner and he was such a humble kind man. Staff was pleasant and strive to make you happy. 5/25/21 1:30

The first meal is bbq beef, potato salad and fries. The second meal is sliced Turkey & cheese (with mayo and onions), fries and coleslaw. The turkey was such a surprise. It was juicy, full flavored and just melted in your mouth!!! The potato salad was made with love. Our entire meal was perfect!! The food was extremely wonderful!!!! Friendly staff, clean restaurant and an overall feeling of being welcomed. The waiter took the time to make small talk which made our meal even special. I'm not sure who's cooking in the back but please give them a raise!!! Well earned & deserved 5 stars. If you are in the area, please stop by. You will not be disappointed.

They give you enough for an army. This meal did not disappoint and lives up to its cult following. The chicken is moist and fall off the bone, no sauce needed unless you want to try theirs. Fair warning, Their pepper sauce is a bit on the spicy side. The tamale spread is a frito pie on steroids with their homemade tamale hiding in the middle. We ordered the 1/2 spread and could not finish it. There are layers of chopped beef, onions, cheese and fritos. If you are in Arkansas make the trip your taste buds will thank you.

Very disappointing. I love tamales so I was really excited to try these famous McClard's tamales. I ordered the half spread which has 1 tamale buried under about a pound of cheddar cheese, some beans, a little bit of chopped beef, barbecue sauce, chopped onions, and Fritos. First of all I'm not a fan of sweet barbecue sauce which theirs is. The tamale was so small, buried underneath all of the other stuff, I could barely taste it. Way too many Fritos and very little beef. Based upon the rave reviews I just was not impressed. Also, the greasy odor when you walk in is noticeable to the point it's kind of sickening. I felt like I needed to wash my clothes and take a shower when I left Maybe I should have stuck to ordering barbecue.

The service was very nice, the waitresses were very friendly. The food was delicious. We were so happy to find this tiny little place that doesn't look like much from the outside.

We were looking for barbecue in Hot Springs and found this on Yelp. We ordered 4 plates (all different rib plates). The ribs are excellent and enough for at least two meals for each person. Very meaty and no fat. The sides were also tasty. Very good place for lunch.

This place is excellent. We stopped by to have lunch and the food was great. It is a very cool place with lots of stuff on the walls. The service was super. It happened to be my birthday and what a great birthday lunch I had. We highly suggest stopping if you are in the area. We also had enough leftovers for another meal.

Wow. Stopped by today for my husbands birthday dinner/lunch. We ordered the ribs and fries. Everything was very good. Our service was great. It is a quite little place with I assume lots of locals and us visitors. But we were treated as locals. Thank you so much. Stop by if you're in the area.

I've heard tales and folklore of the much desired and sought after McClard's BBQ ribs and this is why I have come. To be honest I'm not really into ribs when it comes to BBQ, but these were next level. Now don't get me wrong, this place is old school. You can taste the history in every bite so don't expect any new world bbq frills. That being said, these were the best ribs I ever had. They were meaty. They were big. They were smoky. The meat pulled right off the bone with just the subtlest of tugs of a bite. My only advice, get em dry! They don't need any sauce whatsoever! The Cole Slaw was on the sweet side but super delicious. The Potato Salad, also on the sweet side, hit the spot. The sausage was pretty damn yummy too. And our waitress was kind and friendly and welcoming. All in all a great experience.

Wowser! Hot Springs BBQ, right here. Moist, flavorful, tangy sauce (on the side) as well a a pinch of their rib rib. We had a great dining experience here with our knowledgeable and friendly waitress in the pink top! The sweet tea was perfect (not too sweet), as well as the local Little Rock beer! I'm a purist-I ordered the ribs ONLY plate. There was so much food from our combined 4 orders that I had plenty of sides to enjoy as well! Be sure to check out this little local bbq hot spot!

Lots of history at this place! The meat is good. The sauce is too tangy for my taste. Fries are what I call home fries. Big portions. Waitress was great!

Worst BBQ I've had!! The sauce tastes like seasoned ketchup. The ribs were tough. The tamales were not very good. The tamale pie was a tamale with beans and ketchup poured over it on a bed of corn chips. The seasoning was nothing special. The restaurant was filthy. The building has been frozen in time. The floors has years of filth built up. No amount of mopping can clean. The place needs to be emptied out and the floors and walls need a professional deep cleaning. The staff was friendly and service was good. That's all they have going for them.

The loaded fries were huge, meat was very tender , I wasn't a huge fan of their BBQ sauce, it's a little more tangy than I prefer. Was still delicious & we will definitely be back!

This is one of those spots I haven't noticed in my trips down this road. It's a super cute little hole in the wall BBQ stop that will get real busy on a Friday night so get there early kinda place. We loved it. The food was great portions and they have their own signature sauce available for purchase in different flavors. The loaded fries were enough for four people to munch on and the meat selections were fantastic. They had more to offer than the online menu mentioned, banana splits, malts and shakes. If you love BBQ, give this spot a try. PS, definitely sing a song for a piece of bubble gum or just be as cute as my kids and get a piece for cuteness.

I ordered sauce and seasoning 3 months ago abd only received part of my order that I paid for. I have contacted them 4 times and still have not received my full order yet they have my.money.

Yum! We ordered door to go to eat back at the house with family visiting us at the Glade Street House. This was our first time to have McClard's so we ate family style so we could try a little bit of everything. Our traditional BBQ fave was the sausage by far, but we enjoyed the non-traditional BBQ beans and the BBQ style tamales the most of all! The tamales have a bit of a kick, but they are so worth it. They are known for their sauce so we keep a bottle stocked in the pantry at the Glade Street House.

If there's any way that you could improve on good ole frito pie, it's by replacing the chili with shredded beef and hiding two tamales under it. This was damn good. The ribs were great as well. I ordered them with the sauce on the side as previous reviewers had mentioned they didn't care for the sauce. I liked the sauce. The ribs had a nice, smoky flavor on their own and the tangy barbecue sauce was a nice accompaniment. I'm so glad we made a point to stop while they were open. Side note: it's a massive amount of food. We both had to-go boxes.

Okay. So I'm biased. I lived in the city of 'que for most of my life (aka memphis). I will be honest and say that although they aren't does, they have pretty dang good tamales (although a little soft). The ribs were good, and had tooth to them. I wasn't mad at them at all. I tried the dry rub, it wasn't Memphis, but I'd def use it on chicken and I would consider that a compliment. Now sauce. I'm a Memphis girl so I don't tend to be a sauce fan, but this "sauce"? Was definitely an aight+. Liked y'all and I'll be back, but being from Memphis, can't give our neighbors to the west a full 5 star (Yelp won't let me 4 1/2). Yep guys. Worth the trip.

Tamales, beans and slaw are still the best in Hot Springs. Thank you for keeping it original.

I ate here on a recent trip to Hot Springs National Park after reading about it in '1000 Places to See Before You Die: USA/Canada". It was said by Bill Clinton to be the best BBQ in the world. He's probably biased since he's from Hot Springs plus he also said he didn't have sexual relations with that woman so take his statement with a grain of salt. McClard's has been around since 1928 and in their current location since the early 40's. It looks old but BBQ places should! We arrived at 11:00 on the dot when they opened on a Friday and it filled up extremely fast. You seatt yourself and then a waitress comes around to take your order. I ordered the sampler platter so I could try a little bit of everything. It came with a couple pieces of sausage, brisket, pulled pork, 2 beef ribs, bread and 1 side ( I chose bbq beans). The platter was 16.00 and for the amount of food it was a solid deal. You pay at the counter after you eat. The food itself was just ok to me. Sorry to be the Debbie Downer but I don't like my bbq to come already sauced. BBQ sauce was poured over everything except the sausage. It was poured on top of the brisket, pork and ribs. Personally I believe a good brisket doesn't need sauce and should be smoky in flavor. I like the pork to have a vinegar based sauce to add to it later and at my discretion. I'm not a fan of beef ribs to begin with but these were pretty good. Everything tasted the same because of the sauce but it wasn't bad at all. I just wish I could have added it to my taste.

Hole-in-the wall restaurant! We loved it. Ordered the mixed bbq plate and loaded fries for lunch. They turned out great. Big portions. Delicious!

Definitely a must when in Hot Springs. The food was good and the staff was very friendly. We are from East TX and this BBQ was up there with ours. Tge meat was very tender and juicy with just the right amount of smoke. I had the 1/2 tamale plate, WOW it was really good!

I just stopped in for a quick to go Pulled pork on my way out of town. I also purchased some BBQ sauce and pepper sauce to go. It's a small restaurant packed with lots of flavors and diners! I was very impressed with the to go order as they wrapped everything individually so it wouldn't get sloppy. Great for my road trip or a picnic. The sauces were priced very reasonable so make sure you buy 2 of each. I didn't & wish I had.

Old school bbq in a classic diner setting. Yummy! Great service! Stick to the traditional items and you can't go wrong

If you are a local you will know that McClard's is a definite hit and the ONLY place to go if you are craving barbeque! It