Hot Springs, Arkansas, carries a fascinating dual identity—a town where the aromatic clouds of slow-cooked meats mingle with the therapeutic steam rising from ancient thermal waters. This quirky Ouachita Mountain town has been drawing visitors since Native Americans first discovered its healing waters thousands of years ago, though nowadays, many travelers come just as much for the smoked brisket as for the mineral baths. The town’s unique geography creates a perfect storm of culinary and wellness opportunities unlike anywhere else in America.
Here is a list of 15 establishments where you can experience the perfect Hot Springs pairing—mouthwatering barbecue followed by a restorative soak.
McClard’s Bar-B-Q + Quapaw Baths
This legendary smoke shack has been serving pit-smoked meats since 1928, when Alex and Gladys McClard accepted a recipe for barbecue sauce as payment from a traveler who couldn’t cover his hotel bill. Their tangy ribs develop a perfect bark after hours in hickory smoke, while the chopped beef sandwich drowns in that famous sauce—still made using the original recipe.
Just two blocks away, the Quapaw Bathhouse offers modern thermal pools housed in a stunning Spanish Colonial Revival building. The central dome’s stained-glass ceiling casts colorful patterns across the water’s surface while you soak away any meat-induced lethargy.
Stubby’s BBQ + Buckstaff Bathhouse
Operating since 1952, Stubby’s smoky interior feels frozen in time—from the wood-paneled walls to the checkered tablecloths. Their specialty is the ‘Stubby Sandwich’—thinly sliced smoked pork piled high on a toasted bun and topped with their mustard-vinegar sauce that provides the perfect tang.
After lunch, head straight to Buckstaff—the only bathhouse operating continuously since 1912. Their traditional bathing package includes a whirlpool mineral bath, hot packs, and an attendant-administered loofah scrub that will remove every trace of barbecue sauce from your fingernails.
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Whole Hog Café + Hot Springs Reservation Pools
This award-winning barbecue joint dry-rubs its ribs with a secret spice blend before smoking them slowly over Arkansas oak. What makes Whole Hog special is its selection of six distinct sauces—from sweet molasses to volcanic habanero—allowing you to customize each bite.
After sampling their famous pulled pork, take a short drive to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower for panoramic views, then descend to the free public pools along Bathhouse Row. These historic stone-lined springs allow you to dip your feet in the same 143-degree mineral water that feeds the fancy spas—albeit at a more comfortable temperature.
Smokin’ in Style BBQ + Spa City Waters
This family-owned smokehouse specializes in competition-style barbecue with a distinctive cherry wood smoke that permeates their brisket. The meat develops a pink smoke ring so perfect it could win ribbons, while their jalapeño-cornbread muffins provide a sweet-spicy counterpoint.
After filling up, walk across the street to Spa City Waters, where private Japanese-style soaking tubs let you immerse yourself in mineral water while gazing through floor-to-ceiling windows at the forested mountainside. The contrast between the smoky lunch and the steamy, eucalyptus-scented soak creates a sensory experience that defines Hot Springs.
JB’s Smokeshack + The Arlington Resort
Housed in a former gas station on the edge of town, JB’s rustic charm is matched only by their masterful handling of Memphis-style dry-rubbed ribs. Their signature touch involves a final brush of apple juice before serving, creating a sweet glaze that caramelizes perfectly.
Just a short drive away sits the historic Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, whose thermal bathhouse department offers elegant individual tubs in private rooms. The attendants add a eucalyptus spritz to the steamy air while you soak, creating an aromatic counterpoint to the lingering hickory scent from lunch.
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Fox Brothers Barbecue + Bathhouse Brewery Thermal Beer Spa
This Texas-style barbecue joint specializes in beef—particularly their 14-hour smoked brisket with its peppery bark and perfect fat rendering. Their sauce comes on the side because, as the pitmaster says, “Good meat doesn’t need to hide behind sauce.”
After indulging, walk down Central Avenue to the truly unique Bathhouse Brewery, where traditional brewing equipment sits alongside thermal soaking tubs. Their beer spa lets you soak in a warm mineral bath while sampling their thermal water-brewed craft beers—the ultimate combination of Hot Springs’ natural resources.
Count Porkula BBQ + Ozark Bathhouse Experience.
This whimsically named barbecue joint specializes in competition-style pork, with shoulders smoked for 16 hours until they literally fall apart at the touch of a fork. Their unique “three-sauce approach” allows diners to layer flavor profiles—starting with a vinegar mop, followed by a sweet Kansas City-style sauce, and finished with a spicy chipotle drizzle.
After lunch, the recently renovated Ozark Bathhouse offers private mineral soaks in porcelain tubs, with attendants providing cold lavender towels for your face while you immerse yourself in the therapeutic waters that made Hot Springs famous.
HogFather’s BBQ + Hot Springs Spas
Located in a converted gas station, HogFather’s smoky interior features walls adorned with vintage license plates and neon beer signs. Their signature “Pit Master Platter” arrives with generous portions of brisket, pulled pork, and ribs—all smoked over hickory and pecan wood for distinctly Arkansas flavor.
Just three blocks away, Hot Springs Spas offers modern mineral soaks with aromatherapy add-ons. The contrast between the rustic barbecue joint and the sleek spa creates a perfect high-low experience that captures the town’s diverse appeal.
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Bubba’s Smokehouse + Fordyce Bathhouse Gardens
This tiny roadside shack with just four tables serves some of the most authentic Memphis-style barbecues outside of Tennessee. Their dry-rubbed ribs develop a perfect crust during eight hours of smoking, while their pulled pork sandwich comes topped with tangy slaw and dill pickles on a butter-toasted bun.
Afterward, stroll through the meticulously restored Fordyce Bathhouse—now the Hot Springs National Park visitor center—where you can tour the historic facilities before relaxing in the peaceful rooftop garden. The garden’s stone benches sit beside bubbling thermal fountains, creating a serene spot to digest your smoky lunch.
Smoke House BBQ + Quapaw Quartz Pools.
This Arkansas barbecue institution specializes in hardwood-smoked meats with a distinctive pink smoke ring that showcases their patient technique. Their smoked turkey—often an afterthought at barbecue joints—deserves special mention, as they brine it for 24 hours before a slow smoke that keeps it remarkably juicy.
After a filling meal, the Quapaw’s specialized quartz crystal pools offer a unique Hot Springs experience. These private tubs incorporate locally mined quartz crystals that supposedly enhance the thermal waters’ healing properties—whether you believe in crystal energy or not, the warm mineral soak feels heavenly after a barbecue feast.
Fat Daddy’s Bar-B-Que + Mountain Valley Hot Springs
Operating from a converted Victorian home, Fat Daddy’s serves Carolina-style pulled pork with a vinegar-forward sauce that cuts through the rich meat perfectly. Their outdoor pit—visible from the dining room—burns local oak exclusively, creating a distinctive smoke profile.
After lunch, head to the Mountain Valley Spring Company’s historic bathhouse, where private soaking tubs are filled with their famous spring water heated to therapeutic temperatures. The contrasting experiences—from smoky pork to pristine mineral water—epitomize Hot Springs’ dual nature.
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Smokin’ Barrel BBQ + Thermal Wonders Foot Spa
This newcomer to the Hot Springs barbecue scene has quickly built a reputation for their barrel smokers that impart a distinctive flavor to their meats. Their specialty is burnt ends—twice-smoked brisket points that develop a candy-like exterior while remaining meltingly tender inside.
After indulging, visit Thermal Wonders Foot Spa, where traditional Chinese reflexology combines with Hot Springs’ mineral waters. The therapists incorporate the thermal water into their treatments while focusing on pressure points that supposedly aid digestion—perfect after a hearty barbecue meal.
Hickory Stick BBQ + Hot Water Hills Bathhouse
This roadside barbecue joint has been serving oak-smoked meats since 1977, with a special focus on their renowned hot links—spicy sausages made in-house with a secret blend of chilies and spices. Their covered patio features mismatched chairs and picnic tables where locals gather for lunch regardless of the weather.
A short drive away, Hot Water Hills offers private Japanese-inspired soaking tubs in bamboo-enclosed outdoor gardens. The combination of spicy sausage followed by a peaceful outdoor soak creates a sensory journey that captures Hot Springs’ unique appeal.
Mickey’s Pit Bar-B-Q + Crystal Springs Mineral Spa
This no-frills barbecue joint focuses on Arkansas-style barbecue, which means plenty of hickory smoke and sides like purple hull peas and sweet potato casserole that reflect regional tastes. Their pulled pork comes chopped rather than shredded—a local preference—and their sauce features a distinctive hint of cinnamon that sets it apart.
Afterward, Crystal Springs offers mineral soaks in clawfoot tubs inside the private rooms of a restored Victorian mansion. The historic setting features original tile work and vintage fixtures, creating a time-travel experience that perfectly complements the traditional barbecue techniques.
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The Smoke Master + Lakeside Hot Springs
Housed in a former bait shop near Lake Hamilton, this barbecue joint specializes in oak-smoked ribs and unusual sides like smoked cabbage and barbecued corn pudding. Their lakeside location adds a vacation vibe, with picnic tables overlooking the water.
After lunch, visit nearby Lakeside Hot Springs, where natural thermal pools sit just feet from the lakeshore. The unique setup allows you to alternate between hot mineral soaks and cool lake dips—a contrast therapy approach that barbecue-filled visitors find particularly rejuvenating.
Smoke Meets Steam
The distinctive pairings of smoky barbecue joints and steamy mineral baths make Hot Springs a truly unique destination on America’s culinary and wellness map. This Ozark Mountain town has somehow maintained its quirky dual identity across generations—attracting both barbecue enthusiasts and wellness seekers with equal fervor.
Whether you come for the ribs or the restorative waters, you’ll likely find yourself drawn to both experiences, discovering that smoke and steam create perfect harmony in this singular Arkansas town.
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