Neighbor’s Mill, Ermilio’s named Arkansas Food Hall of Fame finalists

Neighbor’s Mill Bakery & Cafe in Harrison and Ermilio’s in Eureka Springs are among nine finalists for the 2026 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.

The Arkansas Department of Heritage announced the finalists Wednesday during the Arkansas Hospitality Association’s Stars of the Industry awards gala. The program is celebrating its 10th year of recognizing restaurants, proprietors and food-themed events across the state.

The finalists in each category are:

Arkansas Food Hall of Fame

– Neighbor’s Mill Bakery & Cafe – Harrison

– Stoby’s – Conway

– Trio’s – Little Rock

– Dixie Pig – Blytheville

– Yellow Umbrella – Fort Smith

– Tacker’s Shake Shack – Marion

– Ermilio’s – Eureka Springs

– Ray’s – Monticello

– Hugo’s – Fayetteville

Restaurateur of the Year

– Rafael Rios – Yeyo’s, Bentonville and Rogers

– Matthew Cooper – Conifer, Bentonville

– Jerry Barakat – Arthur’s Steakhouse, Little Rock

Gone But Not Forgotten

– Couch’s BBQ – Jonesboro

– Mrs. Miller’s Chicken – Hot Springs

– Joda’s – Nashville

Food-Themed Event

– Johnson County Peach Festival – Clarksville

– MHS Chocolate Roll Festival – Marshall

– Tontitown Grape Festival – Tontitown

People’s Choice Semifinalists (Public voting is now open to select the top three winners)

– Salty Dalty’s BBQ – Morrilton

– Jesse James Foods – Benton

– Country Chic Chocolate Company – Pine Bluff

– Ozark Farmhouse – Clinton

– The Wooden Spoon – Gentry

The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame committee also selected the Arkansas Black apple as the state’s food of the year.

The honorees will be inducted during a special event in early 2027. More information and People’s Choice voting are available at ArkFoodHOF.com.

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI