Doe's Famous Eat Place in Hot Springs, Arkansas

The city's population of about 40,000 booms between January and April each year when Oaklawn Park opens for live thoroughbred horse racing. Less than a month later, as schools begin to get out for summer, it threatens to burst at the seams as families from around the United States head there to take advantage of the three (yes, I said three) lakes that grace the landscape of the city. They check into historic downtown hotels like The Arlington Arlington Hotel to hike up the trails of Hot Springs and West Mountains and spend lazy days at one of the many bathhouses that are fed from natural hot springs. They scream on such rides as the Gauntlet and the Arkansas Twister after relaxing in the Wave Pool at nearby Magic Springs Amusement Park, and they eat at Doe's.

The original Doe's is in Greenville, Mississippi.. Its history is as rich and fulfilling as the food they serve. While the Hot Springs franchise has only been around since 1998, manager Lori Taylor and her staff go out of their way to assure their customers the very best that Doe's has to offer.

Located on beautiful Lake Hamilton, they offer both inside dining and a large deck for eating outside on warm, sunny days. A boat ramp allows those spending the day on the water to pull their boats right up to the restaurant. While most just take a chance on come on in for lunch or dinner, they do accept reservations, and have private party rooms available for your entertaining needs.

Of course, if you eat at Doe's you have to try the tamales. After all, Dominick "Doe" Signa actually opened the restaurant after his wife Mamie was given a partial recipe for hot tamales. She spent months perfecting the dish and then began to sell them. Until her death in 1955, Mamie could be seen each day rolling tamales and serving them in the thriving family business. I recommend them with chili. If you've got the whole family with you, you might as well just get the whole dozen. Served with chili, they're just $12.95.

If you're not in the mood for tamales, they have the standard appetizers, but perhaps with a little twist. Like their Inferno Buffalo Wings ($7.50) tender chicken wings in Doe's homemade barbecue sauce that is hot enough to burn down the house. The Fried Pub Pickles ($5.95) are my favorite. Sharp dill pickle spears breaded in a spicy batter, deep fried and served a bowl of cold ranch dressing. It's the perfect warm-up for your main course. For a touch of New Orleans, try the Fried Crawfish ($7.95) or take a walk on the wild side and indulge in a dozen peel & eat shrimp ($14.95).

The main courses vary from franchise store to franchise store at Doe's. While the original Doe's, as well as several of the other locations choose to serve a larger portion that can be shared between 3-6 people, the owners of the Hot Springs store chose to go with a more traditional single serving meal. But don't that fool you. The 10-ounce Porterhouse fillet ($24.95) will literally melt in your mouth. They use the original Doe's spice rub and grill it slowly, so you get every bit of the flavor of the larger 3-4 pound portions served at other locations. They also have a 22 ounce bone-in Ribeye and a 24 ounce T-Bone on the menu...both priced at $24.95.

If it's seafood you're looking for, you've found the place for that as well. Alaskan King Crab and Rock Maine Lobster tails are available each night at market value. The red snapper is a dish that I would go back for again and again at just $16.95. It's grilled in a wine sauce that is just out of this world. A dozen shrimp will cost you $17.95 and you can get them broiled or breaded and deep fried. I also recommend Mama Doe's Crab Cakes. An original recipe, you won't find any more like them anywhere. (Regular menu $13.95 or try just one from the appetizer menu for just $6.95)

The Hot Springs Doe's also has chicken and pasta. Try the Beef Marsala or the Shrimp Alfredo for $12.95. A serving of Spaghetti and Meatballs served with a wonderful house salad and crunchy garlic bread is just $10.95. Or keep it simple with Lemon-pepper Grilled Chicken Breast served with linguini pasta for $11.95.

Doe's offers a separate menu for the little ones in your party with items sure to please everyone at the table. Spaghetti and Meatballs, chicken tenders, breaded shrimp, a Hamburger or a grilled cheese sandwich can all be whipped up in a short amount of time.

Open Sunday-Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 10 p.m.; Doe's takes Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards. They're located at 4904 Central Avenue and their phone number is 501-525-8585.

Doe's Famous Eat Place...a family tradition since 1903.