Review of Burl's Country Smokehouse in Royal, Arkansas

I have grown up on Burl's Country Smokehouse. It sits right on Highway 270, west of Hot Springs. It has been around for over 30 years, and hopefully, it isn't going anywhere.

If you blink, you'll miss it, so if you are wanting to shop at Burl's, make sure you slow down when you get near the Crystal Springs Recreational area on Lake Ouachita. It is definitely worth a stop.

They have the best beef jerky around, selling at about $12.50 a pound. If you don't like jerky, then try the smoked cheddar or many of the other items in the store. They make some of the best sandwiches, most selling for about $5.00. It is a nice lunch spot for many of the locals.

It's not just about the food, though. It is a fairly large store that showcases some very ancient local Native American artifacts. Some are for sale, but others are just for display. They also offer spices, jams, jellies and novelty items.

My son gets a thrill out of buying the old style Dr. Pepper bottles. He likes going to the pop top opener and popping that top right off. It's not something that kids get to experience anymore, since most are twist lids.

They do have tables for customers to sit at and enjoy their sandwiches. You can also just wander through the store and look at all the old stuff hanging on the walls.

In one far corner, you can even watch bees come and go through a special pipe that leads to their hive. The hive is kept locked in a glass case for viewing, but they also rob it on occasion to get the honey. It is some of the best local honey in the area.

Outside of the store, they have old train cars and a caboose for the kids to climb around on and explore. They have also built an old building that tends to resemble a jail. Outhouse is included in the display.

It's just a nice place to stop and take a break from modern times and to enjoy the smell of the smokehouse and the wonderful flavors of the food.