The Best Southern Cooking in Hot Springs

Home cooking. It's what defines a kitchen in the south. Generations of families have been gathering around the table and passing platters of crunchy fried chicken, batter dipped chicken fried steak, tender roast beef and honey cured ham. Heaping bowls of mashed potatoes, sweet corn on the cob, fresh butter beans and fried okra. Pay a visit to the Homeplate Cafe, and you'll have all that and more.

The atmosphere is southern too. The walls are filled with an eclectic variety of antique china plates, Norman Rockwell photos and professional baseball pennants. Smaller American and National League pennants are encased under the glass top tables. The waitresses wear baseball jerseys with the Homeplate logo emblazoned across the front.

Each day brings its own special fare, in addition to the offerings on the menu. Turkey and Dressing, Lemon Pepper Mahi-Mahi, Roasted Pork Loin, Prime Rib Sandwiches and hearty Beef Stew are just a few of the entree's you can order off the dry-erase board if you happen to stop in on the right day. Don't see anything that catches your eyes?

Southern fried Chicken Livers, Sirloin Steaks, Chicken Strips, and Catfish Fillets grace the lunch and dinner menu.

Those in the mood for something a bit lighter, will find a large selection of sandwiches, both hot and cold; BLT's, Hamburgers, Grilled Chicken and Club Sandwiches and Hot Ham and Cheese to name just a few. Add either a breaded or grilled all-white meat chicken breast to the top of a delicious, crunchy salad or try one of Homeplate's Chef Salad's.

Top it off with a baked potato, french fries, fried okra or one of a half-dozen daily veggie specials. Their baked sweet potato, served piping hot with real butter, sugar and cinnamon; will melt in your mouth and leave you asking for more.

But, make sure you save room for dessert! I have a husband and three children, and we all have a favorite at the Homeplate Café. Hubby loves the pecan pie, naturally he wants it heated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. If I think I can put another bit in my mouth, I gravitate towards their homemade lemon meringue. My son wants carrot cake with cream cheese icing. The girls alternate between the triple layer chocolate cake and an ice cream sundae, complete with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

It's a family restaurant, so you'll find no alcohol here, but they'll serve you up some of the best iced tea, sweet of course, west of the Mississippi River. They also have unsweetened tea for those who prefer it, a variety of soft drinks, lemonade and both leaded and unleaded coffee.

Located at 5110 Highway 7 North, about a mile past the gate of Hot Springs Village, you'll find that the prices are reasonable. Your meal, including beverage and dessert, will run you between $8-15. The serving portions are generous and most of the people you'll see here are repeat customers.

And yes, with a name like Homeplate, as expected, you could always order cheesy-chili nachos and a hot dog. But why would you?