The Board on 3rd — Restaurant in Batesville

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 – Worth the Drive, Worth the Hype

I drove down from Jonesboro to Batesville for lunch and originally had my sights set on another spot. But after a quick Google search for “Best Places to Eat in Batesville,” The Board on 3rd caught my eye. Even though it was only 4th or 5th on the list, the pictures gave off such a good vibe that I had to check it out.

This was my first time in downtown Batesville — a peaceful, charming area with a laid-back feel. As soon as I walked into The Board on 3rd, I was greeted right away and offered a seat outside. I’m a sucker for good outdoor seating, and this place nailed it — large umbrellas, shade from the building, and a relaxing setup that made it easy to just enjoy the moment.

My server, Al Ordonez, was outstanding — easily a 10/10 for service. Within 20 seconds, I could tell he knew the menu inside and out. His recommendations were spot-on, and his energy was contagious. Turns out he’s also an MMA fighter, which made for some fun conversation.

I ordered the bacon cheeseburger, tater tots, and sweet tea. The burger was juicy and flavorful, tots were crispy perfection, and the sweet tea hit the spot. I’d rate the food a solid 8.5/10 and the service an easy 10/10.

While I was there, I ended up chatting with the owner — a conversation that turned into an hour-long deep dive on how The Board on 3rd started, the highs, the challenges, and the love poured into it. It’s run by a husband-and-wife team who clearly care about every detail, and it shows. The whole staff felt like family, and they treated everyone — including me — like part of it.

They’ve got an upstairs space opening soon, and when that happens, I can already tell I’ll be a regular. Honestly, I could write pages about this place, but I’ll keep it simple: Go. Meet the staff. If you’re lucky, meet the owners. You’ll understand why this place is going to be huge, if it isn’t already.

This was my first visit to The Board on 3rd, but it definitely won’t be my last. If you’re heading to Batesville, don’t...

Board on 3rd (Visited September 3rd, 2025) Arrival: Seated at 7:55, drink order taken right away.

Drinks: Perfect southern sweet tea, not too sweet/not overbrewed!

Atmosphere: Southern/modern vibe, warm and welcoming. Prices are very reasonable, with nothing over $14.99!

Service: Staff was attentive, our server checked in as soon as I sipped down my tea. She was also super helpful when I was torn on dessert, recommending the cheesecake since it’s a crowd favorite (she was right!).

Timing: Ordered at 8:00, food arrived promptly at 8:11.

Food: Shrimp Platter + Salad ($14.99), 7.5/10. Flavor was good, though not very flavorful, the portion felt more like a light meal even with the side salad.

“Rodeo” Burger, 9.4/10. One of the best bacon BBQ burgers he’s ever had! The onion straws could have been fried a little longer with more breading, but the flavor overall was spot on and filling.

Dessert: Cheesecake with chocolate drizzle 10/10. The crust was phenomenal, the filling melted in my mouth, and it didn’t have that heavy aftertaste some cheesecakes leave behind. Truly one of the best cheesecakes I’ve ever had.

Overall: A great experience from start to finish. Excellent service, fair prices, and some standout dishes. We’ll definitely be coming back — and bringing friends...

I really wanted this place to be great. It could be and should be. Decent food but very inconsistent. Never know when they’re going to close early. You get turned away at the door close to an hour before closing time. They substitute ingredients without telling you when you order. Then do nothing to compensate you and act like you’re wrong for asking about it. Just laziness and lack of caring for their customer base. Maybe it’s a generational thing. I doubt they will last. Consistency is everything in the restaurant business. It’s a shame. Different management and owners could save this place that deserves to have a chance downtown. If you don’t expect and require excellence from your staff your customers get a poor dining experience. At these prices and portion sizes in Batesville people expect more. So far I’m not impressed. Too many people put up with mediocrity and settle for a lousy experience here. Hopefully The Board on 3rd will straighten things out and survive past the small town restaurant honeymoon phase. I hope they can and will revisit with another review if they do. Batesville needs local flavor, just not at the expense of...