Calico County — Restaurant in Fort Smith

Three stars are going toward the decor, free cinnamon rolls, and friendly server. Two stars removed for the wait times when they weren't very busy and the blandness of the food. There were several groups waiting at the front door and no one was being helped. Two groups ahead of us were just standing there, while one man was waiting for a to go order and another was waiting to pay. There were 2-3 hostesses at their station at different times with their backs to everyone and occasionally they would walk off and come back and stand with their backs to us again. After about 10 minutes of watching this go on, I asked the different groups there if they'd been helped and finding out everyone was just waiting for one of the hostesses to come over. I went over to see if they were busy, but they were just chatting. She asked how many in my group and I said this other group was here before me. Another hostess seated them while the one I spoke with put her back to everyone again. I thought maybe she had to check a seating chart so I just waited, but it took a long time to get the different groups seated despite there being more than enough tables for all of us and three hostesses seating people. I felt like they were kind of hoping we'd all just go away. There were complementary cinnamon rolls which is a nice touch, but all of the food was rather bland and unseasoned. We had fried green tomatoes and I've never had a fried food that lacking in flavor. I'm guessing they were hothouse tomatoes, but the breading did not make up for the flavorless tomatoes. We also got the meatloaf, chicken fried steak, squash, mashed potatoes, and fried okra. Everything just kind of tasted the same. Our server was very nice, though she left the bill when she left the food and we had to wait quite a while for her to come back after that. As much as you have to pay anywhere anymore, any place has to have something really going for it for us to go there more than once and this place, unfortunately, didn't have it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. I'd go again if someone else was paying, but it wouldn't be a place I suggested. All in...

I don’t like leaving negative reviews on local businesses, however, as a long time customer of Calico County, this morning’s experience has me wondering if we will return. This morning we got to the restaurant at 9:40 (I went back and looked at a text sent when I got there.) We were seating quickly and our order was taken quickly…so far, so good. At 10:09 we still haven’t received our order. I understand that things happen, but if the kitchen is running behind at least give the table an update. We never saw our server again after she brought out our drinks and the cinnamon rolls. Having heard nothing about the status of our order and seeing other tables receive their food, my wife went up to the counter and asked if they could box it up because we needed to get to our church service.The lady at the counter was very nice and apologetic and let me go ahead and pay out. She was nice. The manager was definitely not. The manager came out and said right off the bat, “what exactly is the issue? I know nothing.” We explained. She seemed flustered and inconvenienced to be talking to us. My wife was accused by the manager of being rude to both her and the server. I heard what my wife said and she was just trying to get the food because we were on a schedule. No rudeness from my wife. The manager seemed very frustrated at both of us and the situation. She just wanted us out of her restaurant immediately. The manager did give me a gift card for the amount of the meal, but chose to say to me in a very condescending way on my way out “well you have a blessed day Sir”…Not cool Ma’am. Very disappointed and kind of shocked. We have always been treated like rock stars there. Not this time. They just wanted us to leave immediately. (After 30 minutes of us sitting there with no update on the status of our order) This manager needs to check herself and the tone she has with people. I believe they have lost some...

There just isn’t anything negative that I can honestly say about this place. The food is fantastic if it pleases your buds. Throughout the years the staff has been all in all friendly. In 30 years of dining here I cannot personally recall any issue with service or food quality, which is rare. To say the least.

Not only Am I nominating them for the 2022 golden “wrap around” award, (sarcasm.) but I must make note of the underlined determination and perseverance of the crew and employees. In order for you to follow that statement you would have to understand that several years ago, this restaurant could’ve very easily closed its doors for good after a devastating fire.

I can’t claim to know the story, but I have to attribute some of it to the community and our overwhelming love for a deep fried plate southern deliciousness.

I will say they do have healthy options, some of which are disguised as healthy options, take the chef salad for example it’s so loaded with extras, egg, meat, cheese, croutons, etc, It’s the most misrepresented partnering with the word salad since it was initially seen back with the word taco in the early 90s.

Nonetheless it’s hard not to indulge from time to time be at country fried steak, deep fried corn on the cob, fried okra, macaroni and cheese,etc. The list really is infinite,* And they are constantly advertising specials as well.

Don’t forget to save room for a local calico staple, the cinnamon roll. Not to be confused with a sticky bun. I just wanted to make that clear.

If you find yourself hungry and you’re looking for fair portions, fair prices, and great tasting southern food with a family friendly environment, then calico county should definitely be near the top of your list.

*list is not...