Pimento cheese consists of shredded cheese, mayo, diced red pimentos and spices, and while universally loved throughout the South, it's roots are actually in New York in the late 19th century. During this time, packaged cream cheese and canned Spanish peppers where easily accessible and affordable – a new recipe was born. Soon after, a farmer from Georgia began growing pimento peppers on U.S. soil, eventually bringing "Southern Pate" to the South.
Today, you're hard-pressed to find a restaurant menu without some version of this simple and addictive concoction. While it's great as an appetizer (evidenced by some of our nominees), it also makes for a killer sandwich or burger topper.
10Best and Sandwich America wanted to find the best pimento cheese (in sandwich form or on bread) in the state, and to do so, 10Best editors joined forces with local Arkansas food writers and The Food Channel to nominate 20 worthy restaurants across the state. For the past four weeks, our readers have been voting daily for their favorites. The results are in!
The top 10 winners in the category Best Pimento Cheese in Arkansas are as follows:
- The Sonflour Bakery - Dumas
- Big Orange - Little Rock
- Capital Bar and Grill - Little Rock
- Diane’s Gourmet - Little Rock
- Kent Walker Artisan Cheese - Little Rock
- Gina's Place - Jonesboro
- Boulevard Bread Company - Little Rock
- Lost Forty Brewing - Little Rock
- Neighbor's Mill Bakery & Cafe - Harrison
- Julie's Sweet Shoppe & Bakery - Conway
Congratulations to all these reader-favorite restaurants, delis and bakeries!
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The Experts
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships,... Read More
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Kay Logsdon
Kay serves as Editor in Chief of The Food Channel,... Read More
Kay serves as Editor in Chief of The Food Channel, developing food-related stories, videos, recipes and more for the website and its distribution network. She speaks and consults on food trends, working with some of the biggest food brands in America. Her favorite thing to do is work with chefs across the country as they do menu development, since she gets to taste and critique the dishes.
Kay Logsdon
Kay serves as Editor in Chief of The Food Channel, developing food-related stories, videos, recipes and more for the website and its distribution network. She speaks and consults on food trends, working with some of the biggest food brands in America. Her favorite thing to do is work with chefs across the country as they do menu development, since she gets to taste and critique the dishes.
Kat Robinson
Kat, the Little Rock-based food and travel writer... Read More
Kat, the Little Rock-based food and travel writer behind Tie Dye Travels, has authored several books, including her newest Another Slice of Arkansas Pie: A Guide to the Best Restaurants, Bakeries, Truck Stops and Food Trucks for Delectable Bites in The Natural State. She's also the host of AETN’s Make Room For Pie; A Delicious Slice of The Natural State and a committee member for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.
Kat Robinson
Kat, the Little Rock-based food and travel writer behind Tie Dye Travels, has authored several books, including her newest Another Slice of Arkansas Pie: A Guide to the Best Restaurants, Bakeries, Truck Stops and Food Trucks for Delectable Bites in The Natural State. She's also the host of AETN’s Make Room For Pie; A Delicious Slice of The Natural State and a committee member for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.
Steve Shuler
Steve Shuler is a writer for Rock City Eats in... Read More
Steve Shuler is a writer for Rock City Eats in Little Rock. A long-time foodie, Steve started his career as a news producer with FOX16 News. In addition to his work on Rock City Eats, Steve is the host of the Little Rock Foodcast, a podcast covering Little Rock food. He has also served as food writer for Sync Weekly. Steve and his family have lived in the Little Rock area for 10 years.
Steve Shuler
Steve Shuler is a writer for Rock City Eats in Little Rock. A long-time foodie, Steve started his career as a news producer with FOX16 News. In addition to his work on Rock City Eats, Steve is the host of the Little Rock Foodcast, a podcast covering Little Rock food. He has also served as food writer for Sync Weekly. Steve and his family have lived in the Little Rock area for 10 years.
