by Chef Bob
5. August 2010 17:43
I have to combine days three and four as I had a few computer difficulties on the "trail".............I need a tutor.
After we left the visitor center and ventured on thru Arkansas we unfortunately bypassed Little Rock and The Clinton Library; was just too much for Matt to stomach, as he has still not forgiven Bill for the entire Lewinskey affair; some people just won't let things go. The route to Hot Springs was fairly quick and painless, we quickly made our way to downtown Hot Springs; a town born at the foot of the Ouachita hills and in the Hot Springs National Forest. The town was built up around the natural hot spring water that flowed from above and the healing powers believed to be in the waters. Even though it was 105 degrees, we decided to take a docent led tour of the area and to take a few sips of the water. None of my ailments were healed (nor my mental issues) but the tour was fun and we managed to stay on for a tour of one of the original bath houses on Bath House Row. These bath houses were originally spas for the ailing that required a doctor's prescription for a visit; in later days were a spot for the wealthy, the mob and whoever could afford the spa-like treatments within. The bath house we toured has been turned into the National Park visitor center and was quite beautiful and well restored and appointed! After the bath house tour it was onto a local antique store and Matt found a great looking 1890's clock with a beautiful convex face and deco numbers; this will be difficult to transport on a plane, but not my worry!
The rest of the day was spent perusing Main Street of and taking in the site of old-time Hot Springs-the place was really something back in the day-was a place for gangsters to lay low in the 40's and 50's but fell on hard times in the 60's as many of the bath houses closed and fell into disrepair.
Later that day we went onto day 3 of some fine BBQ. The local buzz was to hit McClards, a local spot that has been around since the 1920's, but to our chagrin it was closed. Alas, we had a back-up plan with a mention in the BBQ magazine for Stubby's Hik-Ry Pit Bar-B-Que. The place was another winner-clearly a family run business most likely in a restored former fast food place. It was very clean and the counter staff was friendly and welcome to offer so much more than just a plate of food. We ordered a meal for two that included a half slab, beans, potato salad, cole slaw, mild, hot homemade sauces and LOTS of white bread and butter. I feel terrible that we took the bread, as I have not eaten that type of bread since my last home-packed PB&J in 1982!!! Anyway, the ribs were very tasty-a nice rub was clearly slathered on top with the finest barbecue sauce we had tasted so far. It was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! Both versions, hot and mild were great, so good that we purchased a bottle and decided to carry it back to Cleveland! The ribs were more fatty than we had already encountered, not so much like the Memphis style that we had eaten with nearly perfect fat rendering and not much gristle. The slaw was my least favorite so far, but the potato salad and beans were damn good. All in all, Stubby's was terrific and the best looking place so far. A family-run business with lots of Southern charm.
After we were stuffed on barbecue, we were off to "Inception" and a night at The Lookout Inn, a nearby B&B.
Fat and happy once again on some great sights, food and hospitality!
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