Where Presidents Eat?

 

Cotham  Mercantile

Home of the Hubcap Burger

"Where the Elite Meet to Eat."

An old general store and museum
known for its famous 17-oz. Hubcap Burger

 

If you live in central Arkansas, there's something you just need to do. You must make your way down to the little town of Scott and visit Cotham's Mercantile. The town of Scott is located in the Arkansas River lowlands. It's only 3.3 square miles with a population of about 72.  When you're traveling down the highway, it's one of those places you'll miss if you blink. Why would you go there...for the burgers, of course! The best burgers in Arkansas come from this little town!

 

I remember the first time I visited Cotham's. When my children were small I took them to Cothams to eat one of their famous burgers. Of course, we didn't get the Hubcap Burger, the regular size burgers were plenty for us!! Recently I dropped by and took a few pictures before the crowds arrived for lunch. It's only 15 minutes from Little Rock, so many business men and women head to Cotham's to eat!

 

 

 

Cotham's was built in 1917 and  served as a general mercantile store in the area for  farmers and plantation owners. It has also served as a military commissary and lockup for local law violators awaiting trial by a circuit-riding judge. In 1984, a small eating area was opened in the mercantile to serve lunch to area farmers.
 

Cotham's is not too much to look at, but if you're from the south you know that some of the best food comes from just this type of place. Outside the paint is pealing off and the porch is sagging, but inside the atmosphere is wonderful and the food is delicious.
 

You feel like you've stepped back in time when step up on the porch. You open the door and you're surrounded with country hospitality. There's nothing fancy here, just plain downhome country food.

 

 

 

About now I'm sure you're beginning to wonder about my title for this post "Where Presidents Eat?"  Have Presidents really eaten here?  Governors and Presidents have eaten here. After former President Bill Clinton and other Arkansas politicians found this restaurant, this little "hole in the wall" became the place to eat and greet for distinguished Arkansans.   President George W. Bush even stopped by for a chocolate fried pie while he was in office. It's also been featured in Food Network Magazine for having the best burgers in the State of Arkansas. Rachel Ray featured Cotham's on her show Tasty Travels and it was featured on the Travel Channel’s Man Vs. Food. Not to bad for a little town in Arkansas!

As the old saying goes..."never judge a book by it's cover!  (nor a restaurant by it's exterior!)