Monday Munchies: Jones' Bar-B-Q Diner
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The pork sandwich with slaw. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios
It may not look like much, but eating this barbecue sandwich was a spiritual experience.
- Yes, it's that damn good.
The big picture: Tracing its roots back to the 1910s, Jones' Bar-B-Q Diner in Marianna is one of the oldest Black-owned restaurants in the U.S. and winner of the 2012 James Beard Foundation America's Classics Award, the state's first. In 2017, it was one of the first inductees to the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.
The food: "There is NO MENU," the Facebook account claims.
- "All Jones BBQ Diner serves is a pork BBQ sandwich on Wonder Bread." I recommend the "with slaw" option.
- Yes, but: A sign noted pork is also sold by the pound.
State of play: Jones' has long been my barbecue "white whale." Marianna's out of the way, and the timing has always been way off — I've arrived after closing at least once.
- Sitting outside, I ate one sandwich ($4), then another, and reflected on finally bagging it. Usually, I experience a sense of loss at these times.
- But the food transcended my petty score-keeping. The only thing I could consider was how soon I could make it back.
Stop by: Serving 7am 'till the food runs out, Tuesday–Saturday at 219 W. Louisiana St. in Marianna.