Bowle's Bar-B-Que

While I didn't actually eat here I could tell it wasn't going to be good. First you walk in and it so smoky it is gross. Second it isn't bbq but more hamburgers etcThird hand written on the menu is chili and they didn't have it ok I am going to order something else when the owner quips "the chili is out of season" I have never heard something so stupid in all my life. This is a fairly cool day perfect chili weather.

This is worth leaving Hwy 55 for. If you love deep country barbecue in a low rent place head for Bowles. When we were there it had only men, one to a table and I suspect it functions as their club. Sarah, the owner brought us one menu for two people. Two men passed their menus to us so we knew strangers were OK. They helped us order: one jumbo bbq sandwich and one loose meat bbq. The pork was lean shredded not dry and tasty without sauce. Sauces were mild and hot; both good. Loose meat comes with beans, slaw and fries. We ate it all. Desserts are delicious. We got the brownie with a light texture and a deep chocolate taste. As we left we said good bye to everybody and promised to come back.

The building was old and nasty looking. The AC was a small window unit that was not effective at keeping the place cool. We had to keep waving off the flies. If all that was not bad enough they allowed people to smoke inside and the food was nothing special. I would not recommend getting off I55 for this stop.

My family and I were in search of a good down home BBQ sandwich, when we were told about Bowle's Bar-B-Que in Osceola, Arkansas. And OMG Mr. and Mrs. Bowles are the sweetest down home couple with the best BBQ we have had in a long time. I walked in and was immediately greeting by Sarah (Mrs. Bowles). She took my order while she was also cooking and preparing someone else's order. We discussed how she had had a busy day. She has 1 employee that only shows up to work when she wants to, therefore Sarah had been overrun that day. She was very cheerful and kind. {Yes, they smoke inside the building, BUT it plainly states this on the front door.} Since the coronavirus outbreak it is carryout only. So we didn't get the opportunity to set down and enjoy our food there. Because I was feeding myself, my husband, 2 of our grown kids and 2 grandkids I ordered 2 family BBQ meals. 1 was enough to feed us all and some had 2 sandwiches. The slaw was great and my husband loved the baked beans. We have plenty left over for another meal. I highly recommend Bowle's Bar-B-Que for great BBQ! I look forward to trying everything on the menu!!!!

Being from Chicago I don't get really good BBQ so I made it a point to stop into a town I've never heard of for some good good food and I succeeded. I ordered the loose bbq meat plate it came with a heaping portion of meat, a scoop of beans, scoop of slaw, fries and toast for about $6. It was soo good, my only complaint is they do not allow children due to some smoking law. Apparently if there is no ' no smoking' section children aren't allowed which is good I guess. Weird. There wasn't even a bar in the place. In all a really great spot for BBQ if you're in the area. Just leave the windows cracked for the kiddies in the car, lol