Reviews of Ole Sawmill Cafe (Restaurant)

Chris L.

Nice place. Didn't have high expectations but the food was really good. Not your typical buffet type foods either. From the fish, chicken, ribs, and dessert. Everything was good.

Steve Mittwede

Superb buffet -- great food, nice people, old-fashioned goodness! We ate here twice...on our way to visit grandkids, and on our way back. All of my southern favorites were on offer here. Recommended!

Teresa C

Ick...Nothing fresh. Canned everything.. Even their "famous" banana pudding

Kris Momper

A little pricey (I'm a bit frugal) but good old fashioned food. Friendly service.

Michelle Miller

Awesome decor. Very friendly staff and an amzing bufffet.

scott camp

Good Buffett and service was good but a little pricey for lunch.

aburns5042

We were traveling thru the area and saw a sign for “southern cooking”. When we get there, the sign walking in said “southern cooking”. We saw nothing about seafood buffet night. We get seated. Our waitress says nothing about seafood night and does not offer us menus. We eat the buffet and the waitress asked us how old our girls are which are 12 and 13. Later we get the bill and they charged all four of us $18.99. Came to $92 for the 4 of us. I feel that is ridiculous. One if we wanted a seafood restaurant, we would have went to one. If I was going to pay $18.99 a plate, we would have went to a steakhouse. The food was just ok. Definitely not worth that much. **I am sorry you I must not have been clear-----we did not enjoy the food. It was nothing I would come back for. In fact, on our return trip, we got hungry about the time as we were passing by your restaurant and we kept on going until we found something better. And we found a place that was half the cost and 10x better.

Steven Schmidt

Great experience. I travel a lot and like to try the locals’ favorites. This place is great

Marsha Kiefer

Southern home cooked food. Friend chicken and stuffing and gravy.

Travis Zawacki

Just okay. Good HB steak although.

Marianne Bishop

Great selection and plenty to eat for the price. Nothing fancy but good home cooked food

Deborah Porter

The buffet meat was dry, potatoes were not fully cooked, there was a needle in the bathroom. No desert even though on the website and stuff it says buffet comes with desert. One server was friendly. The lady at the counter when these things were brought up, said nothing, did not have a problem with any of it. Will not go back there, ever.

Terry Turnage

Food & service was good

Allison Cambre

While the food tasted OK, some of it was a little stale looking in the buffet.

bitty bob

Very nice! Great customer service,clean,and has a variety of food options!

Emily Goldstein

We had the breakfast buffet & for $7.95 it was a good deal. The eggs were cold, but I think they would have been good if hot. Nothing was labeled so if you weren't a local & knew what was there, it was mystery meat on some things. Pancakes were tasty, grits were good & the bacon was crisp. Our waitress was nice & attentive. Overall I believe worth the stop.

Marshall Stewart

Very friendly service!!! Variety of fresh foods!!! Clean restrauant!!! $12 for buffet is a good deal!!! Seafood night is around $20. They have menu items as well! I recommend this place if you want good food that fills you up!!!

Morgan R Morgan

Absolutely Delicious Home Cooking!! I will definitely visit anytime I'm in the area

Jo Dudley

Good prices and food! Cute local place.

Wayne Davidson

Excellent breakfast buffet. Great price, very comfortable place. Service was great.

Theresa Price

We stopped in after being on the road all day. We weren't really sure what to expect but we were pleasantly surprised. Southern comfort food cooked perfectly and a very large selection, too. I have a food allergy and they were happy to accommodate me by giving me my own serving utensils and letting me know what foods on the buffet weren't safe for me.

Maryanne Conover

This is a repurposed Cracker Barrel. Hubby & I visited here for supper while traveling from Texas to Illinois. We chose the buffet as it was good sized. The catfish pieces were good as was the cucumber/red onion dish. Everything else - and I do mean everything - was very bland and tasteless. We will not visit again if we are ever back in the area. On a good note, they have big hearts. Hubby told our waitress we would pick up the tab for a gentleman who was obviously homeless. She informed him that they have a large number of homeless that come in on a regular basis, & that they allow them to eat for free! God bless them for this!

charles UNDERWOOD

The food was great, the service was great, 10% off for veterans. My family and I really enjoyed it.

Esther Hamilton

It was ok and probably the best for the area. Chicken was awesome but some of the stuff on buffet was really dried out

Roger Hoffman

Great food. Generous portions.

Jesines Art

A good, old fashioned all-you-can-eat buffet. Southern comfort food, just as you'd expect it. I think I was the youngest person in the room, but it was still very nice.

Shellie n Wes Storie

Nice place to get a good country meal. You can order buffet style or off of the menu. $13 and change for the buffet for lunch with the drink. They could teach Cracker Barrel how to make country Gravy. Would definitely recommend and return when passing thru again.

Rob Zimmerman

I had there buffet. Was good food and only $11. Frendly staff. Nice little place :)

Charles Ezernack

Very good food. Guaranteed you will leave full. Went for lunch couldn't even eat supper.

Skip Perez

Food is very good here. Fried catfish is excellent!! Really nice dessert bar.

Rosa Price

We were diverted from our original route to Memphis due to an accident holding up traffic. Hungry and on the highway we decided to stop and search for a meal. We are drivers that are tired of the cookie cutter fast on the road food. When my partner saw the big sign for Ole Sawmill Cafe we decided to get pull off the highway and check it out. We are so impressed with the quality of the food, the buffet was freaking fresh. A fresh smorgasburg of hot southern cooked foods. We road weary travelers are grateful. I won't tell my mom back home but, it was so good and just seasoned so right...I dare say MOM would approve. Thank you

Pie Testa

Delicious Southern Buffet Cuisine! Our server was very attentive. I loved their seafood gumbo, fried chicken chicken, and fried catfish.

albert flores

Good food and good prices too!

Reggie Melvin

Ole Sawmill Cafe is a great place to enjoy Southern cooking, buffet style. Great food, friendly staff, and comfortable atmosphere. We have been there twice in out travels and plan to go back whenever we can.

Julie Sauls

Normal southern fare as one would expect. Inhospitable, sour hostess/cashier. We didn't feel welcomed. Kind of pricey. Nice salad bar at buffet lunch. Server was lovely, prompt, friendly, and made the perfect mix of sweet/unsweet tea for me. Cute place with a gift shop and large seating area. Cashier must have been having a rough day as she didn't greet us, didn't ask how our visit was, didn't thank us, didn't ask us to come back....we seemed to basically be a giant pain in the hostesses backside and I think she would have preferred we hadn't come there to pay for a meal. But overall, kitsch southern/western themed interior; good food; great waitress; reasonable price. I would go back and hope there's a different cashier/hostess next time.

Angela InTheWoods

Walked in to eat breakfast buffet. Only one other person in the restaurant and the buffet was very very small and very limited choices for the price. We walked out and went somewhere else.

Jeff Schaefer

Terrible. The woman at the cash register was simply put rude. Their card machine was down and you would of thought it was the customers fault. Fried Chicken was great, Mac and cheese decent. Gift shop was super over priced.

Odis Cantoniellie

Outstanding!!! Amazing food with exceptional service! I will definitely be stopping in again on my way back through. Thank you!!

Anthony Thompson

Have good food & friendly staff, buffet or menu your choice

Bob Zoeller

Food was good, waitress was great

Eugene Smith

Every time I'm passing through Forrest City I stop in here for a quick bite to eat the food is ok but little trinkets & employees always make it an enjoyable visit.

Keith Sutton

If you drive Interstate 40 in eastern Arkansas, you can't miss the numerous billboards advertising this cozy restaurant in Forrest City. Follow their directions when you can and enjoy the delicious food on the Sawmill's extensive buffet, or order off the menu. I opted for the buffet on my last visit and enjoyed favorites like baked and fried chicken, meat loaf, cabbage, greens, cornbread and a great salad bar. I passed on desserts (too full after the main course) but they looked scrumptious too. Service was outstanding. Can't wait to visit again.

Chris Baughman

We were passing through town on our way back to Tulsa and stopped here for Sunday lunch. Good selection of classic southern eats and some of the best ribs I've ever had.

Mary Westgate

Service OK food was OK could've been better

Scotty Carnline

Food was good and service was ok

Bill McLain

Food was ok until I noticed flies in the salad dressings and something red in the blue cheese dressing. Could be one time thing. My in laws swear by it

Savanah Matthews

Fish and hush puppies were good. Food wasn't hot. Service was very nice

Michael Martin

Good food, good service, and good company. We always stop here when we travel across the country to get a pulled pork sandwich.

Jana Dunkerson

First time eating at The Ole Sawmill. Everything was freshly cooked. Our waitress and cashier were very friendly. We will definitely be back on our next trip that way!

Cyndi Musgrave

We visited as one of couple places open at 8:15PM after driving 12 hrs. Food was ok. Would try again for fresher buffet not at end of their night as closed at 9 PM. Service was OK.

Cheryl Seibert

Found this on google just as we hit the exit. Walked in and found a breakfast buffet. Oh my goodness. Heaven if you eat keto or carnivore. Bacon sausage ham and eggs. I was in love. They had other foods to but those who eat like me know the pains of finding foods that fit our diet. Now I know where we will stop when going to see our grands from now on!!!!!

Jim Scantlin

Some of the best catfish ever. The grilled hamburger was amazing. Definitely a local place. We didn't eat the buffet bit looked great.

Ruth Minick

Excellent food!! And a wonderful gift shop!!

Terri Butler

This place was definitely a sleeper, but man was it a wonderful surprise. The staff were pleasant and friendly and the food was just like grandma use to cook. You could order off of the menu but honestly who would want to with all of the wonderful spread of home cooked food on the buffet. There were 2 of us that are all we wanted and granted we drank water but our total bill was $22. Who could ask for a better value? Go see this place and fill up on the best food around!

Matthew Sherman

The Buffet was filling and at a great price, Most of the dishes were fried or over cooked and could use some more flavor, but you can't beat the value. Also the soup was good.

Dorale Brown

Was my second time eating here with my family. Restaurant staff welcomed us and treated us like family or friends. Wonderful food and other patrons where kind as well. My kids can be rambunctious so it's nice to be able to eat somewhere and not worry my kids are annoying or bothering staff or patrons. Loved every bit of the food and can't wait to eat here again next time I'm in the area. Recommend this Cafe to anyone hungry for great food!

Vincent Cross

That place was wonderful collard greens soul food old style southern cooking

Brandon Ross

Food was decent family food. Pretty basic. Great chicken strips and catfish, simple salad bar and soups.

Lady WaWa Hobson

Dinner was Amazing. Food was seasoned to perfection! They have the best icecream I've ever tasted.

Ambitious Woman

Food was good we got to enjoy our family it was nice

Ben Kov

Realy nice country buffet, everything was fresh and delicious, also great service!

Kevin Rietman

The people here are very friendly and kind, and the food and service are great.

robert pearson

The food was amazing. The service was on point and delivered with a smile. If you love southern food and hospitality don't miss this place.

Marguerite Hammond

We stopped here for catfish but couldn't find it on the menu. That's because all the fish on the menu is catfish! It's a given, but us Northerners had to be told. And excellent catfish it was. Generous portions. If you're looking for fancy dining you'll be disappointed. If you're after good Southern food, you won't be disappointed.

Robin Moorhead

The staff were very hospitable. The food was excellent southern cooking.

Roosevelt Wilhite

Good food. Stop to eat whenever in the city.

Arthur Johnson

Food was good service adequately

Julie Sisk

Great food, comfort and cozy feeling

Taylor Stewart

Came for "seafood night" and I've never been more let down. 4 of us paid $95 $18.99 each My boys spit out the popcorn shrimp. Also I or them couldn't stomach the peel em shrimp. which may have been cause it sat out forever and was in a puddle of ice water. When I brought this up to our nice waitress she said she'd see what she can do. Apparently her manager tom "tried it" and tasted fine so she couldnt do anything. He couldn't even come talk to me. Do yourself a favor and go to Catfish Island. they have all you can eat deals much cheaper! Also the AC must have been broke... or Tom cut it off to save money since he can't comp meals. I would have been happy paying the normal buffet price. It's not like we had 5 plates of crawfish or anything. we had none of that.

Sherry Timmons

Service was good,food good.

Elizabeth Zecckine

Really good home style food. It's a buffet so you can eat as much as you want.

Gina Burrows

I hate that I have to make this review. My husband and I have been coming here since we started traveling through Arkansas for our company. After our last visit I do not know how we could come here again. Our waitress which on our ticket says her name is Heather was awful. (We wouldn’t know for sure that, that is her name, since she hardly spoke to us.) The food was cold, but we understand it was late. We could hear cooks and especially our waitress in the back talking loudly. They were cussing and using terrible language. This is definitely not what I think of when I think about a family restaurant. How can you let your staff act so rudely and still run a business? It wouldn’t have been so bad if we could have gotten one refill or maybe even have our table cleared. I definitely don’t recommend this place to anyone with family values.

Miranda Stanbery

A little slow with service food sat behind counter for a bit before receiving it

Scott Plane

GREAT VARIETY OF FOOD ON THE BUFFET AND WAS DELICIOUS

Jeff Ingram

The food was delicious, servers were friendly, the cooks kept the bars filled. Nice clean restaurant and bathrooms and nice, quiet atmosphere to enjoy your dining. Looking forward to my next visit.

Kevin Alcorn

Food was great. Service was also good.

Jean Wilson

Enjoyed meal our first time there . Loved the Decore and gift store . Friendly staff .

La Mccanless

Today was the first time I actually ate here and oh my goodness, it was delicious! Sauteed chicken and vegetables was amazing

danny boles

Great food, great service, great prices.

Eric Hamilton

The food was good, the service by Tiffany was excellent!

David Westgate

Was ok and I know we where there at an off time but food was lacking

Jason Cole supertrucker1

Good food,good selection. Nice atmosphere. But the coffee was too expensive I think. Maybe I'm just too old and cheap lol. Overall I'd definitely eat here again

chris williams

Good service great people good homestyle food I would definitely eat there again

Brandon Wise

Terrific lunch buffet. Plenty of Southern favorites. Some of the best fried chicken I've ever had! Friendly and helpful staff. Many interesting things to look at in the gift shop area.

Roger Collins

Recently had the opportunity to stop in for lunch in the middle of a 15 hour drive from Illinois to Texas. Staff was younger than I expected but very friendly and polite. One girl in particular (who i was jokingly told was 12)really lit up the room with her smile and giggles from across the room. Really don't want to make the long trip again, but when I do,I would be glad to stop back in! Thanks for a great meal and a good time.

R bel

Good variety of food and good service. We didn't enjoy the food as much as expected. Likely won't revisit. Updated Post: With Saw Mill's response we will consider a revisit next time we are in Forrest city.

JD Tarvin

FriendlyGood fried catfish, blackeyed Peas tasty, not too fond of the sauerkraut & sausage..a little bland. Fried chicken was really good. Friendly wait staff

#anime manga Braun

Restaurant appearance on the inside could use an update. Food was delicious and cooked to perfection for what was asked of them. Our server was friendly and sweet. We ordered off the menu and the portion size was, well.... let's just say you won't leave hungry! I would definitely recommend this place for a good morning country breakfast. We will be visiting again during our next trip through

Nancy Adkins

Excellent southern hospitality and comfort food. Catfish, brisket, ribs were delicious. Loved the pickled green tomatoes and the black eye peas would make any southern cook proud. If I'm ever in the area again I'll be stopping in. Thanks for the warm welcome and great meal.

Joseph Dawson

Seafood buffet was amazing. Service was decent.

Helen Lamb

Great selection of home cooking.

Dmitrii Korolkov

Very delicious food, everything reminds the home, great atmosphere. 10/10

Jerry Gissiner

Everything on the Buffett was cold at 7:45. They only replaced the French fries.Last time I ate there everything tasted very good.....tonight was a total disappointment. As I was Payne the lady asked me how everything was and I told her everything was cold. She didn't seem to care too much either. Probably will not return for a $17 buffet of garbage food.

Lisa Ogden

I've been to this restaurant now twice while on vacation...the whole family loves going..loves the southern charm..staff are friendly..can't wait to go back on my next vacation

Raindrop Cloud

This was our first time to eat here. All the food was good. The pinto beans were really good. Their peach cobbler looked gross but it was so good. I'd go back just for the peach cobbler.

Melanie Smith

Love it great food all the time, and good service too

Nakaiya Russell

If I could I would rate it a 0. The food was cold and undercooked. Also, they are very unorganized. The crawfish was yellow on the inside. The mash potatoes are nasty and a their barbeque is disgrace to all southern food. The cookies are hard and nasty. Thier ice cream tasted like medicine. The service was slow and sloppy. Also, they ignored our table twice.

Karrie Sexton

Great food, restaurant was much bigger inside then it looked from outside.

James Murphy

Takes from the tradition of general store crossed with restaurant. You can do the buffet if you'd like a variety, but their menu & table service is very competent.

pyro57 retired

Went in had a quick dinner, food was great! Employees were happy and helpful. Cost was fair. What's not to like.

Stephanie Coning-Smith

Fried chicken, fries had just come out fresh. WOW! However, salad bar limited & fish was piled high but cold. Service was really good. Great food value.

Daniel Mazzio

Good breakfast buffet. Neat little gift shop

cayla layman

Delicious breakfast buffet. The biscuits were a little stale, but everything else was really well prepared. The shop is cute, too.

Rhonda Chapman

Great fried chicken and very nice folks. I felt very comfortable. Good priceszero

Amber Strickland

Good food, nice people

HDC Debris

The waitstaff was kind. However, the service was slow and the food was bland. We order a grilled cheese for our 5-year old but it never arrived. The bill was incorrect and those trying to pay were backed up patiently waiting on the credit card machine to connect to the internet. We just noticed that my credit card was charged twice. There’s potential for a nice “mom & pop” eatery but some strong management is needed.

tom edgerle

Great food dont miss out

Jennifer Riddell

They have a huge great buffett that offers soups, salad, ultipl entree' and side dishes and several. Home made deserts have their own bar as well! Great little. "Country Shop" up front as well.

Susan Lee

Fried chicken over the Top Great!! Bread Pudding tastes like Granny’s - will be back.

Floyd Kos

Southern cooking at it's best.

Steve Powell

Great food, nice buffet, good coffee. Waitress seemed angry about something? Can get a to-go cup of ice tea for free but coffee to-go is $2 each. Don't understand.

Pam Atkinson

Just happened to stop in Forrest City for the night and ate here for dinner. The service was really nice and the food was plentiful and tasty, providing a real Southern Flavor.

Icesolated Wolf

Real real country food good!!

David Ray

Waitress was too busy talking to friends. Chicken was good. Chicken fried pork was tough.

Stayce Hedgecock

It was ok...just ok. 12 bucks with beverage for bfast buffet, though. Not too shabby. I'll stop in again

irish Tweety wolf

I have eaten at the ole sawmill many times.... Now I work there, was never disappointed before, now I know the extent that we go to, to make sure our customers are happy. Wonderful place. Love it.

Tom Strack

Not worth the price. I got there at 9:10pm the food on the buffet was pretty old at that point and was not refreshed while I was there. The staff was focused on closing and not in serving customers. Much of the food (ribs, etc) were cold and dried out. They were vacuuming all around my table and shouting across the restaurant at one another. For $14 it was not a good value if your not there during prime time.

Kendra Jones

Great comfort food! Needs a better dessert selection. Overall, awesome place to eat!

Rick Dixon

Just great food and icecream and cobbler for dessert

Kathy Mercer

If you're ever in the area be sure and stop in. It's great!

Mary Pagan

Delicious southern cooking! The buffet was amazing!

June Rowe

WE STOPPED THERE ON SATURDAY MORNING AND HAD BREAKFAST ON THE WAY TO MISSISSIPPI, IT WAS GREAT, THE STAFF WAS GREAT ALSO! COMING BACK HOME ON SUNDAY WE DECIDED TO STOP THERE AGAIN FOR SUPPER, IT WAS FANTASTIC!!! DEFINITELY A PLACE TO REMEMBER & WILL DEFINITELY RETURN!!!!

Kathy Waltrip

Best fried chicken! Awesome buffet and service was great!

Mandy Edmonson

I rarely leave reviews, but this place is definitely not worth your time stopping for. The fried chicken was the only thing I found on the entire buffet worth consuming. There was a gentleman refilling the bar that was pleasantly friendly, I’d leave him a 5 but the food is a 1 at best! Definitely not worth $11.99!!!

Rita Brown

Great buffet with awesome country comfort food! Well worth the stop. Go hungry!

Art Brown

Great food-buffet style-decent pricing

Robin Hefner

Cost was not bad, food was very good.

Tami Nutt

Friendly service, comfy environment, great tasting food, and cheap prices! We will definitely be back next time we are driving through.

Natalie Burns

Not much food to choose from on the buffet especially for the price. My husband and kid's food was cold. The server was not friendly AT ALL. I did not end up ordering anything to eat (I ended up getting fast food later). We will not be returning...

James Roper

Please forgive me; this place is “f@cking disgusting”...Seriously don’t waste your money here!

Charles Vandergriff

My buddy and I are staying in Arkansas here in Forrest city right next to this place we went here the first night we were in town I myself opted out of the buffet the first time and got a Philly cheesesteak sandwich that was delicious . My buddy got the buffet and as a foodie I tried most of what he got the food here is amazing. The wait staff did their job good. And I would definitely recommend somebody to come eat here !

David Grigsby

Last time I visited this place, the food tasted like it comes out of can, very bland. Beans were just not good at all. Buffet is not worth it. Very disappointed!

Sandra Scott

Breakfast here was great and the grits were right on.

Melissa Thompson

Best fried catfish filets I have tasted in a long time. Good buffet. There was two chicken choices- one looked old and hard but the fried chicken was very good. The desert choices limited. The cake was not fresh and the peach cobbler out. Vanilla ice cream. I would have liked to see a chocolate syrup or some other topping. Salad bar was very good. Be mindful of the flies around food. Good sweet tea.

Lonnie Heston

Dining in an antique store. Fun and interesting.

wildsaj3

Large selection of great food, sweet folks, and very clean bathrooms! We recommend this place and will hopefully be back ourselves sometime!

Whatever Rolls

Country Burger and Philly were both worth the stop. Really enjoyed the food.

Ken Presley

Nothing fancy, just very good downhome southern food for a reasonable price.

Tammy I love It so much

Love the food here and the service was wonderful

Dianne Collins

Had to stop after long drive. Convenient location. Big buffet and also menu. Helpful friendly staff. Reasonably priced menu. Had salad and bowl of greens. Might stop again if ever there again.

Sophia Grisso

Its great sevice and it felt luke home but they do charge if you waste food

Michelle Friskey

Found this place on the map, and because we prefer mom & pop places we just had to stop. Customer was over-the-top amazing. My grandkids couldn't stop eating the fried chicken! We were stuffed beyond comparison but so glad we were. This buffet is unbelievable! Stop in when you can.

Helena Scherpenzeel

bad service place not clean and food was bad

Sandra Lapp

I am not usually a fan of buffets but this one was pretty good. I like the variety of foods. I enjoyed the shredded barbecue chicken and the fried chicken. Only reason I didn't give 5 Stars was because the desserts were a little dry. We were in town for a funeral so this made a great place for us to gather

Rebecca Wilson

Great food and friendly staff! Plus 3 and under eat free!!! Can't beat a deal like that

Barbara Ann Bolin

They advertise as Southern Cooking but I was raised calling this Soul Food! OMG so delicious! My only disappointment was the cobblers were cold but very tasty none the same. Sorry after our 1st plate I forgot about taking pictures...

Ricky Clark

Everybody don't need to come on down to the king have you some fun have some good food the sit back relax with the waitresses take care of you you're very friendly place is very clean and they like their customers oh come on down and check it out it won't hurt you just might be surprised that might be your favorite place

Deana Morris

Never but one meal have I gotten good food. Sorry:-(