You know Tex-Mex, but have you heard of Ark-Mex? Taco & Tamale Co. is Arkansas’s destination for Arkansas-style Mexican food. Rooted in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, it is originally from Little Rock and the dishes radiate with local, seasonal, and Arkansas Delta flavors. Luckily, in 2022, they opened the second location in Bentonville.

 

Taco and Tamale Food
Image: House Margarita, Spring Fling Mojito, NEW The Starr Kid Colada, Kiwi Daiquiri, Salsa dip trio with creamy jalapeno-onion dip, red house salsa, + hatch green chile salsa, Barnyard grilled chicken taco, Pickle-fried chicken tacos, Tuna Bonita tacos, and Russ & Sons Beef Tacos. 
 

Tacos & Tamales and BikesTaco and Tamale Hola Sign and dessert

Images: Exterior of Bentonville Taco & Tamale in Bentonville, Arkansas. Image courtesy of Emily Neuman. Interior featuring Hola sign, Sour cream chocolate fudge cake, The Starr Kid Colada, House margarita, Tuna Bonita tacos, Barnyard Chicken taco, Spring fling mojito, and freshly fried lime-salted chips.

 

The one word that comes to mind when thinking about Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. is FUN! The space is so vibrant, full of neon signs and pops of light blue colors, including a blue horse with a little cowboy hat. The staff exudes Southern hospitality, the food comes out relatively fast, and they know how to make a mean house margarita. It is so popular that they even sell a pre-mixed “to-go margarita” to enjoy at home during your own Taco Tuesday.

Taco and Tamale Co Interior Bank vaultTaco and Tamale Food and Interior shotTaco and Tamale Co HorseTacos & Tamales Interior

Images: Interior shots of Bentonville Taco & Tamale in Bentonville, Arkansas.

 

Taco & Tamale Co. is well-known for (yes, you guessed it) their tacos and tamales. The most popular taco is the Pickle-Fried Chicken Tacos. Marinated overnight in pickle brine, this taco is fried in buttermilk and topped with red pepper chow-chow, pico de gallo, cilantro, and habanero ranch. My favorite taco though is the Fish Fry Tacos, featuring fried Southern U.S.A. farmed catfish topped with a tasty remoulade sauce, citrus slaw, fresh jalapeño, cilantro, and pickled green tomatoes. The item that takes both of these tacos to that next level? The fluffiest fresh, hot flour tortillas you will find in Arkansas.

 

 
Tacos & Tamales FoodWhen I don’t have my mouth filled with tacos, I’m either enjoying their Salsa dip trio, Ark-Mex Enchiladas, Saddle Up Nacho Skillet, or Melting Pot Cheese Dip with freshly fried lime-salted chips.

 

Fun fact: cheese dip was invented in Arkansas.

 

The Mexico Chiquito restaurant in Little Rock in 1935 to be precise. This queso at Tacos & Tamale Co. specifically was inspired by five of Arkansas's most famous cheese dip, and is the very dip that secured an Arkansas win in the 2016 U.S. Senate cheese dip vs. queso face-off.

 

Image: Melting Pot Cheese Dip with freshly fried lime-salted chips. Mercantile Soda No. 2 with Pineapple Syrup, cucumber water, lemon juice, and soda water. Image courtesy of Emily Neuman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may be thinking, is it a local business even if it started in Little Rock? Absolutely. Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. in its short time on the square has become the place locals and visitors love. It’s where you can go to dine as you are, and you know you’ll have a great time. 

 

Before your next visit to Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co., here are some important deets to keep in mind:

  • Location: Located in the northwest corner of the downtown Bentonville square across from the Walton 5 & 10 in the old Peoples Bank Building from the late 1880s (see map here).

  • Parking: It’s free and located along the street around the downtown square. Biking? There are also a variety of locations to park bikes around the square. 

  • Reservations: They do not take reservations at Bentonville Taco & Tamale. Walk-in only. 

  • Hours: Open Sunday through Thursday 11 am-9 pm and Friday + Saturday 11 am-10 pm.

  • Dining Area: Includes a variety of seating options of tables and bar seating. The bar seats are very comfortable and if you sit on the corner closest to the door, you can watch all the movement on the square.