During past year and a half, owners John Hudec and his wife Heather have been devoted to Boar's Nest Bar, Grill and Barbeque in Rogers. It's their passion.
"Our focus is on making sure everybody is taken care of and our food is topnotch," John said. "We offer great food, great drinks and a comfortable, fun atmosphere."
After closing their Fayetteville location last October, the couple has put all their energy into their Rogers sports bar and restaurant. They are happy with the decision. It's only a 20-minute drive for their Fayetteville friends.
"We've had a great response from folks," John said. "With a lot of help and dedication from our front of house/bar manager, Becca Duncan and kitchen manager, Rodney Snoxhill; our popularity is increasing."
John was a culinary manager in Dallas for many years and worked for JB Hunt in the DCS division for 9 years. When this opportunity arose, he and Heather jumped on it.
Fresh, made-to-order choices
The couple believes they have created a menu with something for everybody. Besides smoking their own BBQ, the restaurant also smokes their own pork belly, pastrami, and tenderloin for sandwiches.
"It's a family friend bar with great food. Everything is made fresh and made to order," John pointed out. "We make our own chips and hand cut fries. Our bread is sourced locally from Stone Mill Baking. Our burgers are hand-pattied daily."
The establishment features TVs in every booth with personal remotes. Kids can eat and watch what they want and parents can entertain themselves with hard darts, pool or mixing with friends.
"We have a great menu for kids," Heather said. "Children 10 and younger eat free, as long as they are with a paid adult. They can order off the kid's menu; sliders, mac and cheese, grilled cheese and chicken tenders - all free."
Specials and favorites
The restaurant is now open for lunch 7 days a week and their daily blue plate specials have become a big hit.
"If you are in the mood for some good ole' home cooking, try one of the blue plate specials," John recommended. "Monday's special is Smoked Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and smoked gravy, Tuesday is chicken fried steak or chicken, Wednesday is pork chops with apple infused gravy, Thursday is shepherds' pie, and Friday is beef tips on rice."
"Check our Facebook specials," John suggested. "Friday is also Friday Night Steak Night--Smoked Sirloin and Tenderloin cut to order with one of our delicious sides."
Heather has her own favorite. "The beef tenderloin sandwich on the weekend is absolutely delicious," she said. "We smoke it in-house. It is tender and delicious. It melts in your mouth. It's straight up smoked tenderloin and cheese."
The couple agrees on one specialty item that has been a hit with their customers. "It's the Pork Belly Pops," Heather said. "As much as we loved it, we weren't sure how it would be received. It's gone over like gangbusters. We smoke the pork belly in house and cut it into cubes and skewer it so it looks like a popsicle. Then we deep fry it and dip in in our BBQ sauce. Pork belly bacon...just really good smoked bacon."
John boasts that the chili at Boar's Nest is second to none. "Our two-bean and brisket chili is based on my recipe from growing up in Texas, just not as hot. People can modify it if they want. It's always easy to heat something up, but it's hard to take the heat out of it."
Their chili, he said, can be added to many menu favorites. "You can have a bowl of chili," he said. "Or, get our version of chili mac and cheese. Or, you can put it on our cheese fries or nachos, hot dogs or a hamburger."
On the lighter side
Looking for something on the light side? Boar's Nest has that covered.
"You can get your typical side salad," Heather said, "Or you can get a salad and add smoked chicken, pulled pork or brisket to it. We have a grilled chicken sandwich that's also incredible. You can add any of our smoked meats to any salad."
Boar's Nest is also a great option for those simply looking for an adult beverage and an appetizer. They feature happy hour prices from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
As far as appetizers go, John recommends a couple of long-standing menu favorites. "The Gator Bites...they are actually bites," he pointed out. "A lot of places cut them so small they are nothing but batter. The fried pickles are also a huge hit, I love our fried pickles."
The party starts here
If you are getting ready for that tailgate party, the restaurant has party packs designed for every size up to 100 people.
"It is a party in a box," John said. "We can supply everything you need including meats, bread, sides and desserts. We've tried to make throwing a party as easy as possible so you can enjoy the party."
Boar's Nest offers a full bar with room for 40 seats, three hard-tip dartboards and two pool tables. There is always something to do at Boar's Nest. A Thursday night Corn Hole league starting September 20 is currently forming, and there's an ongoing pool league during the week. They are also looking for all Benton County dart throwers to start a dart league.
"We have live music on Saturday," John explained. "We have all local bands and local entertainment. We have karaoke on Wednesdays and a DJ on Fridays. We are a full service food and entertainment establishment. Come by and say hi!"
John is there most of the time and loves to talk, food, beer, golf, football or basketball.
Boars Nest Bar, Grill & Barbeque
LOCATION:
4404 West Walnut Street, Rogers, AR.
PHONE:
(479) 899-6282
HOURS:
Open Monday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
ONLINE:
boarsnestnwa.com
facebook.com/boarsnestrogers
NAN Dining Guide Spotlight on 08/26/2018