The Venesian Inn of Tontitown is one of three restaurants in the 2018 class of the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.
“We worked very hard for a lot of years,” said owner Linda Mhoon. “We’re very proud.”
The Venesian Inn has been serving Italian food in Tontitown since 1947, according to its website.
The Department of Arkansas Heritage launched the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame in 2016 “to recognize Arkansas’ legendary restaurants, proprietors and food-themed events across the state,” according to a press release. The Department looks to “identify Arkansas’s heritage and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors by the discovery, preservation and presentation of the state’s natural, cultural and historic resources,” according to the release
Franke’s Cafeteria of Little Rock and McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant of Hot Springs, also won Food Hall of Fame awards; there were 450 total entries. Other categories were for proprietor of the year, food-themed event, gone but not forgotten and people’s choice.
The Venesian Inn, 582 West Henri de Tonti Blvd., is open Mondays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays-Thursdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m., Saturdays 4 to 9 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.