Cheese trail · Little Rock, Arkansas
Arkansas Cheese Dip Trail
The Arkansas Cheese Dip Trail is a list from Arkansas Tourism of 15 restaurants known for their cheese dip, most of them in Little Rock, with stops in Conway, Hot Springs, Fayetteville, Eureka Springs, Carlisle and Lake Village. There is no ticket or passport; just order the dip. Little Rock also hosts the World Cheese Dip Championship, but its next date has not been announced.
- Published by
- Arkansas Tourism
- Stops
- 15 restaurants
- Most stops
- Little Rock
- Cost
- Free, pay for what you eat
Why Arkansas
Arkansas believes it invented cheese dip, though the question is still argued over. Little Rock lawyer and filmmaker Nick Rogers traced it to Mexico Chiquito, which began in Hot Springs as Little Mexico and had cheese dip on the menu as early as 1935, at least ten years before Rotel. Today you will find dozens of versions in Little Rock alone, from classic yellow dip to white queso with chiles.
The Stops
| Restaurant | Town | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Grill Riverdale | Little Rock | Comfort food restaurant open since 1981 |
| Casa Manana | Little Rock | Mexican restaurant known for its white queso |
| Cheers in the Heights | Little Rock | Neighbourhood restaurant since 1979 |
| Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro | Little Rock | Home of La Petite Roche, the 2010 champion cheese dip |
| Izzy's | Little Rock | Restaurant open since 1985, fresh cheese dip |
| Loca Luna | Little Rock | White queso with roasted chiles |
| Nick's Bar-B-Q and Catfish | Carlisle | Roadhouse with its signature cheese dip |
| Faby's Restaurant | Conway | White queso with fresh tortillas |
| Stoby's Restaurant | Conway and Russellville | Yellow and spicy white cheese dips |
| Taco Mama | Hot Springs | Queso with chorizo |
| Taco Pronto | Hot Springs | Tex-Mex since the late 1960s |
| Flying Burrito Co. | Fayetteville | House-made cheese dip |
| Marlo's Little House of Tacos | Fayetteville | Scratch-made cheese dip |
| Sparky's Roadhouse Cafe | Eureka Springs | Retro roadhouse with cheese dip and burgers |
| Table 82 at The Cow Pen | Lake Village | Famous cheese dip and the Cow Pen ribeye |
Hours change, so check each restaurant before you go.
A Route
Little Rock has six stops, enough for a day of dipping; add Nick's in Carlisle on the drive east along I-40. Conway, with Faby's and Stoby's, is a short drive north. Hot Springs makes a good second day, with two stops. In the northwest, pair Fayetteville's two taco spots with Sparky's in Eureka Springs. Lake Village is far to the southeast, near the Mississippi line.
World Cheese Dip Championship
Little Rock has hosted the World Cheese Dip Championship since 2010. It raises money for Harmony Health Clinic and is now combined with Foam Fest, a craft beer festival. Guests sample entries from restaurants and home cooks, vote for a People's Choice winner, and judges crown the champions. Tickets include unlimited cheese dip, food and drinks, with designated driver tickets for food and soft drinks only. The event runs rain or shine, with no refunds, and there is free parking across from the stadium.
It used to be held in the autumn but has moved to an earlier date so it no longer clashes with Razorback football. The organisers had not announced the next date or venue when last checked. Locals advise bringing a muffin tin to carry your samples.
Where to Stay near Little Rock
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Questions People Ask
Where was cheese dip invented?
Arkansas makes the claim. Mexico Chiquito, which started in Hot Springs as Little Mexico, served cheese dip as early as 1935, according to research by Little Rock filmmaker Nick Rogers.
When is the World Cheese Dip Championship?
The next date has not been announced. The event has moved from autumn to an earlier slot to avoid Razorback football weekends; watch the Harmony Health Clinic and Little Rock visitor bureau sites.
Which Arkansas cheese dip restaurants are on the trail?
Fifteen, including Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro, Loca Luna and Izzy's in Little Rock, Stoby's in Conway and Russellville, Taco Mama in Hot Springs and Marlo's in Fayetteville.
Official site: arkansas.com/articles/arkansas-cheese-dip-trail. Dates, hours and prices checked 22 October 2026; confirm on the official site before you travel. See all cheese trails.