LITTLE ROCK — One of the most striking features of Batesville is the White River that runs through the town.
On the northern bank of the river sits the lock that lets boat traffic get from the northern half of the river to the southern portion, and sitting high above the lock is Josie's at the Lockhouse, a popular local restaurant and steakhouse.
"Well, the building we are in now was built in 2000," said Steve Carpenter, who owns Josie's. "But the building was originally the house for those who worked in the lock, so the basement, which is the wine cellar now, is original. It was built in 1910."
Carpenter and Josie's came to Batesville in 2004, and he has done some renovation to the interior and has sinceadded a deck.
"When I came and saw it," Carpenter said, "I thought 'that's about the prettiest spot that I have ever seen for a restaurant.' I just fell in love with it, and we're pretty pleased with it."
The spot is a good one. The deck overlooks the lock, and the river and is generally jammed with locals.
The restaurant seats about 325 now and Carpenter said on the weekends, he'll serve around 250 dinners. Most of the focus is on the steak, a certified angus, that Carpenter said was the best steak that he could find. "We were able to find a supplier for it locally, but that is the same beef served at Peter Luger's."
Peter Luger is the famed New York City steakhouse.
"I'm real pleased with the quality of food," Carpenter said of his restaurant.
The restaurant, named for Carpenter's granddaughter, is a family affair with his son managing and daughter-in-law all working there.
But that's the way it has always been.
"The original Josie's was in Waldenburg," Carpenter said. "It was a weird thing to have this restaurant that seated 250 in a town of 65 people, but it worked. When I sold it, we were reservations-only for three years."
Carpenter still has a farm in Waldenburg, but he lives in Batesville now.
When asked why he moved his restaurant, Carpenter said, "They talked us into coming up here," referring to the Chamber of Commerce and some of the local banks. "Now the Rotary Club is wanting to movetheir meetings here." - jpeppas@ arkansasonline.com
Three Rivers, Pages 55 on 10/25/2007