Legends Bar & Grill worth a visit

The chicken fried chicken dinner at Legends Bar & Grill in Conway is served here with mashed potatoes and plenty of creamy gravy.
The chicken fried chicken dinner at Legends Bar & Grill in Conway is served here with mashed potatoes and plenty of creamy gravy.

CONWAY -- Legends Bar & Grill at Back Achers Ranch offers dinner with a show. And the show is free.

The ranch is owned by a former physical therapist whose dream was to operate an equine facility. Offering boarding, sales, training, activities for children and other horse events, it is on 50 acres in the middle of Conway near a country club.

Legends Bar & Grill

Address: 3725 College Ave., Conway

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Cuisine: Southern style dinners and sandwiches

Alcohol: Full bar

Carryout: Yes

Credit cards: D, MC, V, AE

Wheelchair accessible: Yes

(501) 327-8200

LegendsAtBackAchers…

Legends Bar & Grill is a small part of the arena building. Diners can watch the arena action through floor-to-ceiling windows. One gets a "horse" experience of sorts without flies or fumes. The arena is very tidy and the entry to the restaurant doesn't require traipsing through the horse areas.

The attractive restaurant, decorated in wood, Western signs, photos and knickknacks, is long and narrow, and diners have the choice of a booth or table. There was a large sunflower in a vase on our table.

On one side of the room is the kitchen and a small bar; on the opposite are the windows. On the day I visited with my mother, two small children were being led around the arena on horseback. Their proud grandmother, seated at a table near us, said the kids were visiting from up north. Riding and lunch was a good way to occupy their time.

It wasn't long before our friendly server brought menus, and took our order for drinks and fried mushrooms ($5.79).

Mom and I both did a double-take upon seeing the mushrooms. Unlike the little button variety you get at many restaurants, these were huge. There were six crispy brown mushrooms in the basket, with ranch dressing for dipping. We both ended up eating only two, deciding to take the others home because our food came to the table rather quickly. And after seeing what we'd ordered, we knew we'd be needing take-out boxes anyway.

All dinners come with two sides and Texas toast. I'd ordered the chicken-fried chicken entree ($8.99) along with the house salad, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Mom chose the grilled lemon pepper catfish ($10.79). It came with spicy green tomatoes and hushpuppies, and for sides she ordered sauteed squash with onions and coleslaw.

The large chicken breast on my plate was breaded and fried, and even though it was thick and probably required a bit longer cooking time, the meat was tender and juicy. The salad was a delicious mixture of greens with tomato, shredded cheese and big crunchy croutons. The mashed potatoes seemed to be homemade and the white gravy, which topped the chicken and potatoes, was creamy and rich.

Mom's grilled lemon pepper catfish was heavenly. She received two large filets that were tender, moist and fresh. And the lemon pepper was not overwhelming. I also snagged a bite of her squash and slaw. The squash was tender with a mild onion flavor. The large, flavorful hushpuppies were crisp on the outside and cooked thoroughly on the inside.

A small chalkboard on the wall listed the cobbler of the day ($4.29) flavors as peach and pecan. The crust was flaky and the peaches in the filling were tender and sweet. We shared the pecan version the next day and it was equally delicious.

Legends' menu is not extensive, but there is a nice variety. Other appetizers include potato skins, fried mozzarella, fried pickles, fried squash and Cowboy Nachos. Also offered: four salads, a variety of sandwiches and burgers, and several more dinner selections. Sides orders include macaroni and cheese, green bean bundles, steamed broccoli, baked potatoes, fries and fried okra.

If you find yourself in the vicinity of Legends Bar & Grill, it's worth a visit. With an accommodating staff, the restaurant has a nice country charm about it.

Weekend on 09/18/2014

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