Fred's Hickory Inn - Bentonville

We were seated at the bar instead of the restaurant despite having a reservation. The service was awful, and the ribs and spinach were so salty that they were i... read more We were seated at the bar instead of the restaurant despite having a reservation. The service was awful, and the ribs and spinach were so salty that they were inedible. We had to send them back. We never received our wine and had to ask multiple times for things. The only positive aspect of our experience was the singer Candy Lee performing on the patio.

We had a very nice visit here. Had reservations for a bit later but arrived early for happy hour. Food was good and staff friendly. Would go back! read more We had a very nice visit here. Had reservations for a bit later but arrived early for happy hour. Food was good and staff friendly. Would go back!

We ordered steaks. Our medium rare steak came out medium, our medium well steak came out medium rare, and our medium steak came out well done. They were all ext... read more We ordered steaks. Our medium rare steak came out medium, our medium well steak came out medium rare, and our medium steak came out well done. They were all extremely charred on the outside (like scraping the grill and eating it). The char was the only flavor we could taste. Our table of 4 ticket was over $200... We could have had better steaks anywhere else. We will not be back...

We had made a reservation in hopes of getting a quiet table in the main dining room, but were seated in the bar area instead, right by the bar. Our server was f... read more We had made a reservation in hopes of getting a quiet table in the main dining room, but were seated in the bar area instead, right by the bar. Our server was fantastic, but the bartender was very loud and sometimes obnoxious. It seemed like he wanted all the attention on him, as he sang loudly and had loud, inappropriate conversations with the servers. The noise of clanging dishes and glasses was constant. Overall, the bartender seemed to be more focused on himself than the guests. Despite this, our experience was good as my parents were visiting from Chicago. We would come back, but would avoid sitting in the bar area or near the bartender in the future.

We made a reservation for the Easter buffet. The freshly carved meats were delicious, and there were plenty of fresh greens for salad. However, most of the othe... read more We made a reservation for the Easter buffet. The freshly carved meats were delicious, and there were plenty of fresh greens for salad. However, most of the other items were either empty or had crust over them, appearing as if they had been sitting there since the restaurant opened 4 hours earlier. Although we arrived about 1.5 hours before closing, if they are taking reservations, they should ensure that all items are available and fresh. Overall, it was a mediocre experience for the price. I would not choose to dine at their buffet again.