It all started with a backyard discussion on the different styles of barbecue from other regions like Kansas City, Texas and St. Louis. A group of Bentonville restaurateurs — who consider themselves barbecue aficionados — wondered why Arkansas did not have its own signature style, and decided to create one.

After three years of research, planning and taste-testing, Brothers Meethouse opened its doors on Monday, serving up the owners’ vision of Arkansas-style barbecue using native woods and local ingredients. Brothers is celebrating its grand opening this weekend with live music on Friday and Saturday and a community barbecue on Sunday.

Brothers Meethouse is located at 405 SE 5th St., in a prime location walking distance from The Momentary. It will be open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Arkansas Barbecue

The locals behind Brothers Meethouse — who run a hospitality business called Good Gravy Group — are also the creators of Tusk & Trotter, The Bend and Trash Ice Cream in Bentonville. They all love barbecue so much that not only do they smoke it in their own backyards, but travel around the country just to try out other restaurants, said managing partner April Seggebruch.

“We all love barbecue, making it ourselves and trying to find the best in the country,” she said. “And that’s really how we got going.”

To create their signature style, they decided to incorporate wood from trees that are common in the area, such as apple and hickory. 

“We have a smoking process that was actually used by the Indigenous folks of Arkansas, way, way back, which we smoke first and then finish over oak and coals,” Seggebruch said. “It gives it that nice, juicy, tender finish out of the smoker, and then that charcoal flavor at the end.”

The menu at Brothers Meethouse features all the classic barbecue fare — brisket, ribs and pulled pork — along with traditional sides like macaroni and cheese and collard greens. There will be salads, burgers and chicken thighs. 

The dessert menu will really stand out, Seggebruch said. 

“We have a cornbread bread pudding, which is just out-of-this-world amazing,” she said, adding that there will also be a custom-made ice cream sandwich from Trash Ice Cream.

A Backyard Vibe

The back of the restaurant leads to a patio complete with outdoor seating and lawn games. There is even a bucking boar to ride — think bucking bronco at a country-western nightclub, but swine versus cattle. 

Brothers Meethouse plans to host live music every weekend with a rotating lineup of musicians. Seggebruch said they’ll also have weekends dedicated to one genre, such as bluegrass or country.

“It’s going to be where folks come to gather in Bentonville,” Seggebruch said. “There’s a lot of amazing restaurants. There’s few restaurants where you can go three nights a week and feel at home like you’re in your own backyard.”