Dining underground

Mud Street Cafe welcomes visitors to "unique underground Eureka"

Chicken Waldorf Salad is loaded with goodies

Turtle Pie is a rich and satisfying dessert

The entrance points to underground Mud Street Cafe

The stairs lead to Mud Street Cafe's front door

Mud Street Cafe

Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for breakfast and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch; closed on Wednesdays

Address: 22 G S. Main Street, Eureka Springs

Phone: (479) 253-6732

Web site: www.mudstreetcafe.com

The entrance points to underground Mud Street Cafe

The sounds and cares of the day are forgotten once you leave Main Street’s upper level and step down in a piece of Eureka Spring’s most fascinating history. Mud Street Cafe is housed in a building constructed in 1888 with a running spring underneath. When it flooded, the street became known as Mud Street. The eatery is down a level since the street was built up.

The stairs lead to Mud Street Cafe's front door

Entering the restaurant is just part of the experience. The first thing guests are tempted by is the dessert case full of pies, cakes and cheesecake. The pumpkin cheesecake was the best I have ever tasted, heavy on pumpkin and cream and not so cloyingly sweet as others I’ve tasted.

A comfy couch in a sunken area of the dining room offers a place to recline or read magazines. My favorite place is next to a limestone wall and underneath a stained glass window. Jazz is usually playing, but diners can still hear the creaking sounds of people walking overhead. The Vintage Years trivia cards fill some coffee cups, allowing visitors as chance to unwind before the order arrives.

Local art is displayed on the walls. One painting in particular that is unforgettable is titled “Garden of Eden” by local artist Larry Mansker. You just can’t take your eyes off it while waiting for the order, which is signaled in a unobtrusive way. The chef gently jingles a bell that sounds like wind chimes when an order is up.

Guests may pour coffee for themselves from the gorgeous oak bar that runs the length of the dining room. Mud Street coffees and teas are extensive. A full list is posted on its Web site.

I usually order the same thing each time I dine here — Chicken Waldorf Salad. It is the most excellentI have tried anywhere. Filled with cheddar cheese cubes, pecans, walnuts, celery, roasted peanuts, honey lime dressing and plenty of chicken, it is more than filling. Most salads are $10. The quiche special is also divine. I heard one guest next to me ask just how many vegetables were in his order.

Chicken Waldorf Salad is loaded with goodies

“There’s tomatoes, squash, celery, red bell pepper …” he went on counting, amazed at how much was packed into this dish.

Also on the menu are a variety of sandwiches, soups and wraps. A separate breakfast menu offers choices such as veggie grits, Mud Muffin and sour cream pancakes.

Most menu items offer a healthy dose of vegetables, and I was feeling good about my choice for lunch, leaving enough room for dessert.

I ordered the Turtle Pie, which was divine. Layers of caramel mingled with whipped cream, pecans and a black bottom crust: heavenly.

If you’re looking for a dining experience that is both visually and tastefully rewarding, then venture down into one of Eureka Spring’s most satisfying and soul-nourishing eateries.

Turtle Pie is a rich and satisfying dessert

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Posted by admin on Oct 2 2010. Filed under Restaurant Guide. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry