Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced Harold Jones, the fourth-generation owner of Jones Bar-B-Q Diner in Marianna, as the June "Face of Arkansas." This monthly series highlights Arkansans whose stories and portraits are displayed at the entrance to the Governor’s office, aiming to keep public service focused on the state's individuals and communities.
Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, established officially in 1910, is believed to be the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Arkansas and one of the oldest continuously operating Black-owned restaurants in the United States. Its roots trace back even earlier to Harold’s great-great uncle, Uncle Joe, smoking meat in a ground pit. The diner has remained largely unchanged for over a century, embodying Mr. Harold’s philosophy: "If it’s not broke, don’t be fixing on it."
Mr. Harold, who began learning the craft at 14, maintains a rigorous routine, starting at midnight daily to prepare pork shoulders for the smoker. The menu remains simple: chopped pork sandwiches served on white bread with slaw and a thin vinegar-based sauce. Despite its modest appearance, the diner earned national acclaim, receiving the prestigious James Beard America’s Classics Award in 2012 and induction into the inaugural Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.
In 2021, a fire heavily damaged the restaurant, but community support, including donations and assistance from Governor Sanders and her husband Bryan, enabled its rebuilding without using insurance money. This outpouring of help underscored the diner's deep connection to Marianna, where it is seen as more than just a restaurant, but a family institution. Harold Jones humbly said, "I just try to take care of whoever come in that door."