HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — It’s lake season here in Arkansas, and one of the most unique restaurants and bars right on the water is on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs Sam’s Pizza Pub offers up pizza, appetizers, salads, and much more, with one of the best outdoor patios with a view in the Natural State.
Landan Mitchell's family bought the property and restaurant in 2008 when the original owner was still running it.
"The original building was originally started in 1932 when Lake Hamilton started being built. It’s been a gas station, a deli shop, there was a hair salon in part of the building at one point,” he said.
How Sam's got its name is a funny story itself.
“It started as a joke they were going to name the restaurant after the neighborhood dog who just ran around the neighborhood," Mitchell explained. "They called him Sam, and that’s how Sam’s came to be because nobody could come up with anything better.”
Since then, Mitchell's family has done extensive work on Sam's, adding plenty of outdoor additions.
“We opened up the inside a couple of years ago, then we added to the outdoor patio. Went through the process and got the new docks for the boats to pull up to and it’s just kind of grown,” he described.
Another Sam who is a frequent visitor of Sam's Pizza Pub is Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman, who owns a house not far from the restaurant.
“He started coming in with his wife and his family. They really enjoy coming and sitting out here on the patio and enjoying a meal on the weekends or when he is in town,” Mitchell said.
The menu has something for everybody.
“We’ve kept the same pizza recipe since the beginning. We’ve got everything from pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and salads,” he added.
But without a doubt, he thinks there is a fan favorite among visitors.
“Our most popular appetizer is our fried pickles. We use hamburger chips and just lightly bread them in flour. Fry them real crispy and they go to almost every table this time of year," he said.
Sam's Pizza Pub is located at 401 Burchwood Bay Road in Hot Springs.