15228 Interstate 30
Benton, AR
(501) 315-3663

Fresh pies in up to 30 varieties are available after 11 a.m. at this interstate stop. That presented a problem when John showed up at 10 in the morning with a need to make good time heading east (taking the dogs from Texas to North Carolina to see their mama, who was flying down from New York for the 2011 holidays).
     Ed & Kay’s offers a homey feeling, with tabletops covered with ads from local businesses such as Ron’s Body Shop and Saline Orthopedic Group (but what’s with the picture of the grown woman in a diaper sucking on a passie?). A family at a nearby table recited, “God is great, God is good…” before tucking into their breakfast meal. A twinkling Christmas tree turned in the corner, adding a festive holiday air.
     As John opened the Arkansas Democrat & Gazette sports pages to read the Razorbacks Report, he was feeling pretty good about the place. He ordered a cheeseburger with the waitress-recommended fried potatoes. Alas, the burger was tough and the fried potatoes should just be listed on the menu as grease sticks.
     And so what did that portend for the pies, now 23 hours old? The good news is that the chocolate fudge pie he ordered – a 1-inch chocolate fudge layer beneath a crusty top layer – was nothing short of delicious. Peanut butter cream and German chocolate were also among the leftovers, but the fudge satisfied completely.
     Still, this report remains somewhat incomplete until one or both of us returns after 11 a.m. to try the pies fresh. Until then, rate Ed & Kay’s worth trying for the pies; skip the fried potatoes.