Whole Hog Cafe, a barbecue chain based in Little Rock, will come to Searcy this summer. There are currently 16 Whole Hog Cafe locations across four different states, nine of which are in Arkansas. The newest addition in Searcy plans to open mid-July.

The restaurant’s website says “Every Whole Hog Cafe location serves our award-winning ribs, tender beef brisket, our smoked chicken and signature sausage, and of course, our widely popular pulled pork! Desserts, drinks and sides, as well as pricing, may vary by location.”

Executive broker at Dalrymple Commercial, Jose Colunga, is the restaurant’s real estate agent. Dalrymple Commercial helped Searcy acquire Walmart Neighborhood Market, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Planet Fitness and Ashley Furniture Homestore.

“Searcy has been on their radar for several years,” Colunga said. “The town is growing, so that played a big role in their decision to come.”

The restaurant has purchased the building previously owned by  San Diego Mexican Restaurant.

“They’re going to fully redo the building to fit Whole Hog’s design and colors,” Colunga said. “It will look completely different to people.”

Whole Hog Cafe is a favorite of freshman Will Philbrick.

“I enjoy Whole Hog because they have a wide variety of barbecue, and it is all very well-made,” Philbrick said. “Also, the service is typically pretty good. I usually get a pulled pork sandwich and chips.”

Freshman Little Rock native Grant King enjoys Whole Hog Cafe in west Little Rock when he is home.

“It’s good barbecue. The meat is never dry, and they have good sauces. I really like their brisket sandwich,” King said. “It will be nice to have Whole Hog near Harding.”

Colunga believes Whole Hog Cafe will be a great addition to the growth of Beebe Capps.

“It’s a location that gets a lot of traffic; however, there aren’t many places to eat on the west side of town,” Colunga said.

Philbrick anticipates that the restaurant will be a popular place for locals.

“I think Searcy is a great location for Whole Hog because there aren’t a lot of barbecue restaurants in Searcy, and that’s something a lot of people enjoy,” Philbrick said.

King thinks students will enjoy the local atmosphere.

“Barbecue is great on a Sunday afternoon after church,” King said. “It’s locally owned and has high quality barbecue for an affordable price.”

Whole Hog Cafe’s official address will be 1608 W Beebe Capps. The restaurant’s menu can be found at www.wholehogcafe.com/menu.