Arnold's Is Where It's At
For those hungry and passing by I-95 in Lumberton, looking for a casual dine-in experience with knack for taste bud tingling, Arnold’s Good Time Great Food will not disappoint.
Of all the local joints in Robeson County, this restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, with great customer service. Upon entering is a take-out ordering section, which is an extension of the bar where you can see the kitchen and smell the aroma of food gripping your nostrils.
From the moment we entered, staff greeted us with a hello and a smile and quickly seated to the nearest booth.
The décor was standard, black walls, shiny hardwood floors and tables. There was even an upper deck section for those who prefer to eat at elevation.
North Carolina sports team banners hung on the guardrails right next to a mounted TV for sports fanatics who yelled out things like “I hope he’s out for the whole season,” while watching the game, savoring their buffalo wings and beer.
The menu is All-American with a flair. With entrees like the Smokehouse burger, Hawaiian chicken sandwich, wraps and the Philly cheesesteak, there’s something for every craving.
The tater tot tower with cheese, bacon, sour cream and chives pays homage to the baked potato.
My bucket list includes trying their Burnt Island Gator Bites, which is fried alligator meat.
To hold us over, we scanned the menu for a worthy appetizer and decided to go with the signature eight-piece Chipotle Honey Wings. When the wings arrived, they were piping hot.
I sunk my teeth into the wings, which were succulent, off the bone. The flavor was unique; the heat of the chipotle dry rub mixed with the sweetness of the honey-based sauce made me smile.
I ordered a bacon cheeseburger with steak fries. My guest ordered the Grilled Smokehouse Chicken Wrap, since she and the waitress agreed, “everything tastes better in wraps.”
I was mighty hungry, and salivated at the thought of a well-done burger, since burgers are the usual go-to for my carnivorous appetite.
The waitress didn’t waste any time refilling our beverages in a timely-manner. She was extremely polite, and the manager even came past to check on us to make sure the service was adequate.
We were provided with a paper towel roll, which was convenient instead of having to ask for napkins after making a mess of ourselves.
The football game easily distracted us from the 15-minute wait.
On my third refill, famished enough to eat a cow, my bacon cheeseburger arrived to save the day.
Instead of a bun, it was served on thick slices of Texas toast, and generously cut in half to devour with ease.
At $8.99, the quarter-pound burger with steak fries was a good value.
The first bite was a juicy mouthful of seasoned patty, cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Of all the bacon cheeseburgers I’ve eaten, this one had to be one of the best.
It was cooked to perfection, well-done just as I’d requested.
With each bite I was getting full, which is not something that normally happens. My guest was also satisfied with her meal.
I recommend Arnold’s to anyone who wants a good bang for their buck, or even just a place to watch the game and drink beer with some friends. It’s a good place for casual dining in, and has a varying selection for your palate.
I have no complaints and plan on returning soon.
In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, “I’ll be back.”
