Painting of Kream Kastle by Lynn Charles Foster, 2023. (Link to painter)
UPDATE – JUNE 25, 2024
Heather Queen, the new owner of Kream Kastle, posted to social media that the restaurant had a trial run on Monday to iron out any wrinkles in operations. She also said the restaurant will open to the public at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26th, and she’s looking for customers to “pack the house.”
SEE BELOW FOR MORE STORY AND PICTURES
PREVIOUSLY – JUNE 13, 2024
At the end of Summer in 2023, we learned that an old favorite, Kream Kastle Drive Inn, at 15922 US-70, Benton (Lonsdale/Ten Mile) Arkansas, was closed for business. It wasn’t evident at the time if it would open again, but it’s evident now!
The Queen family that now owns Salem Dairy Bar announced via the food critic blogger Kevin Shalin at The Mighty Rib that they will be taking over operations in the legendary Kream Kastle. This is the diner situated between Hot Springs and Benton on US Highway 70.
That’s a main route to get to the lake in Hot Springs (or the casino, or shopping and dining on bathhouse row, etc.). You can imagine how a dairy bar and country diner would be an oasis for travelers that are either headed to or from a day of fun.
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Heather and Ray Queen took over the Salem Dairy bar fairly recently, after years of working with the former owner there, Lucy Begley. According to Heather’s words on social media, “It’s true and we are so excited (and a little scared to death) Thank you for the amazing support already. I promise to give our best every day.”
Photo of burger from Kream Kastle in its earlier days, courtesy Ken Dempsey.
“The [Kream Kastle], to me, is just as iconic and I don’t have the luxury of spending a year learning with the [Kream Kastle] is,” said Heather. And she has a request… “So please tell me what your favorite thing or food is. Tell me your least favorite. Who were your favorite people. What are some of the things I need to make sure are there for customers? I am definitely asking for your help, please share your opinions and stories. I very much want to keep the nostalgia of that wonderful diner in place as much as possible.”
Kream Kastle Drive Inn at 15922 US-70, Benton (Lonsdale/Ten Mile) Arkansas. Here’s the map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DNNxdFv8WK49h6S9
The Mighty Rib tells us that Kream Kastle will have a soft opening at the end of June 2024. If you are looking for a job there, apply through contacting Salem Dairy Bar.