Hidden away in the tiny town of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, is a park dedicated to the memory of a once-upon-a-time visit from the Fab Four. That’s right, in 1964, the Beatles made a stop at the airport in this unassuming place between their concerts in Dallas and New York. I can’t claim to remember the event, nor was I there, but I have visited the park, and I recently stopped in for lunch at The Dark Side Coffee House that sits adjacent.
The restaurant is owned by locals Cara and Danny West. The restaurant is Cara’s enterprise, but the metal sculptures in the park were crafted by Danny. The sculptures are a life-size depiction of the Abbey Road album cover.
The history of the event is documented by markers at the park. Only about 200 – 300 lucky individuals were witness to the Beatles’ visit, but Walnut Ridge has never forgotten. The downtown street where the park is located has been renamed Abbey Road.
The coffee and sandwich shop next to the park is a real gem hidden away in such a small town. In a world of too much fast food, an eatery like this one is priceless.
The interior is colorful, welcoming, and fun, plus the employees are attentive and polite.
But, the bottom line is always the food. I had a sandwich called the Yellow Submarine, which is a roast beef with a couple of kinds of cheese and grilled onions. Mine is in a to-go box because I was traveling and needed to be on my way. The sandwich was freshly made, so it took longer than a drive-thru burger, but it sure was worth the short wait. The restaurant is also a store front for many of Danny’s unique custom-made metal sculptures. I highly recommend making your way to Northeast Arkansas for a walk on Abbey Road to visit Beatles’ Park and for lunch or coffee at The Dark Side.
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