Remembering Texarkana’s Beloved Lacy’s Diner and When Elvis Dropped In

If you grew up in Texarkana like me, do you ever find yourself driving around town trying to remember restaurants that used to be here?

The Home of Home Cooking: Revisiting the Golden Era of Lacy's Diner

Lately, I have been on a nostalgic trip, reminiscing about classic diners that once ruled Texarkana. One of those was Lacy's, located at 9th and Garland on Highway 67 and 82. Classic American Diners were a staple in the late '50s and '60s across much of the U.S.

Lacy's in Texarkana was known as the "Gateway to the Great Southwest." According to a postcard available to purchase on eBay, this charming diner was popular for serving milk-fed fried chicken and tender Blue Ribbon steaks, chili dogs, burgers, and homespun milkshakes at the soda fountain.

Lacy's became, to the locals, the "Home of Home Cooked Food." It became a popular spot for generations, known for its friendly service in a casual setting with affordable prices. Family-owned and operated, like another local establishment, Bryce's Cafeteria downtown.

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Did You Know Elvis Presley Once Dined There While in Texarkana?

It's believed that in 1956, when Elvis Presley performed at the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium, he went to Lacy's after his show with some fans to eat at the popular diner. After all, why do you think Highway 67 is called the "Rock n' Roll Highway?"

Many upcoming singers and celebrities would travel the highway on their way to the next gig. By the way, week-long celebrations are planned in Memphis this week to commemorate Elvis Presley's birthday, on January 8, 2026. He would have been 91.

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I was very young and vaguely remember the restaurant, but I recall seeing many families go there. I'm not exactly sure when Lacy's opened or closed, but the memory lives on through a picture on a postcard that represents a bygone era of small-town diners. Some people say Lacy's could have been around since the 1930s or 1940s, but one thing is for certain: it remains a part of Texarkana history. Gone but not forgotten.