R&M Southern Eatery | Eat it Up

CONWAY, Ark. — This week, Eat it Up travels to downtown Conway to try the brand new R&M Southern Eatery! This new spot features incredible dishes centered around soul food, Cajun, and Creole that will make your mouth water.

Co-owner and CEO Ryan Williams said this opening has been a dream come true. 

“I’m actually a computer programmer at Children’s Hospital, and I was wanting to do something a little different outside of IT. I decided to try a restaurant, and I knew I needed a really good chef,” he explained. 

Williams didn’t have to look far, sending a message to his now co-owner and head chef, MaryAnn Strange.

“When he told me about his idea, I said, well, let’s get in here and do some southern food, let’s do some Cajun food, and some Creole food. Let’s give the people what they want,” she said.

R&M Southern Eatery opened in early 2025, highlighted by its unique food and design.

“It took us about two months to fix up. It was all us and Home Depot runs,” Williams said. 

As for the menu, there is plenty to choose from, according to Strange. 

“I think we’re the only place with pasta eggrolls. The blackened alfredo is wrapped up in the eggroll, then we fry it and serve it with a side of alfredo sauce that you could drink if you really wanted to,” she said.

Strange said she is really big on quality, and everything is made from scratch. Be sure to check out all their homemade sides, including beans, mac and cheese, and greens.

R&M Southern Eatery is located at 1018 Oak Street in Conway.