Selected restaurants
Weekly theme listings reflect a range of dining possibilities in central Arkansas, across a spectrum of settings and price ranges. Restaurant reviewers’ visits are anonymous and all expenses are paid by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. To read recent restaurant reviews in their entirety, visit arkansasonline.com/restaurants.
American
ALLEY 11900 OOPSKanis Road, Suite D-10,(501) 221-9400Little Rock, This easygoing and cheery establishment offers mostly sandwiches and salads with some standout specialties, including the cheese-and-bacons-mothered Chicken Oops and a well-seasoned sirloin strip. Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar. Reservations. Bargain-moderate.
THE BOX 1023 W. Seventh St., Little Rock, (501) 372-8735 Owner Kelly Joiner, who had to close his legendary 17th Street burger joint to make room for a chain drugstore, has brought back some of the decor, the original grill, the staff, and the moist, juicy, flavorful, near-perfectly spiced burgers. Lunch weekdays. Beer. Bargain-moderate.
BUFFALO GRILL 1611 Rebsamen Park Road, Little Rock, (501) 296-9535 Reliably good burgers and other family friendly fare have been the main contributing factors to the original Riverdale location’s more than 30 years of satisfied customers. Lunch-dinner daily. Full bar. Bargain-moderate.
CAPITAL BAR & GRILL Capital Hotel, 111 W. Markham St., Little Rock, (501) 374-7474 Now that the hotel has reopened its “formal” restaurant, now called One Eleven at the Capital, the popular bar and grill can get back to what it’s best at: haute and semi-haute cuisine with an Arkansas accent, including rice-fried catfish, sugar cane-brined pork loin and made-in-kitchen moon pies. Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Moderate-expensive. CHEERS IN THE HEIGHTS 2010 Van Buren St., Little Rock, (501) 663-5937
CHEERS IN MAUMELLE 1901 Club Manor Drive, Maumelle, (501) 851-6200 The enduring Heights neighborhood restaurant pays as much attention to the appetizers and side dishes as it does the excellent entrees, many with a New Orleans flair; its Maumelle sibling is big, bustling and welcoming. Lunch, Sunday dinner (Maumelle). Mon-Sat, Call-ahead brunch seating location). (six Full or bar. more, Corkage Maumellefee. Moderate. GADWALL’S GRILL 7311Little Rock, North (501)Hills Blvd., 834-1840 North Heavenly sweet-potatohome-cut fries, fries, including are a of magnetthis homeyfor faithfuljoint, where patrons the white chili (made with chicken breast, Great Northern beans and green chilies) is another wonder. Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Bargain.
IZZY’S PLACE 5601 Ranch Drive, Little Rock, (501) 868-4311 Top-flight tamales, soups, salads, burgers, pastas, pizzas and milkshakes are served at aimto-please prices by a cheerful staff at this casual eatery just off Cantrell Road in far west Little Rock. Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine. Reservations. Moderate. SADDLE CREEK WOODFIRED GRILL 2703 Lakewood Village, North Little Rock, (501) 812-0883 A broad menu of chicken, ribs, seafood, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and salads awaits diners at this Montana-fashioned restaurant, where the charm falls somewhere between elegant lodge and hunter chic. Lunch Sun, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
SHORTY SMALL’S 11100 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 2243344 The original shack-styled location of what has become a troubled chain still offers substantial dinner platters, sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, ribs, steaks and fried appetizers, served by a staff dedicated to making sure you enjoy your meal. Lunch, dinner daily, Sunday brunch. Full bar. Call-ahead seating. Bargain-moderate.