September signals the start of event season in Arkansas, and there are several this week worth checking out. The big one is the 11th annual B Street Rib Off in Argenta, one of our favorite food competitions in the state. B Street Rib Off pits dozens of barbecue competitors against one another to see who can prepare the best ribs and chicken. Contestants will also prepare a People’s Choice entry to be judged by the public. There will also be live music and entertainment. Admission is free, though there is a $10 donation fee for those who want to judge the People’ Choice award. Proceeds from the B Street Rib Off go to support The American Cancer Society of Central Arkansas. For those of you who are going, the event has moved down the street a bit to the empty lot behind Skinny J’s in Argenta. You can park on the street or in a lot across Broadway. The event starts at 10 a.m. and runs through the afternoon.
Also this weekend is the 4th annual Black Food Truck Festival presented by the Arkansas Association of Black Professionals. The event is held at Philander Smith College this Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. The Black Food Truck Festival celebrates black business owners and showcases the diversity of African American businesses. Favorites like Bragg’s Big Bites and Poppop and Yumyam’s Grill and Smoke will be serving up lunch for the event. Admission is free, guests will purchase food and products directly from the vendors at the event.
Early next week, Petit and Keet is hosting a special wine dinner featuring Vineyard 29 from Napa Valley, California. The four-course meal features some of Vineyard 29’s most sought-after wines paired with some special dishes from Petit and Keet. A Mocha Venison Loin paired with Cru Cabernet Sauvignon and an Allspice Tart with Rib Bacon paired with Ceanda Cab look like higlights to me, but Petit and Keet has an established track record at this point of putting out excellent food for events like this. The dinner is Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 and are limited. Call 501-319-7675 to reserve your spot.
And don’t forget, we’ve got a special dinner of our own coming up. Rock City Eats has partnered with The Table to produce a series of ticketed dinners called Peace Feasts. The first Peace Feast is Friday, Sept. 20, with Venezuelan food truck Tren al Sur. This special event will feature the same traditional Venezuelan Christmas dinner that the Calederon family enjoys every year. Tickets for the dinner are just $26 and are on sale now. The event will be held at Red and Blue Arkansas near the state capitol. The idea of the Peace Feast is to bring people together to celebrate the food and culture presented by one of Central Arkansas’ best ethnic restaurants. If you can’t make this one, don’t worry; we have several more events planned going forward.
One of Northwest Arkansas’ most successful restaurants is coming to Argenta. Here’s our look at the upcoming expansion of Bentonville’s Tusk and Trotter and when you can expect it to arrive.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
