One of our favorite annual events still has a few openings left for all you barbecue chefs out there. B Street Rib Off is back for its 11th year on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Argenta. Organizer Jason Brown tells me he still has a few spots for teams to sign up, but they need to move quickly. Competitors can offer up their best ribs and/or chicken that are cooked on site. There is also a people’s choice category where you can basically cook what you want. If you’ve ever wanted to compete in a barbecue contest, this is a perfect one to start out with. Registration is $110 per team and can be completed online. As always, proceeds from B Street Rib Off go to benefit the American Cancer Society of Central Arkansas.
After a long time away and several construction delays, it’s looks like Rocky’s is finally ready to open. Owner Joel Dunlap posted on Facebook he believes opening day will be some time in the next week. His new location is on Country Club Road in Sherwood. We will let you know when Rocky’s is finally open for business. Rocky’s was once a dive bar in North Little Rock that gained acclaim for its Philly cheesesteak sandwiches before closing in 2013. Dunlap brought back his cheesesteaks last year out of the ARKitchen commercial kitchen in Little Rock.
Atlas bar has a nice wine tasting event going on next Tuesday with Lubanzi Wines. They are based out of South Africa and offer some fantastic wines. Tickets are $15 at the door and include sampling plus bar snacks.
It’s hard to believe, but Hillcrest Japanese restaurant Kemuri this week is celebrating five years in business. The restaurant is well loved for its excellent sushi menu and for introducing Little Rock to robata, which is a smoky Japanese grilling method. The restaurant is celebrating today through Sunday with a $5 house sake special and a $5 Anniversary Sushi Roll. The roll is made of avocado, spicy tuna and spicy crab topped with eel and spicy mayo sauce. The $5 specials are available during both lunch and dinner, so stop in any time this week for the occasion.
It looks like the sale of The Oyster Bar is finally official. The worst-kept secret in the food scene was confirmed this week on the restaurant’s Facebook page. Longtime owner Virginia Boyd is selling the Stifft Station dive restaurant to Chris Tanner, owner of Cheers in the Heights and Samantha’s Tap Room and Wood Grill. The sale will be finalized next month. The Oyster Bar’s Facebook post hints at some potential changes to the menu and the décor, though nothing is set in stone at this point. The Oyster Bar first opened in 1975; Boyd has owned the business since 1984.
Central Arkansas beer lovers are holding their breath for the release of one of the highest rated brews Little Rock has ever seen. We previewed the release of Moody Brews Cuban Pull Imperiale and took a look at all the beer news around town in this week’s Growlers feature.
Changes are coming to Little Rock’s food scene. We round up the new restaurants coming in the next few months and beyond.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
