News
The Little Rock food community is coming together to help Midtown Billiards rebuild after a kitchen fire Monday. Four Quarter Bar in Argenta will hold a benefit concert Saturday night, with proceeds going to support the Midtown employees who are currently out of work. Also, there is an account set up at Centennial Bank locations where people can donate money to help employees out. This is in addition to a GoFundMe page and a Crowdfund page that are helping two employees make ends meet. Midtown general manager David Shipps has promised that Midtown will come back from the fire. Neighboring Raduno Brick Oven and Taproom is closed until at least Friday while workers there deal with the smoke damage.
Its official grand opening is tomorrow, but Buffalo Brewing Company at The Water Buffalo is pouring beer today from its newly licensed brewery. Buffalo Brewing is pouring pints on tap and growlers to take home. Three or four of the taps will be Buffalo’s own creations; the rest are reserved for gypsy brewers, Arkansas craft breweries and maybe even a home brewer or two. Operating hours for the weekday are currently listed on the website as 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., though owner Nolen Buffalo has said he will be expanding those hours for the brewery.
It was just last week we told you that The Main Cheese has new ownership, and it hasn’t taken long for them to start making some changes. The Barden family this week announced Sunday brunch will begin on Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Amy Barden says she is working on some new menu items for brunch service, which will be served alongside The Main Cheese’s regular menu. The Bardens purchased The Main Cheese earlier this year from Sam Twaiti and have promised a focus on quality service and community involvement.
Remember last week when The Waffle Wagon’s Matt Clark made a comeback lunch service? Well, he’s doing it again today at Rodney’s Handlebar and Grill on Interstate 30 near University Avenue. If you missed your chance at chicken and waffles last week, you’ll want to make sure you head to Rodney’s for lunch later today.
Where you don’t want to go today for lunch is Forty Two in the Clinton Center, which is closed due to a private function today. However, the restaurant is hosting a special “Wines Around the World” dinner event tomorrow night, and some seating is still available. For details and to make a reservation, call Courtney with Forty Two at 501-537-0042.
Some really nice weather is expected tonight for our monthly Food Truckin’ Wednesday event in Bryant at First United Methodist Church. From 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., come enjoy trucks like The Southern Gourmasian, Hot Rod Wieners, Velvet Whisk, Slader’s Alaskan Dumplings and more.
We didn’t expect to find awesome Thai food in Benton, but we absolutely did at Sullivan’s Diner. Our Heather Welch takes a closer look at one of Central Arkansas’ more underrated places.
A new food truck in town is serving up authentic, New Orleans-style snowballs. We stopped by the new SugARush truck and found out what makes these snowballs stand apart from a regular sno-cone.
Want bacon? Of course you do! But do you know where to find the best bacon? Why don’t you head to your local brewery; you might just find your favorite new cured pork belly is best served with a pint of local beer.
Events
September 21st Bryant Food Truckin’ Wednesday with Rock City Eats – Our regular food truck event at First United Methodist Church in Bryant is back. Confirmed trucks include Slader’s Alaskan Dumplings, Velvet Whisk, The Southern Gourmasian, Hot Rod Wieners and more.
September 22nd Patio on Park Hill – The fourth edition of this fun outdoor festival will be held at the Lakehill Shopping Center on JFK Boulevard. Food trucks, live music and local craft beer options will be available. Admission is $1, and kids ages 12 and younger are free.
September 24th Fall Fest in Bryant – Fall fest is always a great event every year for those of you willing to venture south to Bryant. Along with music and games they also feature a really good BBQ competition and beer garden. Check it out.
September 24th 2016 Main Street Food Truck Festival – More than 50 Arkansas food trucks line Main Street between 3rd and 8th in the biggest food truck meet of the year. More than 25,000 people attended last year’s event. The event lasts from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
September 24th Little Rocktoberfest 2016 – This annual event features tons of locally made beer, including some beers made by home brewers that you can’t taste anywhere else. The event goes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens Park. Tickets are $30 in advance, or $40 at the door. There are also several VIP tickets available for $65 that will get you in early and let you take home some extra memorabilia.
September 24th Midtown Employee Benefit – Four Quarter Bar is hosting this event, featuring music by The Great Whiskey Rendezvous. The band is donating its pay to help, all cover charges at the door will go to help Midtown employees, and there will be other opportunities to donate at this event.
September 25th Taste of Italy Pop-Up Wine Dinner – Chef Joseph Salgueiro continues his monthly wine dinners with this event at Cache Restaurant downtown. Tickets are on sale now and run $75 for the five-course meal and $125 to include the wine pairings.
October 2nd Little Italy’s 89th Annual Spaghetti Dinner – In what has to be one of Arkansas’ longest-running food events, the community of Little Italy will serve up spaghetti and Italian sausage along with several different traditional desserts. The event will also include some old-fashioned carnival games, silent auctions and Bingo.
October 15th La Terraza Anniversary Fiesta! – La Terraza is turning one year old, and to celebrate, the Venezuelan restaurant is throwing a party. The event will include live music, drink and tapas specials, and a Halloween costume contest. Event is intended for adults only.
October 17th Blue Plate Special – Formerly the Governor’s Culinary Challenge, this year’s fundraiser for the Thea Foundation will be held at The Capital Hotel from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Some of the city’s best chefs and bartenders will be preparing food and drink for the event. Tickets are on sale now for $75 each.
Specials
Yellow Rocket Concepts has released its September specials:
- Local Lime: It’s back! The excellent Hatch Green Chile Pork Shoulder Stew returns this month.
- ZAZA: Curry-Cashew Chicken Salad and Banh Mi Pizza
- Big Orange: Ratatouille Burger
