News
Plans for the future have changed for popular food truck Rick’s Beignets. Owner Richard Rogers was going to open a permanent location in Little Rock. However, he tells me he is now shelving those plans for the time being and focusing on his truck business. You can find Rick’s Beignets at The Food Truck Park @ Station 801 Tuesday through Thursday for lunch. Be sure to check the truck’s Facebook page for other locations that will come around during the week.
A pop-up Filipino dinner that has served all around the world is returning to Little Rock. Chef Yana Gilbuena was last in Arkansas last year as part of her tour of all 50 states and is planning on returning Sunday, May 22. The time and specific location of the pop-up event have not yet been announced. At last year’s dinner, guests dined on seven unique Filipino courses served without utensils, family-style, on giant banana leaves. It was a unique and memorable event, one that is worth attending and experiencing for yourself. We’ll have the details in next week’s Rumbles.
Upstart bakery business Cinnalightful only started selling its cinnamon rolls in stores a few weeks ago but is already expanding its business. Conway customers can now find Cinnalightful at The Black Orange Coffee Shop on Front Street. The bakery is starting out by offering its classic, s’mores and caramel pecan rolls at The Black Orange. Cinnalightful also sells its products at Drug Emporium on Rodney Parham and has begun teaming up with Brown Sugar Bakeshop to sell cinnamon rolls out of the food truck. Cinnalightful will also deliver to your home or business.
The Water Buffalo is one step closer to opening a small brewery at its location on Rodney Parham Road. The city of Little Rock has approved the brewery plans, and the Arkansas Department of Health has certified it to manufacture beer. An inspection from the county health unit and a permit from both the state and federal governments are still to come. Once it is fully certified, The Water Buffalo plans to sell small batch beer made with home brew kits that are for sale at the shop.
If you missed it this week, crowd favorite food truck Waffle Wagon has closed permanently. Matt Clark and Melissa Melton opened Waffle Wagon in 2013 and instantly gained popularity for its trademark chicken and waffles interpretation. Here are the full details of the closing.
Earlier this week, we reported on two new menus that will be around for the summer. South on Main has some new items for its dinner service, and fellow Main Street neighbor Raduno has put out a new menu for lunch.
Nanobrewery Blue Canoe Brewing Co. has opened up a new Mexican-inspired eatery. We have your First Look at Taco Beer Burrito.
Events
May 12th Patio on Park Hill – North Little Rock’s regular outdoor festival is coming once again to the Lakewood Shopping Center. Confirmed trucks include The Southern Gourmasian, Katmandu Momo and Slader’s Alaskan Dumplings. Admission is $1 at the gate.
May 14th Black Food Festival – The Arkansas Association of Black Professionals is hosting this inaugural festival at Philander Smith College featuring food from black-owned restaurants. Confirmed vendors include K Hall and Sons, Big Um Catering and Brown Sugar Bakeshop.
May 15th Indiafest – Plenty of Indian food and live entertainment will be on display for this annual celebration of Indian culture at the First Security Amphitheater in the River Market. Admission to the event is free.
May 17th ACBW May Beer Dinner – The Southern Gourmasian’s monthly Stone’s Throw beer dinner coincides with American Craft Brew Week. The five-course meal with beer pairings is $50 per ticket, though you can get two tickets for $90. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
May 19th RCE’s Truckin’ Thursdays – Join us for our monthly food truck meet in Bryant. Trucks for this month include Little Penguin Tacos, Hot Rod Wieners, Fathead BBQ, Fork in the Road, Loblolly, Kincaid’s Coffee and New Cheesecake Co.
May 19th Taste of the Rock – More than 30 restaurants, vendors and distributors will be featured at this year’s festival at the River Market Pavilion. Tickets for the event are $15 and are on sale now.
May 20th 2016 Arkansas Greek Food Festival – Easily Little Rock’s most popular food festival, the event features plenty of Greek food as well as other Mediterranean dishes. Admission is free, though the food and many entertainment offerings must be purchased.
May 21st Hot Springs Craft Beer Festival – The festival will celebrate its third year with beers from all over Arkansas and beyond. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $55 for VIP access.
May 21st Dunbar Community Garden Pig Roast – Several Little Rock chefs will team up for this whole pig roast at Dunbar. Tickets are $50 and seating is limited.
May 23rd Sushi Class at Stone’s Throw Brewing Company – This two-hour beginner’s course will teach about properly preparing sushi rice, how to handle the sushi, how to roll and how to make sure your raw sushi is safe. Tickets are $40 and are on sale now.
Specials
kBird’s weekly special is its Fried Papaya Salad with Gulf Shrimp
Yellow Rocket Concepts has released its specials for the month of May:
- Luau Burger’wich (with grilled chicken) and Arkansas Strawberry Cream Butter Cake at Big Orange and Big Orange Midtown
- Sous Vide Boneless Short Rib Nachos and Strawberry Chocolate Pie at Local Lime
- Spring Beet Salad with Arkansas beets and radishes at ZAZA
