News
Rock City Eats Monthly Food Truck meet up. For the past two years we have held an annual food truck festival in Bryant at the First United Methodist Church. Starting April 21st we will move to a monthly meetup every third Thursday. We are still finalizing trucks, if you want to be involved give us a shout. We will still hold a festival in November that will be bigger and better than previous years. Details coming soon.
After years of planning and months of preparing the space, Rebel Kettle Brewing Company is holding its grand opening on Friday. Rebel Kettle will be the ninth brewery operating in Pulaski County; there were only three open just three years ago. Rebel Kettle isn’t taking its time, either; the brewery will have 16 of its own beers on tap for opening day. In addition, brewmaster John Lee is collaborating with acclaimed brewer Josiah Moody on a special honey rye pale ale. Rebel Kettle will be open on Friday from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., though you might want to arrive early to get a seat.
Speaking of grand openings, we’re getting closer to opening day for BASH Burger Co.’s new location on Bowman Rd. Owner Ryan Ashcraft tells me that final approval should come within days, and he’s hoping to have the restaurant open very soon after that. BASH started out as a Saline County food truck less than a year ago and has garnered popularity in a hurry. If you just can’t wait, we previewed the new digs in our First Look last week.
Loca Luna and Red Door add new brunch hours. Both restaurants will be available for brunch Saturday and Sunday, 9-2 for Red Door, 10-2:30 for Loca Luna. Both restaurants experience a large crowd for their brunch services, the move will allow a greater flexibility for customers to come in and enjoy the service. With the move in hours, Red Door will no longer offer their “Brinner” (breakfast for dinner) service on Tuesdays, instead they will serve the normal dinner menu to help focus more on the expanded brunch hours.
Devastating news for Conway’s food scene this past weekend, as the much beloved Stoby’s Restaurant caught fire on Saturday. The fire damage itself was largely contained, but smoke and water damage mean the business is a total loss. Ownership is considering rebuilding the business on the existing site. In the meantime, they are working on a temporary location that should be announced in the next few days. We’ll keep you posted on that.
A couple of weeks ago, we told you that Jerky’s Spicy Chicken and More had closed temporarily due to a dispute with the building’s owners. Jerky’s is back open and is celebrating by giving away some free food. The first 50 guests on Friday and on Saturday will receive a free jerk chopped chicken sandwich with a purchase. I’ve had this sandwich; trust me, you don’t want to miss this.
One of Little Rock’s most popular desserts is a week from returning. Trio’s owner Capi Peck says her suppliers should be bringing in fresh Arkansas strawberries sometime next week for the restaurant’s classic strawberry shortcake recipe. Keep your eyes peeled on Trio’s Facebook page for the announcement.
There’s a new cinnamon roll business in Little Rock. Cinnalightful is a new company that delivers cinnamon rolls right to your home or business. Our own Daniel Walker caught up with the new sweet roll baker this week.
Abbey Rolfe of Raduno Brick Oven and Barroom and The Fold is one of our favorite industry people. Becca Bona sat down one-on-one with her for an interview that we published yesterday.
There’s a new food truck in town, and it’s serving some top-notch German street fare. We took a First Look at The WunderBus this week.
Events
March 24th 4th Friday in SoMa – Restaurants and businesses in the South Main district will be open late to welcome customers, including The Root opening for dinner and Loblolly staying open until 8 p.m.
March 29th Stone’s Throw Beer Dinner at The Southern Gourmasian – Monthly dinner event featuring special beer pairings. Reserve your tickets at the link.
April 1st 19th Annual Food & Foam Fest – Annually one of the state’s best beer festivals, this year’s Food & Foam Fest will feature samplings from 350 craft beers from Arkansas and around the country. Tickets are already on sale.
April 2nd 8th Annual B Street Rib Off – This fantastic competition will be the biggest yet, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society of Central Arkansas. There is still time to enter, although space is going quick. This year will also feature food trucks, entertainment, and more.
April 2nd Inaugural PK Grills Steak Cook-Off – The event is open to anybody with a PK Grill, steak and $89 for the entry fee. Space is limited, be sure to reserve your spot in the competition soon.
April 7–10 Fantastic Cinema and Craft Beer Festival – This festival celebrates independently made genre films and craft beer from Arkansas and beyond. The event is at Riverdale 10 Cinemas. Tickets and VIP passes are on sale here.
April 9th West Little Rock Food Truck Festival – Come to the Chenal Pointe apartments from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for this festival featuring some of Little Rock’s best food truck, live music and more.
April 10th 2016 Jewish Food and Cultural Festival – This annual celebration of Jewish food and culture will be held at War Memorial Stadium. Admission is free. This is a great event for families.
April 16th Any Excuse to Party at Kent Walker Artisan Cheese – The folks at Kent Walker Artisan Cheese wanted to throw a party, no reason needed. The party features Bob Livingston playing some sweet tunes, food from The Southern Gourmasian, Hot Rod Wieners, Katmandu MoMo, & Loblolly Creamery, and a number of local craft beers.
Specials
Yellow Rocket Concepts has several specials at its locations during the month of March
- Big Orange: The “Native” Burger (Kent Walker Leicester Cheese, Petit Jean Pepper Bacon, Cedar Rock Acres Jupiter Grape-Onion Marmalade) and Irish Apple Buttermilk Cake
- Local Lime: Fried Chicken Tacos with tomato-habanero chutney, red pepper crema and carrot-cabbage slaw
There are crawfish special all over town this month. Find them at The Faded Rose (Wednesdays), K Hall and Sons Produce(Saturdays) and Lulu’s Crab Boil (all week).
