LITTLE ROCK — Weekly theme listings reflect a range of dining possibilities in central Arkansas, across a spectrum of settings and price ranges. Restaurant reviewers’ visits are anonymous and all expenses are paid by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Bargain means a meal (without beverage or dessert) is typically less than $12. Moderate is $12 to $25. Expensive is $25 and up. To read recent restaurant reviews in their entirety, visit www.arkansasonline.com/ restaurants/.
Catfish
CATFISH CITY & BBQ GRILL
1817 S. University Ave., Little Rock, (501) 663-7224 This 20-year veteran serves catfish as tasty as ever - fried or grilled - plus shrimp, frog legs, hot wings, chicken tenders and barbecue.
Lunch Mon-Sat, dinner Mon-Sat. Reservations (large parties). Bargain.
COCK OF THE WALK
7103 Cock of the Walk Lane, North Little Rock, (501) 758-7182 Substantial dinners of grilled and fried catfish, shrimp and chicken served on metal pie pans are the attraction at this folksy family restaurant, as are the show-stealing sides of hush puppies, skillet bread and coleslaw served familystyle and appetizers like the slick, salty fried dill pickles.
Lunch Sun, dinner daily.
Full bar. Reservations (10 or more people). Moderate.
DENTON’S TROTLINE
2150 Congo Road, Benton, (501) 315-1717 Satisfying Saline County catfish devotees for decades has earned heavy traffic for this buffet eatery that dishes up shrimp, chicken, gumbos and - for an extra charge - snow crab legs.
Dinner Tue-Sat. No alcohol.
Reservations. Moderate.
GRAMPA’S
100 Shadow Oaks, Sherwood, (501) 834-5400; 9219 Stagecoach Road, Little Rock, (501) 407-0000 While best known for its crisp, golden, all-you-can-eat catfish, homey Grampa’s also offers a variety of steak, chicken and seafood selections.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Reservations (six or more). Moderate.
Barbecue
CORKY’S RIBS & BBQ
12005 Westhaven Drive, Little Rock, (501) 954-7427; 2947 Lakewood Village Drive, North Little Rock, (501) 753-3737 This nice, polite, suburban Memphis-based franchise barbecue operation, which serves well-smoked ribs, wet and dry, and some of the best baked beans, takes no risks but also threatens few surprises at its two central Arkansas locations.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations (eight or more people). Bargainmoderate.
SIMS BAR-B-QUE
2415 Broadway, Suite B, Little Rock, (501) 372-6868; 1307 John Barrow Road, Little Rock, (501) 224-2057; 7601 Geyer Springs Road, Little Rock, (501) 562-8844 Old-school Sims can always be counted on for serving solid, messy and no-frills barbecue.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat.
Beer. Bargain.
WHITE PIG INN BARBECUE
5231 E. Broadway, North Little Rock, (501) 945-5551 Hand-cut meats and rich, honest hickory smoke make this a barbecue standout despite its out-of-the-way location, with the sliced pork a top choice and the table service friendly in a “how-yadoin’” manner.
Lunch-early dinner Mon-Sat. Beer. Bargain.
WHOLE HOG CAFE
2516 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 664-5025;
12111 W. Markham St., Little Rock, (501) 907-6124; 5107 Warden Road, North Little Rock, (501) 753-5228 Sweet and sticky ribs, savory beef brisket and plush sourcream potato salad are some of the rewards awaiting diners at this award-winning barbecue restaurant.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat.
Beer, wine. Bargain.
Weekend, Pages 40 on 02/24/2011