LITTLE ROCK — Weekly theme listings reflect
a range of dining possibilities
in central Arkansas, across a spectrum of settings and price ranges. To read recent restaurant reviews in their entirety, visit arkansasonline.com/restaurants/.
American ALLEY OOPS 11900 Kanis Road, Suite D-10, Little Rock, (501) 221-9400 The menu at this easygoing and cheery establishment offers mostly sandwiches and salads with some standout specialties, including the cheese-and-bacon smothered Chicken Oops and a well-seasoned Sirloin Strip.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Full bar.
Reservations. Bargain-moderate.
THE BOX 1023 W. Seventh St., Little Rock, (501) 372-8735 Owner Kelly Joiner, who had to close his legendary 17th Street burger joint more than two years ago to make room for a chain drug store, has brought back some of the decor, the original grill, the staff, and the moist, juicy, fl avorful, near-perfectly spiced burgers.
Lunch weekdays. Beer. Bargain-moderate.
BUFFALO GRILL 400 N. Bowman Road, Little Rock, (501) 224-0012; 1611 Rebsamen Park Road, Little Rock, (501) 296-9535 You don’t stick around 31 years, as the original location has, by offering cheap food and drinks alone, but the bottom line at these sibling locations is as noteworthyas the reliably good burgers and other family-friendly fare.
Lunch-dinner daily. Full bar.
Bargain-moderate.
CAPITAL BAR AND GRILL Capital Hotel, 111 W. Markham St., Little Rock, (501) 374-7474 The Capital Hotel’s “second” restaurant has its own kitchen and offers haute cuisine with an Arkansas accent, including rice-fried catfish, sugar cane-brined pork loin and made-in-kitchen moon pies for dessert.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar.
Moderate-expensive.
CHEERS IN THE HEIGHTS, CHEERS IN MAUMELLE 2010 Van Buren St., Little Rock, (501) 663-5937; Cheers inMaumelle, 1901 Club Manor Drive, Maumelle, (501) 851-6200 The enduring Heights neighborhood restaurant pays as much attention to the appetizers and side dishes as it does the excellent entrees, many with a New Orleans flair; its Maumelle sibling is big, bustling and welcoming.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat, brunchSunday (Maumelle). Call-ahead seating (six or more, Maumelle location). Full bar. Corkage fee.
Moderate.
GADWALL’S GRILL 7311 North Hills Blvd., North Little Rock, (501) 834-1840 Heavenly home-cut fries, including sweet-potato fries, are a magnet for faithful patrons of this homeyjoint where the white chili (made with chicken breast, Great Northern beans and green chilies) is another wonder.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine.
Bargain.
IZZY’S PLACE 5601 Ranch Drive, Little Rock, (501) 868-4311 Top-flight tamales, soups, salads, burgers, pastas, pizzas and milkshakes are served at aim-to-please prices by a cheerful staff at this casual eatery.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine. Reservations. Moderate.
SADDLE CREEK WOODFIRED GRILL 2703 Lakewood Village, North Little Rock, (501) 812-0883 A broad menu of chicken, ribs, seafood, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and salads awaits diners at this Montana-fashioned restaurant where the charm falls somewhere between elegant lodge and hunter chic.
Lunch Sun, dinner daily. Full bar.
Reservations. Moderate-expensive.
SHORTY SMALL’S 11100 Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 224-3344 The original shack-styled location for what has become a troubled chain (locations in Conway and North Little Rock recently closed) still offers substantial dinner platters, sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, ribs, steaks and fried appetizers, served by a staff dedicated to making sure you enjoy your meal.
Lunch, dinner daily, Sunday brunch. Full bar. Call-ahead seating. Bargain-moderate.
Weekend, Pages 38 on 02/28/2013