Famous Dave's, 225 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, served its last ribs and sandwiches Jan. 1 and has now closed. At last check the restaurant number, (501) 221-3283, had not been disconnected but nobody answered. A note on the door thanks customers for their patronage. The Minnetonka, Minn.-based chain's only remaining Arkansas outlet is in Rogers.
And speaking of Daves, we're told there's still a summer 2015 target date (and it may be earlier) for the opening of the David's Burgers in Maumelle, going into the former National Bank of Arkansas building, 102 Country Club Parkway just off Maumelle Boulevard. The building will also serve as the mini-chain's corporate office. Another new David's is in the works near the Interstate 30/430 interchange, in the midst of all that retail development in the vicinity of the Bass Pro Shop. David's, a scion of Russellville's Butcher Boy Burgers, has locations in Conway (1100 Skyline Drive), North Little Rock (3510 Landers Road), Little Rock (West Markham Street and Bowman Road and Little Rock's Park Plaza, West Markham and University Avenue), plus a food truck that used to be in downtown Little Rock but is currently parked and vending at 1800 John Harden Drive, Jacksonville. Visit davidsburgers.com.
Robert Tju, a co-owner of Sushi Cafe, 5823 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, reports Jan. 20 as the target date for the opening of the second location, in the Eleven Two Eleven Center, 11211 Cantrell Road, just west of Interstate 430, Little Rock. We also have a listed phone number -- (501) 954-7866 -- although we couldn't get anybody to answer it by deadline.
In our October 2013 review of Anatolia Mediterranean Restaurant, in the Colonnade Shopping Center, 315 N. Bowman Road, Little Rock, we speculated that it could have a hard time competing with the half dozen or so Turkish, Greek, Middle Eastern and eastern Mediterranean restaurants within a relatively easy distance. Turns out we were prophetic; the restaurant is now closed, and has been replaced as of early December by Bill's Country Kitchen, serving home-style breakfast, lunch and dinner (hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday). The phone number is (501) 219-9090.
EJ's Eats & Drinks, 523 Center St. at West Sixth Street, Little Rock, has extended its hours again and is now open seven days a week -- 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for Sunday brunch. The phone number is (501) 666-3700; the website, ejslittlerock.com.
The latest Dunkin' Donuts franchise is now open at 10121 N. Rodney Parham Road (across Breckenridge Drive from the McDonald's). Hours are 5 a.m.-10 p.m.; we've obtained a phone number from franchisee Conan Watters -- (501) 954-7752 -- but as of deadline it returned a "not in service" message.
Eat in any restaurant in North Little Rock during North Little Rock Restaurant Month, which continues through Jan. 31, and for every $5 you spend, you can earn your way toward a free ticket to the Feb. 5 University of Arkansas at Little Rock men's and women's basketball games vs. the University of Louisiana-Monroe (aka North Little Rock Night at UALR). Take your receipts to the North Little Rock Visitors Bureau in Burns Park or the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, 100 Main St. Call (501) 758-1424 or visit tinyurl.com/nlr31.
Our affiliated publication Sync reports that artisan cheese maker Kent Walker, who'd been planning to open a plant and shop in the Arkansas Building at 524 Main St., Little Rock (part of the so-called Creative Corridor), will now, since those plans have fallen through, establish later this month Kent Walker Artisan Cheese in the former Diamond Bear Brewing Co. space, 323 Cross St., Little Rock. (Diamond Bear, you will recall, moved across the river to North Broadway in North Little Rock's Argenta neighborhood last fall.) Walker will produce and age his cheeses at the facility and he plans a tasting room offering cheese, wine and beer. Walker's phone number is (501) 301-4963; the website, kentwalkercheese.com.
Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cuisine, in the Village Shopping Center, University and Asher avenues, recently got its wine and beer license. The phone number is (501) 562-7900; the website, mrchenschinese.com.
And the Austin, Texas-based Chuy's chain, which has a shrine for Elvis Presley in every one of its restaurants, is celebrating the King's 80th birthday today with specials and giveaways. Show up at the Little Rock restaurant, 16001 Chenal Parkway, dressed as Elvis (or Priscilla) and get a free entree; they're also offering special pricing on the Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken and the Elvis Presley Memorial Combo, and they'll serve free Twinkies (while supplies last). Margaritas and Blue Hawaiians come in a special souvenir cup. And, according to a news release, in anticipation of the May opening of a Chuy's at 5105 Warden Road, North Little Rock, "Elvis" will perform random acts of kindness throughout North Little Rock today, including giving away Chuy's chips and dips.
Has a restaurant opened -- or closed -- near you in the last week or so? Does your favorite eatery have a new menu? Is there a new chef in charge? Drop us a line. Call (501) 399-3667 or (501) 378-3513, or send a note to Restaurants, Weekend Section, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Send email to:
eharrison@arkansasonline.com
Weekend on 01/08/2015