Weekly theme listings reflect a range of dining possibilities in central Arkansas. 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.
Catfish
CATFISH CITY & BBQ GRILL
1817 S. University Ave., Little Rock, (501) 663-7224
This veteran establishment 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
The attraction at this folksy family restaurant continues to be substantial dinners of grilled and fried catfish, shrimp and chicken served on metal pie pans, show-stealing sides of hush puppies, skillet bread and coleslaw served family-style and appetizers like the slick, salty fried dill pickles.
Lunch Sun, dinner Tue-Sun. Full bar. Reservations (10 or more people). Moderate.
FLYING FISH
511 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock (501) 375-3474
The popular seafood shack -- Little Rock's top-grossing, non-chain restaurant for the first six months of 2014 -- still serves up fine fish, fried and otherwise, including some of the town's best (and best drained) catfish (all-you-can-eat on Wednesday, $14.99).
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Bargain-moderate.
GRAMPA'S CATFISH
9219 Stagecoach Road, Little Rock, (501) 407-0000
The next generation has taken over as the son-in-law of former owners has reopened this Otter Creek establishment, which serves blond, fresh, smartly seasoned U.S. farm-raised catfish, top-notch fried appetizers and homemade pie.
Lunch Tue-Sun, dinner Tue-Sat. Beer permit pending. Reservations (six or more). Moderate.
Barbecue
CAPITOL SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL
915 W. Capitol Ave., Little Rock, (501) 372-4227
Owners Doug and Candy Wilkerson continue to supplement their award-winning barbecue (top notices from publications as diverse as Sync and Maxim for the ribs and pulled pork, respectively) with inventive, top-of-the-line plate lunches.
Lunch Mon-Fri. Bargain.
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). Bargain-moderate.
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
You can always count on this old-school marvel for solid, messy and no-frills barbecue with a somewhat vinegary sauce; the ribs continue to be your best bet.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Beer. Bargain.
UPDATE! WHOLE HOG CAFE
2516 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 664-5025; 12111 W. Markham St., Little Rock, (501) 907-6124; TAC Air, Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, Adams Field, Little Rock, (501) 975-9315; 5107 Warden Road, North Little Rock, (501) 753-5228
The restaurant mini-chain, built by a prize-winning competition team, continues to offer top-of-the-line pulled pork, savory beef brisket and amazing ribs; with six different sauces, diners ought to be able to find at least one they like.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sun on Cantrell and West Markham, Mon-Sat in North Little Rock, lunch Mon-Sat at the airport. Beer, wine. Bargain.
Weekend on 03/19/2015