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.
Pizza
DAMGOODE PIES
2701 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 664-2239; 500 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, (501) 664-2239; 6706 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 664-2239
The original Hillcrest location of this friendly multi-outlet eatery produces terrific signature pies with four sauce options: traditional red, pesto, white (ricotta, parmesan, olive oil) and pink (red/white combo). The River Market brewpub also offers pizza by the slice.
Lunch, dinner daily. Delivery. Beer, wine. Bargain.
GUSANO'S
CHICAGO-STYLE PIZZERIA
313 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, (501) 374-1441
This congenial sports bar might be a somewhat raucous watering hole, but the Chicago-style pizza, sandwiches and salads are prime.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations. Bargain-moderate.
IRIANA'S
201 E. Markham St., Little Rock, (501) 374-3656
Iriana's pies continue to rank among the area's best; the restaurant also serves simple salads, grinders and Paisano chianti in its casual, friendly downtown digs near the River Market.
Lunch, dinner Mon-Sat. Beer, wine. Delivery. Bargain/moderate.
UPDATE! JAY'S PIZZA
Ottenheimer Market Hall, River Market, 400 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, (501) 374-5297
New owners have expanded the variety of excellent thin-crust gourmet pizzas to include exotic options with Indian spices, available by the pie or by the slice, along with pasta, salads and sandwiches.
Lunch Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Moderate.
JIM'S RAZORBACK PIZZA
16101 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 868-3250; 20608 Arkansas 365 N., Maumelle, (501) 851-4120
This pizza palace with antecedents in Northwest Arkansas serves regular, wheat, gluten-free and deep-dish pies in a kid-friendly atmosphere.
Lunch, dinner daily. Full bar (Maumelle), beer and wine (Cantrell). Bargain-moderate.
PIZZA CAFE
1517 Rebsamen Park Road, Little Rock, (501) 664-6133; 14710 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 868-2600
Pizza Cafe West offers, like its elder sibling, the long-standing Riverdale original, dependable "straight" and specialty pies, sandwiches and salads in quirky surroundings.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer and wine. Moderate.
THE PIZZERIA
4910 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 551-1388
What used to be the Pizzeria at Terry's and before that a food truck, Pizzeria Santa Lucia, now makes its Neapolitan-style gourmet pies in the huge oven that floated over the sea from Naples in larger quarters just on the Heights side of Cantrell Road.
Dinner Tue-Sun. Full bar. Moderate.
UPDATE! RADUNOBRICK OVEN & BARROOM
1318 Main St., Little Rock, (501) 551-1388
This SoMa standout has a menu of authentic, artisan Neapolitan-style pizzas -- some of them now available by the slice for lunch -- plus a range of fancy appetizers and a wide variety of craft beers (including a growler program) and Sunday brunch.
Lunch, dinner Tue-Sat, lunch/brunch Sun. Full bar. Moderate.
U.S. PIZZA
2710 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 663-2198; 5524 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 664-7071; 9300 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, (501) 224-6300; 3307 Fair Park Blvd., Little Rock, (501) 565-6580; 3324 Pike Ave., North Little Rock, (501) 758-5997; 4001 McCain Park, North Little Rock, (501) 753-2900; 650 Edgewood Drive, Maumelle, (501) 851-0880; 8403 Arkansas 107, Sherwood, (501) 992-1512
Day-in, day-out throngs at all locations generate a din of happy chatter and plenty of brand loyalty for the steady quality of the thin-crust pizzas.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine (full bar at Hillcrest, beer only at McCain). Bargain-moderate.
VINO'S PIZZA PUB & BREWERY
923 W. Seventh St., Little Rock, (501) 375-8466
Vino's continues to dish up some of the town's best pizzas, hand-shaped and hand-thrown the old-fashioned way, plus delicious calzones and several sandwiches, along with flavorful, on-premises-brewed beers and ales.
Lunch, dinner daily. Beer, wine. Reservations (very large groups). Bargain-moderate.
Weekend on 11/02/2017