WINGED WINNER: Flying Fish has catfish category all fried up.

Let’s eat.

Where?

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Where else but at one of the best restaurants in Arkansas, as chosen by readers of the Arkansas Times.

Our Readers Choice contest is the oldest and most respected restaurant poll in the state. We published ballots in our weekly paper and also took votes on-line. Here are this year’s winners. Look for your favorites and check out our related features on good eating at Arkansas restaurants.

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As usual, we have winners in a number of dining categories, plus special votes for the top restaurants in four areas with vibrant restaurant scenes.

OVERALL

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LITTLE ROCK

Trio’s

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RUNNERS-UP: Brave New Restaurant, Ferneau, Ristorante Capeo.

AROUND ARKANSAS

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Mike’s Place of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway, James at the Mill of Johnson, Bordino’s of Fayetteville.

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NEW

LITTLE ROCK

ZaZa

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RUNNERS-UP: Copeland’s, Taziki’s, Cantina Laredo

 

AROUND ARKANSAS

Michelangelo’s of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Old Chicago Pizza of Conway, Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway, New Delhi of Eureka Springs.

 

ITALIAN

LITTLE ROCK

Bruno’s

RUNNERS-UP: Ristorante Capeo, the Italian Couple, Prego.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Michelangelo’s of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Ermilio’s of Eureka Springs, Bordino’s of Fayetteville, DeVito’s of Eureka Springs.

 

ASIAN

LITTLE ROCK

Lilly’s Dim Sum Then Some

RUNNERS-UP: Fantastic China, Pei Wei, Igibon.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Fuji Japanese Steakhouse of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Taste of Thai of Fayetteville, Jade China of Conway, Taste of Delight of Bryant.

 

MEXICAN

LITTLE ROCK

Senor Tequila

RUNNERS-UP: La Hacienda, Browning’s, Casa Manana.

AROUND ARKANSAS

La Hacienda of Hot Springs

RUNNERS-UP: La Huerta of Fayetteville, Los Amigos of Conway, Faby’s of Conway.

FUN

LITTLE ROCK

Purple Cow

RUNNERS-UP: ZaZa, Flying Fish, Cajun’s Wharf.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: New Delhi of Eureka Springs, Old Chicago Pizza of Conway, Larry’s Pizza of Bryant.

 

OTHER ETHNIC

LITTLE ROCK

Star of India

RUNNERS-UP: Bossa Nova, Layla’s, Leo’s.

AROUND ARKANSAS

New Delhi of Eureka Springs

RUNNERS-UP: Rolando’s of Hot Springs, Bavarian Inn of Eureka Springs, Brau Haus of Hot Springs.

 

BAKERY

LITTLE ROCK

Boulevard Bread Co.

RUNNERS-UP: Community Bakery, Silvek’s, Blue Cake Co.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Ed’s of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Rick’s Bakery of Fayetteville, Maggie’s Cookies of Conway, Little Bread Co. of Fayetteville.

 

BARBECUE

LITTLE ROCK

Whole Hog Cafe

RUNNERS-UP: Sims, Corky’s, Famous Dave’s.

AROUND ARKANSAS

McClard’s of Hot Springs

RUNNERS-UP: Whole Hog of Conway, Hog Pen of Conway, Craig’s of DeValls Bluff.

 

BREAKFAST

LITTLE ROCK

Satellite Coffee Co.

RUNNERS-UP: Ozark Mountain Country Restaurant, IHOP, Browning’s.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Stoby’s of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Pancake Shop of Hot Springs, Something’s Brewing of Conway, Mud Street Café of Eureka Springs.

 

CATFISH

LITTLE ROCK

Flying Fish

RUNNERS-UP: Grampa’s of North Little Rock, Catfish City, Cock of the Walk of Maumelle.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Fish House of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Catfish Hole of Fayetteville, Dondie’s of Des Arc, Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway.

 

DELI/GOURMET SHOP

LITTLE ROCK

Boulevard Bread Co.

RUNNERS-UP: Jason’s Deli, Diane’s, Fresh Market.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Cheese Corner of Hot Springs

RUNNERS-UP: Cafe 1217 of Hot Springs, McAlister’s Deli of Conway.

 

HAMBURGER

LITTLE ROCK

Buffalo Grill

RUNNERS-UP: Arkansas Burger Co., Cheers in the Heights, Cotham’s in the City.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Whatta-Burger of Russellville

RUNNERS-UP: Hugo’s of Fayetteville, Cotham’s of Scott, Shorty’s of Conway.

 

PIZZA

LITTLE ROCK

Damgoode Pies

RUNNERS-UP: ZaZa, U.S. Pizza, Larry’s.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Larry’s of Bryant

RUNNERS-UP: Rocky’s of Hot Springs, Rod’s of Hot Springs, Old Chicago Pizza of Conway.

 

SEAFOOD

LITTLE ROCK

Cajun’s Wharf

RUNNERS-UP: Bonefish Grill, Brave New Restaurant, Argenta Seafood

AROUND ARKANSAS

Mickey’s Bluefish Grill of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Mike’s Place of Conway, Cajun Boilers of Hot Springs, Dondie’s of Des Arc.

 

STEAK

LITTLE ROCK

Sonny Williams’ Steak Room

RUNNERS-UP: Doe’s, Butcher Shop, Faded Rose.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Mike’s Place of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Doe’s of Fayetteville, Herman’s of Fayetteville, Coy’s of Hot Springs.

 

DESSERT

LITTLE ROCK

Trio’s

RUNNERS-UP: Community Bakery, So, ZaZa.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Mike’s Place of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Stoby’s, Michelangelo’s, Mickey’s Bluefish Grill, all of Conway.

 

COFFEE

LITTLE ROCK

Boulevard Bread Co.

RUNNERS-UP: Starbucks, Community Bakery, Lemon.

AROUND ARKANSAS

McDonald’s, multiple locations.

RUNNERS-UP: Something’s Brewing of Conway, Mud Street Cafe of Eureka Springs, Common Grounds of Fayetteville.

 

HOME COOKING

LITTLE ROCK

Your Mama’s Good Food

RUNNERS-UP: Dixie Cafe, Homer’s, Bobby’s.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Holly’s Country Cookin’ of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Ed and Kay’s of Benton, Jane’s Kitchen of Cabot, Mama Dean’s of Fayetteville.

 

PLACE FOR KIDS

LITTLE ROCK

Purple Cow

RUNNERS-UP: Chuck E. Cheese, Playtime Pizza, Larry’s Pizza, all with various locations.

 

ROMANTIC

LITTLE ROCK

Brave New Restaurant

RUNNERS-UP: Ashley’s, 1620, Acadia.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Mike’s Place of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: James at the Mill of Johnson, Bordino’s of Fayetteville, Michelangelo’s of Conway.

 

WINE LIST

LITTLE ROCK

Trio’s

RUNNERS-UP: Ferneau, Acadia, Ashley’s.

AROUND ARKANSAS

Mike’s Place of Conway

RUNNERS-UP: Michelangelo’s of Conway, Bordino’s of Fayetteville, James at the Mill of Johnson.

 

EUREKA SPRINGS

Ermilio’s

RUNNERS-UP: New Delhi Cafe, DeVito’s, Rogue’s Manor.

 

HOT SPRINGS

McClard’s

RUNNERS-UP: Belle Arti, Cheese Corner, Chef Paul’s.

 

FAYETTEVILLE/SPRINGDALE/

ROGERS/

BENTONVILLE

James at the Mill

RUNNERS-UP: Bordino’s, Herman’s, Pesto Cafe, all of Fayetteville.

 

CONWAY

Mike’s Place

RUNNERS-UP: Mickey’s Bluefish Grill, Marketplace, Michelangelo’s.

 

DRAWING WINNER

Janet Young of Sherwood won $100 in the ballot drawing.

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