Eat Arkansas

Yum!!
My wife and I love Loca Luna.
We have never had a bad experience there and have never had a substandard or average meal. Service has always been great.
Their pizza is also pretty damn good.

Did you HAVE to take the picture in front of the Laughing Sally??? That thing has given me the heebie jeebies ever since it was at the War Memorial Amusement Park. Now I'm going ot have trouble going to sleep tonight!

Loca Luna = C-.

Average at best.

Jen, since you bag every.single.restaurant brought up on this board, would you do us the benefit of listing some restaurants you actually approve of?

Your sarcasm reeks like a rotting piece of fried catfish.

Reread, girl. That's not sarcasm, its straight calling ya out.

I'm with EY and gloves. JensJens gives a below-average grade to another restaurant that is always packed and has stood the test of time. Got to think there's some basic psychology 101 at work here -- denigrate places that most people really like in order to make yourself feel superior. I've eaten all over town, a lot, and there is nothing C- about Loca Luna's: cheese dip, pizza, voodoo stew, pot roast, shrimp quesadillas, Arkansas country breakfast (served at brunch), cheeseburger, service, bartending, wine list or salsa.

Hop off the high horse, JensJens.

I was just pointing out that it wasn't sarcasm.

No sarcasm at all (although I will admit to a little snark). And I honestly (no snark or sarcasm) do want Jens opinion of what she thinks is worthwhile around the state/area.

I would say Loca Luna is definitely better than average. B/B+, especially when you factor in the ambiance. 7-8 on a 10 point scale if I must.

I have never had a "bad" meal there, though I have had some that were lackluster. Still a fun place and a place that helped change LR's dining culture.

I'm with Mordy about Laughing Sally. It was quite a shock to see her again, unexpectedly, "in the flesh" in this picture. The only saving grace is you didn't include that little hat she used to wear (if I remember aright).

I NEVER understood why parents and aunts and uncles (including mine) encouraged children who were obviously terror-stricken to walk up close to Sally at Fair Park. The louder we wailed, the funnier they seemed to think it was.

I spent many a night as a boy trying to get Sally's big laughing presence out of my mind, as I tried to go to sleep. Now, seeing her again, it all floods back, so much that I wonder if she's going to pop up in some future nightmares.

Is she now at Loca Luna?

Dear Sigmund Freud,

Your "psychology" is inane.

What absolutely fascinates me about this blog is how much PERSONAL offense people take to an OPINION about restaurants in this town. Maybe we could take a little break from getting our panties in a wad over my comments to actually discuss the heart of the matter and the reason why we all enjoy this blog: Food!

If you will note, Big Fun, which you clearly haven't, I simply said that Loca Luna is average, at best. Average. Okay?

Av.er.age. Adjective. Typical, common, ordinary. I'll use it in a sentence: His grades were nothing special, just average.

The phrase, "do us the benefit" also implies your (Big Fun) "brilliant" and convoluted line of thinking that just because I state that I disagree, or dislike something, somehow means that I, am trying to "make" myself feel some way about other people.

Pardon me for saying this, but that is so obtuse, it actually made me laugh out loud. F minus. That couldn't be any further from the truth. You don't like my forthright comments? Well, too bad. Life is too short to pussyfoot around about your feelings.

For the 10 zillionth time, this is a public forum. And I will always maintain that comparatively speaking, Little Rock falls behind the curve, as far as food is concerned. It certainly has improved by massive leaps and bounds in the last decade, but still needs improvement in the way of style, creativity, imagination and wholesome, healthy options.

Restaurant Grades for EY:

Imagine- (R.I.P) A+++
Acadia- A (food is sometimes inconsistent, but service is A+, wine list is A+)
Capeo- A+ (all around)
Ferneau- A (food) A+ (drinks) A+++ (service)
Star of India- A+ (all around)
Lulav- solid A. I really appreciate their style. I also really hope they find success in their new venue.
Ciao Baci- A+ (tapas, service, ambience)
Boulevard- A+ (all around)
Koto- A+ (all around)
Café Prego- A+ for food, but a SERIOUS F- on service (specifically- the owner).

And food for thought for everyone: has anyone else experienced the wrath of the owner of Prego before, aside from myself? I have been snubbed in a horribly rude manner by that woman three times. Love the food, but won't go back.

Still need to try:
Gypsy's
Aydelotte's
Bill Valentine's
1620
Zsa-zsa's

Also, I hate the Razorbacks.

The witch burning will take place at sun down at the town square.

get the hell over yourself. you can't even recognize sarcasm or the lack thereof

Well, even though I didn't requset it, I really appreciate the restaurant grades posting, JenJens. I agree with most of your list, although I am curious about the service problem at Prego. Unfortunately, I never made it out to Imagine. What/where is Koto? I haven't heard of it.

I think I would agree about Loca Luna being pretty average as far as food is concerned. Because a lot of people I know like it, I end up trying it again every once in awhile and I am usually underwhelmed. I'd take Cheers in the Heights for food at about the same price any day of the week.

Yo Jamestown

Cheers for Cheers. Really. That reminds me that I seriously need to check that place out- haven't been in years.

The manager at Prego- and I really have to emphasize that I think the food is pretty damn good there- actually sat a table of her friends (I'm assuming) waiting BEHIND my party after we had been waiting upwards of half an hour. And then, THEN, she mocked my boyfriend when he politely asked her when we would be seated. I really had to bite my tongue. But I will give her points for sheer audacity. Wow.

Koto is a sushi joint out on Chenal. You have to drive past Wal-Mart, past Bed, Bath and Beyond, past Kroger- it's kind of close to Rahling Road. They've recently upgraded their wine list and it's fab-u-lous. Their sushi is great. It's my favorite sushi place in town, hands down. And they are always very, very nice to their customers. Check it out.

Muddling,

Yep, she's right in the lobby. Thankfully, she either doesn't work, or she's turned "off." Apparently someone has an affinity for her...I just avert my eyes and hope I don't have to wait around for a table.

To Muddling and Mordy,

I have to agree wholeheartedly on the Laughing Sally bit. Just looking at the picture really, seriously creeps me out.

And Muddling, I can't believe that your parents would subject you to that- whatever it is- for their entertainment purposes. Although looking back, I'm guessing it seems kind of funny now? I hope?

If I had seen that thing as a child, it would have scared the crap out of me. For sure.

Things not to discuss in polite company:
Politics
Religion
Restaurants??? lol

JenJens...Cafe Prego is good and very reasonably priced. I'm curious if you walked out? I would have. I've heard she can have a bit of a "tude" but I haven't been on the receiving end. Of course, I've only eaten there three or four times.

Cheers is good. I've always had good meals there and the service has always been very good.

I'll have to try Koto. I've been looking for something different from the downtown sushi spot I hit for lunch.

Dude!

That's so weird! I was just thinking about you literally seconds ago and wondering, "Where's Food Dude on this post???"

No. We didn't walk out. Which was pretty stupid on our part. In fact, we waited around and they f*cked up royally again. Someone in our party ordered the dinner special. Ten minutes later: waiter informs us they've been out of the special for the last hour. Us: "Sweet. Thanks a mill for the head's up." Then, dinner special orderer requested a different dish. Prego: "Um. We really wouldn't recommend ordering that dish at this point. It might take the kitchen too long to cook it." Us: "WTF."

Oh. And that lady has some serious TUDE and that is NO joke. I have a solid source who works within the vicinity of Prego who swears up and down that most of their food is delivered frozen. And enthusiastically agrees that the owner can be a serious bee-yatch. Co-workers concur on that note, as well.

I'm stoked to try out Cheers in the Heights again. That venue is so fantastic and just lovely.

I hope you like Koto when you check it out.

I just read the top part of your comment- "not to discuss in polite company."

Heh. Nice.

Concerning LL...It is what it is. Better than Chili's or Applebee's and it's locally owned so that's a plus in my book. I don't think the kitchen staff has had much turnover in the last couple of years which has helped with the consistency of the food. Having said all that....I'd rather go next door if I'm supporting MA.

FD:

Agreed. Local is always better. Bene Vita is sort of better. MA's stuff just doesn't blow my socks off, you know?

What's your sushi joint downtown, if I can ask?

Whoa. I said that all wrong. Knock my socks off. That's what I meant.

Blow my socks off? Where the hell did that come from?

That's pretty funny. Looking.

Hanaroo...I'm not real experienced with sushi but it seems better than Mt. Fuji to me. The staff are nice and they have several lunch specials that are very reasonably priced. I'm still in the learning stage concerning sushi so take my opinion with a grain of rice....bad joke I know! ;)

Hanaroo has a pretty great reputation. I have only been there once and that was ages ago, when it was under different management.

Another place to add to my list.

Next on your list- Tuna and/or Yellowtail Sashimi. The best.

Sashimi is without rice right?
So far everything I've had has been Nigiri (on rice).
I've had tuna, shrimp, snapper, salmon, eel and crab. I like it all but the eel. I think part of the deal with eel was once seeing or reading about how it was harvested back in the day...I've almost managed to block it out.

Heh. Yes, sir. Sashimi is without rice. And damn- it's so good when it's super fresh. SO GOOD.

Should smell super clean and slightly of ocean. Avoid anything that smells too fishy (duh).

Not trying to insult your intelligence, by the way. Sorry if I'm being Captain Obvious.

Not at all. Like I say...I'm trying to learn. I find it really interesting...not only the food aspect of sushi but all the etiquette involved in eating sushi.

Since we've veered into the topic of sushi...has anyone eaten at both Sushi Cafe and Koto? I think Sushi Cafe has some of the best around, but they're kinda pricey. Is Koto same in quality/price?

As a Japanese who grew up by the Sea of Japan and used to eat fresh seafood daily, I must say that most Japanese restaurants in Little Rock are absolutely terrible. In fact, we have a saying among Japanese people in this city: if you see a Japanese family dining at a Japanese restaurant, the wife must not be able to cook very well. Only one that my family ever went was Mount Fuji, but it's because Ray, its sushi chef, sometimes has unbelievable ingredients for this part of the country, such as anglerfish. I suggest you guys go there and see what they have in the back that are not on the menu.

That said, I agree with JenJens that Little Rock has so much to go with regards to restaurants. I think Boulevard is A+ for Little Rock, but compared to other cities, it's average at best. I've had better bread and coffee in Kanazawa, Japan (and San Fran, DC, Chicago, NOLA, Tokyo, Nagoya, Atlanta...the list goes on). As for Star of India, I grew up with several Indian families, and they all trash the place. I agree with them since I've had their homemade stuff, and they are 1,000 times better. Too greasy for my taste. I like Kabob and Curry. Also, try Indian grocery stores. One by TJ Maxx on Rodney Parham makes great samosa. As for Koto, I guess it's good for non-Japanese. I'd give it below average.

Since LR restaurant scene doesn't do it for me much, I've resorted to cooking everything from Mexican, Korean, Chinese, Indian, and Japanese at home. My only outings these days have been to Van Lang. Sigh. Anyone want to swap recipes?

As for Local Luna, I had to send the food back when I went there for the first time. I ordered a Thai salad, and they put French dressing on it. I normally refuse to send food back, but that was little too much. It's been several years, so they might have changed since then.

zaiy,
I'm curious since you say you have only been to one Japanese restaurant in town why you think they are terrible? Is that based on the opinions of the Japanese community in Little Rock?

I also find your comments about Star of India interesting. I have been there many times and I see Indian families eating there almost everytime I visit???
I was not impressed with Kabob and Curry at all...different strokes I guess.

zaoy...
sorry about the misspelling.

JenJens,
I rarely agree with anything you say, but you are spot on in your description of Jacqueline from Cafe Prego. I sold food for a distributor in Little Rock for many years. Jacqueline is the biggest bitch I have ever had the misfortune of working with. I have never encountered anyone that is rude to almost every person they come in contact with, but Jacqueline is. The way I have seen her treat her staff makes me wonder how she ever keeps any employees. I was in Prego right after lunch once with the place still half full when Jacqueline and her husband got into a screaming match right in the middle of the dining room. Several customers were so uncomfortable they got up and left. She will never get a dime from me.

BTW, she is not the manager, she is the owner. Also, she does buy most of her food frozen. The place was much better when Louis, her ex-husband, was still running the place, but he had all of Jacqueline he could take and moved to Florida. Louis and his son have a great restaurant around Seaside Florida called Red Bar. A very popular place with a great atmosphere.

FD, the different strokes opinions are about to continue. I would much rather eat at Loca Luna than Cheers. They have never been anything but pedestrian to me. Also, I would rather eat at Cheers than Bene Vita. Loca Luna at least seems to effort in the menu which is lacking across the parking lot, IMO.

I also think sushi is okay, maybe every once in a while. It is not something for which I fiend. That said, Hanaroo has not disappointed at all. It has been quite good each time for my tastes.

Kabob and Curry has been so inconsistent, i cannot give it a fair evaluation.

FoodDude,

I've been to various Japanese resturants in this city, including Igibon, Sekisui, Kobe, Shogun, Koto, Hanaroo, Sakura, Benihana, Wasabi, etc. I love food, so when my family moved here, we tried as many Japanese restaurants as possible. They all disappointed us except for maybe Mt. Fuji. We hardly go there either since Sam's Oriental gets fresh fish on Saturday, and you can make better sushi at home with thalf he price.

As for Star of India, I'm sure some Indian people eat there, just like some Japanese people eat at Japanese restaurants in this city. Sometimes we are lazy and not in mood to cook, so we go to Mt. Fuji. I have to say every Indian person I ever met in this city (thanks to a dad who worked at UAMS, I met quite a bit and grew up with some of them) trashes the place. We have had Star of India food at their houses, though, since sometimes we just need to eat, regardless of quality. Ever been in that situation?

Mordy, thanks for letting me know about Sally at Loca Luna. Shows you how long it's been since I went there, after a breakfast that just didn't meet my expectations at all, and embarrassed me since I had taken out of town relatives there.

JenJen, you're right, it is bizarre that adults used to like to frighten children. But in my antiquated generation (I grew up in LR in the 1950s) that just seems to have been par for the course.

When a cousin of mine read the Clyde Edgerton novel that begins with a mother putting on lipstick to take her son to the MS state pen to show him the electric chair--scaring him into good behavior--he called me laughing his head off. It was so much like something from our own childhood.

Those old well houses on hillside houses in LR? My grandmother thought nothing of telling us they belonged to witches who would pull us inside for being bad. She also told us the devil would pull us under the ground to live with him if we misbehaved, so that a cousin who dug up a marble in our grandmother's yard in LR went into fits once, thinking Old Sol was looking up at her before claiming her.

Sally was just downright scary. I seem to recall her somehow bending over as she laughed, which was even more frightening. And that huge mouth and bellowing laugh . . . .

Is it any wonder the South seems to breed writers, just about in equal proportion to the crazy folks it breeds? With our traditional child-rearing techniques, you end up one or the other (or perhaps often both).

Correction: not sure what made me write "Old Sol" in my previous post when I meant to say "the Old Dickens." My grandmother didn't believe in naming the gentleman beneath the ground, for some reason, except to call him the Old Dickens.

Geez, you ask a simple question, go spend the day shopping and there are 39 posts to read when you get back ;-) Honestly, Jen, thanks.
Ironically enough, I do agree with you about Loca. I really used to like it, say 15 years ago, but after 15 years of the exact same food, I'm up for something else. I do appreciate that their wine list is interesting.
One night, we had a birthday dinner for a friend there. The electricity blinked 2 or 3 times, friend flirted his tail off with the waiter and I think each of us paid for an entree and 1 drink each. In reality, we had apps, entrees, dessert and LOTS o'drinks. That experience left a soft spot in my heart for those guys.
Lulav, Valentine's and Capeo are on my "Places I need to eat" list and Ciao Baci, Ferneau, and Gypsy's are on the "Need to eat here again" list.
I liked the food at Kabob and Curry, but eating under the glare of bright florescent lights is a bit of a turn off. McD's has softer lighting. I find the service at Boulevard hit or miss. I've been the only one in there at times and had to practically grab someone to get waited on.

I too find Sally scary and I didn't grow up here. I find her scary as an adult. A phrase I never understood was "Sing at the table, whistle in bed, the boogeyman will get you by the hair of the head". Really? I appreciate manners, but as a child who liked to sing, that really got me.

EY, that taboo about singing at the table is interesting to me, too. I can't recall hearing the saying you mention, but I do remember that we weren't allowed to sing at the table--or put our elbows on it (for that, there definitely was a saying).

Wonder if the taboo has to do with the fact that singing diners might end up being choking diners? Especially if they're children.

But it's not a taboo every culture has. One of my happiest memories is hosting several German families for a week, and at the end of the week, having them serenade me with German songs, as we ate dinner.

EY, I agree with you about Kabob and Curry's lights and Boulevard's service. I have lots of friends who work at Boulevard, and I may have contributed to the problem since I often end up talking with them for a long time.

If anyone here is interested in good Asian food, try Sook & Sungs in Fayetteville. It's pretty good for Arkansas. My favorite restaurant these days is an Ethiopian place in Memphis. I think it's about the only Ethiopian restauant between here and the coast.

I've had the same experiences at Boulevard. Some of those at the cash register who take orders are solicitous and nice. Others seem to have attitude and can look right through you.

And then, when you do order, it can take mighty long to get a simple sandwich made, at lunch, when many folks have to get back to work.

But even as I sit and eat, I can see how busy most workers are, so I don't think this is a matter of haphazardness--just being overworked, maybe. And also, the lack of training of younger staff who don't know they're being rude.

Cal me a heretic, but the "best" restaurants in LR are never as good as they think they are, and the attitude is totally misplaced in our sleepy little fringe-South city. Want good service (and food), go to some of the Mexican-owned and Mexican-run restaurants. There, you can count on a smile, courtesy, efficiency without obtrusiveness--for the most part.

Amen to that, Muddling.

FoodDude, I see now where the confusion came from. What I meant to say was only Japanese restaurant we went on a semi-regular basis was Mt. Fuji. Sorry about the confusion.

Also, if you're interested in sashimi or nigiri, try sweet shrimp, fatty tuna, salmon roe, squid, sea urchin, or red shellfish. As for eel, many are farm-rasied these days, and they don't taste quite like wild ones. If you ever come across wild ones, don't pass up the opportunity.

Wow. Most comments ever on the food blog, I reckon.

I'm quite intrigued by zaoy's comments. Sea of Japan? That's incredible. I watched Anthony Bourdain- "No Reservations: Japan" and pretty much immediately started drooling. The food looked beyond-belief-amazing.

I have to agree w/ you, zaoy- I draw my opinions of restaurants in this city based on my traveling experiences and frankly, Little Rock falls pretty flat. COMPARATIVELY speaking. I appreciate the insight into LR's sushi scene. Very interesting about Koto.

And to EY:
Please please please please try Capeo first. For someone who isn't easily impressed, I was pretty blown away by my dining experience there. And Lulav is great, I think. They've got soul. They're heading in the right direction. I can't wait until they open their new venue. Plus, they always play totally sweet music.

And to The Hog:
I'm stoked we could finally agree on something. Ah, vindication is so sweet- even if it is regarding a very hateful person. And my descriptions of Jacqueline were pretty mild, for the record. I can't believe she still has customers. And what's more, why the hell do you have a restaurant if you serve frozen food? That makes me want to scream.

Muddling through:
Loved your comments about how your elder relatives used to give you shit and then basically just laugh at you. I think that's hilarious- and now I kind of really want to read that Clyde Edgerton novel you mentioned. Just based on the opening chapter alone.

Food Dude:
I may be crossing the blog boundary here, but you mentioned something about living in Colorado on one my AK posts. Dying to know where. I lived in CO for 6 years and still regret the day I left.

Man, I get busy and leave the blog alone for a few days and miss all the good.

My feelings about the "Italian" restaurants in town are similar to zaoy's feelings about Japanese and Indian restaurants around here. Quite simply, they are pretty much unremarkable at best.

That said, the restaurants we have now are leaps and bounds beyond what we had not long ago. I cannot help but hear another refrain of the anyplace but here story I have heard. I have eaten places that were no better than places here in DC, in Baltimore, in Orlando.

Zaoy, I have some friends who moved just outside of Memphis recently. As I have promised to visit them sometime soon, what is this Ethiopian place? I would love to get some when I make it that direction.

Joel,
The Ethiopian place in Memphis is called Abyssinian, and it's on Poplar.

Thanks!

Posted by "Zaoy"
"My favorite restaurant these days is an Ethiopian place in Memphis. I think it's about the only Ethiopian restauant between here and the coast."
"The Ethiopian place in Memphis is called Abyssinian, and it's on Poplar."

I love that restaurant. I took a friend (Ethiopian food virgin) of mine there a few years ago and once the staff found out that I was a Ethiopian food lover and had brought a virgin, they fawned over us like crazy. They gave us all sorts of extra food to try along with the meal we ordered.
The staff (all Ethiopian as far as I could tell) were as friendly as could be. We spent almost 3 hours there sampling food and drink and had one of the owners sitting with us for more than half the time. We were given a history of Ethiopian food and culture by the entire staff. It was fantastic. The place looks like a dive, but it isn't.

If you are ever in Boston you should try Addis Red Sea on Tremont in the South End. The best Ethiopian I have ever had and the staff are fabulous.

Kretara, neat story about the Abyssinian. My son lives in West Memphis, and you've got me wanting to mosey on over for a visit.
I spent 3 1/2 of my elementary grade years in Okinawa courtesy of the USAF -- most of those in a village named Oyama. I have yet to find Japanese food in the U.S. to compare with what we ate there....ah, just a distant memory.
As for Italian restaurants, with an Italian father, and family members who cook Italian food as easily as southerners make cornbread, I have rarely found Italian food in restaurants that I like. When you've been raised on homemade tortellini ...

The exception being a few dishes at Carino's.