Eat Arkansas

Those scallops look to be rather scorched instead of being seared and sauteed to me.

The sweet tomato sauce has piqued my interest though...

They may look scorched but I have to affirm that was the blackened seasoning - no doubt those were some yummy scallops; perfectly succulent, cooked juuuust enough.

And ok, I was drunk when I emailed Max, but I'm still really pleased with this meal. My companions and I have nothing but good things to say. *shrug*

C'mon.. someone came up with a cool image for the eat AR related videos.. is it real or not? Either way is totally possible. I want an AR shaped pizza. I'm just sayin.

I've been a couple of times and while the food has been really good....the portion size sucks. I'm not talking about the "main feature" on your plate but the sides... they are ridiculously small. I have heard this complaint over and over and I'm sure the wait staff has as well. The catfish was very good but the one filet was laid on top of what might have been a heaping tablespoon of greens and the butter beans were basically nonexistent.
The BBQ shrimp with blue cheese slaw was great (at least the shrimp). I'm not sure about the slaw as my dining companion got the one forkfull before I could try it.
The crispy oyster salad was great but again.not enough greens.
I haven't had a Po-Boy yet but I think one might actually leave satisfied considering the size of the loaf.
I guess the portion size (or lack thereof) of the sides is an Emeril influence but I don't think it goes over so well with the Little Rock crowd. Rice, beans, grits and cabbage really don't drive up the food cost. I say put a little more on the plate and Maddie's Place will be a real winner.

I have been to Maddies twice. The food is absolutely fantastic. I could make it one of my staple dining out restaurants. HOWEVER...as food dude states above, the portion size does, in fact, suck.
We have been twice. The first time, my wife thought it was some kind of bad joke when she got her salad. You could actually see the bottom of the bowl between the leaves of salad. She said it was one of the best tasting salads she has had but it left her wanting more. Too bad it costs 8 bucks! I got the crawfish po' boy and it rocked! We also gobbled up the blue cheese shrimp appetizer but again, it left us wanting maybe two more shrimp and some more of the coleslaw.
The second time, we brought along some friends after I raved about how good the food was.
We ordered the fried green tomatoes as an app and our friends ordered some type of risotto app. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised but when they brought out the fried green tomatoes, there were only two small slices on the plate. Again, they were divine. It was ridiculous that they gave us two small slices for an 8 dollar app.
For the entrees, my wife ordered the special, pork chops. Now, these didn't really look like pork chops that anyone at our table were used to. They were as thin as a slice of ham to put on a sandwich. Two slices...thats it. Another at our table ordered the catfish. Albeit large, one fillet with virtually no sides is not much of a dinner. He said he was happy with the flavor though.
I doubt we can convince them to come back with us.
We will still cast a shadow in there from time to time because the food is truly outstanding. I wish we could become regulars but I can't see myself forking over that kind of money for not much food on my fork.
Believe me, I think all of us ugly americans overeat and need to develop a little portion control. Other than the po' boys, all of the dishes that I have seen at maddies seem to be about half the size of what you should get considering their prices.

My roommates and I went to Maddie's a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. We all got various kinds of po' boys, so we didn't have any complaints about the portions.

The homemade ranch dressing was amazing, but the remoulade wasn't a remoulade. It was fine, but sort of tasted like tartar sauce with ketchup. Not bad, just not what we expected.

Another item that wasn't what we expected was the vanilla creme brulee. It tasted and had the consistency of a very strong vanilla pudding. It wasn't inedible, but we weren't huge fans.

Apart from those minor complaints, the service and food were spectacular. We shared the fried oyster salad appetizer and thought the oysters were perfectly cooked.

As a final note, it would be nice to see them come up with a few special house cocktails, but maybe I'm just a bit of a lush.

I agree with the comments on the small portions. The family and I went there last Friday for supper. I had the Crawfish Po' Boy and my wife had the Salmon. The food was excellent and my sandwich was huge, but my wife's entree was way too small. I understand keeping the salmon portion small, but the okra and grits too? Come on Maddie's - give us some love with the sides and I'll recommend you without hesitation.

I just got back from lunch at Maddie's and I really enjoyed it. I'd have to agree about the portion sizes though. I had the fried green tomatoes with the crab remoulade. It was delicious but too small for the $8 price tag. The portion fit my appetite though. I just wish it didn't cost so much for so little.

I also had a bowl of the roasted garlic and parmesan soup. It was a decent size for $5 but arrived at the table cold. I sent it back to be warmed up. It came back hot but tasted very bland. I had to add a lot of salt. However, the toasted crouton round on top with pesto was perfect.

My companion had one of the po'boys and enjoyed it. The portion size was fine on that.

I'm easing back into becoming a vegan and would have to say that Maddie's isn't very vegan friendly so I don't think I'll be back. But overall I had a great experience.

I'll admit I was surprised myself by the small portions, but I do have a question in response. Did anyone leave less than full and satisfied?

I didn't.

Maybe there's something for not leaving with your belly aching.

That said, anything they wanted to add to my plate would be gobbled up happily.

I agree with the side portions being completely underwhelming. I've had the catfish twice (because it was so good), but my god. The greens were the best greens I've ever had in my life; they had some nutmeg or allspice in them. Absolutely stupendous. Unfortunately, only a few bites were under my fillet.

I'll gladly pay another $5 if I can get full sides.

MAD about Maddie's is right. I went there once before for a good (but skimpy) gumbo and an oyster po boy, and left reasonably satisfied but far too light in the wallet.

Tonight was a pisser. Two adults and two kids got two shrimp po boys, a kids cheese sandwich and a shrimp creole, plus a couple of sodas, a glass of wine and a beer. We spent almost SEVENTY BUCKS. $58 plus a 15% tip to be exact.

All of the food was tasty, but the shrimp creole was truly disappointing. I got a quarter cup of rice with six large shrimp -tails on- with a very thin, spicy, thyme-heavy broth. Not bad, but entirely lacking in the basic holy trinity of onions, celery and green pepper, not to mention tomato in any substantive form. I enjoyed what I got, insubstantial as it was, despite the fact that the dish defied any preconception of shrimp creole I've ever had. This is a dish I learned from my mother, prepared for years, and enjoyed in many of New Orleans great restaurants. Whatever.

I finished the plate, leaving a third of the thin broth behind, still hungry. After over five minutes of trying to get our (to be fair, well-intentioned) waitress' attention, I asked for some bread.

Informed that "for a little extra" she'd be happy to bring some, I was asked if I wanted a half or full loaf. "Half is fine," I said, and then I waited about ten minutes for the bread, which arrived buttered and grilled. What's wrong with plain ole bread?

When it finally came, I sopped up my ice cold broth with three small pieces of a po boy loaf. The price? A galling two bucks. For half of a friggin bun of bread.

If I'm invited by a person of unlimited means who will agree to pick up the ridiculous tab, maybe I'll go back. Otherwise, no chance.

As it is, I'll be back at the good ole Faded Rose, which I predict will still be serving great food long after the Maddie's N'awlins-meets-overpriced haute cuisine concept has shuttered the place. I give them six months.

Just go next door- the Faded Rose has been around for 25+ years for a reason.