Rumbles

Rumbles: Diamond Chef Finalists, Dos Rocas Opening Day, The Rail Yard Open Thursday

We now know the six finalists who will challenge next spring for the 2019 Diamond Chef crown. On Monday evening, the 10 semifinalists competed at Pulaski Tech to narrow the field down to six. The finalists are: Jordan Davis – Chenal Country Club Brandon Douglas – Greenleaf Grill Amanda Ivy – Sauced Jamie McAfee – …

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Rumbles: The Tavern Closes, Minimum Wage Hike Passes, Diamond Chef Semifinals

Tuesday night’s midterm elections contained a vote that will have a large impact on Arkansas restaurants. Voters passed Arkansas Issue 5 by an overwhelming margin; nearly 7 in 10 voters said yes. Issue 5 raises the minimum wage in Arkansas starting at the beginning of the year. Currently, the minimum wage is $8.50; on Jan.1, …

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Rumbles: Rock Town Soars Again, Allsopp & Chapple Menu, Halloween Festivities

Once again, we find ourselves reporting on more international recognition for the absolutely brilliant Rock Town Distillery in the SoMa neighborhood. This time around, the adulation is coming from the 2019 iteration of The Whisky Bible, written by renowned whiskey connoisseur Jim Murray. Four different Rock Town spirits received a 94/100 rating this time around: …

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Rumbles: Cornbread Festival Saturday, Georgia's Gyros Closes, More Little Rock on DDD

One of the city’s most original food festivals hits this weekend. The Arkansas Cornbread Festival is set for Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The festival is in the SoMa neighborhood and takes up three blocks of Main Street. Teams will be serving their unique takes on cornbread throughout the day; previous years have …

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Rumbles: Ceci's Coming to Little Rock, World Cheese Dip Festival, Deli & Donuts Open

Ceci’s Chicken and Waffles will open a second location in Little Rock next year. Chef and owner Ciceley McDowell posted on Facebook last week that she is bringing Ceci’s to her hometown in 2019. Right now, she isn’t saying where her second location will be or what her target due date is. Ceci’s Chicken and …

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Rumbles: Layla's North Little Rock, Blue Plate Special Dinner, Little Italy Festival Sunday

There wasn’t a whole lot of fanfare, but Layla’s Gyros and Pizzeria has opened its third location in Central Arkansas. This one is in North Little Rock on E. McCain Blvd. near the Walmart Supercenter. If you’ve never been (and you should fix that if so), Layla’s is not only one of the best Mediterranean …

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Rumbles: Food Hall of Fame Nominations, La Hacienda Renovations, West End Shuts Down

Nominations are now open for the third class of the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame, presented by the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Every year, the hall of fame inducts three local restaurants that have been continuously open for at least 25 years. Six restaurants are in the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame thus far: Jones …

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Rumbles: Illness Outbreak in NWA, Loblolly Fall Menu, Live Life Chill Grand Opening

More than a hundred people have become sick after eating at JJ’s Beer Garden and Brewery in Fayetteville. The Arkansas Department of Health says all illnesses reported have involved diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Nobody has been hospitalized, and so far none of the employees at JJ’s have been affected. The health department says the illnesses …

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Rumbles: IndiaFest Sunday, Excaliburger Heads East, South on Main Tailgate Menu

One of the state’s most underrated food festivals is this weekend in downtown Little Rock. IndiaFest 2018 is Sunday at the Little Rock River Market pavilion and amphitheater from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. While there are plenty of festivals that get more attention, IndiaFest might just have the best food experience out of all …

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Rumbles: Baja Grill's Touching Video, Gourmasian's Spicy Chicken and Dumplings Return

Stop what you’re doing right now if you haven’t checked out the touching video on Baja Grill’s Facebook page that is threatening to go viral. The video’s description only says that the restaurant staff came together to buy a car for their night-shift host. I texted general manager Heather Baber, who filled me in (quote …

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