Rumbles: Changes at Nichols BBQ, Ginger's Handlebar Opens, Petit and Keet Turns 2

A series of changes is coming to Nichols’ Smokehouse BBQ in Sherwood. The barbecue restaurant is merging with Woodland Bakery and Bistro beginning May 14. The two will operate under the Nichols name, and the menu will reflect many customer favorite dishes from both restaurants. Woodland was already operating out of space inside the Nichols building. That space will now be home to Southern Cake Co. Owner Jordan Wine is making her cake company her fulltime job and will be selling her cakes and macarons out of Nichols’ Smokehouse BBQ. Wine will also continue taking orders for specialty cakes, with customers now able to pick them up on location in Sherwood. All of these changes begin this coming Monday.
Just three months after the closing of Rodney’s Handlebar Grill in Southwest Little Rock, another new restaurant is coming up in its place. Ginger’s Handlebar Grill is already open and will hold its grand opening celebration May 31 and June 1. The grand opening will feature some food and drink specials, as well as some special visitors. Mid Ark Off Road will be bringing by some of their “mega trucks” for folks to enjoy at the event. The lead chef at Ginger’s Handlebar Grill is Chris Busick, who you might remember from his time opening Donuts and Deli in downtown Little Rock.
Speaking of celebrations, Petit and Keet is celebrating its second birthday with a week-long event for its guests. Starting Tuesday and going through Saturday, Petit and Keet will be whipping up food and drink specials and will have a unique treat for each guest who comes in next week. Since its opening, Petit and Keet has made its name as one of the best restaurants in Little Rock with creative takes on fresh dishes and fantastic customer service, and we offer them our congratulations on their success.
We mentioned this in our Truckin’ feature, but if the weather holds on Saturday you really should head to Bryant for the second Raymar Food Truck Festival. The event features nine food trucks, including favorites Delta Biscuit Company, Low Ivy Catering, Loblolly Creamery and Bragg’s Big Bites. The event is hosted by Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, who is also bringing out inflatables for the kids and yard games for everybody. There is no admission to stop by; just pay for your food at the trucks.
Oh, and I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Sunday is Mother’s Day and you really should have something planned by now. I’m not going to bother with a list of Mother’s Day brunch options because it would probably be quicker to list the restaurants that are not offering brunch. Just go ahead and make reservations now at your favorite spot.
Craft beer is officially coming to Jacksonville. We spoke with the owner of the upcoming Blade and Barrel Brewing Company to learn more about the brewery’s special barbershop collaboration.
And festival season returns this weekend with the Hot Springs Craft Beer Festival. Read about that and all the latest happenings in Central Arkansas’ beer scene in our newest Growlers feature.

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