News
Popular Sherwood food truck Rick’s Beignets has announced it will be opening a permanent restaurant and closing down the truck. Owner Richard Rogers confirmed to me the new restaurant would be called Rick’s Beignets and Cajun. Rogers says the expanded operation will allow him to make other New Orleans favorites, including jambalaya, po’boys and étouffée. Rogers isn’t ready to disclose the new location or opening day yet. He does have a buyer for the food truck, though, and says he will start making the transition this month. We’ll keep you posted on this one.
Speaking of openings, Brown Sugar Bakeshop is now open in Park Hill on JFK Boulevard. Brown Sugar closed its operation on 3rd Street a few months ago to open a pop-up location at The Food Truck Stop @ Station 801. It was there for a couple of months before this recent move. The new Brown Sugar location offers a drive-thru and delivery service. The bakery is also working on a small food truck for catering and events.
And one more opening to tell you about: Core Brewing has set March 11 as the opening day for its North Little Rock taproom. The new location in Argenta will feature 12 taps as well as a limited food menu.
Healthy food truck turned brick and mortar Clean Eatery is on the move. They moved into Stratton’s Market last May for a grab and go counter along with kitchen space. They will continue to offer grab and go items from Stratton’s, however they will move the kitchen space to a bigger spot taking over the old Damgoode Pies delivery location at 10720 N Rodney Parham Rd. The new space will be primarily for cooking, although weekly meal prep pickup will be available along with future grab and go items.
Blue Canoe Brewing Company has announced it has signed on with Glidewell Distributors to start sending its beers all over the state. Soon, Blue Canoe “crowlers” will be available in Jonesboro, Hot Springs and Northwest Arkansas. You might remember Blue Canoe expanded its brewing capacity a few months ago, which allowed the brewery to make enough beer for distribution.
Cache Restaurant continues offering new options for diners. The restaurant recently started its brunch service, and this past week it released its new bar menu. The small menu is focused on Louisiana-style appetizers and shareable plates, including fried oysters, Cajun popcorn, duck confit poutine, fried alligator bites and other choices.
If you missed it, acclaimed pastry chef Zara Abbasi has joined Yellow Rocket Concepts to produce all of that group’s desserts. Abbasi was already making the outstanding chocolate cake at Heights Taco & Tamale Co., and will now take over the entire operation.
Speaking of pastries, our own Daniel Walker ate a pie every day in February from The Capital Hotel (seriously). His write-up on the treats and pastry mastermind Matthew Dunn shouldn’t be missed.
Little Rock has more than its fair share of great burgers. Here’s a list of the 10 best that you will definitely agree with completely.
Events
March 5 Putt Putt Pub Crawl benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas – The Putt Putt Pub Crawl will take place in the in the River Market on March 5th from noon until 4. Nine River Market bars will have putt putt holes in their establishments along with Dos Equis drink specials. Entry is $25 a player and includes an event t-shirt, koozy and sunglasses. Sign up here.
March 5–6 Little Rock Marathon Food Truck Meetup – More than 20 food trucks will gather at The Food Truck Stop @ Station 801 this weekend for the Little Rock Marathon. Lost Forty Brewing will also be on hand. The Food Truck Stop is at mile marker 12 on the marathon course, so you’ll be able to cheer on the runners.
March 9th Westover Wednesday – The monthly food truck gathering is back and better than ever. We will have a full roundup of trucks and vendors soon. The trucks run from 5-8pm
March 10th Tiki Night at Trio’s – Trio’s Restaurant will host Tiki night featuring craft Tiki cocktails,pupus and other island themed treats, special musical guests and prizes for most fun costumes. Cost will be $30 and will require reservations (available soon) in the Trio’s Pavilion from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
March 12 Argenta Irish Festival – The inaugural 2016 Argenta Irish Festival at Argenta Plaza at 520 Main Street at the finish of the annual St. Patricks Day parade in North Little Rock. The free festival will have a Kid Zone with arts and crafts, Food Trucks, Live Music, and a Beer Garden featuring local brews from Lost Forty Brewing, Stone’s Throw Brewing, Diamond Bear Brewing Company, Flyway Brewing, Damgoode Brews, and Bubba Brew’s Brewing Company.
March 12th ICSA St. Patrick’s Day Parade/Dugan’s Block Party – Beginning at 1 p.m., enjoy the 17th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, sponsored by the Irish Cultural Society of Arkansas. The Dugan’s block party will follow immediately afterward.
March 15th Rock City Tailgate at Gary Hogan Field – We are gathering some of Little Rock’s finest food trucks to watch the Little Rock Trojans take on the UCA Bears in baseball. Come eat some great food, then grab tickets to see the Trojans take on the Bears.
March 16th Three Brisket Dinner – We are partnering with Lost Forty with Lost Forty Brewing for a unique brisket and beer dinner. The dinner features three different styles of briskets from chefs Matt Bell, Ken Dempsey, and Scott McGehee.
April 1st 19th Annual Food & Foam Fest – Annually one of the state’s best beer festivals, this year’s Food & Foam Fest will feature samplings from 350 craft beers from Arkansas and around the country. Tickets are already on sale.
April 2nd 8th Annual B Street Rib Off – This fantastic competition will be the biggest yet, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society of Central Arkansas. Early bird registration is open until March 4th.
April 2nd Inaugural PK Grills Steak Cook-Off – The event is open to anybody with a PK Grill, steak and $89 for the entry fee. Space is limited, be sure to reserve your spot in the competition soon.
April 7–10 Fantastic Cinema and Craft Beer Festival – This festival celebrates independently made genre films and craft beer from Arkansas and beyond. The event is at Riverdale 10 Cinemas. Tickets and VIP passes are on sale here.
Specials
Yellow Rocket Concepts has several specials at its locations during the month of March
- Big Orange: The “Native” Burger (Kent Walker Leicester Cheese, Petit Jean Pepper Bacon, Cedar Rock Acres Jupiter Grape-Onion Marmalade) and Irish Apple Buttermilk Cake
- Local Lime: Fried Chicken Tacos with tomato-habanero chutney, red pepper crema and carrot-cabbage slaw
- Coming soon: Girl Scout cookie milkshakes are back at Big Orange March 8
