Little Rock is loaded with delicious shrimp and grits options. Heck, it’s practically one of our city’s signature dishes. I figured a nice list highlighting all of the great options from around town, where to find them, and a little description of each, was a good idea.
Maddie’s Place
1615 Rebsamen Park Road
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 660-4040
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
From the menu: Shrimp and Smoked Cheddar Grits with Andouille Sausage Reduction or bbq Shrimp with Roasted garlic grits and blue cheese crumbles (Half $15.75, Full $21.50)
Availability: Lunch and dinner service
Says Chef Brian Deloney: “Ours has been on the menu since opening and feel we have the best! Sauteed gulf shrimp with an andouille sausage infused shrimp stock finished with butter served with smoked cheddar cheese grits and green onions to garnish. Definitely our best seller. Also available in half portion.”
Trio’s Restaurant
8201 Cantrell Road, Suite 100
Little Rock, AR 72227
(501) 221-3330
Hours: Lunch, Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dinner, Monday-Saturday 5:30 p.m.-close; Sunday Brunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
From the menu: Large Gulf shrimp, Andouille sausage, garlic, green onion, herbs and spices simmered in a classic roux, served over cheese grits and accompanied by garlic bread ($12.50)
Availability: Sunday brunch only
Says Chef Capi Peck: “We offer our Shrimp & Grits for Sunday brunch. Our version includes Gulf shrimp and sliced andouille sausage simmered in a light brown roux with the classic Cajun herbs and spices. We serve it with smoked Gouda grits!”
Mo’ Betta Gumbo
16925 I-30
Benton, AR 72015
(501) 315-2431
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
From the menu: Famous Asiago Shrimp & Grits, Brace Yourself ($12.99)
Availability: Lunch and dinner service
From Owner Debra Murray: “Homemade slow cooked creamy grits with just the right amount of butter, heavy cream and Asiago cheese then perfectly topped with sauteed Cajun shrimp sauteed in our own unique house spiced butter. So dangerously good we were forced to use the following disclaimer….If some grits get on your forehead, your tongue might beat your brains out trying to get to them!”
Afterthought Bistro
2721 Kavanaugh Blvd
Little Rock, AR 72205
(5010 663-1196
Hours: Lunch, Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner, Monday-Friday 4:30 p.m.-2 a.m.; Brunch, Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
From the menu: chipotle and gorgonzola grits (Dinner-$16, Brunch $17)
Availability: Dinner and brunch service
Table 28
1501 Merrill Drive
Little Rock, AR 72212
(501) 224-2828
Hours: Monday-Thursday 4-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 4-10 p.m.
From the menu: Creamy Gulf shrimp with bacon grits ($12-small plate)
Availability: Dinner service
From Chef Scott Rains: “My spin on shrimp and grits is “smoke and fire!”
Red Door
3701 Old Cantrell Road
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 666-8482
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner, Sunday-Thursday 5-9 p.m., Friday-Satruday 5-10 p.m.; Saturday Brunch 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
From the menu: Jumbo Shrimp BBQ’d and Served with War Eagle, Arkansas Stone Ground Cheesy Grits (Small $12.95, Large $18.95)
Availability: Lunch, dinner, and Saturday brunch
From Chef Mark Abernathy: “What’s not to like….. plump jumbo gulf shrimp sauteed in spicy housemade BBQ sauce with slices of Andouille sausage poured over War Eagle stone ground Cheese Grits. A big seller for us for over eight years. We offer it breakfast, lunch and dinner at Red Door.”
The Faded Rose
1619 Rebsamen Park Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72202
501-663-9734
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.– 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
From the menu: Our creole version of a southern classic. Nine extra large wild caught gulf shrimp in a spicy Andouille cream sauce served over creamy grits cakes. Served with a side of remoulade slaw. (Lunch portion $10.75, Dinner portion $18.50)
Availability: Lunch and dinner service
From Owner Zac David: “To my knowledge we are the only place in town that is doing shrimp and grits with fried grit cakes. We use large gulf white shrimp cooked in a spicy Tasso cream sauce. I really think what makes the dish so great are the differences in contrast between the crisp fried grit cakes, the firm but tender shrimp, and the creamy sauce.”
Lazy Pete’s
200 N. Bowman Road, Suite 9
Little Rock, AR 72211
(501) 907-6453
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 pm.
Availability: Lunch and dinner service
From the restaurant: “I would say that what makes our shrimp and grits special is quality ingredients and attention to detail. We don’t add anything fancy, but we give just as much care to the grits themselves as the shrimp.”
One Eleven at the Capital
111 W. Markham St
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 370-7011
Hours for Brunch: Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
From the menu: Gulf shrimp and War Eagle Mills Grits with Andouille sausage ($15)
Availability: Sunday brunch
The Southern Gourmasian
219 West Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501)313-5645
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
From the menu: Korean chile shrimp, miso grits, bacon sorghum vinaigrette ($9)
Availability: Lunch, dinner, and brunch (and at the food truck)
From Chef Justin Patterson: “Shrimp & Grits was one of our first menu items and has gone through several variations since the beginning. Now we do War Eagle Mill Grits cooked with cream and miso. We toss our shrimp in roasted rice powder and Korean chile powder and top it off with a bacon sorghum vinaigrette.”
