Random thoughts and ramblings on local food and drink…
I went to my first “biker bar” last week, that being Rodney’s Handlebar & Grill on the side of I-30, and I gotta tell you … it was nothing like I expected. But in a good way. Well, honestly, I was not sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised with the clean, comfortable, and inviting setting. The menu was simple, but well-executed, due in large part to the skills of Matt Clark (formerly of Waffle Wagon fame). My chicken BLT with onion rings was spot-on, as was my buddy’s fried bologna sandwich. Go check the place out … I feel quite confident you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Plus, you can tell people that you ate at a biker bar, which is good for street cred.
I took my in-laws to South on Main for the first time. Stellar service and excellent food and drinks seem to have kept me in good standing, for the time being. My Old-Fashioned still rates as the best version in town, and the same can be said for the restaurant’s double patty cheeseburger with bacon jam, which came with a side of fries and soaked salad. We love our burgers in Little Rock–as evident by the almost-rioting that breaks out when I bring it up on the blog–and South on Main’s version has quickly become a personal favorite. The melted pimento cheese and crusty exterior of the patties are what put it over the top. I rarely order a cheeseburger for dinner in such upscale settings, but this one is the exception.
It looks like Honey Pies is beginning to crank up its coffee service, which is good news because the pies and ice cream are on point. I ordered the fudge brownie and apple pies for a party and both were well received. Honey Pies is now offering $5 mini pies, which is a nice alternative, especially if you want to try out a pie without making a major commitment.
Maybe giving food tours in Little Rock is my new thing…because I really enjoy it. I was honored to give a tour to a wonderful group of folks who were the high bidders for the “Saturday Night in the Heights” silent auction item at this year’s Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance fundraiser. We visited three popular restaurants—Boulevard Bistro, ZAZA, and Heights Taco & Tamale Co.—all on foot, and had a fun time tasting some of Little Rock’s most popular dishes. The frites and baked pimento cheese at Boulevard made the cut, as did the Forager pizza at ZAZA, and the frozen mojitos and chocolate cake at HTT, just to name a few. Special thanks to all of the restaurants for donating to such a wonderful cause and to Brad and Tammy for their winning bid. Here’s to next year!
I can’t get over the amazing veggies coming out of my Fall Farmshare Basket from Rattle’s Garden. The zucchini, purple-hull peas, green beans, and peppers are all wonderful. If you are interested in participating if future programs with RG, please contact their Facebook page. I can’t recommend Tara and her produce highly enough.
Another shout out goes to Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative, a meat share program I’ve been participating in for the past year. I tag the company a lot on my FB posts, so many of you know how much I cook with their meats on a weekly basis. Go check out their website, as they’ve really streamlined the ordering process, while offering good deals on top-notch meat.
It’s easy to forget about the unassuming El Palenque tucked back off Rodney Parham, but that would be a mistake. I love the simple shrimp burrito, even for take-out, which is what we did on Sunday. A side of refried beans with the burrito is also a pro move.
