Ever done a food crawl? Hopefully, the last post highlighting the SoMa District inspired you to go on one. As promised, the food crawl series continues, this time featuring The Heights. Before we get too deep, let’s once again go over some ground rules.

Keys to a Great Food Crawl

• Include 2-6 people (4 is ideal). You don’t want too few people (hard to try several dishes) and you don’t want too many people (hard to organize, find seating at the restaurants, and keep the party moving).
• Park right in the middle, if possible.
• Take umbrellas (hey, you never know when a shower will pop up).
• Make sure everyone is totally on board. I hesitate to use the word “foodie” but you know what I mean. Don’t invite anyone who doesn’t truly love food and isn’t totally up for eating all night. You know there’s always that one dude who could ruin it all for everyone.
• Have a leader. Someone needs to spearhead this outing … someone who is professional and organized but isn’t so Type A that it makes what should be a super fun experience feel like a chore.
• Only invite people who respect time. Lateness is a disease and all good food crawls start on time. We all have that friend who is 30 minutes late to everything and that shit won’t fly here.
• Allow 3-5 hours total. Any less isn’t enough, any more is really overdoing things.
• Tip well, if possible. Remember, you aren’t eating a ton of food at each place, but you are taking up space, so be respectful and tip well.
• Don’t spend too much time or eat too much food at each eatery. Rookies will have a hard time with this one.
• Picky eaters can stay home.
• Saturday evening at 5 p.m. is typically a great time to start the crawl. Saturdays are great for food crawls. The restaurants aren’t super crowded earlier in the evening and you’ll find most restaurants/eateries are open at that time. Always make sure to check hours of operation when organizing a crawl.
• Bring cash. Sometimes this makes splitting the bill a bit easier.

Let’s get started on the perfect Saturday night in The Heights…

Apps and Cocktails at Baja Grill (5 p.m.)

Try to park on Kavanaugh, somewhere between Baja Grill and Heights Taco & Tamale Co. Baja Grill is a great restaurant to start things off because they have great drinks and appetizers.

Suggestions: I’d go with a Sangrita or Skinny Margarita (it’s early and saving some calories is never a bad idea) along with the Triple Dipper (queso, guacamole, and salsa). This is a perfect appetizer to split with several people. Heck, even ordering and sharing a few tacos (definitely The Cuban) is a good idea.

Tacos at Baja Grill

More Apps and Cocktails at Heights Taco & Tamale Co. (6 p.m.)

Hey, it’s a damn food crawl, who says you can’t eat multiple appetizers at multiple places? And HTT has a great bar area for small groups, perfect for stop #2.

Suggestions: After you’re finished at Baja Grill, head over to Heights Taco & Tamale Co. for a frozen mojito and an order of the Fajita Nacho Skillet. These nachos are so freaking good … chips loaded with cheese, smoky beans, and chunks of rib-eye. Not in the mood for beef? Just order the Smokey Bean Nacho Skillet. A large order of the tamales is also a must. You deserve it.

Cocktails at HTT

Salad at ZAZA (7 p.m.)

Geez, slow down a bit and work a salad into the mix.

Suggestions: We all know ZAZA makes a mean salad, and you definitely have plenty of options to choose from … but I’m really feeling the Asian Ginger Chicken for this expedition. Also, feel free to order some soup for the group. ZAZA always has one or two on Special. It’s your night, live it up. If you must, there’s even some wonderful gelato for a mid-evening dessert.

Main Course at Boulevard Bistro (8 p.m.)

By now, you’re really starting to feel the literal weight of the evening. But you haven’t even had the main course yet, so refocus, walk across the street to Boulevard, and forge ahead with your evening of eating.

Suggestions: Goodness, there are so many wonderful entrees to choose from at Boulevard. The burger and fries is a great option, but so too is the current fish offering. If your group is 4 or more people, I’d say go with both. And throw in a baked pimento cheese while you’re at it.

Frites at Boulevard

Dessert at Le Pops (8:50 p.m.)

Time to get your ass in gear because you need something sweet and Le Pops closes at 9 p.m. No worries, a light jog from Boulevard over to the popsicle-maker would probably do you some good anyways.

Suggestions: Seriously, everything is great at Le Pops. Just pick your poison and roll with it. The raspberry popsicle dipped in dark chocolate is outstanding, as is vanilla wrapped in a waffle cone and dipped in chocolate.

Not Actual Size

Congrats! You food crawled The Heights!

Stay tuned for future food crawl posts … with neighborhood suggestions all around Little Rock.