Better Food Scene: LR, Springfield, or Tulsa?

The best

Little Rock because of The Boulevard Bread family tree among others.

That being said, I don't know Springfield well.

Table 28 in Little Rock. As good as you'll find anywhere.

Little Rock by default as I haven't dined that much at the other two locations.

That is a big draw. I wouldn't want to eat anything from farms to the west or north of Tulsa. Too much O&G pollution in the soil.

Hence not much of a Farm to Table movement in Oklahoma. In NWA there's an abundance of water and good clean land to grow quality products on. Of course our soil sucks and is thin, but there's plenty of places to get manure to fertilize the plots.

quote:

---

What's your favorite spots around LR?

---

I won't be able to name them all but I like Sekisui, Vino's, Juanita's (RIP), the Box, Sonny Williams Steakhouse, Flying Fish, Cotham's (the original out in Scott a bit better), Big Orange, Chuy's (in NWA too), Mexico Chiquito (all locations), Loca Luna, Whole Hog Cafe, Crazy Hibachi, Sakura (my NLR favorite), Oyster Bar, Lazy Pete's, Town Pump, Faded Rose, Bonefish Grill, La Hacienda (all locations), Shogun's, Buffalo Grill.

quote:

---

I have to decide which market to enter next.

---

Well the restaurant business is brutal, kind of like the night club business. You can have a restaurant that is on fire and the next thing you know it is closing. I was just thinking of some of my favorite LR area restaurants over the years that are long since gone and it's a long list for sure. I was trying to remember that expensive one out Rodney Parham almost to Pleasant Valley but can't think of it now. They'd serve caviar and that kind of thing.

I don't know much about Tulsa other than it's big. I get some Western clothing there from time to time. I would tend to think Springfield might be your best market. Little Rock is probably too competitive but like anything if you get the right kind of restaurant that does it better than everyone else or is somewhat unique you may be able to make a go of it.

Edit: that nice place I was trying to think of was Alouette's, long since closed.

quote:

---

What's your favorite spots around LR?

---

I go into all the locations of Boulevard Bread several times a week, depending on where I am at the moment. That porchetta sandwich is something great. Good coffee/breakfasts/cookies, too. Their Heights location is offering dinner now, and it's great.

Breaking it into different categories, though, I think that I might break it up into area:

DOWNTOWN: 3 Fold Dumplings has been a new favorite, that pork bun is money. Iriana's has a great pizza, probably my favorite in town. Vino's has me on lockdown for their margharita pizza and the calzone, but Iriana's is where I'd go for a good pizza. The Capital Hotel Bar and Grill is my favorite burger in town. Good place to go if you want to impress and/or see a legislator embarrass themselves.

RIVERDALE: La Hacienda's menu is what I grew up with in Hot Springs, so it's a favorite. That Whole Hog is good in a pinch. Maddies is good but has had some real issues with front of the house management the last few times I've been there. Faded Rose is a good eat, but they serve Pepsi and I have a hard time trusting any place that has Pepsi. Also, I've had a run of bad cuts of meat there the past few times, but I'm just chalking that up to bad luck on my part. Chi's is where I'll go for Chinese, but they have some sort of weird dynamic where a new person waits on the whole restaurant while another guy sleeps, watches videos on his phone, or stands around.

HEIGHTS/HILLCREST/CANTRELL EAST OF MISSISSIPPI - Casa Manana is a favorite, but they just changed their menu up a little and it's kinda disappointing. Boulevard is a favorite, there. I feel like Hillcrest proper doesn't really do much for me.

SOUTH OF 630 OR EAST OF 30: Sims is awesome. Love it. Taqueria Karina on 65th street is also awesome. Mike's on Asher is a great place to get a bowl of pho. I feel like I trust anyone who has eaten at Sandy's Homeplace before.

WEST OF MISSISSIPPI AVE: Haha, like I go West of Mississippi.

Also, a note about Subway:

If you're just looking for something to pick up in the evening, the Subway by UAMS is it. Are you wanting to rub elbows with the elected and the media? The Subway in the Victory building by the capitol is where you want to go. Late night? The Subway on Fair Park and Markham is it. Anywhere else and you're on your own.

I'm in media and marketing. Competitive restaurant atmosphere is to my advantage, the more unique and locally owned is to my advantage as well.

LR has a really good thing going, I hope to see it continue.