Readers Choice 2017 results
Soup to nuts, restaurant-wise.
The Arkansas Times has been publishing its readers' choices for the state's best restaurants longer than most of the staff has been alive. That means our writers have been raised on our readers' recommendations: For 36 years, you've put your votes where your mouths are and we have dutifully reported the results.
Our exhaustive questionnaire — with its 45 categories — came up with The Pantry Eatery as Little Rock's "overall" winner and The Hive in Bentonville as the state winner. Both have gotten plenty of ink in the Arkansas Times, so we turned our feature writers loose on a couple of winners in the "new" category: Honey Pies in Little Rock and The Preacher's Son in Bentonville. DeLuca's Pizzeria in Hot Springs won that city's best restaurant award; we got the fascinating story of how proprietor Anthony Valinoti went from Wall Street to the Spa City's Park Avenue.
Because hamburgers are king, we pulled one up from the food truck Excaliburger, which some folks find magical. With our sticky fingers on the pulse of what's trendy in the world of chow, we also offer this year a review of ticketed dinners.
Overall
Little Rock
Winner: The Pantry Eatery
Finalists: @ the Corner, Boulevard Bistro, The Root Cafe, South on Main
Around the state
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: 28 Springs (Siloam Springs), Mike's Place (Conway), Rolando's Restaurante (Hot Springs), Tamale Factory (Gregory)
New
Little Rock
Winner: Honey Pies
Finalists: Eat My Catfish, La Madeleine French Bakery and Cafe, Soul Fish Cafe, Skye's Little Bistro
Around the state
Winner: The Preacher's Son (Bentonville)
Finalists: Bocca Italian eatery & pizzeria (Fayetteville), Butcher and Pint (Bentonville), Foxhole Public House (Bentonville), Mockingbird Kitchen (Fayetteville).
Chef
Little Rock
Winner: Chris McMillan (Boulevard Bistro)
Finalists: Matthew Bell (South on Main), Peter Brave (Brave New Restaurant), Jeffrey Owen (Ciao Baci), Scott McGehee (Big Orange, Heights Taco & Tamale Co., Local Lime, Lost Forty, ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.)
Around the state
Winner: Matthew McClure (The Hive)
Finalists: Matthew Cooper (The Preacher's Son), Tyler Hensley (Postmasters Grill, Camden), Rob Nelson (Tusk & Trotter, Bentonville)
Bakery
Little Rock
Winner: Community Bakery
Finalists: Boulevard Bread Co., Dempsey Bakery, Honey Pies, Mylo Coffee Co.
Around the state
Winner: Rick's Bakery (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Little Bread Co. (Fayetteville), Serenity Farm Bread (Leslie), PattiCakes Bakery (Conway), SugarDumplin's Cupcakes (Bryant)
Barbecue
Little Rock
Winner: Whole Hog Cafe
Finalists: Corky's BBQ, HB's Bar-B-Q, Lost Forty Brewing, Sims Bar-B-Que
Around the state
Winner: McClard's Bar-B-Q Restaurant (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Craig's Bar-B-Q (DeValls Bluff), Fat Daddy's Bar-B-Que (Conway), Mean Pig BBQ (Cabot), Whole Hog Cafe (Conway)
Barista
Little Rock
Winner: Kara Bibb (Boulevard Bread Co.)
Finalists: Jeremy Bragg (River City Coffee), Helen Grace King (@ the Corner), Brice Ward (Mylo Coffee Co.)
Around the state
Winner: Caleb Erwin (Blue Sail Coffee, Conway)
Finalists: Greta Allendorf (Arsaga's, Fayetteville), Max May (Puritan Coffee & Beer, Fayetteville)
Brunch
Little Rock
Winner: The Root Cafe
Finalists: @ the Corner, Boulevard Bistro, Lost Forty Brewing, Red Door
Around the state
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Oven & Tap (Bentonville), Pressroom (Bentonville), Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville)
Buffet
Little Rock
Winner: Star of India Restaurant
Finalists: Franke's Cafeteria, Larry's Pizza, Taj Mahal, Tokyo House
Around the state
Winner: Dondie's White River Princess (Des Arc)
Finalists: Abe's Ole Feed House (Benton), Brown's Country Store & Restaurant (Benton), Bryce's Cafeteria (Texarkana), Hibachi Sushi Buffet (Hot Springs)
Burger
Little Rock
Winner: Big Orange
Finalists: Buffalo Grill, Excaliburger, David's Burgers, The Root Cafe
Around the state
Winner: Hugo's (Fayetteville)
Finalists: David's Burgers (Conway), CJ's Butcher Boy Burgers (Russellville), Cotham's Mercantile (Scott), Mike's Place (Conway)
Business lunch
Little Rock
Winner: Capital Bar & Grill
Finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Cache Restaurant, Copper Grill, Samantha's Tap Room & Wood Grill
Around the state
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Mike's Place (Conway), Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (Bentonville), Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville)
Butcher
Little Rock
Winner: Edwards Food Giant
Finalists: Fresh Market, Hogg's Meat Market, Kroger, Terry's Finer Foods (closed)
Around the state
Winner: Richard's Meat Market (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Butcher and Pint (Bentonville), Paul's Meat Market (Fort Smith), Weldon's Meat Market (Hot Springs)
Catfish
Little Rock
Winner: Eat My Catfish
Finalists: Burge's, Doe's Eat Place, Flying Fish, Lassis Inn
Around the state
Winner: Eat My Catfish (Benton)
Finalists: Cafe Rue Orleans (Fayetteville), The Catfish Hole (Fayetteville), Flying Fish (Bentonville), Mr. Whiskers (Hot Springs)
Chinese
Little Rock
Winner: Fantastic China
Finalists: Chi's Chinese Cuisine, Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cooking, Fu Lin Chinese Restaurant, Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co.
Around the state
Winner: Fu Lin Chinese Restaurant (Conway)
Finalists: Jade China Restaurant (Conway), Hunan Manor Restaurant (Fayetteville), Madame Wu's Hunan Restaurant (Russellville), Wok Express (Hot Springs)
Coffee
Little Rock
Winner: Mylo Coffee Co.
Finalists: Boulevard Bread Co., Community Bakery, Honey Pies, River City Coffee
Around the state
Winner: Onyx Coffee Lab (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Arsaga's Fayetteville Coffee Roasters, Blue Sail Coffee (Conway), Jitterbug Coffeehouse (Heber Springs), Mud Street Cafe (Eureka Springs)
Deli/gourmet to go
Little Rock
Winner: Boulevard Bread Co.
Finalists: @the Corner, Community Bakery, Market at Capers, Jason's Deli
Desserts
Little Rock
Winner: Honey Pies
Finalists: @ the Corner, Community Bakery, Loblolly Creamery, Trio's Restaurant
Around the state
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville),
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Charlotte's Eats & Sweets (Keo), Rolando's Restaurante (Hot Springs), SugarDumplin's Cupcakes (Bryant)
Dog friendly
Little Rock
Winner: U.S. Pizza Hillcrest
Finalists: The Fold: Botanas and Bar, The Root Cafe, Stone's Throw Brewery
Around the state
Winner: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Apple Blossom Brewery (Fayetteville), Crepes Paulette (Bentonville), Oven & Tap (Bentonville), Rolando's Restaurante (Hot Springs)
Food truck
Little Rock
Winner: Excaliburger
Finalists: Hot Rod Weiners, Katmandu MoMo, Loblolly Creamery, Southern Salt Food Co.
Around the state
Winner: Crepes Paulette (Bentonville)
Finalists: Big Sexy Food (Fayetteville), Nomad's Natural Plate (Fayetteville), Slader's Alaskan Dumpling Co. (Searcy), Truckin' Delicious (Fort Smith)
French fries
Little Rock
Winner: Big Orange
Finalists: @ the Corner, Arkansas Burger Co., Boulevard Bistro, David's Burgers
Around the state
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: David's Burgers (Conway), Hugo's (Fayetteville), Mike's Place (Conway), Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville)
Fried chicken
Little Rock
Winner: Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
Finalists: Bobby's Country Cooking, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Slim Chickens, South on Main
Around the state
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: A.Q. Chicken House (Fayetteville), Frickin' Chicken (Fayetteville), Holly's Country Cooking (Conway), Monte Ne Inn (Rogers)
Fun
Little Rock
Winner: Dave and Buster's
Finalists: Big Orange, Ciao Baci, The Fold: Botanas and Bar, La Terraza Rum & Lounge
Around the state
Winner: Silks Bar and Grill at Oaklawn (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs), The Hive (Bentonville), Mike's Place (Conway)
Gluten-free
Little Rock
Winner: Dempsey Bakery
Finalists: Baja Grill, Big Orange, Cafe Bossa Nova, The Root Cafe
Around the state
Winner: The Preacher's Son (Bentonville)
Finalists: Crepes Paulette (Bentonville), Rolando's Restaurante (Hot Springs), Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (Bentonville), ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. (Conway)
Healthy
Little Rock
Winner: The Root Cafe
Finalists: @ the Corner, Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe, Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co., ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.
Home cookin'
Little Rock
Winner: Homer's Restaurant
Finalists: Bobby's Country Cookin', Dixie Cafe, Franke's Cafeteria, Kitchen Express
Around the state
Winner: Holly's Country Cooking (Conway)
Finalists: Calico County (Fort Smith), Miss Anna's On Towson (Fort Smith), Monte Ne Inn (Rogers), Williams Soul Food Express (Bentonville)
Ice cream/cool treats
Little Rock
Winner: Loblolly Creamery
Finalists: Honey Pies, Le Pops Gourmet Ice Lollies, Red Mango, Shake's Frozen Custard
Indian
Little Rock
Winner: Star of India Restaurant
Finalists: 4square Cafe and Gifts, Banana Leaf, Taj Mahal
Around the state
Winner: Desi Den Indian Restaurant (Bryant)
Finalists: Flavors Indian Cuisine (Bentonville), India Orchard (Bentonville), Khana Indian Grill (Fayetteville), The New Delhi Cafe (Eureka Springs), Taste of India (Hot Springs)
Italian
Little Rock
Winner: Bruno's Little Italy
Finalists: Cafe Prego, Ciao Italian Restaurant, Ristorante Capeo, Vesuvio Bistro
Around the state
Winner: Bocca Italian eatery & pizzeria (Fayetteville)
Finalists: DeLuca's Pizzeria (Hot Springs), Ermilio's (Eureka Springs), Pasta Grill (Conway), Tavola Trattoria (Bentonville)
Japanese
Little Rock
Winner: Kemuri
Finalists: Igibon Japanese Food House, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, Mt. Fuji Japanese Restaurant, Sushi Cafe
Around the state
Winner: Crazy Samurai (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Blu Fin Sushi Bar and Grill (Springdale), Meiji Japanese Cuisine (Fayetteville), Sushi House (Bentonville), Umami Sushi Lounge and Grill Fusion (Conway)
Mexican
Little Rock
Winner: La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
Finalists: The Fold: Botanas and Bar, Heights Taco & Tamale Co., Local Lime, Senor Tequila
Around the state
Winner: Taco Mama (Hot Springs)
Finalists: El Acapulco (Conway), La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant (Hot Springs), San Miguel Mexican Grill (Fayetteville), Table Mesa (Bentonville)
Other ethnic
Little Rock
Winner: Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe
Finalists: Cafe Bossa Nova, kBird, Layla's Gyros and Pizzeria, La Terraza Rum & Lounge
Around the state
Winner: Rolando's Restaurante (Hot Springs)
Finalists: A Taste of Thai (Fayetteville), Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (Bentonville), Steinhaus Keller (Hot Springs), Wiederkehr's Weinkeller Restaurant (Altus)
Outdoor dining
Little Rock
Winner: U.S. Pizza Hillcrest
Finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Ciao Baci, La Terraza Rum & Lounge, The Root Cafe
Pie
Little Rock
Winner: Honey Pies
Finalists: @ the Corner, Alley Oops, Bobby's Country Cookin', Community Bakery
Pizza
Little Rock
Winner: Damgoode Pies
Finalists: Pizza Cafe, Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom, U.S. Pizza, Vino's, ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.
Around the state
Winner: DeLuca's Pizzeria (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Oven & Tap (Bentonville), The Rail (Rogers), Rod's Pizza Cellar (Hot Springs), Tommy's Famous (Mountain View)
Place for kids
Little Rock
Winner: Purple Cow Restaurant
Finalists: All Aboard Restaurant and Grill, Chuck E. Cheese's, Dave and Buster's, Larry's Pizza
Sandwich
Little Rock
Winner: Boulevard Bread Co.
Finalists: @ the Corner, Community Bakery, Jimmy's Serious Sandwiches, The Root Cafe
Around the state
Winner: Hammontree's Grilled Cheese (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Craig's Bar-B-Q (DeValls Bluff), Green Submarine (Fayetteville), Hugo's (Fayetteville), Natural State Sandwiches (Fayetteville)
Seafood
Little Rock
Winner: Flying Fish
Finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Cajun's Wharf, Eat My Catfish, Oceans at Arthur's
Around the state
Winner: Eat My Catfish (Bryant)
Finalists: Cafe Rue Orleans (Fayetteville), Dondie's White River Princess (Des Arc), Flying Fish (Bentonville), Mike's Place (Conway)
Steak
Little Rock
Winner: Arthur's Prime Steakhouse
Finalists: Doe's Eat Place, Sonny Williams' Steak Room, The Butcher Shop, The Faded Rose
Around the state
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: Herman's Rib House (Fayetteville), Mike's Place (Conway), Postmasters Grill (Camden), Tamale Factory (Gregory)
Vegetarian/vegan
Little Rock
Winner: The Root Cafe
Finalists: Cafe Bossa Nova, kBird, Star of India Restaurant, Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co.
Around the state
Winner: Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Cafe 1217 (Hot Springs), Farmer's Table (Fayetteville), Local Flavor Cafe (Eureka Springs), Thai Kitchen (Fayetteville)
Wine list
Little Rock
Winner: SO Restaurant-Bar
Finalists: Arthur's Prime Steakhouse, By the Glass, Copper Grill, Samantha's Tap Room & Wood Grill
Around the state
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: 28 Springs (Siloam Springs), Bordinos (Fayetteville), Central Park Fusion Cuisine (Hot Springs), The Preacher's Son (Bentonville)
Yogurt/smoothies
Little Rock
Winner: Red Mango
Finalists: I Love Juice Bar, Tropical Smoothie, Yogurt Mountain
Best restaurants in areas around the state:
Benton/Bryant
Winner: Eat My Catfish
Finalists: Brown's Country Kitchen, Desi Den Indian Restaurant, La Hacienda, Pasta Jack's
Conway
Winner: Tacos 4 Life
Finalists: Eat My Catfish, Mike's Place, Pasta Grill, Umami Sushi Lounge & Grill Fusion, ZAZA'S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.
Fayetteville/Springdale/Johnson
Winner: Hugo's (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Bocca Italian Eatery (Fayetteville), Bordinos (Fayetteville), Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville)
Hot Springs
Winner: DeLuca's Pizzeria
Finalists: Bleu Monkey, Cafe 1217, Cajun Boilers, Rolando's Restaurante
Rogers/Bentonville
Winner: The Hive (Bentonville),
Finalists: Oven & Tap (Bentonville), Pressroom (Bentonville), Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (Bentonville), Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville)
Readers Choice 2017 results
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