What Food is Arkansas Known For and Where Can You Find the Best in Little Rock?
Arkansas is well celebrated for its natural beauty, and rightfully so. But far too often, outsiders overlook Arkansas's fantastic culinary traditions. Arkansas' cuisine is a bit of a melting pot, as it draws inspiration from Southern cooking, Delta delicacies, and completely homegrown recipes. Comfort food reigns supreme and typically relies on regional ingredients like freshwater fish and locally milled cornmeal.
But what dishes truly define the Arkansas palate? If you've ever wondered what food is Arkansas known for? Our team here at Fairfield Little Rock share their thoughts and favorite local restaurants.
Cheese Dip
Generally, the people of Texas and Arkansas get along just fine. But if College Football or Cheese Dip is brought up, pleasantries quickly fade. What Texans call "Queso" is called "Cheese Dip" in Arkansas, and both sides are quite adamant that it was invented in their state.
State rivalries aside, Arkansas-style Cheese Dip is known for its smooth, creamy flavor, and often starts with a base of American cheese or Roux. It is generally seasoned with paprika, cumin, and chopped green chiles. The appetizer is wildly popular and can be found everywhere from gas stations to high-end restaurants, each presenting their own unique spin on the dish.
There are plenty of places to enjoy Cheese Dip across Little Rock, but we think two restaurants are of particular note: Heights Taco and Tamale is a local favorite, well known for its Cheese Dip. Waiters will proudly proclaim that their Cheese Dip has beaten Texas Queso in multiple blind taste tests. Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro is a downtown staple that has some of the best Cheese Dip in town. Their Cheese Dip has won awards at several World Cheese Dip Championships.
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Arkansas Style Barbecue
Arkansas is in the middle of Barbecue's golden triangle: Tennessee tanginess, Kansas City's rich sauces, and Texas' smokey meat. As such, Arkansas Barbecue draws inspiration from all three states and serves up a bold Barbecue style found nowhere else.
Arkansas likes to follow the “low and slow" method of smoking meats, and heavily relies on locally sourced timber, specifically hickory and oak. Pulled pork and chopped brisket tend to be the showcase of most BBQ joints. A distinct local favorite is a BBQ sandwich topped with coleslaw.
It could take a lifetime to visit all the great BBQ joints in Little Rock, but in our humble opinion, these are the best two spots: Wright's Barbecue opened only 10 years ago but has quickly taken Little Rock by storm. The restaurant is well known for having the best cuts of meat. Corky's Ribs & BBQ is the best spot for Tennessee-tangy BBQ. The ribs are a popular dish, and the meat falls off the bone.
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Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits
Biscuits and Gravy are a well-known southern comfort food. But Arkansas thought, “What if we did chocolate instead?” Meet Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits, a regional delicacy found throughout Arkansas. The chocolate sauce is not a generic syrup out of a squeeze bottle, but rather a handcrafted sauce with a delightfully smooth texture. Generally, Chocolate Gravy is made by whisking flour, cocoa, sugar, and milk until it thickens into a rich fudge-like sauce. This sauce is warmed and generously poured over buttermilk biscuits. It's commonly served as a breakfast or a dessert dish and defines Arkansas comfort food.
Generally, Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits are prepared at home with carefully protected family recipes, but a few restaurants serve this Arkansas classic:
The Corner has a rotating menu but often features a unique spin on Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits, like the Christmas-time Peppermint Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits.
Two Sisters is a café and bakery, well known for their Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits.
Possum Pie
Possum Pie is arguably the most famous dish in Arkansas. It is a signature dessert pie, built with a crumbly pecan shortbread crust that holds secret layers of tangy cream cheese and chocolate pudding, topped with a generous amount of whipped cream garnished with a sprinkle of nuts. It is a delicious combination of crunch, creaminess, and chocolate.
For the best Possum Pie in Little Rock, we recommend Blue Cake and Community Bakery.
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Fried Catfish & Hushpuppies
With its abundance of fresh water, it's no surprise that Fried Catfish is a specialty in Arkansas. To prepare it Arkansas style, the catfish is well seasoned in locally sourced cornmeal batter and then deep-fried. This classic feature is incomplete without a side of hush puppies. Fried Catfish and Hush Puppies can be found throughout Little Rock, but we'd like to recommend two restaurants in particular:
Lazy Pete's is a casual eatery offering baskets of catfish and hush puppies. The portions are generous, and the recipes are authentically Southern.
Eat My Catfish originally opened as a food trailer in 2008, but their catfish is so delicious that they now boast several locations across Little Rock.
Enjoy the Best Arkansas Food in Little Rock and Move into the Fairfield Apartments
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