Voters talk with food in mouths.
Foodies, rejoice: The Arkansas Times, for the 34th year, brings news of where to eat what when you want a great meal. Readers all over the state weigh in on remarkable restaurants (Big Orange is our Overall winner this year), delicious dishes (like the catfish at Flying Fish) and wonderful wait staff (the prize goes to Brad Knighten of Big Orange).
Speaking of Big Orange (and speaking and speaking), Amber Brewer, the creative director of the restaurant group Yellow Rocket Concepts that owns the Oranges west and midtown, ZAZA (Best Pizza) and Local Lime (Best Mexican), talks about the creative development of the group's forthcoming Heights Taco & Tamale Co. Also: You'll see how dumplings are made at downtown newcomer Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co., take a trip to the White River, where Dondie's serves up finned delights on the water; learn about Fayetteville's locavore and locaphile restaurant the Farmer's Table, and for dessert, read a poetic dissertation on the time-tested Arlington Hotel Brunch. Tuck your napkin under your chin and read on.
Overall
Little Rock: Big Orange
Finalists: Brave New Restaurant, The Pantry, The Root Cafe, South on Main
Around the state: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant), James at the Mill (Johnson), Mike's Place (Conway), Postmasters Grill (Camden)
New
Little Rock: Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co.
Finalists: Baja Grill, Kemuri, Pantry Crest
Around the state: The Farmer's Table (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant), Delta Q (Forrest City), Wood Stone Craft Pizza (Fayetteville)
Chef
Little Rock: Scott McGehee (Big Orange, Local Lime, Lost Forty, ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.)
Finalists: Matthew Bell (South on Main), Peter Brave (Brave New Restaurant), Donnie Ferneau (Good Food By Ferneau), Alexis Jones (Natchez Restaurant)
Around the state: Matthew McClure (The Hive)
Finalists: Tyler Hensley (Postmasters Grill, Camden), Miles James (James at the Mill, Johnson), Patrick Lane (Arsaga's at the Depot, Fayetteville), Rob Nelson (Tusk & Trotter, Bentonville)
Server
Little Rock: Brad Knighten (Big Orange)
Finalists: Kelly Lambert (The Pantry), Scott Robertson (Boulevard Bistro & Bar), Joann Sims (Cache Restaurant), Sheri Smith (South on Main)
Around the state: None
Bakery
Little Rock: Community Bakery
Finalists: Boulevard Bread Co., Rosalia's Family Bakery, Silvek's European Bakery, Sweet Love
Around the state: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant)
Finalists: Ambrosia Bakery Co. (Hot Springs), Apple Blossom Brewing Co. (Fayetteville), Serenity Farm Bread (Leslie), Sugarbelles Cupcakes (Ward)
Barbecue
Little Rock: Whole Hog Cafe
Finalists: Chip's Barbecue, Corky's BBQ, HB's Bar-B-Q, Sims Bar-B-Que
Around the state: McClard's Bar-B-Q Restaurant (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Craig's Bar-B-Q (DeValls Bluff), Delta Q (Forrest City), Jones' Bar-B-Q Diner (Marianna), Whole Hog Cafe (Conway)
Breakfast
Little Rock: The Root Cafe
Finalists: Delicious Temptations, Mugs Cafe, Mylo Coffee Co., Red Door Restaurant
Around the state: Mud Street Cafe (Eureka Springs)
Finalists: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant), Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), The Hive (Bentonville), Stoby's Restaurant (Conway)
Brunch
Little Rock: The Root Cafe
Finalists: Loca Luna, Red Door Restaurant, Trio's Restaurant, YaYa's Euro Bistro
Around the state: Arlington Hotel Venetian Dining Room (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Emelia's Kitchen (Fayetteville), The Hive (Bentonville), Stoby's Restaurant (Conway)
Buffet
Little Rock: Larry's Pizza
Finalists: Franke's Cafeteria, Star of India Restaurant, Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine, Tokyo House
Around the state: Brown's Country Store & Restaurant (Benton)
Finalists: Dondie's White River Princess (Des Arc), India Orchard (Bentonville), Kelley's Restaurant (Wynne), The Skillet Restaurant (Mountain View)
Burger
Little Rock: Big Orange
Finalists: Buffalo Grill, David's Burgers, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, The Root Cafe
Around the state: David's Burgers (Conway)
Finalists: CJ's Butcher Boy Burgers (Russellville), Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville), The Hive (Bentonville), Postmasters Grill (Camden)
Business lunch
Little Rock: Capital Bar & Grill
Finalists: Brave New Restaurant, Cache Restaurant, Copper Grill, One Eleven at the Capital
Around the state: Mike's Place (Conway)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Belle Arti Italian Ristorante (Hot Springs), The Hive (Bentonville), Fayrays (El Dorado)
Butcher
Little Rock: Hillcrest Artisan Meats
Finalists: Butcher & Public, Edwards Food Giant, Hogg's Meat Market
Catfish
Little Rock: Flying Fish
Finalists: Burge's, Cock of the Walk, Faded Rose, Lassis Inn
Around the state: Catfish Hole (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Dondie's White River Princess (Des Arc), Eat My Catfish (Benton), Flying Fish (Bentonville), Woods Place (Camden)
Chinese
Little Rock: 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: Hunan Manor (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Jade China Restaurant (Conway), Madame Wu's Hunan Restaurant (Russellville), Oriental Gardens Restaurant (El Dorado), Wok Express (Hot Springs)
Coffee
Little Rock: Mylo Coffee Co.
Finalists: Boulevard Bread Co., Community Bakery, Mugs Cafe, River City Coffee
Around the state: Arsaga's Cafe (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Blue Sail Coffee (Conway), Jitterbug Coffeehouse (Heber Springs), Onyx Coffee Lab (Fayetteville), Perfect Cup (Camden)
Deli/gourmet to go
Little Rock: Hillcrest Artisan Meats
Finalists: Boulevard Bread Co., Bray Gourmet, Good Food by Ferneau, Jason's Deli
Around the state: Cafe 1217 (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe (Bryant), Bentonville Butcher & Deli, Cabot Cafe and Cake Corner, The Green Submarine Espresso Cafe & Sub-Shop (Fayetteville)
Desserts
Little Rock: The Pie Hole
Finalists: Community Bakery, LePops Gourmet Ice Lollies, South on Main, Trio's Restaurant
Around the state: Charlotte's Eats & Sweets (Keo)
Finalists: The Bulldog Restaurant (Bald Knob), Cocoa Rouge (Bryant), Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), The Hive (Bentonville)
Food truck
Little Rock: Southern Gourmasian
Finalists: Katmandu MoMo, The Pie Hole, Southern Salt Food Co., Waffle Wagon
Around the state: Crepes Paulette (Bentonville)
Finalists: Hammontree's Grillenium Falcon (Fayetteville), Natural State Sandwiches (Fayetteville), Nomad's Natural Plate (Fayetteville)
Fried chicken
Little Rock: Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
Finalists: Popeyes, Slim Chickens, South on Main, Stickyz Rock 'n' Roll Chicken Shack
Around the state: A.Q. Chicken House (Fayetteville)
Finalists: The Hive (Bentonville), Holly's Country Cookin' (Conway), Monte Ne Inn (Rogers)
Fun
Little Rock: Big Orange
Finalists: The Fold, Local Lime, South on Main, Stickyz Rock 'n' Roll Chicken Shack
Around the state: Mike's Place (Conway)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Central Park Fusion Cuisine (Hot Springs), Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs), The Hive (Bentonville)
Gluten-free
Little Rock: Dempsey Bakery
Finalists: Baja Grill, Big Orange, Izzy's, Local Lime
Around the state: ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. (Conway)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville), Rolando's Restaurant (Hot Springs), Serenity Farms Bakery (Leslie)
Home cookin'
Little Rock: Homer's Restaurant
Finalists: Bobby's Country Cookin', David Family Kitchen, Kitchen Express, Sweet Soul
Around the state: Holly's Country Cooking (Conway)
Finalists: Anne's Country Cafe (Pine Bluff), Calico County (Fort Smith), Mama Max's Diner (Prescott), Monte Ne Inn (Rogers)
Ice cream/cool treats
Little Rock: Loblolly Creamery
Finalists: LePops Gourmet Ice Lollies, Red Mango, Yogurt Mountain
Indian
Little Rock: Star of India Restaurant
Finalists: 4square Cafe and Gifts, Banana Leaf, Taj Mahal
Around the state: The New Delhi Cafe (Eureka Springs)
Finalists: Desi Den Indian Restaurant (Bryant), India Orchard (Bentonville), R&R's Curry Express (Fort Smith)
Italian
Little Rock: Bruno's Little Italy
Finalists: Ciao, Graffiti's, Ristorante Capeo, Vesuvio Bistro
Around the state: Pasta Grill (Conway)
Finalists: Bordinos (Fayetteville), DeVito's Restaurant (Eureka Springs), Ermilio's Italian Home Cooking (Eureka), Pesto Cafe (Fayetteville)
Japanese
Little Rock: Sushi Cafe
Finalists: Hanaroo Sushi Bar, Igibon Japanese Food House, Kemuri, Mt. Fuji Japanese Restaurant
Around the state: Meiji Japanese Cuisine (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Crazy Samurai (Hot Springs), Fuji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar (Searcy), Kimono Japanese Steak House (Paragould), Umami Sushi Lounge and Grill Fusion (Conway)
Mexican
Little Rock: Local Lime
Finalists: Baja Grill, Cantina Laredo, Casa Manana, La Hacienda
Around the state: Taco Mama (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Burrito Loco (Fayetteville), El Acapulco (Conway), Table Mesa (Bentonville), Vina Morita Restaurant and Wine Bar (Hot Springs)
Other ethnic
Little Rock: Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe
Finalists: Cafe Bossa Nova, kBird, Layla's Gyros and Pizzeria, The Pantry
Around the state: Rolando's (Hot Springs)
Finalists: A Taste of Thai (Fayetteville), Layla's Gyros and Pizzeria (Conway), Salathai (Fayetteville), Wiederkehr Weinkeller Restaurant (Altus)
Pizza
Little Rock: ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.
Finalists: Damgoode Pies, Pizza Cafe, U.S. Pizza, Vino's
Around the state: ZAZA'S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. (Conway)
Finalists: Deluca's Pizzeria Napoletana (Hot Springs), Rocky's (Hot Springs), Tommy's Famous (Mountain View), Wood Stone Craft Pizza and Bar (Fayetteville)
Place for kids
Little Rock: Purple Cow Restaurant
Finalists: All Aboard Restaurant and Grill, Big Orange, Larry's Pizza, Playtime Pizza
Around the state: Purple Cow Restaurant (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Bulldog Restaurant (Bald Knob), Calico County (Fort Smith), Stoby's (Conway), ZAZA'S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. (Conway)
Romantic
Little Rock: Brave New Restaurant
Finalists: Cache Restaurant, One Eleven at the Capital, South on Main
Around the state: Gaskin's Cabin (Eureka Springs)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), The Hive (Bentonville), James at the Mill (Johnson), Luna Bella (Hot Springs)
Sandwich
Little Rock: Boulevard Bread
Finalists: Hillcrest Artisan Meats, The Root Cafe, Whole Hog Cafe
Around the state: Arkansas Fresh Cafe (Bryant)
Finalists: Craig's Bar-B-Q (DeValls Bluff), Green Submarine Espresso Cafe & Sub-Shop (Fayetteville), Hammontree's Grillenium Falcon (Fayetteville)
Seafood
Little Rock: Flying Fish
Finalists: Bonefish Grill, Brave New Restaurant, Oceans at Arthur's, The Oyster Bar
Around the state: Fisherman's Wharf (Hot Springs)
Finalists: Central Park Fusion (Hot Springs), Dondie's White River Princess (Des Arc), Eat My Catfish (Bryant), Mike's Place (Conway)
Steak
Little Rock: Doe's Eat Place
Finalists: Arthur's Prime Steakhouse, Sonny Williams' Steak Room, The Butcher Shop, The Faded Rose
Around the state: Doe's Eat Place (Fayetteville)
Around the state: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs), Herman's Ribhouse (Fayetteville), Mike's Place (Conway), Tamale Factory (Gregory)
Vegetarian/vegan
Little Rock: The Root Cafe
Finalists: Cafe Bossa Nova, Izzy's, Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co., The Veg
Around the state: ZAZA'S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. (Conway)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Farmer's Table (Fayetteville), Greenhouse Grille (Fayetteville), Local Flavor Cafe (Eureka Springs)
Wine list
Little Rock: By the Glass
Finalists: Cache Restaurant, One Eleven at the Capital, SO Restaurant-Bar
Around the state: Bordinos (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Central Park Fusion Cuisine (Hot Springs), Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse (Eureka Springs), The Hive (Bentonville), Tavola Trattoria (Bentonville)
Best restaurants in areas Around the state:
Benton/Bryant: Arkansas Fresh Bakery Cafe
Finalists: Desi Den Indian Restaurant, Eat My Catfish, La Hacienda
Conway: Mike's Place
Finalists: Blackwood's Gyros and Grill, Hot Rod Wieners, Umami Sushi Lounge and Grill Fusion, ZAZA'S Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.
Eureka Springs: Ermilio's Italian Home Cooking
Finalists: Bavarian Inn, DeVito's Restaurant, Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, Local Flavor Cafe
Fayetteville/Springdale/Johnson: Hugo's (Fayetteville)
Finalists: Arsaga's at the Depot (Fayetteville), Bordinos (Fayetteville), James at the Mill (Johnson)
Hot Springs: Rolando's
Finalists: Deluca's Pizzeria Napoletana, Don Juan Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, Taco Mama
Rogers/Bentonville: The Hive (Bentonville)
Finalists: Carrabba's Italian Grill (Rogers), Havana Tropical Grill (Rogers), Eleven (Bentonville), Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville)
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