Star of India

301 N Shackleford Rd. #C4 Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 227-9900 

Decor: We know this may shock and surprise you, but Star of India has an India theme. It is tasteful and not overdone. The place is cozy without being constrictive and somewhat dim. Add in the soft music in the background and slightly decadent feel, and this place would be great for a romantic evening.

Cleanliness: You could perform surgery in this place. You can drop your napkin and it just might be snatched out of the air by a flying waiter before it hits the ground. Seriously, dirt has no time to settle in this place. They are right behind you cleaning up and it almost makes you feel guilty for dirtying up their tables with your dishes.

Service: This is what Star of India is famous for. Once you go there, you will know why. They are extremely friendly, polite and nice. Once you are seated, they unfold your napkin and take your drink order. Then they bring you some bread and tell you that it’s good to see you. They greet you like you are an old friend even if they haven’t seen you before. They are very attentive and refill your drinks when they hit the halfway mark.

Cost: Not bad. Individual dishes range from $7-$12. The lunch buffet is a pretty good bargain at $8.75 with a drink, and gives you the opportunity to try different dishes to find out which ones you like.

Taste: This one is a toughy to comment on. We have not eaten Indian food before, so we have no basis for comparison. We had no idea what to expect, but we were ready for an adventure. Amazingly, the food was great! It tasted different from anything we had tasted before, but it was very tasty. The Tandoori Chicken tasted like an exotic BBQ chicken. All of the food was very intense in color. There were bright oranges, mustard yellows and dark browns. Each one was good on its own, but combined, they create a wonderful taste in your mouth. Don’t worry, this isn’t a place for hot, spicy curry, though we are sure you can get it if you want.

Tips:

• Go for lunch and get the buffet. You can try lots of different foods and it’s not that busy.
• If you haven’t tried it, don’t plan to go there or you might chicken out. Make a spontaneous decision to go and you will probably be pleasantly surprised.
• Try mixing foods to get more taste combinations. The flavors build on and enhance each other, unlike many other types of food.

Leo’s Greek Castle

2925 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72205  (501) 666-7414

Decor: Leo’s Castle isn’t really a castle. It’s more like the gardener’s shed. This place is TINY! The inside is about as big as a large walk-in closet and looks like a concession stand at a high school football game. There are a grand total of 4 tables gracing the inside, with one of them blocked in the corner where you can only get to it if nobody else is there. Good luck with that. The outside has the feeling of eating at a Mediterranean cafe mixed with a drive-in diner. Or maybe that should be drive-in dive. Outside, you get a view of the trees and traffic on Kavanaugh as long as you can fight everyone off of one of the three tables.  There is very limited parking, about 7 spaces in total, one for each table.  Most of the decor is blocked from view because this place is packed literally wall to wall with customers.

Cleanliness: It’s so busy and crowded that it’s hard to tell. They didn’t really have time to clear tables between customers. There are a few flies buzzing around because the door never closes completely. There are that many people going in and out. Outside, they try to keep the flies away by aiming fans at the table.

Service: The workers were very friendly and nice. The problem is that they are so busy and there are only two old men working, that it takes forever to get your food. If they can’t carry something on the first trip, just forget about it because you won’t get it. Leo’s has overgrown it’s building and workforce. They need to get a larger building and hire some more people. If you get rained on and need to leave, they will give you a to-go cup for your drink, but they won’t be nice enough to top it off for you, even if it’s water.

Cost: They have prices that are average for mom and pop restaurants. A little more expensive than fast food, but much better quality food. The appetizers are way too expensive and they are tiny portions.

Taste: This is an unfair category for them on this visit. When we went, it was a bright, sunny day. We chose to eat outside, mainly because that was the only open table. It turns out that we should have just taken it home because soon after we sat down, the clouds rolled in. We were hoping that we could finish eating before the rain started, but weren’t too worried because they have a roof over the tables. We got 2 bites into our food and the rain poured down. Right through the roof into our food and drinks and all over the table. We salvaged what we could and Mike went inside to get a couple of boxes to take the rest home. It was so crowded in there that it took him about 10 minutes just to get that and pay. They did not argue when he told them that Ebony never got her order of fries. They didn’t offer a discount for their roof leaking in our food, either. Those first two bites were very good, even better than the food at the Greek festival. But, by the time we got it home, it was all cold and congealed and not very appetizing at all.

Tips: 

• Check the weather report before going.
• If you are eating outside, just have a seat and they will come out to you.
• The place is packed constantly. Be courteous and leave as soon as you are done so others have a chance to eat.

NYPD Pizza

6015 Chenonceau Blvd #1 Little Rock, AR 72223 (501) 868-3911

Decor:  In case you couldn’t tell from the name, this place is a themed pizza joint. It has pictures and signs that give a feel of New York police. You don’t just give them your order, you go to Booking. The theme continues into the bathrooms, which have mugshots and height tapes. There is also a bar area in the front with TVs and stools.

Cleanliness: NYPD looks brand new. It should, because it was built not that long ago. The furniture is also new, with no stains or scratches. They keep the place spotless. Well, except for one wall that has a streak of paint and some other strange scuff marks on it.

Service: The workers are very friendly. As we entered, we were greeted by no less than three employees. It was almost a barbershop quartet. When we were leaving, our waitress asked if we would like one last refill in a cup to go. That was a nice touch that we haven’t seen before.

Cost: Pizza for two is usually one of the more expensive casual meals out there. This place was very cheap for pizza.  They have a lunch special for $6.99 that includes a 10″ personal pizza, a salad, and a drink. Their appetizers are affordable, but the desserts are expensive.

Taste: They only have hand tossed crust, which comes out as somewhat of a thicker thin crust.  The sauce and toppings are so fresh that you find yourself looking for the pig pen and garden outside. Seriously, these are the freshest toppings we have ever found on a pizza. The pizza is light and tastes good. You get to fill up on pizza and it doesn’t hurt to walk out to your car afterwards. It is perfect for a light lunch. The drinks were not watered down like some places do.

Tips:

• When you walk in, just seat yourself. They will come running over with a smile.
• Sunday evening is a good time to go. It wasn’t busy when we were there.
• If you are in the area and need a cold brew, stop by and have a drink at the bar.
• There might be screaming kids or teenagers. This is a family restaurant.

Cheeburger Cheeburger

11525 Cantrell Rd Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 490-2433 

Decor: Cheeburger Cheeburger is a new place that is going for that retro 50’s feel. It comes off as exactly that: a new place trying to get that retro 50’s feel. Maybe it would work better if they didn’t try to get the kids so much with balloons and stuff, although the car-shaped kid’s meal is kinda cool. Also, we don’t know why they decided to leave the “-se” out of cheese. Saying the name makes us feel like we’re trying to get a classroom of preschoolers to eat their lunch before nappy-time. The place is not big enough to hold everyone that goes there and you end up feeling crowded in your table. Of course, with so many people in such a little space, you can barely hear your dining companions.

Cleanliness:  They keep the tables clean, but the place is so crowded and crawling with kids that it looks like a hot, busy mess.

Service: They are slow to get to your table, slow to bring your drinks, and slow to make your food. There are just too many people in there for them to be efficient.  That said, they still manage to get your orders right and remember to bring things that you ask for, it just takes a while.

Cost: Expensive with a capital $. This place is located in the new shopping center that has Parisian and other upscale stores. It is priced for those who can afford to shop at places like that, even though they try to come off as an affordable diner.

Taste: We wanted to like the food real bad. The burgers are very big and look good. The fries are crisp and golden. Everything looks like it should be the best burger meal of your life. It won’t be, even though you get to build your own burger with ingredients of your choosing. Everything is rather plain and unoriginal. It doesn’t taste bad, it’s just not worth all of the hype that was going around when the place first opened.  Even the shakes have a problem: Ebony’s tasted great, but was a little too liquidy. Mike thought that the exception was the onion rings, which come in a pile the size of a football and taste like something Paula Deen would cook. In case you don’t know, Paula is the grandmotherly woman on the Food Network who puts a pound of butter into EVERY dish she makes. Those onion rings are the greasiest, nastiest onion rings ever, but they are addicting.

Tips:

• If you just want a quick bite, you can grab a shake at the front counter and skip the whole waiter thing.
• Don’t go there if you have a headache. It is packed with kids and you will not have a good time.

Schlotzsky’s

11815 Mara Lynn Dr. Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 224-4119

Decor: This place has two dining areas, with the ordering counter between them. Both areas have TVs in them, but the sound is off and there is old easy listening music playing.

Cleanliness: The place is clean. In fact, when we went in, one of the workers was mopping the floor. They usually keep it neat and tidy.

Service: The worker was friendly and eager to take our order. Our sandwiches were made very fast.

Cost: This place is insanely expensive. We have gone there a few times and it has never been under $20 for two sandwiches and drinks.

Taste: This is why we keep coming back. They have this yummy sourdough bread that makes you eat a much larger sandwich than you should. They have pizzas and many sandwich varieties, but we like the Original and Turkey Original the best.

Tips

• They have wheat bread and wraps for those who are watching their diet.
• Make sure you have good brakes on your car. This place is surrounded by the Little Rock Himalayas.
• Bring a jacket as well because they keep it cold in there.

Ozark Mountain Country Restaurant

201 Keightly Dr. Little Rock, AR 72207 (501) 663-7319 

Decor: This place looks like an old time country general store. It looks similar to a Cracker Barrel, but smaller and doesn’t look as manufactured. They have a counter in front that hides an open kitchen. If you sit to the right side, you get to watch them make your breakfast. There are old time knick-knacks all over the walls.

Cleanliness: Very clean. They are eager to come by and clean your table. There was one guy who was just about jumping on us every time we finished with a plate or glass.

Service: When you first walk in, seat yourself. If you don’t you will hear “Seat Yourself” coming from various places around the room. Sit down and take a look at the menu. Make that a glance. You don’t want to mess around or you will be waiting for a while. It shouldn’t take that long anyway, because they only really have 4 breakfast meals and ala carte.

Cost: At first, we thought this place was expensive. They wanted almost $4 for just a plate with 3 pancakes on it. The Full Breakfast costs $7.99 and comes with everything except pancakes. Ala carte items average about $3. This was starting to look like it might break the budget. We ordered anyway and just decided that we would have to watch our spending. Then they brought out Pancakezilla* and we changed our minds quick. This is not your ordinary wussy plate of IHOP pancakes. These are 3 giant Paul Bunyan flapjacks. They fill the plate.

Taste: They aren’t the best pancakes in the world, but they aren’t the worst either. In fact, you will probably start to wonder if they kidnapped your Gramma and have her in the back cooking pancakes too large for her spatula. That’s exactly what they taste like. Grammacakes.

Tips:

• Don’t get greedy. This stuff is huge.
• Get here early. The parking lot is tiny and hard to move around in.
• Build one huge breakfast from the ala carte menu and share to save money.
• If you are having trouble finding it, that’s because it’s hiding behind the Rexall drug store and Pizza Prefect.
• They also sell smoked meats and other food by the pound.

* This plate of pancakes marks the end of an era. It caused Mike to utter words that he never expected to utter and brought a tear to his eye. Mike has been to diners, restaurants, and breakfast buffets all over America. This is the first time that he has ever had to say, “I can’t finish these pancakes.” Ladies and gentlemen, history has been made here today. Please, a moment of silence.

McDonald’s

7200 W 12th St. Little Rock, AR 72205

Decor: It’s the other half of a gas station. Not a good gas station either. This is a nasty, dirty, ghetto gas station. You can buy shoes and burned CDs from some guys trunk outside, that’s how ghetto this place is.

Cleanliness: None. They don’t clean this place. The gas station side mops their floor once in a while, but the McD’s side is filthy. Overflowing trash cans, a dirty table, and spilled drinks on the floor are so much a part of this place, they should probably go under the Decor section.

Service: This part right here is the whole inspiration for this website. We decided that nobody else should have to go through what we’ve been through at this place, so we started this website. If it helps just one person, it will all be worth it. This place has the worst service in the entire food industry. First, the line is always out the door. Not because it’s good, but because it’s the only place within walking distance and most people who eat here don’t own cars. Now, the line is long because the illiterate morons behind the counter don’t have pictures on their registers so they can identify which buttons to push. It wouldn’t matter anyway, because they are all so high on drugs that they won’t get your order right no matter what. There is always one item missing after your twenty minute wait. Why is that wait so long, you say? Well, on top of not being able to find the buttons on the register, the cashier is guaranteed to stop what he or she is doing to answer their cell phone and make a drug deal or yell at the baby momma/daddy. You won’t even get to listen in because the manager is yelling over all the rest of the noise threatening them to work harder in an effort to seem like he’s not as ghetto as they are. On the way home, you will notice that your drink is an inch below the top of the cup, your fries only fill half the box, and your 6th nugget is the size of a nickel.

Cost: Typical McDonald’s, but it’s sad when a place makes a dollar hamburger seem not worth the price.

Taste: The same as other McDonald’s, but the burgers are smashed more, the fries are less salty, the drinks are flat, and the gas fumes outside will change the flavor of everything you eat for two days. This assumes that you can get past the fact that there is a cemetery next door. Creepy.

Tips:

• Just don’t go here. This place should be reported to the Health Board.
• If you must eat here, it’s cheaper to buy your drinks from the gas station side if you get a fountain drink.

Firehouse Subs

12312 Chenal Pkwy., Ste. 40 Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 228-5553

Decor: This place is a three year old boy’s dream come true. It is full of firefighter equipment and decorations. There are firehats on the wall next to a gigantic painting. Each Firehouse Subs location in town has its own custom painting of firehouse life in Little Rock.

Cleaniness: The only thing dirty about this place is the bottles of hot sauce that are sitting out for customers to use. Other than that, the Chief runs a clean place.

Service: When you open the door, someone always yells, “Welcome to Firehouse!” The lines move pretty fast even when they are swamped. Your order takes a few minutes, but not long enough to make you upset. If they start taking too long, you can always start on your chips. You get your own drinks, so you can refill as much as you want.

Cost: This is one of the more expensive sub shops in town. You can count on them being consistently good though.

Taste: Mike loves subs. Mike reallllllly LOVES subs. Mike likes Firehouse the best in Little Rock and the only place that comes close is Lenny’s. Ebony thinks it’s good too. The first thing that makes these subs special is that they are steamed. This makes the sub moist and tender without getting mushy. The second thing is the Firehouse sauce. This is another one of those things that Mike would eat with a spoon if he could get away with it.

Tips:

• They have wheat bread now, so it’s not as bad for your diet.
• Skip those crusty hot sauce bottles and go for the Firehouse sauce. Yes, Mike wrote this tip.
• Tell them you want it “Fully Involved” if you want everything on it.

San Francisco Bread Company

101 S. Bowman Rd Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 537-0200

Decor: Large cafe setting. It has large windows that look out on Bowman and Markham so you can watch traffic go by as you eat. It’s yellow with red trim and pictures of famous San Francisco landmarks. There is a bar in the corner with a large TV for watching sports and a few computers for those who did not bring a laptop. There is soft jazz playing in the background.

Cleanliness: Somewhat clean, but there is usually a table or two that hasn’t been cleaned yet. We almost always have to wipe down our own table.

Service: A little slow to normal. The line goes quick, but they are slow with making drinks. Food orders take long enough to annoy you.

Cost: Expensive. Two small mochas cost $8. This makes it even more expensive than Starbucks. Their desserts are crazy expensive as well, costing about $8 for two slices of cheesecake.

Taste: Good. Not great, but it’s always fresh, filling food. Mike likes to get the clam chowder in a bread bowl. Ebony likes the wraps.

Tips:

• They have a drive through if you are pressed for time
• Come here when you have some time. You can bring your laptop and work on your blog.
• If you come here often, you most likely have seen “That One Guy”. You’ll notice him and his headset eventually. We have not yet been able to get a picture of this elusive creature.

Popeye’s

3208 S. University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 562-8110 

Decor: A smaller Popeye’s location, it has the typical Popeye’s look, but seems more crowded. It could be bright and cheery inside if the ads on the windows didn’t cut off most of the light from outside.

Cleanliness: Bring your gloves because this place is sticky. We aren’t sure if they ever wipe the place down. The floors usually have a stain from dried up drinks.

Service: Abysmal. The people clearly don’t want to work there and it shows. Every time we go there,  they give us cold chicken and hard biscuits. One time, they tried to give us a box of spicy chicken and it was cold to the touch. We complained and the guy argued with us saying that it was just cooked. We told him to put his hand on the bottom of the box. He admitted it was cold and told us that we could wait 10 minutes for some mild. He clearly wanted us to just take our cold chicken and leave, but we joined the other 3 people waiting for fresh chicken. It ended up being hot, but we aren’t too crazy about their mild chicken.

Cost:  Expensive. The crappy service and bad food make it not worth it. They offer a 10% discount with your UALR card, but it seems to get revoked pretty much on a whim. They always have some excuse for not honoring it.

Taste: If you like cold chicken, this place is for you. This place is a disgrace to the Popeye’s name, especially after experiencing what Popeye’s should be like.

Tips:

• Drive the extra 5 minutes to the Markham location. It is worth the extra hassle.
• Don’t use the drive through. You need to be in there watching their every move.
• Be sure you have good tires if you want to go in the back way. The pavement has 6″ deep potholes that are 2 feet across. No joke.