2024 will be a crazy chapter in the history books. Anyone who peruses the pages of the Eat Arkansas archives will see that it’s been another roller coaster year for the local food scene, a raucous 365 days of notable openings, closings and revivals. Goodbye TGI Fridays in the Lakewood Village business park in North Little Rock! Farewell to West Little Rock Red Lobster. But welcome to Sir Loin’s Inn And Kream Kastle on Highway 70.

Hungry readers of Arkansas Times turned their attention to a new Filipino pastry shop in Park Hill, a stunning downtown Mediterranean brunch, the end of the Minute Man franchise, a city reporter’s food diary, the rise of The Bagel Shop and much more . Below, you’ll find our 21 most-read stories of the year. Why 21? We just couldn’t limit it to 20, sorry.

Many of these articles have been featured in the pages of our free monthly magazines, available on newsstands year-round, and on our website, which has had a makeover this year. Consider starting your new year with a subscriptionand we’ll stay busy and hungry to give you the 2025 news you crave.

21. Viva Ube: A new Filipino pastry shop in Park Hill is delicious with plums

by Rhett Brinkley

The sweet spotlocated in the Park Hill neighborhood of North Little Rock, offers wonderful ensaymada pastries, cassava cake slices, and several varieties of cookies. Most striking, however, is the use of ube, a purple yam native to the Philippines. Read the story here.

20. Last Minute Man standing has closed

by Rhett Brinkley

Minute Man No. 14 in El Dorado – the last restaurant of a famous fast food franchise founded in downtown Little Rock in 1948 – closed in August.

19. A List of Arkansas Food Blogs to Plan Your Summer Meals

by Stephanie Smittle

You’ll need to know where to find good food in Arkansas, and we suggest these blogs as both inspiration and required homework.

18. “A real soul food restaurant”: farewell to the J&J Diner

by Stephanie Smittle

After 32 years in business, North Little Rock’s J&J Diner — a Friday night soul food restaurant and pool hall — announced in May that its doors would remain permanently closed, less than six months after the death of its owner and matriarch, Mrs. Joyce Marie. Maxon Givens. Read the story here.

17. Last call to Zack

by Rhett Brinkley

There’s a certain unique nostalgia that comes with sharp darts, cold beers and smoking ashtrays that’s hard not to enjoy. Zack’s House closed its doors in November and we went for one last whiff of smoky nostalgia.

16. The wait is over: Moody Brews is now opening in Pettaway

by Joël DiPippa

After a long and well-documented odyssey, Moody Brews, the new brewery led by longtime Little Rock brewer Josiah Moody, opened in March in the downtown Pettaway neighborhood.

15. From the cradle to the kitchen: a different dough rises in Bryant

by Dave Anderson

Serving the tastiest traditional New York-style pizza, Different Dough Pizza Co. in Bryant has also sneakily introduced central Arkansas to the hottest style of pizza fresh from the Mitten State of Michigan: deep dish, sauce on top, cheese crusted Detroit style pizza.

14. Smashed N’ Stacked’s burger genius is eager to help

by Dave Anderson

Smashed N’ Stacked burgers are packed with flavor, but the real goal is to overcome food insecurity.

13. Grade A for Grady

by Guy Lancaster

Central Arkansas has seen a plethora of pizza innovations in recent years. But sometimes it warms the soul to walk among the ancients, sit in a place that has seen decades pass.

12. A sneak peek at downtown LR’s Back Home BBQ, opening soon

by Brock Hyland

Remember when two large barbecue grills mysteriously appeared in a downtown West Markham parking lot about a year and a half ago? Arkansas Times barbecue editor Brock Hyland has the story behind Back Home BBQ.

11. Chef Tyler Rogers Takes on Role as Executive Chef of New Fayetteville Restaurant and Hotel

by Brian Sorensen

Former Well Met Hail Fellow Chef Tyler Rogers accepted a role in developing the food program as executive chef of the restaurant Stonebreakera boutique hotel located on Markham Hill, near the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The restaurant opened this fall. Learn more.

10. Elnora Wesley and others build an oasis in a Little Rock ‘food desert’

by Rhett Brinkley

A partnership between Arkansas Baptist College and ReMix Ideas brought three Black-owned restaurants to the university’s student union earlier this year. “Welcome home” is the greeting you will receive upon entering Elnora WesleyIt is Home Vegan restaurantwhich opened its doors in the establishment in February. Learn more.

9. Morning, sun: an investigation into LR’s downtown breakfast sandwiches

by Arkansas Times Staff

There are dozens of ways to measure the health of a city’s downtown. And let’s face it; Little Rock could be missing the mark by some indicators. However, one department we thrive in is accessibility of quality breakfast sandwiches.

8. Little Rock restaurant scene mourns loss of Clay Fitzpatrick

by Rhett Brinkley

Clay Fitzpatricka beloved member of the Little Rock restaurant community, died in October at the age of 43. We spoke to members of the local culinary scene about its legacy. We miss you, Clay.

7. Waffle Meets Falafel: A Great Mediterranean Brunch Lurks in Downtown Little Rock

by Glen Hooks

Unlikely as it may seem, one of Little Rock’s most solid brunch spots can be found on the ground floor of the unassuming Catlett-Prien Tower office building. Maryam’s Grill serves a wide variety of Middle Eastern-inspired dishes throughout the week, but when I heard about a different menu for Saturday brunches, I knew it was time to convene my little team demanding gourmets and launch an immediate investigation. Learn more.

6. El Palenque reigns supreme

by Matt Campbell

Authenticity is a priority for Taqueria El Palenque owners David and Marlin Martinezboth in the decoration and in the food they serve. Read the story here.

5. Eat Arkansas Journal by Editor Alan Leveritt

Edited by Rhett Brinkley

Fueled by an inconceivable amount of caffeine, an off-menu salad at the Copper Grill and occasional bourbons over large ice cubes, Arkansas Times Editor Alan Leveritt has tenaciously maintained this journal for 50 years. His food diary awaits you.

4. Saffron rice, secret starters, dormant sangria and more at Mi Paella

by Glen Hooks

Nestled on the ground floor of the Prospect Building on University Avenue, My Paella offers six different types of its namesake Spanish dish, ranging from seafood, chicken and pork to an all-vegetable selection. Learn more.

3. Verna’s Bar & Grill is a living fossil that defies trends

by Guy Lancaster

Verna’s Bar & Grill has occupied the same spot on Stagecoach Road since 1963. The restaurant has survived not by redesigning itself every few years, but by staying the same. Learn more.

2. The Mary Hennigan Diet: How to Lunch Like an Arkansas Times City Reporter

by Rhett Brinkley

On Marie HenniganIt’s my last day as a municipal reporter for the Arkansas Timesour food editor took a moment to highlight her sad and often adorable office meals. Local journalists who can relate to the struggle jumped on board and started tweeting photos of their sad, low-budget meals. Journalism really isn’t as glamorous as you think. Learn more.

1. Hole in One: The Bagel Shop’s Top Secret Bagel Society Isn’t So Secret Anymore

by Rhett Brinkley

Bagel Shop food is everything. Just ask our readers, who voted it tops in five categories in our annual restaurant poll. Learn more.