If you’ve kept an eye on the restaurant scene, you’ve noticed more headlines than usual around the metro. And if you haven’t, never fear. We’ve got you covered with a rundown of the highlights, from long-awaited openings to tantalizing teases. Just bring your appetite.
Three Fold
Since early 2021, the downtown restaurant has been hard at work transforming the former Panera Bread space in the Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center into a second location, and as of today, July 6, it’s officially open to the public.
Along with Three Fold’s signature dumplings, steamed buns and noodle bowls, the WLR location will also offer a breakfast menu featuring new items like the bing wrap — a scallion pancake filled with scrambled eggs, potatoes and green onions — and fried sweet buns filled with Chinese sweet and red bean pastes and topped with a sweet milk syrup.
The menu will also include a new lineup of tea and coffee drinks such as the yuanyang latte that blends espresso with the Hong Kong black tea. The shaved ice items made popular at Three Fold’s temporary food truck in Riverdale, which closed June 10, will also be available in WLR.
The space seats approximately 80 indoors and another 30 on the patio. Operating hours are 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday.
eat3fold.com | Facebook | Instagram
Breckenridge Village
News broke in May that the Rodney Parham shopping center would soon see complete renovations with a new lineup of restaurants and shops. Now, our sister publication Arkansas Business is reporting the center will include a second location of Hot Springs’ famous DeLuca’s Pizzeria, a gastropub spinoff of Flyway Brewing and another Waldo’s Chicken & Beer. It will also remain home to Eat My Catfish, but no word yet on Mt. Fuji.
KBK-Breck LLC is the new owner of the space, which includes JTJ Restaurants (Petit & Keet, Cypress Social, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Waldo’s Chicken & Beer), The Kelley Group, Dale V. “Bo” Briggs and the Bodnar Group out of Nashville.
More announcements and timelines will be released in coming months, but DeLuca’s has plans to open in 12-14 months, according to Arkansas Business.
Recently Opened:
Big Bad Breakfast // This aptly-named restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence originated in Oxford, Mississippi, and opened its latest location last week at the corner of Markham and Bowman. Expect to leave very, very full (and equally happy).
bigbadbreakfast.com | Facebook | Instagram
The Bagel Shop // Though it doesn’t have a physical location, this pop-up has continually sold out of its scratch-made bakes since it launched last week. We suggest keeping an eye on their social accounts for the next location.
Count Porkula // After launching its brick-and-mortar space inside The Rail Yard in 2018, this fan favorite food truck recently opened its first standalone restaurant at 10840 Maumelle Blvd. Not enough barbecue for you? They have another in the works at 201 Keightley Drive set to open this fall.
countporkulabbq.com | Facebook | Instagram
The Grind Coffee Bistro // After both locations fell prey to fires in early March, the WLR shop is once again open to the public, serving up its signature flavor of coffees, desserts and lunch bites. Find it in the Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center between Belk and The Toggery.
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Coming Soon:
El Sur Street Food Co. // The food truck has made lots of progress on its SoMa brick and mortar and is in the hiring stages. 1214 Main St., Little Rock. elsurstreetfoodco.com | Facebook | Instagram
Blackberry Market // Opening this summer, but currently offering a limited pickup menu. 315A Main St., North Little Rock. Facebook | Instagram
Jess’s Chicken // The Mighty Rib reports an August opening for this restaurant from the David’s Burgers crew. jesschicken.com | Facebook | Instagram
Fidel & Co. // No opening date yet, but the second location is under construction. 610 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock. fidel.coffee | Facebook | Instagram
Riverdale Shopping Center // Big renovations are coming to 2500 Cantrell Road, including a new Eat My Catfish location. Timeline TBD.
Wright’s Barbecue // No word on when or where, but the NWA staple dropped this tease a few weeks back. wrightsbarbecue.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Oh, and ICYMI, it’s snow cone season.
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