HOT DOG MIKE: Readers' pick for Best Food Truck.

HOT DOG MIKE: Readers' pick for Best Food Truck. Brian Chilson

That rumbling sound? That’d be your stomach. Even if you’ve just eaten. After 31 years of running this poll, we can attest: It is impossible to read the list of restaurants Arkansas Times readers have selected as the best in the state and look at pictures of food at those restaurants and not feel hungry. Don’t fight it; there’s bound to be a Readers Choice winner nearby.

This year, all voting took place online (print readers were directed to the online poll). Below are this year’s winners. As usual, we have them in a number of categories, plus special votes for the top restaurants in four areas with vibrant restaurant scenes.

Browse through for your favorites and read on for related features on good eats that follow.

Overall

Little Rock: Brave New Restaurant


Runners-up: Faded Rose, Ashley’s, Copeland’s Restaurant of Little Rock

Around the state: Mike’s Place in Conway


Runners-up: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs, James at the Mill in Fayetteville, Rolando’s Restaurante in Hot Springs

Bakery

Little Rock: Community Bakery

Runners-up: Boulevard Bread Co., Brown Sugar Bakeshop, Silvek’s European Bakery

Around the state: Ed’s Custom Bakery in Conway


Runners-up: Rick’s Bakery in Fayetteville, pattiCakes in Conway, Little Bread Co. in Fayetteville

Barbecue

Little Rock: Whole Hog Cafe

Runners-up: Corky’s Ribs and BBQ, Sims Bar-B-Que, Cross-Eyed Pig

Around the state: McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Hot Springs

Runners-up: Craig’s in DeValls Bluff, Mean Pig in Cabot, Penguin Ed’s Bar-B-Q in Fayetteville

Breakfast

Little Rock: B-Side

Runners-up: Ozark Mountain Family Smokehouse, Cracker Barrel, Mimi’s Cafe

Around the state: Stoby’s in Conway

Runners-up: Mud Street Cafe in Eureka Springs, Local Flavor Cafe in Eureka Springs, Calico County in Fort Smith


Brunch

Little Rock: Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro

Runners-up: Ashley’s, Loca Luna, B-Side

Around the state: Arlington Hotel

Runners-up: Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant in Conway, Common Grounds in Fayetteville, Emelia’s Kitchen in Fayetteville

Buffet

Little Rock: Tokyo House

Runners-up: Franke’s Cafeteria, Golden Corral, Panda Garden

Around the state: Dondie’s White River Princess in Des Arc

Runners-up: Bryce’s in Texarkana, Brown’s Country Store and Restaurant in Benton, Myrtie Mae’s in Eureka Springs

Business lunch

Little Rock: Capital Bar & Grill

Runners-up: Copper Grill, Dizzy’s Bistro, Brave New Restaurant

Around the state: Mike’s Place in Conway

Catfish

Little Rock: Flying Fish

Runners-up: Grampa’s, Cock of the Walk, Catfish City

Around the state: Catfish Hole in Fayetteville

Runners-up: Dondie’s White River Princess in Des Arc, The Fish House in Conway, Georgetown One-Stop in Georgetown

Chinese

Little Rock: Fantastic China

Runners-up: Fu Lin Chinese Restaurant, Chi’s Chinese Cuisine, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

Around the state: Jade China in Conway

Runners-up: Lucky Dragon Cafe in Berryville, Mei Li Cuisine in Eureka Springs, Oriental Kitchen in Conway

Coffee

Little Rock: Guillermo’s Gourmet Grounds

Runners-up: Starbucks Coffee Co., Boulevard Bread Co., River City Tea and Coffee

Around the State: Common Grounds Gourmet Espresso Bar in Fayetteville

Runners-up: Midnight Oil Coffee House in Searcy, Mud Street Cafe in Eureka Springs, Something Brewing in Conway

Deli/gourmet to go

Little Rock: Jason’s Deli

Runners-up: Argenta Market, Boulevard Bread Co., Diane’s Gourmet

Around the state: Cafe 1217 in Hot Springs

Runners-up: Coursey’s Smoked Meats in St. Joe, McAlister’s Deli in Conway, Green Cart Deli in Conway

Desserts

Little Rock: Trio’s

Runners-up: Cupcakes on Kavanaugh, Community Bakery, Copeland’s Restaurant of Little Rock

Around the state: Ed and Kay’s Restaurant in Benton

Runners-up: Cafe 1217 in Hot Springs, Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs, Mike’s Place in Conway

Food truck

Little Rock: Hot Dog Mike

Runner-up: The Food Truck, Green Cuisine, Grills on Wheels

Around the state: Green Cart Deli in Conway

Runners-up: The Grillenium Falcon in Fayetteville, Eat My Catfish in Benton

Fried chicken

Little Rock: Popeye’s

Runners-up: Bobby’s Country Cookin’, Your Mama’s Good Food, Stickyz

Around the state: AQ Chicken in Fayetteville

Runners-up: Holly’s Country Cooking in Conway, Myrtie Mae’s Restaurant in Eureka Springs, Mama Dean’s Soul Food Kitchen in Fayetteville

Fun

Little Rock: Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro

Runners-up: Big Orange, Playtime Pizza, Purple Cow

Around the state: Sparky’s Roadhouse Cafe in Eureka Springs

Runners-up: Nom Noms in Hot Springs, Rolando’s Restaurante in Hot Springs

Gluten free

Little Rock: Dempsey Bakery

Runners-up: Izzy’s, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co., Cafe Bossa Nova

Hamburger

Little Rock: Buffalo Grill

Runners-up: Big Orange, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Capital Bar & Grill

Around the state: CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers in Russellville

Runners-up: Whattaburger in Russellville, David’s Burgers in Conway, Hugo’s in Fayetteville

Home cooking

Little Rock: Your Mama’s Good Food

Runners-up: Bobby’s Country Cookin’, Homer’s, Kitchen Express

Around the state: Momma Dean’s Soul Food in Fayetteville

Runners-up: Holly’s Country Cooking in Conway, Sisters Cafe in Eureka Springs, Ed and Kay’s Restaurant in Benton

Indian

Little Rock: Star of India Restaurant and Bar

Runners-up: Amruth Authentic Indian Cuisine, Taj Mahal Indian and Mediterranean Cuisine, Banana Leaf Indian Food Truck

Around the state: New Delhi Cafe in Eureka Springs

Italian

Little Rock: Vesuvio Bistro

Runners-up: The Villa, Cafe Prego, Ristorante Capeo

Around the state: Belle Arti Italian Ristorante in Hot Springs

Runners-up: Ermillio’s Italian Home Cooking in Eureka Springs, Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant in Conway, DeVito’s of Eureka Springs

Japanese

Little Rock: Sushi Cafe

Runners-up: Mt. Fuji Restaurant, Hanaroo Sushi Bar, Igibon Japanese Restaurant

Around the state: Shogun in Fayetteville

Runners-up: Domoyaki in Conway, Mt. Fuji Restaurant in Hot Springs, Osaka Japanese Steakhouse in Hot Springs

Mexican

Little Rock: Senor Tequila

Runners-up: Cantina Laredo, La Hacienda, Casa Manana

Around the state: Taco Mama in Hot Springs

Runners-up: La Huerta in Conway, La Hacienda in Hot Springs, Casa Colina in Eureka Springs

New

Little Rock: Big Orange

Runners-up: The Root, Dugan’s Pub, David’s Burgers

Around the state: Garden Bistro in Eureka Springs

Runners-up: Nom Noms Mexican Grill-N-Chill in Hot Springs, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co. in Conway, Sister’s Cafe in Eureka Springs

Other ethnic

Little Rock: Layla’s Gyros and Pizzeria

Runners-up: Cafe Bossa Nova, Lily’s Dim Sum Then Some, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

Around the state: Rolando’s Restaurante in Hot Springs

Runners-up: Taste of Thai in Fayetteville, Bavarian Inn in Eureka Springs, Pho Hoang in Fort Smith

Pizza

Little Rock: Damgoode Pies

Runners-up: U.S. Pizza, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co., Vino’s Brewpub

Around the state: ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co. in Conway

Runners-up: Rod’s Pizza Cellar, U.S. Pizza in Conway, Rocky’s Corner in Hot Springs

Place for kids

Little Rock: Purple Cow

Runners-up: Playtime Pizza, Chuck E. Cheese’s, All American Pizza

Romantic

Little Rock: Ashley’s

Runners-up: Brave New Restaurant, 1620 the Restaurant, The Pantry

Around the state: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs

Runners-up: Belle Arti in Hot Springs, James at the Mill in Fayetteville, Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant in Conway

Seafood

Little Rock: Cajun’s Wharf

Runners-up: Flying Fish, Brave New Restaurant, Bonefish Grill

Around the state: Mike’s Place in Conway

Runners-up: Fisherman’s Wharf in Hot Springs, Dondie’s White River Princess in Des Arc, Who Dat’s in Bald Knob

Steak

Little Rock: Sonny Williams’ Steak Room

Runners-up: The Faded Rose, Riverfront Steakhouse, Doe’s Eat Place

Around the state: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs

Runners-up: Herman’s Ribhouse in Fayetteville, Mike’s Place in Conway, Doe’s Eat Place in Fayetteville

Vegetarian

Little Rock: Green Cuisine

Runners-up: ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co., 4Square Cafe and Gifts, Root Cafe

Around the state: Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville

Runners-up: Oasis Cafe in Eureka Springs, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co. in Conway, New Delhi Cafe in Eureka Springs

Wine list

Little Rock: Ashley’s Runners-up: Ferneau Restaurant, Ciao Baci, Trio’s Restaurant

Around the state: Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant in Conway

Runners-up: Mike’s Place in Conway, Bordino’s in Fayetteville, Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse in Eureka Springs

Yogurt

Little Rock: Red Mango

Runners-up: TCBY, Orange Leaf, Loganberry

Around the state: Lemon Tree in Benton

Runners-up: 3 Flamingos in Cabot, CherryBerry in Fayetteville

CITIES

Benton/Bryant:

TaMolly’s

Runners-up: Pasta Jack’s Italian Restaurant, La Hacienda, Ed and Kay’s Restaurant

Conway:

Mike’s Place

Runners-up: Michelango’s Italian Restaurant, Stoby’s, ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co.

Eureka Springs:

Ermillio’s Italian Home Cooking

Runners-up: DeVito’s, Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, Local Flavor Cafe

Fayetteville area:

Bordino’s

Runners-up: Hugo’s, James at the Mill, Greenhouse Grille

Hot Springs:

Rolando’s Restaurante

Runners-up: McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant, Belle Arti Italian Ristorante, Taco Mama’s

Chef

Little Rock: Peter Brave (Brave New Restaurant)

Runners-up: Lee Richardson (Capital Hotel), Donnie Ferneau (Ferneau Restaurant), Capi Peck (Trio’s Restaurant)

Around the state: Mark Cook (Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, Eureka Springs)

Server

Little Rock: Justin Horton at Trio’s Restaurant

Runners-up: Blair Wallace at Ciao Baci, Nick Hoback at Ashley’s, Aimee Stockton at Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro