A nationwide website purports the most significant chain restaurants for each state. Kat Robinson gives nine reasons for while Thrillist is wrong about Arkansas.
Thrillist put out a United States food map in August 2013 that allegedly purported to define said states by their most prevalent food chain. I'm guessing folks were smart enough to hide this from me, knowing the rant that would come when I discovered that this... website... chose
Slim Chickens to represent Arkansas.
Of course, my answer was ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?
Now, an answer like that does nothing to progress the argument or educate the author... but a good blog about some better choices would certainly help. So here's suggestions on Arkansas chain restaurants that could have better fit that Natural State-shaped hole.
The writer, Matt Lynch, lists notes on why he chose each restaurant for each state. His assessment for us?
Arkansas: Slim Chickens was founded in 2003 in Fayetteville and has grown to 10 locations
That's... pretty weak. Just because there are 10 locations... hell, Matt, have you ever BEEN to Arkansas?
I'm not dissing Slim Chickens. Their fried mushrooms are a guilty pleasure, and they do a decent job at quick chicken. I'm just saying that there are far better candidates for this representational map.
My suggestions:
Mexico Chiquito. Though there are just five official locations today, the Arkansas-based Mexican restaurant chain started in 1935 with the first "Little Mexico" in North Little Rock. Blackie Donnelly's eatery not only grew to become the name of Ark-Mex interpreted food for Arkansas, he's also credited with creating cheese dip.
The website.
Whole Hog Cafe. A barbecue team known as the Southern Gentlemen's Culinary Society decided to open up a storefront in 2000... Ron Blasingame, Mike "Sarge" Davis and Steve Lucchi's original smoky pork bastion has now spread to 13 locations in four states. The joint's six different proprietary sauces ensure there's a flavor for everyone.
The website.
Andy's. Founded in 1978, the burger chain specializes in lots of Arkansas favorites, including country fried steak biscuits and breakfasts, barbecue sandwiches and catfish. Its seven locations lie exclusively within Arkansas's borders.
Website.
Colton's. A group of restaurant veterans got together in 1996 and founded the first of these restaurants in Conway under the idea of celebrating America's West. Today, 30 locations in five states bear the name of this well-loved steakhouse chain.
Website.
TCBY. Originally "This Can't Be Yogurt," a similarly named shop elsewhere forced a name change first to "The Country's Best Yogurt" and eventually to TCBY. Founded in 1981 here in Arkansas, the restaurant swelled to 360 locations nationwide -- at one point, the tallest building in the state was named the TCBY tower! Today, TCBY has partnered with Mrs. Fields for even more options.
Website.
U.S. Pizza Company. Originating from an old clock shop in Levy back in 1972, this thin-crust pizza institution has spread to 13 Arkansas locations and still offers fresh, veggie-laden pizzas and salads.
Website.
Dixie Cafe. Though the website claims 1980 as the origin date for this Arkansas-based chain, that only refers to the first location put in Little Rock by its parent company, The Black Eyed Pea. In 1986, a split in management created the Dixie Cafe chain, which now operates 16 locations, mostly in Arkansas. It also operates four Delta Cafes in Oklahoma.
Website.
Pizza Pro. Founded in Jacksonville by Scott Stevens, this economy-priced pizza chain has spread to more than 500 locations in 18 states. I know -- I worked for one of the first stores up in Russellville! And Scott Stevens is a pretty nice guy. Check out the
website.
Boulevard Bread Company. Originating in Little Rock in 2000, this popular bakery now operates four locations in Central Arkansas.
Website.
Other chains that might make the claim soon? Here's a quick list:
Big Orange (2 locations)
David's Burgers (4 locations and a food truck)
Jose's Mexican Grill (3 locations)
Marketplace Grill (4 locations)
Purple Cow (4 locations in Arkansas, 3 in Texas)
Rolando's Restaurante (3 locations)
Sweet Bay Coffee Company (5 locations in Ft. Smith & NWA)
Sim's Barbecue (3 locations)
ZaZa Salad and Pizza (2 locations)
So, did Thrillist get this wrong? What Arkansas-based restaurant chain do you think needed to make this map?
UPDATE: Fixed the number for Boulevard Bread locations.
UPDATE: How in the world did I forget
Larry's Pizza? With at least 14 locations and more on the way, this 1992 Arkansas upstart is expanding at a fanatical rate.
Did you know there's one in Michigan?
