Last night was, apparently, the last night for Browning's Mexican Food in the Heights. Eat Arkansas is reporting they closed their doors, possibly for good, after service last night. They closed because they were losing money.
I know many people won't miss this 60 year veteran to the Little Rock restaurant scene, but I will. Browning's was one of the first Mexican restaurants in Arkansas, and probably introduced most older Little Rock residents to Tex-mex.
The menu changed a little when they were sold a few years ago, reportedly to try to bring in new customers. I liked the old menu better, probably because of nostalgia. Parts of it were the same, but others were just not Browning's anymore. I was still rooting for them to make it.
Eat Arkansas says, "If you grew up eating Browning's, you probably adored it. If you were one of us who didn't, the appeal was mystifying." I think that is true. I wrote a review of Brownings a few years ago, and I sometimes get email saying, "You LIKE this place? Have you ever had real Mexican food before?" I guess I agree. It wasn't real Tex-Mex, but there was something about Brownings that will never be replicated.
My mom and my dad reportedly had their first date there. My mom says she had never eaten Mexican food before, but dad insisted she would like it. To be honest, she ordered something "American" (some kind of burger I think) from the menu, but sampled his and from then on, she loved Mexican food.
My sister lives in Alabama now. She occassional calls and says she has a craving for Browning's cheese dip. Say what you will about the food, I did like their cheese dip and salsa. You can't find that unique taste anywhere else. Every time my sister comes home, we have to make a trip to Browning's.
I guess she'll just have to live with the memories from now on.
Comments
I did not grow up eating Brownings. In fact it was less than a decade ago that I ate there for the first time, but I was hooked. Their “salsa” was great and eventhough it wasn’t what most would consider normal Tex Mex, it was good. I have lived in San Antonio and have had the real thing too. I am mourning the loss of a Central Arkansas icon!
Noooooooooo!!!
Say it is not so!!! I cannot believe it. Reconsider We love Brownings, for the history and for the food.
I will miss Brownings!! I grew up eating there and I knew Don and Greg very well. I was disappointed when they sold it, but still went. I cannot believe they are closing. I’m depressed now.
I am so disappointed! I grew up eating at Brownings and our family went there often. Even though I moved away, every time I was in Little Rock I would go to Brownings to have lunch with friends
I am going to miss Brownings, and the Phelan family, too. A Little Rock classic is gone….
It has been many years since I last ate at Brownings not because I don’t long for their cheese dip and salsa, fruit punch, and tacos but because I have been moving with the military all over this wonderful country. I grew up with Brownings and I will never forget it. It will remain on my life-long top 10….there has never been and never will be anything like Brownings….this is a sad, sad day.
I lived in Cammack Village from 1955-61 and attended Jefferson Elementary School. Brownings was the ultimate family outing. The “hot” sauce and large round crispy chips were my favorite and I usually filled up on those before the main course. Though I’ve lived away from Little Rock for 50 years, I pass through to visit family elsewhere and often stopped by Brownings. Truly nostalgic, they kept the Razorback schedules and scores over the “bar” for years… it was like walking into my past. From there a drive by the old school and house on Pine Valley Road and the off to visit my family in Western Arkansas. Last week when I drove by with my sister, we both were sad to see Brownings shuttered. We sighed, said our laments and drove on. Good-bye old friend.