The South is the home of meat and potatoes. Fried catfish and chicken are our friends here. At times, looking around this Southern state all you see is fish fries, steak houses and outdoor BBQs. However, there are some great places to eat to vegetarian style! There are also a few places that miss the mark when it comes to catering to vegetarian customers.
1) Wild Oats Natural Food Market
Wild Oats Natural Food Market, also known as "Beans," is a great place for vegans to get prepared food. It's a grocery store with a deli, bakery and juice bar and the only place in town that I've found blackened tofu, freshly made hummus, Tabbouleh salad and other vegetarian delights. Wild Oats has salads, prepared meals and specialty items in their aisles and a dining area for you to enjoy your purchases before heading back to work. This is the best place to go for groceries and go for lunch.
2) The Villa
The Villa is my favorite Italian place. They don't have many vegan dishes, although they have more vegan variety than most others. They have many meatless entrees including fettuccine Alfredo, stuffed ravioli and half a dozen types of spaghetti. Their salads are the best! They are located at 12111 W Markham, 501-219-2244.
3) La Hacienda
La Hacienda is my favorite veggie friendly Mexican place. It's the only Mexican place I've visited in Little Rock that has more than a couple bean dishes and several tasty vegetable entrees. They even have bean taquitos. They also have the traditional Mexican fare (lots of cheese) and that green salsa is killer! Some of their beans are pork free so be sure to ask. Located at 3024 Cantrell Rd, 501-661-0600.
4) From the Garden
From the Garden is a carry-out restaurant that has "vegan soul food." Almost everything is completely animal product free but they have some dairy dishes too. It is a bit greasy for some tastes but very good. Located at 1820 Izard, 501-374-8494
5) Jasmine's
Jasmine's is a mixture between Chinese, Japanese & European. Many of their dishes are vegan or vegetarian. For those of you who are mostly vegetarian but like sushi, Jasmine's is one of the best places to get sushi in Little Rock. Personally, I don't like sushi or fish and have never been disappointed by the menu selection.
6) Non-veg: Romano's Macaroni Grill
Romano's Macaroni Grill is touted as one of the best Italian restaurants in Arkansas but their menu is not vegetarian friendly. Last time I was there I found only a few non-meat dishes (your basic spaghetti). Normally it's easy to find veggie friendly Italian. Even the Olive Garden has vegan friendly dishes. Macaroni Grill is an exception.
7) Non-veg: The Cracker Barrel
The Cracker Barrel is one of my favorite places to eat even if they aren't veggie friendly. They have a nice country atmosphere. However, beware that even when you order the vegetable plate, you're going to get ham and bacon. They put meat grease, it seems, in everything. I was very shocked to find a chunk of ham in one of the vegetable dishes I ordered. Some of their dishes are meatless. Just be careful what you order and you'll be OK.
8) Non-veg: Cozymels
Cozymels is another one of my favorite places to eat that isn't vegetarian friendly. Unlike some Mexican places, they have very few bean dishes. I always get cheese enchiladas, but if you are vegan, that is not an option. It's definitely a miss for vegans. For people who do eat cheese, they have a few non-meat selections but not very many.
9) Non-veg: Dixie Cafe
Dixie does offer many vegetarian choices but some of their vegetable dishes are flavored with meat. Just because it's a vegetable doesn't mean it is vegetarian. Servers are normally happy to tell you which dishes are completely meat free.
10) Non-veg: The Others
Arkansas doesn't really cater to vegetarians yet. Many of the restaurants around town have a few vegetarian friendly choices (veggie burgers or vegetable dishes) but beware. In the South, almost everything is flavored with meat grease. I find that when I visit bigger cities this normally isn't the case so those of you who are from out of town might have to ask your server if the recipes are indeed meat free.
