Copeland's Restaurant - Little Rock, AR

This new chain restaurant has a ways to go if they want to make it in Little Rock. Prices are moderate, service is a bit lacking. Great atmosphere.

When you walk into Copeland's, the first thing you see is an impressive array of cheesecake and baked goods (much like a Cheesecake Factory chain). The restaurant has a casually elegant atmosphere where jeans would be just as fitting as your Sunday best (and they do offer a Sunday Brunch).

On my August visit, I don't think they were quite ready for prime time. I wasn't impressed with the service or the food. I always give new restaurant the benefit of the doubt. With poorly trained staff, new menu items, big crowds, I understand that sometimes you can get a slightly bad experience. On the other hand, why open if you don't even know the menu? Plus, Copeland's is a chain so you'd think they'd have it down.

My guest and I ordered tomato basil chicken ($8.49) and cheese broccoli soup with a baked potato ($7.99). One would think that those two dishes would be hard to mess up, but Copeland's managed to miss on both.

The biggest snafu was the tomato basil chicken came without chicken. By the time we figured that out, the waiter was gone. He didn't get back around to the table until the end of the meal (during a fairly slow Friday afternoon). After talking to the kitchen, the only reparation offered was to package a chicken breast to go. We said no thanks. No manager was demanded and no fuss was made, but I am of the opinion that one should not have to fuss to be treated correctly. The waiter should have offered a manager.

The pasta, sans chicken, was pretty good. The baked potato was served cold and was very unappetizing. The soup was great.

For the desserts, we ordered their signature cheesecake ($5.99) and bananas foster ($6.99). Both were great and probably the best part of the meal, even if we did have to wait quite a while to place a dessert order.

Overall, I wasn't impressed. Even if they aren't busy, expect a long wait time.

2602 Shackleford Rd. (Shackleford Crossing)
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-312-1616
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