[MarymovingtoRioRico]

Hi Arkansas residents! We will be driving through Arkansas on our way to AZ today. I'm somewhat of a serious foodie and my nightmare is to eat at horrible food chains on the way to AZ ;-) I found a great local place in Knoxville thank god and a decent hotel. Our next stop is Little Rock Ark. (or an exit or two before or after if another exit is a better bet).

I would be very grateful for some advice from locals. Don't want to travel too far off I 40 but would love to find a nice hotel (not more than 100 dollars) Great if it had a bar but not the most important thing. Most important is to find "the" place along the way with price being no object for great food or at least a favorite hot spot among locals. What's the smoking regs there also? If there are places where you can smoke - this would be awsome! I found out too late that you can smoke in TN at some places that are age restricted. (21 and up). Love to hear from you all. Cheers..

[OurGreatEscape]

Stay downtown near the Riverwalk area.

[MarymovingtoRioRico]

Thanks - what exit is that off i 40? and how far from the highway?

[jenni-b]

Mary, to get to the River Market, take I-30 West off of I-40, cross the river, and take the Cantrell Road/Clinton Avenue exit. It's maybe a couple of miles from I-40. You'll find lots of local restaurants in the River Market, along with a couple of chains like Flying Saucer. I wouldn't say they're the BEST restaurants in town, but there are some pretty good ones, and some fun places to hang out.

You could stay at the Capitol Hotel, and dine at Ashley's. Ashley's is FABULOUS. The hotel might be over $100 a night, though. It's right up President Clinton Avenue from the River Market.

Other popular restaurants not in the River Market, but still convenient to there: Juanita's and Lulav (downtown), Brave New Restaurant, Loca Luna, and Faded Rose (Riverdale) and Ristorante Capeo and Cregeen's (Argenta).

Here's a good list of restaurants in LR/NLR. They'll be able to give you directions at the hotel.

Arkansas Times

I hope you enjoy your evening here!

[organick]

Originally Posted by MarymovingtoRioRico

Hi Arkansas residents! We will be driving through Arkansas on our way to AZ today. I'm somewhat of a serious foodie and my nightmare is to eat at horrible food chains on the way to AZ ;-) I found a great local place in Knoxville thank god and a decent hotel. Our next stop is Little Rock Ark. (or an exit or two before or after if another exit is a better bet).

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I would be very grateful for some advice from locals. Don't want to travel too far off I 40 but would love to find a nice hotel (not more than 100 dollars) Great if it had a bar but not the most important thing. Most important is to find "the" place along the way with price being no object for great food or at least a favorite hot spot among locals. What's the smoking regs there also? If there are places where you can smoke - this would be awsome! I found out too late that you can smoke in TN at some places that are age restricted. (21 and up). Love to hear from you all. Cheers..

xxxxxxxxx

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by MarymovingtoRioRico

Hi Arkansas residents! We will be driving through Arkansas on our way to AZ today. I'm somewhat of a serious foodie and my nightmare is to eat at horrible food chains on the way to AZ ;-) I found a great local place in Knoxville thank god and a decent hotel. Our next stop is Little Rock Ark. (or an exit or two before or after if another exit is a better bet).

I would be very grateful for some advice from locals. Don't want to travel too far off I 40 but would love to find a nice hotel (not more than 100 dollars) Great if it had a bar but not the most important thing. Most important is to find "the" place along the way with price being no object for great food or at least a favorite hot spot among locals. What's the smoking regs there also? If there are places where you can smoke - this would be awsome! I found out too late that you can smoke in TN at some places that are age restricted. (21 and up). Love to hear from you all. Cheers..

I-40 doesn't go through Little Rock. You'll need to get off on I-30 to go into Little Rock. There are plenty of places to eat on President Clinton avenue. There are exit signs for it so it should be pretty easy to find.

[MarymovingtoRioRico]

Thanks everyone. It was raining like crazy. Our trip actually didn't go the way you all suggested. We had to go south rather than straight and passed the city completely. We ended up stopping at Hope. Mistake. Dry and no smoking. sigh. We ended up in Texarkana and went to an awful fish place at near a Quinta right off the highway. Sad day. The stop you suggested sounded way better but I was on the road and unable to access the internet. Thanks though for the great advice.

[jenni-b]

Maybe another time!