Little Rock, AR

cafe

The Root Cafe

Jack and Corri Sundell are taking the food business and DIY to a whole new level at their farm-to-table spot in Little Rock. They grind the meat in house for the Pimento Cheeseburger and handle it as little as possible before it’s cooked, then top it with spicy pimento cheese, 14-day, house-made sweet pickles and garlic vinaigrette. Guy also loved the Old World-Style Bratwurst which is made by hand and then topped with house-fermented slaw.

Little Rock, AR

restaurants

The Fold: Botanas & Bar

This restaurant is serving up righteous Mexican comfort food in a retro service station in Little Rock. The unique joint was the brainchild of a silent partner who brought together co-owner Bart Barlogi and co-owner Chef Alex Smith. The dynamite Bison Burrito is stuffed with ground bison, black beans, caramelized onions and lots of pepper jack cheese and topped with house-made ranchero sauce. For brunch, try their savory cornmeal waffles topped with braised pork, salsa verde, queso fresco and a fried egg.

Little Rock, AR

restaurants

Bruno's Little Italy

Brothers Vince Bruno and Gio Bruno are keeping tradition alive at the Italian restaurant that their father started in 1948 in Little Rock. Generations of families return to this old-school joint where the classic Italian dishes hardly ever change. Guy loved the handmade Toasted Ravioli and the towering Lasagna Imbotito.

North Little Rock, AR

restaurants

North Bar

Chef Eric Greer and buddy Kyle Dismang opened North Bar to serve up all kinds of unique burgers in North Little Rock. Some say they have the best burgers in the state. Guy loved the Arkansas BBQ Bologna Burger which is topped with house-made BBQ sauce, an eight-ounce slab of seared bologna and provolone cheese. It didn’t hurt that it was paired with crispy, house-made pork rinds.

Little Rock, AR

restaurants

La Terraza Rum & Lounge

Get a seat outside on the beautiful, tree-lined terrace at Chef Armando Bolanos's spot in Little Rock. For taste of authentic Venezuelan cuisine, try the slow-roasted Pernil al Horno, which is drenched in a thick demi-glace gravy and accompanied by killer bacon-studded beans and rice. Also try the seafood-packed, Valencian-style paella which is served tableside.

North Little Rock, AR

bar

Flyway Brewing

This funky brew pub was dreamt up by two buddies that met in college. At first, Matt Foster and Jess McMullen’s brewery served pretzels with a variety of sauces. Later, they brought on Chef Georgina Jones to add dishes with a Southern-flair to the menu, like the soul-satisfying Gumbo Cheese Fries.

North Pole, AK

restaurants

Pagoda Chinese Restaurant & Bar

It's a Triple D holiday essential to relive the famous Chinese restaurant dinner scene from 'A Christmas Story. Pagoda Restaurant loads Hollywood flavor into every nook and cranny of their tangy Alaskan King Crab Legs with Ginger. Beefing up this holiday? Black peppery Pagoda Steak is your ticket.

North Pole, AK

restaurants

Elf's Den Restaurant & Lounge

It's always Christmas at the Elf's Den Restaurant & Lounge. Chef Tony Ysais' North Pole workshop is out of toys, playing instead with homemade rolls and Reindeer Sausage Hoagies. Guy insists that you open wide for the Almond-Crusted Beef Tournedo with bearnaise and gravy more than just once a year.

North Pole, AK

restaurants

Country Cafe

The North Pole's Country Cafe has enough holiday giddyup for all nine reindeer. Guy was ready for a long winter's nap after polishing off their butter-basted Turkey Dinner with homemade stuffing. Eating local? Order the Cranberry-Glazed Ham, lacquered with wild Alaskan cranberry sauce.

Fairbanks, AK

restaurants

Big Daddy's BBQ & Banquet Hall

At Big Daddy's BBQ & Banquet, they're serving the "northern most southern barbecue." Guy's DDD visit to the Fairbanks, Ala. favorite wasn't complete without sampling the finger-licking Arkansas-style ribs and smoked turkeys from Chef Harold Groetsema, aka Big Daddy.

Fairbanks, AK

restaurants

The Cookie Jar Restaurant

The Cookie Jar started with just sweets back in 1986. Today their bag full of tricks has way more than gingersnaps, snickerdoodles and snowballs (oh, my!). Tender Prime Rib Au Jus had Guy melting in his chair - the perfect spot to settle in with one of their glazed holiday Cinnamon Roll Wreaths.

Fairbanks, AK

bar

Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co

Join Guy at the Silver Gulch Brewery in Fox, AK, the Northernmost brewery in the country. The restaurant serves everything from sandwiches to salads to pizzas in a friendly, casual atmosphere. Try the Porter Beer Cheese Soup.