1. Cock of the Walk
The Recipe –  As would be expected of any truly Southern restaurant, almost anything on the menu is or can be deep fried. Until you’ve had fried dill pickles made to order from scratch, you haven’t really set foot in Arkansas.

The Reputation –  This joint on the Arkansas River bank traces its roots back to 1977, when its first incarnation opened on the Mississippi River bank in Natchez, Miss. Today, the menu includes several meats – crawfish, crab and even chicken and steak – but the fried catfish is what gives credence to this eatery’s name.
7103 Cock of the Walk Lane, Maumelle

2. Kitchen Express
The Recipe –  Macaroni and cheese, candied yams, greens – this place is all about soul food. You choose from several main dishes, like fried pork chops, barbecue ribs and even turkey legs, add a side or two and finish with dessert, like banana pudding. The restaurant also caters if you want a slice of Arkansas brought to you.

The Reputation –  You know the food’s good when the leader of the free world, basketball’s greatest superstar and numerous celebrities have eaten there. The walls are lined with autographed pictures of President Bill Clinton, Michael Jordan, Raven-Symoné and other famous folks who’ve stopped in.
4600 Asher Ave., Little Rock

3. Your Mama’s Good Food
The Recipe – There’s a good chance this small ‘50s-style diner downtown serves food that’s even better than your mom’s. The Creole meatloaf is a local favorite, but you don’t have to sacrifice trying another main dish to have it. Served cafeteria-style, you choose the number of meats and sides you want, then load up.

The Reputation –  The yeast rolls here are so famous that many locals order them for holiday dinners. Why? They’re gigantic, moist and delicious – in fact, you might have to consider skipping the pecan pie (rumored to be some of the best in central Arkansas) for a second.
220 W. Fourth St., Little Rock

4. Homer’s Restaurant
The Recipe – The basics here really are meat and potatoes, like roast beef and mashed potatoes and gravy. There’s a special every day, which you can always get with a roll or cornbread, but the hamburgers are just as popular. And with chocolate pie on the dessert menu, you know the place is all about comfort food.

The Reputation –  The service is some of the fastest and friendliest around, but beyond that, it’s no frills, which is part of the charm. A highlight is the people watching – located in the middle of a warehouse district, the restaurant draws both blue- and white-collar workers.
2001 E. Roosevelt Road, Little Rock

5. Lindsey’s Hospitality House
The Recipe –  The barbecue isn’t just a specialty; it’s a family tradition dating back to their first restaurant in 1954. You can even buy their barbecue sauce by the bottle. It’s hard to pass up the fall-off-the-bone ribs, but an expanded menu includes several items – even spaghetti – along with all kinds of home-cooked vegetables as sides, like fried okra and black-eyed peas.

The Reputation –  Lindsey’s fried pies are something to write home about. (Yankees: a fried pie is pie dough filled usually with fruit and then fried to flaky perfection, in a half-moon shape like a taco.) They’ve got peach, apple or chocolate – good luck with that decision.
207 E. 15th St., North Little Rock