Not Your Everyday Gas Station

When thinking about down-home breakfast there are two mandatory ingredients: one being a fried egg and the other chocolate gravy. These two items take me back to memories of breakfast Christmas morning at Grandma’s where she’s been up since dawn preparing us a biscuit sopping feast. So when Grandma’s cooking isn’t an option I always know Taylor’s General Store will be just as good, or better(don’t tell Grandma). On the corner of Weir Road and Hwy 124 in Russellville, AR you will find a Shell gasoline that boasts a couple wooden benches out front and a building adorning the letters “Taylor’s General Store” in red chipped paint. Taylor’s isn’t just any gas station it’s also a store and café. Inside beyond your everyday gas station you will find a couple booths and a long, rectangle table to host the gentleman who call Taylor’s home to their coffee drinking and world problem solving. If you are a Russellville native you don’t think of chocolate gravy without thinking of Taylor’s. They serve it somewhere between a pudding and gravy consistency, and where the two seem to meet is taste bud euphoria. Sadly, Friday and Saturday mornings are the only times you can order this delectable treat.  Also you must try there biscuit sandwiches with a homemade fried egg. The serve canned biscuits or “womp ‘ems” as my momma calls them, but don’t be weary they do the trick. The biscuits are piled high with cheese, fried egg, and ham, sausage, or bacon. Or you can get them smothered in the chocolate gravy and topped with a dollop of butter. Being the unselfish Southerners they are, the helping of chocolate gravy is so generous you can’t even see the bottom of the plastic plate it’s served on. They will even make your lunch as you’re eating breakfast.  You can order a deli sandwich to-go that comes loaded with meat and cheeses and served with fresh veggies. Taylor’s is far from fancy and most people order to-go…but give the booths and coffee drinkers a chance because a good conversation is only a smile away.

The next time you are in Russellville or driving down I-40 take the Weir road exit and it will lead you to the best gas station food you will ever eat, I give you my word!

There's Nothing Little About It



Little Bead Co.
Fayetteville, AR



When it comes to baked goods in NW Arkansas most people thinks of Rick’s Bakery, but if you’ve never visited the Little Bread Company you are in for a taste tantalizing treat! Little Bread Company is located in Fayetteville, AR just off the square. Its location puts you right in the heart of the Fayetteville social scene, which makes the outdoor patio a must when dining on site. The restaurant has a nouveau hippie vibe, stemming from the mosaic exterior to its walls that are painted in warm earth tones that familiarly enough echoes the warm welcome you receive as you walk through the door. You order at a walk up counter which doubles as the display case for baskets of their baked goods. The one thing that sets this bakery apart from most others is it is an Artisan Bakery. This means you are receiving a high quality, labor intensive good. And when it comes to Artisan baked goods they have a rustic crust with a flavorful soft center, which allows for sweet and savory in every bite. The other display case is refrigerated and houses their various array of quiche, which is a meal in its self whether you are doing breakfast or lunch. They will serve your quiche warmed up, and usually they ask and recommend you do so.

The best item at Little Bread Company is hands down their bear claw. For close to $2 you can get a pastry the size of what I’ve always imagined a real bear’s claw to be. The pastry has a rustic crust that is flaky and buttery. They use an egg wash and sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar prior to baking giving it a sweet crisp crust. After biting through the layers of flaky dough you get to the center or “palm” of the claw and this is like Christmas morning! It’s a hearty mixture of cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, pecans, and raisins. This super sweet center is the perfect accompaniment to the not so sweet pastry dough. Their bear claws leave you full, but strangely wanting another one, and a another one... To go along with their pastries they also have a self serve coffee bar which usually has three or four different brews depending on the day.

 Grab a bear claw or hearty slice of quiche and then take a seat outside on the patio. Their friendly atmosphere allows for you to easily join a conversation or start one up yourself. If you are wanting a quiet, laid back breakfast that’s an option as well just pull up a seat outside and watch as people enjoy the farmer’s market on the square or the shops nearby. One tip you should know that isn’t told but understood by locals, you put up your flatware and dishes yourself.  There is a bin located inside either by or on the trash can…this tip will make all newcomers look like they have been visiting LBC for years.

Next time you're in NWA and looking for a bakery with a great atmosphere and even better food make your way down to the square and visit Little Bread Company…you'll be glad!

http://www.littlebread.com/

Fallin' off the Bone Good

Hog Pen BBQ
Conway, AR

Spending my first two years of college at the University of Central Arkansas let me get a good taste of Conway, AR...literally. If weight tells you anything about good food, when I transferred schools I weighed the most I've weighed to date courtesy of Conway's tasty eats. My favorite BBQ establishment the city boasted was "Hog Pen BBQ" which was on the other side of town from UCA's campus but well worth the drive. It's a walk up and order establishment where you help yourself to your own silver ware and drinks. Talking about drinks, if you are a sweet tea fan then count that as an added bonus because theirs is dynamite. Hog Pen is known for big portions and awesome ribs. When I say awesome I mean it, the ribs are full of meat and smoked to perfection. The pink smoke ring around the rib meat is perfect leaving it flavorful, moist, and fall of the bone tender. Served dry but you can get a bottle of their bbq sauce which is what I like to call KC style.  I recommend the ribs and sweet tea, but save room for desert. Their fried pies are worth the wait as you should go up and order after your meal is finished because they fry it when you order it, giving you a piping hot and fresh fried pie of your choosing. Next time you are in Conway head over towards Hendrix and look for their big yellow sign you can't miss it!
http://hogpenbbq.com/