Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks will be hosting the 18th Annual Chefs in the Garden next Tuesday, and we hear all about it from Executive Director Ashley Wardlow and Director of Sales & Events, Nina Estes. We’ll hear about who will benefit from the night, we’ll hear about some of the chefs and restaurants that will be there and what folks will be voting on. That’s in this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re in Rogers at Toot Beirut talking with Owner & Chef Khalid Alkatib and Manager Tony Van Waning, but before we hear from them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

• Memo’s Taco Shop is coming to Springdale! We’ll tell you where!
• Las Palmas on Sunset has closed, but it’s only temporary. We’ll tell you why!
• Say goodbye to Applebee’s in Springdale.
• It’s a wrap for Feltner’s Watta Burger.
• Taste of Rogers happens this week. We’ll tell you when!
• Strawberry Fest happens this weekend in downtown Fayetteville!
• Bites on B Street happens Saturday in Bentonville. We’ll tell you about it!
• In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from Paula Jo Chitty Henry about starting the first food truck in Bentonville. You know it as Crepes Paulette!

Khalid Alkatib is from a family of restauranteurs. He moved to Northwest Arkansas and immediately opened a restaurant, where he prides himself on the authenticity of their Middle Eastern food. How did he end up in NWA?

Oh, and do you want to see something impressive? Look at their google reviews. Few in our area can boast what they’ve got.

He’ll talk about the early days of putting together the menu as well as what’s most popular on it. We hear from Khalid Alkatib and Toot Beirut Manager Tony Van Waning next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at Patrick’s in Springdale talking with owner Kesha Henderson-Wilson, but before we hear from her?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• It’s @NWABurgerWeek!
• Cable Car Pizza will be opening in a familiar spot in Fayetteville.
• Sweet Paris Creperie and Café is soft opening in Rogers.
• The Piehouse Bakery in Bentonville had a BIG win recently! We’ll hear from owner Lisa Sohl!
• We’ll tell you about the Taste of Rogers!
• The Fayetteville Strawberry Festival is back, and it’s packed with entertainment!
• Happy anniversary to Onyx in Downtown Springdale and Dodo Coffee!
• In today’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from Café Rue Orlean’s Co-owner Maudie Schmitt about opening 25 years ago!

Kesha Henderson-Wilson grew up in the restaurant business... in fact, it’s the business that she runs today at Patrick’s Burgers in Springdale. Long known as a great, no cutting corners burger place, it’s what’s gotten them to 55 years in business, almost an impossible feat. Kesha will tell us about that... and did you know that it was originally something else? Well, they still made burgers, though... And how did she get the baton passed to her to take it over?  And what is their entry into this week’s NWA Burger week? We’re talking burgers and history next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

Greetings and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast. Appreciate you being here. We’re in Tontitown today at Mama Z’s talking with owner Jesse Bishop, but before we get to her?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Goat Lab Red has closed in Fayetteville. We’ll tell you why.
• Table Au Centre has opened on the Walmart Campus. They have temporary hours now and we’ll tell you why.
• NWA Burger Week is next week, and Big Daddy’s Burgers will be open for it!
• Food and bev for Crystal Bridges will be outsources, according to Axios NWA.
• The Bentonville Farmer’s Market has been ranked the 4th best in the country. We’ll explain the ratings system by the USA Today.
• There are two new Cureate winners in Northwest Arkansas!
• No Kid Hungry had another big night in Northwest Arkansas!
• The DISH event raised BIG money for ACNW!
• Happy Anniversary to Sidecar in Fayetteville!
• Want to advertise on Flavors of Northwest Arkansas? Email for info! (FlavorsofNWA@Gmail.com)
• In today’s Flavors Flashback, a local James Beard Best Chef of the South nominee tells you how to make your food taste better!

Jesse Bishop is the 3rd generation owner/operator of Mama Z’s in Tontitown. Her Nona was Edna Zulpo who started Mama Z’s. Jesse has some stories about her and the early days of the restaurant. Jesse will also talk about her path from growing up in the restaurant to owning it. She’ll talk about what the hardest part has been. Finally, the food, she’ll hit the classics including the national dish of Tontitown, fried chicken and spaghetti. For those that don’t know, they also have food that’s not Italian and she’ll also talk about serving breakfast and lunch. We’re talking Mama Z’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this special edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we talk with Joseph Nguyen (@hangrypedalerNWA) about the inaugural NWA Burger Week. As the founder and organizer, he gives us a few of his favorite burgers that will be made especially for the week, and we'll talk about the need for the NWA Food Bank, who will get a dollar from each burger sold. #TipYourServers 

WE’RE TALKING CHAMPAGNE TODAY!!!

Sidenote: I’ve got on my NWA Burger Week t-shirt – You’ll find out more about NWA Burger Week this Friday as we sit with the founder and organizer, Joseph Nguyen who you know as @hangrypedalernwa on Instagram. But today, we’re in Bentonville at Muselet, talking with Owner, Executive Chef and Champaign King Aaron Walters, but before we hear form Aaron??

FOOD NEWS!!

• The World Food Championships happened this weekend at Brightwater. The winner took home $100,000 and almost didn’t finish his final plate! We have the VIDEO!!
• A new Cajun grocery & gift spot opened in Springdale this weekend. We’ll tell you about Down the Bayou.
• There’s a new breakfast & lunch spot in Rogers. We’ll talk about Velvet Sunrise.
• Siplab in Bentonville opened their doors to a crowd on Sunday morning!
• Amorino Gelato is officially open!
• Home Brewers battled it out at Bentonville Brewing on Saturday to benefits the NWA Women’s Shelter.
• It’s almost Chefs’ Night for No Kid Hungry – you can still get tickets!

Aaron Walters owns and operates Muselet Champagne Bar on 5th Street in Bentonville. An Arkansas native, he talks about how he got into food, because he became a chef before getting into the finer points of Champagne. In fact,  he was a private chef for some pretty important people. What’s it like being a private chef in Hawaii? Aaron’s got some stories. Also, what got him into Champagne, and how many do they stock at Muselet? We talk wine, other beverages, and a delicious food menu in this episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, Sarah Ross, Lauren Blass, and Courtney Becton sit with John to talk about Arkansas Children's Northwest biggest fundraiser of the year, Dish. 

From a Palm Royale theme to the 25 restaurants that will be onsite serving food, this episode gets you caught up with everything, including how to get your tickets (as they're going fast). Also, you'll hear about silent auction items THAT ARE LIVE NOW. 

You can check out the items and get tickets now at archildrens.org/dish. 

See you there!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at the Honeycomb Kitchen Shop in downtown Rogers talking with their wine shop director & Ryn bartender Ryan Kalkwarf. We’ll be talking about his path to wine, and then, we’ll be trying some of his current favorites, so get your notepad ready – but before we talk to Ryan?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

• Cura Osteria has passed all of their tests, and gotten permits! They open.... VERY soon!
• Kilroy Public House officially opens... VERY soon!!
• Big Daddy’s Burgers announced their grand opening for May 1st- we’ll tell you when they soft open!
• It’s going to be a big weekend for Down the Bayou in Springdale. We’ll hear from owner Shane Acosta.
• Siplab opens Saturday- we’ll tell you about their deals.
• The 2nd annual Chef’s Dinner benefitting No Kid Hungry is going to be HUGE. Get tickets before you can’t. We’ll tell you how to get them.
• On this week’s Flavors Fashback, we hear how Executiver Chef Sam Walker ended up at Gaskins!

Honeycomb Kitchen Shop and Ryn’s Ryan Kalkwarf has been in the restaurant food and beverage game for a long time around the US. He’ll talk about becoming a chef and what inspired him to get involved with wine. He’ll also talk about wine trends, and we’ll talk about the future of wine, and how the next generations are approaching it. Also, we’ll taste a few trendy wines, and Ryan will give us the low-down on those on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Winecast!

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking to Sam Walker, Executive Chef at Gaskins on Emma as he prepares to host his EPIC No Kid Hungry dinner at the Jones Center.

He’ll talk about the event, the 20 chefs involved in the undertaking of the event, and the mission of No Kid Hungry.

Also, we’ll tell you how to get tickets- they’ve already sold half, so with the event being 2 weeks away, you need to get them now!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we speak with Executive Director of Brightwater, Chef Marshall Shafkowitz, but before we talk to him?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Black Apple Cider has been acquired! We’ll hear the plans for the brand from Scarlet Letter Beverage Company Founder & CEO Dr. Jesse Core!
• A Michelin Recommended restaurant from Dallas is soft opening in Bentonville. We’ll tell you how you can get reservations to Written by the Seasons!
• Wesner’s Grill will be on a TV show this summer!
• AY Magazine gives us an idea of when Bentoville will open.
• Big Bo Karaoke is coming to Bentonville. We’re talking menu with one of the owners.
• The Naturals have some new menu items. We’ll tell you about them!
• The Fayetteville Strawberry Festival has announced their particulars.
• Happy 10th anniversary to Honeycomb Kitchen Shop and third anniversary to Orthodox Brewing.
• On this week’s Flavors Flashback, we’ll hear the origination story of Mermaid’s from Chef Todd Golden.

Man, does Brightwater Executive Director and Chef Marshall Shafkowitz have some stories. Originally from New York, he’s been all over. His family restaurant got him interested in food at a young age. Quitting a corporate gig and getting a broken heart in his mid-20’s got him to love food again and find passion in it, which eventually spawned his love for teaching with help from something that his mother told him. Finally, he’ll tell us about his journey to Northwest Arkansas, and his love for it. That’s on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

Welcome this this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast! I adore everything about today’s podcast. The company, the product, the owner and her story as we’re talking today with Angela Bolt from Siloam Syrups... but before we get to her?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Two local spots made the James Beard Awards Final 5 in two categories, and they’re both in the same building in Rogers!
• A No Kid Hungry dinner was announced for Springdale. We have the details.
• More news about the Kilroy Public House in Rogers!
• Chuo Izakaya is officially open!
• Taqueria El Cuervo has officially moved.
• There will be multiple food options in the new development going up by Gully Park in Fayetteville.
• 7Brew is coming to the UofA
• We have the results of the Black Howler Beer Chili Cookoff from the weekend!
• Happy anniversary to Crisis Brewing and Terracotta. Both are partying on Saturday. We have the deets.
• Another Dining in the Dark at Mockingbird Kitchen. We’ll tell you where it originated from and how it started in NWA!

What a story Angela Bolt has. Born and raised on the west coast, you’ll love the story about how she learned how to cook. You’ll also hear about the familial influences in her life and are with her today. How did she get into the food and beverage business? That’s a good story and has to do with family. Speaking of which, how does one go from Oakland to Siloam Springs? It’ll make sense, I promise. Also, a scary health situation and the story of Angela having to put her life on pause and the village that got her through it. Finally, those yummy syrups... Delish. We talk to Angela Bolt from Siloam Syrups next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re in Bentonville with Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis talking Townie Burgers, Oven & Tap and Superfine Sweets, but before we do?!?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Chuo Izakaya finally opens in Rogers THIS WEEK! Owner Darwin Beyer talks about getting the doors open.
• The HUB in Bentonville re-opens THIS WEEK! General Manager Shawn Curtis gives us the schedule!
• My new crush Taqueria El Cuervo is moving THIS WEEK!
• Jaclyn’s Kitchen at Prairie Creek officially opened LAST WEEK!
• Down the Bayou has announced when they’re opening. Not THIS WEEK.
• Moffs Pizza wants to move into a brick-and-mortar building, and you can help!
• Angelino’s Italian Restaurant in Siloam will be closing. We’ll tell you when.
• Big anniversaries this week with Guess Who, Feed and Folly, and Handel’s Ice Cream in Rogers.
• I’ve been following an Arkansas Pastry Chef who had a big week last week at a big competition!
• The Black Howler Beer Company Beer Chili Cookoff is this Saturday!

Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis have been business partners for about a decade now, and the story of how they met is hilarious. It started with a job interview and a phone call – also, persistence paid off. When Luke decided that he wanted to open Oven and Tap, there was never a question about who would be a part of it with him. They both talk about the lessons learned when opening their first place.

 I’ve always wondered this about ice cream shops –how do they pick out their ice cream flavors for Superfine Sweets Shop?

Finally, what led to Townie Burgers and what’s next?

We hear from Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis next, on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas. Please like and subscribe! Available on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts!

Hi there- hope you had an outstanding St. Paddy’s Day and didn’t indulge TOO much... Welcome to this week’s Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast. I’m John Engleman- thanks for being here. This week, we’re in Rogers at Michoacana Ice Cream, where there’s much more than Ice Cream, and owner Arturo Rodriguez? A very colorful past-life in LA.. but before we get to that?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Cura Osteria in downtown Rogers has given us a grand opening date... kind of
• Scoops Ice Cream is open in downtown Springdale, but not without injury!
• Parlor is open in The Ledger.
• Dice Goblins’ Café is officially open!
• Not a bad day to open the Fermentary Brewery!
• Goodcents is open in Fayetteville.
• Jaclyn’s Kitchen re-opens this week in a new location!
• Trash Ice Cream has their eyes in Fayetteville.
• Downtown Fayetteville is getting a new brewery.
• Casa Alejo will be opening a 3rd spot!
• Fayetteville’s Golden Corral is officially closed.
• Panda Express is coming to Springdale. We’ll tell you where.
• A chili cook-off? You had me at “A”. This time at Black Howler
• Maxine’s Tap Room turns 76, Michoacana and The Odd Soul turn 9, and Stoic Brews turned 1!

Michoacana Ice Cream Owner Arturo Rodriguez is originally from Columbia, but came to the US to work with his brother in LA. He eventually got into broadcasting and built his own broadcasting school which happened to be at the same location for CNN in LA. He was on the same floor as Larry King, and some VERY famous guests would get lost and end up at their school accidentally, including one singer that might’ve been the most popular in the world at the time. Arturo will tell that story.

So how does one go from having a popular broadcasting school in LA to Northwest Arkansas? That’s another story, and of note- cows don’t listen to radio... You’ll hear what that means. Finally, Michoacana- known for their homemade ice cream, but becoming known for their food as well... You’ll hear about that from owner Arturo Rodriguez of Michoacana Ice Cream in Rogers on this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, I’m John Engleman- thanks for being here, and happy early St. Patty’s Day. In this week’s edition, we’re in Bentonville, talking with Paulo Piraino and Yulia Batalina, the owners of The Cellar on B Street, but before we get to them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• We now know when Ria Pizza opens in downtown Rogers.
• 1834 Tavern Lafayette opens in Fayetteville soon... VERY soon.
• The Purple Cow opens in Rogers!
• Benny’s Bagels opened last week in Fayetteville.
• Honed In Sharpening now has a brick-and-mortar.
• Capriotti’s opens in Springdale.
• Goodcents announces when they’ll be opening in Fayetteville.
• A third Chipotle is coming to Fayetteville.
• Bethel Brew has news about their Farmington location.
• News on Bucks of Asia in Fayetteville.
• Happy 30th Anniversary to Susan’s Restaurant in Springdale! They’re giving away something sweet today!!
• Third Space Coffee turns three!
• Rein celebrated their 2nd anniversary!
• Chefs in the Garden is slated for May 19!
• In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from Blu Fresh Fish Marketplace’s Barry Furuseth. He cut his teeth in selling fish in DC, San Francisco, and LA, and then talks about moving to NWA.

Have you ever wanted to open a bottle shop in your own house? Paulo Piraino and Yulia Batalina are certified sommeliers, and that’s what they did. It’s called The Cellar on B Street, which has a wine club and carries specialty foods.

Before The Cellar on B Street, they started a wine and dinner pairing company that they’ll talk about. It gets VERY specific. They come from different countries and have different paths for getting into wine, which is what connected them. They’ll tell us that story. Now married and expecting, they’ll tell us how they ended up in Northwest Arkansas for the second time and stayed. That’s on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Happy March, and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast – WE HAVE SOME STORIES for you today with Roger Gildehaus from Macadoodles in Pineville and Guess Who in Bentonville, but first?!?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Orthodox Farmhouse Brewery is for sale. We’ll tell you why.
• Fossil Cove will be adding a second location in Fayetteville; so will Wicked Wood Fired Pizza.
• There are two new dessert spots coming to the Pinnacle Hills Promenade.
• The Fermentary opens their taproom soon!
• If you’re a matcha or latte fan in Bentonville, your favorite new spot opens Saturday. We’ll hear from the owner of the Caffeine Bar.
• A longtime Fayetteville spot will close its doors at the end of May.
• Few seats remain for the No Kid Hungry fundraising dinner at The Hive Saturday night.
• We’re doing our first LIVE podcast this week! We’ll tell you about it!
• BITE NWA has added 2 events this year, and one is around the corner. We’ll tell you about it!
• We celebrate the anniversaries of three Fayetteville spots: Mockingbird Kitchen, Baked by Kori and the Feral Pig!
• We’ll hear what the winner of the Natural State Beer Company’s First Annual Chili Cookoff had in his chili!

Roger Gildehaus started in retail right out of high school and at the age of 24, worked his way into becoming a Walmart store manager. Sam Walton hand-picked Roger to be the store manager of a prototype Walmart in Pine Bluff, and you’ll hear the story of how that happened. Roger worked his way up to being a VP in the company, and that’s when he started Macadoodles in Pineville, Missouri. He’ll tell you what sparked him to open at the border- and it’s not as obvious as you might think.

Also, Roger tells the story about why Guess Who in Bentonville isn’t named Macadoodles... So many stories in this episode... We talk to Roger Gildehaus of Macadoodles on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.  

Hello all, and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, I’m John Engleman, thanks for being here.

Yesterday marked two years since I published my very first Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast. Thank you so much for joining along the way as these past 2 years have been and amazing journey and a true professional passion. I’m super-fortunate to be able to do this... Truly, thank you.

And I was also lucky to be able to sit down with Executive Chef Caleb Carter of Louise at Thaden Field. But before we talk to him?!?!

(*FOOD NEWS*)

We kick off Food News with BREAKING NEWS!!

• We know who is moving into Levi’s Gastropub’s old spot in downtown Rogers! We’ll hear from the owner/executive chef!
• Yankabilly Smokehouse has reopened as Yankabilly on the Creeks. We’ll hear from them about the change!
• The Kitchens at Olive and Barley are open- we’ll tell you about the shared kitchens and hear from one of the owners.
• Whole Foods in Rogers opened to a packed house!
• Fry Bentonville is officially open!
• Sooie, a new bar on Dickson will open soon.
• Smalls Sliders is coming to Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville!
• Siplab will be opening soon in Bentonville.
• Happy 55th anniversary to Patrick’s Burgers & happy 7th anniversary to The First Seat!
• Find out who won the 24th Annual Brewski’s Chili Cookoff and hear what they had to say about it.

Caleb Carter is a Bentonville guy, having been raised there and working his way through the business there... He started in fast food, but then got the best chef-u-cation from some of the best chefs in Northwest Arkansas... He talks about that and some changes coming to Louise at Thaden Field, and much more... That’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

Greetings, and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast. I’m John Engleman- appreciate you being here however you watch or listen. This week, we talk with Jordan Wright of Wright’s Barbecue, and as you might imagine, what a story he has! But before we get to him?!?!

(*FOOD NEWS*)

• Onyx Coffee Lab in Rogers is named best coffee shop IN THE WORLD!
• Parlay on 8th is officially open! We’ll have them describe themselves.
• The Rogers location wasn’t a fit for Mermaids
• Whole Foods opens TODAY in Rogers!
• We hear about 2 news places coming to downtown Springdale on Bien the Know.
• We’ll tell you how to get your tickets to No Kid Hungry, is tickets are selling FAST.
• We go back to out 12/11/2024 episode with Rein Sushi & Hibachi for this week’s Flavors Flashback

Jordan Wright was a backyard BBQ king for a good while. He had a successful career in sales and communications at one of the big northwest Arkansas companies and caught the bug in a bigger way at a popular BBQ spot in Austin. He tasted some things that weren’t in Northwest Arkansas at the time, and maybe not even the state. That’s changing, as Wright’s has 4 spots in Northwest Arkansas, one in Little Rock, with 2 more central Arkansas locations coming soon. Jordan talks about learning BBQ, building Wright’s in the early days, current day, and what the future holds and that’s next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.  

In this week’s Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking with Mark Smith and Dan Clous of Natural State Beer Company, but before we get to them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

• The Hive at 21C made a prominent national magazine. We’ll tell you what magazine and why they’re in there!
• Speaking of The Hive, they’re now selling tickets for their No Kid Hungry Fundraiser. We’ll tell you how and where to get them.
• Zelli Pasta has a new home! Co-owner Mitchell Owen will tell us what’s different about it.
• Desi Fusion opened in Springdale on Monday. We’ll hear from owner Lucky Sadthra about their fare.
• NYC Express Deli opened their second location- their first in Benton County. We’ll tell you where!
• The soon-to-be AQ Chicken House had folks over yesterday for graffiti. Kind of. We’ll explain.
• We MIGHT have a grand opening date or week for Ozark Charcuterie & Wine Bar’s cheese and wine shop in Rogers.
• Brewski’s and Natural State Beer Company have Chili Cookoff’s soon!
• If you’ve been missing Renzo’s Italian Steakhouse, there’s now a way to have it!
• Happy anniversary to Bella’s Table and Dodo Coffee!
• In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we’re talking about hairy pasta! True story.

Mark Smith and Dan Clous met in a home brewing club here in Northwest Arkansas. Their love for a unique certain style of brewing eventually led to them getting into business with each other.

They talk about how they found their peaceful and serene spot to build their brewery. Once you’re there, you don’t feel like you’re a quarter mile from I-49. Soon after opening, they had to survive covid. You’ll hear how they did it, and they were able to because of their location.

Also, Dan had to leave NWA for a few years, and you’ll hear why. Oh, and that Chili-cookoff. Taproom manager Haley Arnell will give you the lowdown. And finally, the beers. We had a live-to-tape taste-test, and I do NOT regret it. That’s all next here in the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at the Langman Winery and Restaurant in Centerton talking with owner Jim Langman, but before we do?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• The AACF Soup Sunday happened last weekend, and you’ll hear from the winners!!
• To the Table is having their introduction and dining experience dinner! We’ll tell you how to get tickets!
• Hideaway Pizza is OPEN in Rogers!
• NY Deli Express is OPEN in Rogers!
• Monte Ne Inn is back OPEN in Rogers!
• Desi Fusion will open next week in Springdale.
• Doe’s Eat Place has closed in Bentonville.
• Boba Journey has closed in Bentonville.
• In today’s Flavors Flashback, Café Rue Orleans Co-owner and Executive Chef Maudie Schmitt tells us about her first career

Jim Langman was destined to be a pharmacist. He started working in pharmacies as a young teenager and worked his way up to being a VP at Walgreens. He was never a fan of beer, wine, or hard liquor, but will tell us how he ended up getting into wine. He would then buy a vineyard in the Sierra Foothills of California and will tell you why he decided against Napa. Jim and his wife Sue were going to move to California to the winery and live life there until Jim started getting courted by Walmart. After a second career with Walmart, they fell in love with Northwest Arkansas and scrapped the California plans, but not the wine. Jim will tell us about Langman Winery and Restaurant next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this bonus episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we talk to my old friend Channing Barker.  She’s the Event Chair for AACF Soup Sunday at the Rogers Convention Center happening Sunday at 4:00.

You can get tickets by going to the bio of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Instagram page, I’ve got the link there. You can also follow the link from AACF Soup Sunday’s social media.

It’s the 25th anniversary of the event in Northwest Arkansas, and Channing tells us about Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

When we recorded, we also knew some of the soups that these restaurants would be serving there, and you’ll hear all about them!

Available wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube!

Hello there- hope this finds you warm and dry! I’m John Engleman and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.  This week, we’re talking with Dustin Simmons, Co-owner and Executive Chef of Flashback Pizza & Milkshakes in Rogers, but before we talk to him?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

I want to start with this. Your local restaurants and bars have taken a hit the last 5 days. Some have opened, but most folks haven’t gotten out because of the roads... and I get it. But as the conditions improve, please consider getting out to local restaurants and bars, as your favorite establishments and servers have taken a pretty big hit. There’s no better time to get out and support them than now and isn’t it about time to have someone else cook, anyway?!?!

• ChoKolata Dessert Lounge is officially open in Springdale!
• Zelli Pasta is expanding into downtown Springdale
• The Michelin-recommended restaurant Written by the Seasons is coming to Bentonville!
• The new Whole Foods in. Rogers will be opening soon!
• Happy anniversary to Dodo Coffee Company!
• You have a month to complete the downtown Fayetteville Coffee Crawl
• A popular coffee shop steps away from one of their locations.
• The Tontitown Grape Festival has announced their dates!
• We talk Soup Sunday with Event Chair Channing Barker!

Flashback Pizza and Milkshake Co-owner and Executive Chef Dustin Simmons is a Rogers native and wanted to be a rockstar. Hey, at least he tried. He also did a stint in retail ownership but then went to Brightwater and that’s where he found his calling. His favorite job was his first one, he’ll tell you what that was. Also, how did Flashback Pizza and Shakes come up with their concept? Finally, they had their soft opening the day before the Rogers tornadoes hit.  They paused everything help the community. Dustin tells those stories and more next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re talking to Tamara Keefe. She’s the Founder & CEO of Clementine’s Ice Cream which just opened in Bentonville, but before we get to her?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Huntsville Baker Hannah’s Cake Co made the Queen of Country’s 80th birthday cake! We’ll her from the cake-maker!
• Slim Chickens is building a donation to No Kid Hungry
• The Rendezvous Junction Brewing Company’s Third Annual Chili Cookoff was won with a family recipe.
• Ping Pong for Paws is back at Ozark Beer Company. We’ll tell you how to get signed up.
• The Artemis Temperance Lounge opened last week in Fayetteville. It’ll be many things.

Tamara Keefe was saved by ice cream twice in her life, once as a kid an again as an adult. The Owner, Founder and CEO of Clementine’s Ice Cream has been professionally successful twice in life, but the first time wasn’t NEAR fulfilling. It took a come to Jesus with her closest friends to help her realize that. And that was the start of Clementine’s Ice Cream.

She took her executive marketing skills, and some newly acquired DIY skills and got to work. She’ll tell you how she got her name out there while she was making her ice cream at home. Also, what was it like for her building out her first ice cream parlor? And how did she get her newest spot on the Walmart campus?

We talk to Tamara Keefe of Clementine’s Ice Cream on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas...

Welcome to another bonus edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast! This one will be a quick one, as it’s Bentonville Restaurant Week primer! 19 Bentonville restaurants have already committed, and more will most likely jump on during the week.

In this episode, we’ll talk about this week’s discounts and freebies as well as curated menus and signature plates (so far). There are some GREAT deals! Get out this week and check them out!!

On this Bonus Episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking about the inaugural Downtown Rogers Restaurant Weekend with Sam Danneberg, Director of Downtown Development.

As of the taping of the podcast on Wednesday, there were 12 restaurants participating in the weekend (with more to follow).

Some restaurants designated a special plate for the weekend, while some spots are trying something new for their menus.

If you plan on going this weekend, or know something that is, send them the link so that they can get a better idea as to who is serving what.

For an updated, you can go here: https://www.destinationrogers.com/downtown-rogers-restaurant-weekend/

In this week’s Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with Ariel Husband, co-owner of the Gelatissimo gelato shop in downtown Rogers, but before we talk with her!!!

FOOD NEWS!!!

• Benny’s Bagels is about a month away from opening in Fayetteville. Hear how they’re different!
• Sweetgreen officially opens in Fayetteville.
• Wright’s Barbecue opened last week on the Walmart Campus.
• Clementine’s Ice Cream opens later this week on the Walmart Campus
• BLU in downtown Rogers is expanding!
• Happy anniversary to Shirley’s!
• ChoKolata is coming to Springdale!
• In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from the owners of the soon-to-be new Northern Italian Restaurant in downtown Rogers, Cura. They used to have Cura Culinary in Bentonville Provisions, and they talk about their Northern Italian food from our interview in the summer of 2024.

Ariel and Daniel Husband have known each other since they were 16 years old. They started dating in high school and delivered newspapers together from a hollowed-out school bus around downtown Dallas on the weekends. Their first date was to Braum’s, so you had to know they’d get into frozen desserts at some point! After marriage and kids, they’d always look for local ice cream-type shops in their travels. About 6 years ago, they went to a wedding out of town and noticed that a frozen treat shop they went to was absolutely packed. They wondered why there wasn’t anything like that in Northwest Arkansas... When they did decide to open a shop, how did they decide on Gelatissimo? Being all natural and made in-house surely didn’t hurt. Ariel will tell you the story. Also, hear about their grand opening- it was non-stop! We talk with Ariel Husband of Gelatissimo next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.     

Happy New Year!!! In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to Natural State Rabbit President & CEO Brian Bonk. He runs what’s basically 2 companies in one – selling rabbit meat for food and the biologics side where parts of the rabbit are used in medicine and other things. Also with us are rabbit evangelists Mike Robertshaw and Meredith Butler of Pizzeria Ruby... but first!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

• Black Apple Hard Cider closed at the start the year
• Crabby’s in Rogers also closed at the start of the year and are offering refunds for gift cards sold during their December promotion.
• KDK’s Chicken & Waffles in Fayetteville will open later than planned.
• Hear when the Botanical in Fayetteville will open! Also, Artemis next door is soon-to-open!
• Rendezvous Junction Brewing is holding a chili cookoff. We tell you how to compete in it.
• Buster Belly’s old location on Dickson is getting a new tenant.
• On this week’s Flavors Flashback, hear the horror that was the week leading up to the opening of Gaskins on Emma.

Natural State Rabbits resides in downtown Rogers and is the largest supplier of rabbit to restaurants in the country. They’re also a biologics company. They use parts of rabbits for medicine and other things around the nation and the world. It’s a pretty amazing story and FULL of history as the company started in 1911. We had the conversation at Pizzeria Ruby, as their relationship with Natural State Rabbit started before it was even called that. In fact, there was no Pizzeria Ruby at that point, and they were operating a food truck! How they got connected is a fun story. By the way, we were feasting on rabbit tenders during the interview and they were so good. I’ve recently become a fan of rabbit – if you haven’t tried it yet, think chicken but grass-fed and leaner. It’s SO GOOD.

They’re offering OUR listeners and followers 15% off their starter variety box, just use “FLAVORS” as the discount code at nsrabbitmeat.com. That includes free shipping, or you can hop over to downtown Rogers and pick it up if you’d like.

We hear from Natural State Rabbit President & CEO Brian Bonk, and Pizzeria Ruby’s Mike Robertshaw and Meredith Butler in today's edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Welcome to the End-of-Year Special of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!!

Juuuuuust when you thought there wouldn’t be a podcast today (amirite?!?!). It’s been a series of technical snafus the past few days, but it’s finally done!

In this End-of-Year Special, we picked out some of our favorite stories of the year. We couldn’t do them all, because the episode would be too long and consequently, I found out that I didn’t have enough storage to make the episode any longer anyway.

We didn’t include Food News in this episode, either. I didn’t want to make it a focus of the episode, but some news came down that we couldn’t just put off.

• I got word that Black Apple Hard Cider will be closing their taproom for good after today. That’s right, the last day will be today, December 31, 2025. Get out there if you can!
• Fridha’s Mexican Kitchen and Mezcal officially closed their doors for good last night (12/30). They’ll transition into a catering business, mobile bartenders and event space.
• Jaclyn’s Kitchen announced today that they’ll be opening at their new location at Prairie Creek Marina on March 1.
• Black Crown Social closed their doors, and it’s for an exciting reason. They’re growing and they’re moving to a bigger spot. It’s currently under construction. No word on where the spot is or when it will open

We round out 2025 with stories from Junto, MJs Pizzeria, San Miguel Mexican Grill, Lasang Pinoy, Marsouls, Sassafras Winery, The Odd Soul, Pizzeria Ruby, KYYA, The River Grille, Eleven at Crystal Bridges, The Stonebreaker, Erin Rowe, The Venesian Inn, The Hive, Leverett Lounge, Heirloom at the 1907, The Wooden Spoon, Menya Kitakara, New Province, Goat Lab, Bocca, R.G. Mason & Carson Apple Brandy, Chefs Matthew Cooper and Rafael Rios, Dot’s Hot Chicken, Uptown Kitchen & Taphouse, Atlas the Restaurant, Onyx Coffee Lab, Casa Alejo, Bistro 16, Bentonville Brewing Company, UA Football player and pitmaster Cam Ball, Kilroy Public House, Rendezvous Junction, Callisto, Nosh Nola, Geraldi’s & Pizza Navona, Baked by Kori, Mockingbird Kitchen, Bloom Cheese Collective and Archie’s Sandwichery.

Available on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, as we’re in Bentonville talking to Kevin Girkins, owner of the super-popular Archie’s Sandwichery, but first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• We learned yesterday that a popular spot will be closing its doors at the start of the New Year.
• Desi Fusion has announced when they’ll close their Ft. Smith food truck and open their brick and mortar in Springdale!
• Potbelly Sandwich Works opens in Springdale, and owner Tiffany Montgomery talks about building two restaurants at once!
• PJ’s Coffee has started construction in Rogers.
• Few tickets remain for Sunday night’s restaurant takeover by Super-chef Marcus Samuelsson. We’ll tell you what he’s making!
• This week’s Flavor’s Flashback is one of my favorite Mike Engleman Home Pro Tip’s of the Week of all time and it comes from Darwin Beyer at Meiji in Fayetteville.

Kevin Girkins got in the restaurant business initially because his dad caught him red-handed doing something illegal. Seriously. It’s a funny story.

He’s from Austin and moved to Northwest Arkansas to help build and run a popular franchise in Bentonville. It took a fortuitous turn at his next stop which gave him the confidence to start his own spot, which is what he eventually did with Archie’s.

Why a sandwich shop in Bentonville? Kevin will tell you why. Also, where did the name Archie’s come from? There’s a portrait on the wall at Archie’s that’ll explain it. We talk with Archie’s owner/operator Kevin Girkins next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at Lasang Pinoy, with owner Maria Smith and her brother, executive chef Bill Martfeld – But you start how we start it around here...

FOOD NEWS!!

• Chick’n Headz opened in Bentonville
• Fuego Tortilla is now open in Fayetteville
• Crisp & Green opened their second location. We’ll hear from owner Tony Airoso.
• Potbelly’s opens in Springdale this week
• Pizza Lotties will be opening in 2026 – we’ll tell you when!
• Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson will be preparing you a lavish dinner before the New Year if you act fast!
• Feroz the Afghan Restaurant will open next year. We’ll tell you when and where!
• Hideaway Pizza is coming to NWA!!
• Downtown Rogers is holding a restaurant weekend. We’ll tell you when!
• HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Puritan Coffee & Beer!
• In this week’s Flavors Flashback, you’ll hear the hilarious way that co-owners and spouses Trae and Weisi Basore met!

Lasang Pinoy Owner Maria Smith owns and runs a family restaurant. Her brother Bill Martfeld is the executive chef, her husband will work there sometimes, her mom is always there. It’s their home away from home. Maria and Chef Bill talk about being born in the Philippines and their path to Rogers. They’ve been EVERYWHERE, and you’ll hear the stories. Also, though they’re just over a year old, they were affected by the Rogers tornado. You won’t believe that story. And the food. If you’ve not had it, you’ll be in for a treat when you go. They JUST released their new menu. You’ll hear what’s brand new on the menu, and what’s a staple... and it’s all next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.  

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at the Bloom Cheese Collective in Fayetteville talking with the supremely energetic co-owner Ali Kay Hammer Cameron, but first!!!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Handshake opens at the Fayetteville Public Library. We’ll tell you what to expect!
• Firecat Coffee opens in South Fayetteville.
• Cronut Donuts are opening their 3rd spot in south Fayetteville
• The 12th Annual Nog-Off was a supreme success at Maxine’s Taproom.
• Crisp & Green is opening in Fayetteville- we’ll tell you when.
• Potbelly’s Sandwiches is opening in Springdale in spitting distance from Crisp & Green (if you’re good at that sort of thing).
• Monte Ne Inn is close to the off-season. Go get your family-style chicken, pronto!
• The Honeycomb Kitchen Shop added the Honeycomb Wine Shop.
• Tonight is Occupy Odd Soul night in downtown Springdale. Come donate a pizza with me!
• Ria Pizza is coming to DTR!
• Happy Anniversary to Vetro 1925 and Envision Nutrition- y’all are getting old!
• This week’s Flavors Flashback takes us to the River Grille where we hear about bootlegging in the early days (true-ish story).

Ali Kay Hammer Cameron entered the cheese world initially due to locational happenstance.  She lived near a cheese shop in Dallas that she fell in love with and eventually worked there. She’ll tell us about her budding love affair with cheese, and how she became a certified cheese professional...

After some time in North Carolina, she and her husband Brooks moved to Fayetteville to be closer to family, and build a family of their own... What made her want to start a cheese shop here? She tells the story about what it was that made her decide to do it.

Also, when putting together a cheese shop, what’s the most important part of it? And what cheeses do you start with? Finally, they have some big plans for 2026, and she lets us in on a fun one... that’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we’re in Fayetteville at Mockingbird Kitchen talking to co-owners Chrissy Sanderson & Leigh Helm, but before we get to them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• The Compton Hotel opened their three food and bev concepts, with Sestina, The Eddy, and Field Notes. We’ll hear about the concepts from Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Vision Officer of Indigo Road, Steve Palmer.
• Hear how to win free tickets to Downtown Fayetteville’s Holiday Haul Brunch Crawl!
• Speaking of Downtown Fayetteville, Maxine’s is hosting their 12th Annual Nog-Off. We’ll give you the deets!
• The Fry will be opening soon in downtown Bentonville. We’ll tell you when!
• Looks like we’re going to have three restaurant openings in January. We’ll tell you who’s close to opening their doors!
• Happy anniversary to Kosmos Greek Café. It’s a BIG one!
• We go back to last April for this week’s Flavors Flashback to hear from Nellie B’s about moving from California and learning about dirt road deliveries!!

This month is a very momentous one for Mockingbird Kitchen. Chef Chrissy Sanderson and Leigh Helm opened the restaurant a decade ago this month! They’ll talk about what it was like getting the doors open back then, and how they’ve been able to thrive this long.

They’ll also talk about having to turn on a dime because of Covid. In fact, they’ll tell us about the day it happened, what it was like having to deal with something that you can’t prepare for, and how the community stepped up for them. Some fun stories there.

Finally, the food. Upscale, approachable, fresh and scratch-made. I had my introduction to stir-fried farro with shrimp, and I’m an evangelist now- and that Mockingbird Pie? We talk about that and more next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this Week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we’re sitting down with the lovely Kori Stanton of Baked by Kori in both Rogers and Fayetteville – but first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

We’ve got some openings to get to, more than usual, so let’s get to it!

• Fayetteville Tea House finally opened!
• Firebirds Wood Fired Grill opened on Monday. I recommend the aged ribeye and a certain wine!
• NWA’s first Potbelly Sandwich Shop opened on the Walmart Campus.
• NWA’s first Sweetgreen also opened on the Walmart Campus.
• You’ll be able to get Nellie B’s Bakery goods elsewhere now.
• Handel’s Ice Cream is coming to Fayetteville.
• NYC Express Deli is adding a location!
• Chick’n Headz announced their grand opening date
• Happy anniversary to Natural State Beer Company!
• Sad news to report. Levi’s Gastrolounge announced that they’ll be closing their doors. We’ll tell you when.
• Flavors Flashback to KYYA Chocolate’s Rick Boosey’s dangerous trip to Ecuador!

Kori Stanton wanted to be a lawyer when she went to college. After a few weeks working at a law firm, she decided that it wasn’t the route for her. After college, she and her husband moved to New York City where they would raise their family and be for several decades. That’s also where Kori started her baking business. And boy, she caught fire. Her cookies were the Snack of the Day on the Rachel Ray Show, and that was great – and not-so-great. Kori will tell us why.

Also, what was it like starting a bakery in New York City where spots are already so established? A hint here- it’s all who you know. Also, what was it like living in NYC during 9/11?

And lastly, how did they end up in Northwest Arkansas?? We talk with Kori Stanton from Baked by Kori next here on the Flavor of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we talk to David Flores, owner/operator of Geraldi’s in Fayetteville and Pizza Navona in Farmington, but before we talk to him?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Wine news first (of course) with Langman’s Winery & Restaurant opening in Centerton. We’ll hear from owner Jim Langman.
• Viet Buffet in Rogers opens and then closes. We’ll explain.
• There’ll be a new scratch Italian restaurant in downtown Springdale next year. We’ll talk to the owners (Hint: You know who they are).
• Handshake has their grand opening date now.
• Firebirds Wood Fired Grill opens their first Arkansas location next week in Rogers.
• Big Whisley’s in Rogers has their grand opening this weekend!
• Happy birthday to Loveless, Hot Vine and La Media Luna!
• Downtown Fayetteville announces the Holiday Haul Brunch Crawl. We’ve got the details.
• Downtown Springdale’s International Hot Cocoa Crawl is also around the corner.
• Classic Flavors Rewind: Mezzaluna’s Chef Peters tells the story of feeding Gorbachev with limited time!

David Flores is the owner/operator of longtime Fayetteville staple Geraldi’s, and a newer spot in Farmington, Pizza Navona. He’s not from here, but he’s been here long enough that he’s an Arkansan now. He started working for Mr. Geraldi a long time ago when he had a Giraldi’s in Oregon, and he started at the bottom. Mr. Giraldi opened several more spots in several more places around the country, and David ended up at the Geraldi’s in Eureka Springs. He’ll tell you about what got him there. He eventually moved to the Fayetteville location and would later take it over. As for Pizza Navona, David will tell you why he chose Farmington over Benton County for its location. Also, we’ll talk menu and future plans and that’s next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re up in Bentonville at Nosh Nola inside the Bentonville Brewing Company, talking with owner Hayne Begley. This location won’t be his only spot for long as he’s opening another one soon, he’ll tell you about it, but first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• We have the results from the first ever Mac & Cheese Cook Off in Fayetteville at Brewski’s! We’ll hear from the winner.
• Viet Buffet is ALMOST open in Rogers!
• Potbelly and Sweetgreen are close to opening on the new Walmart campus.
• Fuego Tortilla Grill has announced their opening date for their much-anticipated Fayetteville restaurant!
• Pathway Café is coming to the area. We’ll tell you what it is, and what it means for the area!
• The Bentonville Bulletin reports a new dog-friendly café is now open in Bentonville.
• Chug Soda Shop is now back to soda truck-only.
• Anime Café in Rogers has closed.

Hayne Begley started Nosh Nola after moving up from Little Rock. His first food truck was the Delta Biscuit Company, and it was a favorite in Little Rock. However, food truck culture there isn’t what it is here, so Hayne took the opportunity to move north, and away he went. How did he survive covid? With the help of celebrity chef Jose Andres... sort of. He’ll explain.

He’ll also talk about his food. Did you know that they have the top-of-the-line tater tots? They spent a good amount of time tater tot testing – it’s a real thing, and he’ll tell you why they have tots. Makes perfect sense.

And finally, he’ll be opening another spot next year. He’ll tell us where and much more. That’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

Happy November and welcome to EPISODE 100 of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!!! I can’t believe we’re finally here!! I want to thank you all, and ask a small favor... Please tell a friend about us and our little podcast here. It’s growing and we’re thankful for everyone that listens and watches. Please subscribe and rate- can’t wait to see where this thing is at episode 200!

Today, we celebrate with tropical drinks behind an art gallery wall, as we’re at Callisto in Bentonville and talking with the VERY engaging Gabe Barrett, who is part-owner and the beverage director, but before we talk with Gabe?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

• Brewski’s is holding a Mac & Cheese cookoff on Sunday. We’ll tell you how to enter!
• Happy 1-year anniversaries to Magnolia House in Prairie Grove, Isabella’s in Bentonville, and Gelatissimo in downtown Rogers. One of them is having a HUGER giveaway!
• Yankabilly Smokehouse and Casa Alejo are looking for new spots!
• Viet Buffet in Rogers has announced their opening date!
• We found where Chicken Headz is opening in Bentonville!
• We’ll tell you where Desi Fusion is opening in Springdale
• The Windwood Missionary Baptist Church on Township has a new future, according to the Fayetteville City Lifestyle Magazine
• Last chance to get your tickets to the Kelham Wine dinner at Gaskins on Emma

Bentonville’s Callisto is a family affair. Gabe and Izaak Barrett came from the Phoenix area to start Callisto with their Uncle Braxton, who grew up in NWA. Gabe had an early introduction into what a speakeasy was, and it happened on accident on his 21st birthday. He’ll tell you the story. Also, if you’ve been there, you know that you enter through an art gallery called the Midnight Gallery. It was almost something else, and Gabe will tell us how the speakeasy entry would have been different. Finally, Gabe will get into some elaborate drinks, including how they make their own non-alcoholic rum. That’s episode 100, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.  

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, I’m John Engleman, thanks for being here! This week, we’re at one of the most popular breweries in our area, Rendezvous Junction Brewing Company in Rogers where we’re talking with Founder and Owner Mike Peerson and Head Brewer and COO Kenny Warden, but before we get to them?!?

(*FOOD NEWS*)

• Mallory Files of the Ozark Charcuterie and Wine Bar BREAKS NEWS WITH US!!
• The Cellar on B Street opened last weekend
• Top Chef NWA took place on Saturday. We’ll hear from the winner!
• Sugar Llama’s opened over the weekend in downtown Rogers. We’ll hear about their journey!
• Happy Anniversary to El Rey Bar and Grill and Pleasant Counter!
• We’ll tell you all about Bistro 16’s wine dinner and how you can score free tickets!
• The iconic Herman’s Ribhouse is for sale. We’ll hear why.
• The soon-to-open Sestina at the soon-to-open Compton Hotel in the Bentonville Square has named their chef!
• Sassafras Springs Winery has a gorgeous new spot on their premises
• The Dumont Creamery opened their doors in Bentonville this weekend
• Wright’s Barbecue’s Johnson location is close... VERY close to being done.

Mike Peerson didn’t start Rendezvous Junction at their current location. In fact, it started at the old Foster’s Pint and Plate in Rogers... Of course, Foster’s closed and that left them without a home and without folks to drink their beer. Who bought it during that time? We’ve interviewed them on here, so it won’t be a surprise to many of you. In fact, Mike ended up taking one of his employees and now he’s the head brewer and COO of the company, Ken Warden, who we’ll be talking to as well. Mike and Ken will tell us how they got into beer, the successes and failures, and Mike talks about dying. Yes, he’s officially died and been brought back. Some great stories- thanks for being with us here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with Meredith Butler and Chef Mike Robertshaw of Pizzeria Ruby, where we go over SO much, including some breaking news, but before we get into them??

FOOD NEWS!!!

• It’s Top Chef Week, and I’m giving away a pair of tickets. Learn how to enter!
• Three Arkansans will be competing at the International Championship Chili Cook-Off in Terlingua after qualifying in Prairie Grove this past weekend.
• The owners of Mermaids have a new event venue in Fayetteville and will be opening a new burger joint in the Mill District soon!
• Speaking of the Mill District, Arsaga’s has closed. We’ll tell you who’s moving in.
• The Stonebreaker Hotel has a new executive chef.
• Faymosa has opened in the Fayetteville Square.
• Dave and Jenny Marrs will be opening a coffee and ice cream shop. We’ll tell you where!

Chef Mike Robertshaw and his partner Meredith Butler aren’t from the area... in fact, they met in Seattle and they weren’t from there either. Chef Mike will tell you about hanging out with some regulars at his restaurant there who happened to be in Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Meredith will tell you her pizza crush, who I will tag when I post this. How did they end up in NWA, and what did they do once they got here? That’s a good story. Also, they’ll talk about how they prepared for Pizzeria Ruby having never worked in a pizza spot before. And finally, they’re opening a spot called Pizza Lottie in Bentonville. MANY folks are curious about when it’ll open. Chef Mike and Meredith will tell you when!! One note for you, there’s some explicit language in this one, so earmuffs for the kids, OK?  Thanks for tuning in.

Welcome to this week’s episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

Quick request off the top, if you have yet to subscribe, like or rate, please do me a favor and do so. It helps us grow and is a big help. Thank you!

Now to this week’s episode- we’re at Marsouls in downtown Rogers, talking with owner and founder Jordan Conley. We taped this JUST as Bikes, Blues and BBQ was rolling into town,  so you’ll hear a few rumbles. But first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Mellow Moose Burgers is back at the World Food Championships. We’ll hear from Owner/Chef Adrian Lem.
• Townie’s Burgers & Bevvies is finally open. General Manager Adam Brewer tells us about the process to get the doors open!
• Parlay on 8th is going in at the old Hollar at 8th Street Market. We’ll tell you all about it.
• Oktoberfest NWA is back in downtown Rogers this weekend!
• BV65 has changed into a brunch spot in Bella Vista!
• The Melting Pot is coming to Rogers!
• Chicken Headz is moving!

Founder and owner of Marsouls Jordan Conley grew up VERRRY influenced by his grandmother’s cooking. After spending some time away from home as an adult, he came home during covid and had a new dream in the form of a culinary love-letter to his family heritage, and most notably his grandmother. You’ll hear about their buildout in what was once a gas station, you’ll also hear how they handled the tornado... Finally, he’ll talk about the food, and grandma’s quality control. She’s not shy about it, I’m told. That’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

Hear from the Top Chef NWA competing chefs: Chef Bill Martfeld from Lasang Pinoy, Chef Sara Guevara from the Walmart AMP, Chef Jesus Rodriguez from San Miguel Mexican Grill & Bar, and the defending champion, Chef Roni Mathis from the Arkansas Food Innovation Center at the Market Center of the Ozarks. 

They'll talk about why they're competing in Top Chef NWA this year, and a few may just flat-out tell you what they'll be cooking for the competition. 

Get to know these awesome people on this bonus edition of the Flavors off Northwest Arkansas podcast!

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we head to beautiful downtown Siloam Springs, where we’re at the new Kilroy Public House talking with owners Justin Melonson, Kyle Reidy and Brandon Norrell... but before we get to them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!

• The Fayetteville location for Confident Coffee opened last week. We’ll hear from owner Amber Dietrich
• AQ Chicken House will open in downtown Springdale instead of Elm Springs. Hear why from co-owner Tom Lundstrum
• Casa Magnolia announced that they will close
• There’s a new BBQ spot in the Har-Ber area! We’ll tell you about Smith & Betts
• Fayetteville’s Dollar Slice Club has a new concept and name
• Top Chef NWA is around the corner. We’ll tell you how’s competing and how to get your tickets!

The Kilroy Public House is now open in downtown Siloam Springs. They offer sensational Irish fare, drinks and a cozy atmosphere. Chances are, if you’ve been a wedding recently, you’ve had their food as Co-Owner and Executive Chef Justin Malonson also owns and operates the popular Sous Chef Catering Company. In fact, he didn’t buy the space to be a restaurant. He’ll tell you what his initial vision was. Also, what’s going to be the most popular item on the menu? Well, it won’t be on the menu for starters. Finally, and most importantly, Justin is very much into a non-profit where he spends what little time he has working to feed others. He explains that and so much more, next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to a couple of do-gooders who are hell-bent on helping others. We’ll hear from the Hive’s Executive Chef Micah Klasky and Leverett Lounge/Sidecar co-owner Reese Roberts about their awesome, amazing missions, but first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!

• We were at the Miracle League Burger Competition. We’ll hear from the winner who got the Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships.
• We’ll tell you about the 10th annual Frisco Inferno in downtown Rogers for Bikes, Blues & BBQ!
• Confident Coffee opens their Fayetteville location today!
• Downtown Fayetteville is hosting the 3rd annual Falltoberfest this weekend
• Faymosa will open soon on the Fayetteville Square
• Theo’s in Fayetteville will have its former chefs help prepare their 20th anniversary dinner. We’ll tell you who’s participating and where to get tickets! 15% benefits the Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance.

Speaking of the amazing Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance, you’re about to hear much more about it from Reese Roberts. They work to take care of the people in the Fayetteville restaurant industry who have been laid off, or not able to work. She’ll tell us how it started and what their future looks like.

Also, we sat down with Micah Klasky to talk about food waste, and how we go from waste to nourishing those that need it most. Did you know that we waste over 40% of our food? Micah talks about a program called Re-Think Food that he’s introducing to our area. Also, Chef Cycle sign-up has opened again, and it benefits No Kid Hungry. He’ll talk about why this year is more important than ever, and why fewer hungry kids will be seen. He’ll explain what that means, next, in this do-gooder’s episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to University of Arkansas Athletics Executive Chef Tim Walsh, Director of Football Nutrition Brooks Gillerlain, and Captain/Defensive Tackle/BBQ Pitmaster Cam Ball. We hear from them all, but FIRST?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

• A true Battle of the Bartenders happened in Bentonville on Monday night.
• If you haven’t, get your tickets for Sunday’s Miracle League Burger Competition!
• A mac and cheese cookoff in Fayetteville in November? YES. We’ll tell you how to enter and judge!
• Happy anniversary to the Creekside Taproom in Siloam Springs!
• A new Irish Pub with amazing food opens Saturday in Siloam Springs. We’ll tell you about the Kilroy Public House!
• The Viet Buffet in Rogers is SO CLOSE to being open.
• Dodo Coffee is making moves!

Ever wondered what it takes to feed a division 1 college football team in the SEC? I wondered it too, so I reached out to the University of Arkansas football team, and they were gracious enough to set me up with folks who answered that question in full. Also, what’s their favorite meal? How hard it is to schedule meals on the road? You’ll hear about odd food combinations, food sourcing, and their take on sweets. Finally, team captain Cam Ball talks about his barbecue past and his barbecue future. One note for you, this was recorded during training camp, so you’ll notice a few earlier references... and that’s coming up next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to Jeffro Brown of the Odd Soul in bustling downtown Springdale, but before we talk to Jeffro?!?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Rewired Fest is coming to NWA, and The Hive’s Micah Klasky is collaborating with one of the creator’s products. We’ll hear from Chef Micah.
• Cobblestone Farms is having their big fundraising dinner tomorrow night, and some tickets remain. Wait until you hear the all-star lineup of chefs for this one!
• We wrap the World Champion Squirrel Cookoff, and have some great video if you watch on YouTube!
• Confident Coffee has announced their opening date for their Fayetteville location.
• Daddy Smackin Wings is moving from Russellville to the Hill. We’ll tell you where.
• A longtime Fayetteville restaurant has closed for good.
• Happy anniversary to both Ozark Charcuterie and Wine Bar and Marley’s Pizza!

Jeffro Brown is as Springdale as the city itself. In fact, his family can be traced back in Springdale to the early to mid-1800’s and were probably there even earlier than that. Since high school, he’s and more jobs that most guys have had girlfriends, while continually going back to one job like he was getting back together with an ex-girlfriend over, and over again... He’ll tell that story... He’ll also tell us how he almost accidentally blew his head off at one job... We can all laugh about it now..

Jeffro spent some time in Europe, where he learned, he loved, and eventually came back to Springdale where he employed what he learned overseas behind a bar... He’ll tell us where he started and what he worked his way up to.

Finally, the Odd Soul... How did he get involved? How has it evolved since it opened? He’ll talk about adding pizza to the menu and how it’s become VERY popular in downtown Springdale...

We hear from Jeffro Brown of the Odd Soul, next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

We have a bonus edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast for you today, and THIS one will be a memorable one. Tomorrow is the World Championship Squirrel Cookoff, and we interviewed the head of the whole thing, Mr. Joe Wilson. Joe is a master storyteller and talks about previous winners, previous entries and other events taking place tomorrow at the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center. He’ll also talk about you chances to sample some tree-chicken!

It’s free and open to the public. It’ll get crowded so parking will be hard to come by. Joe will tell you where to go!

Hope to see you there!!!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to Katie Boykin, co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Bentonville Brewing Company... Also?? It’s the big BITE NWA ticket giveaway episode... But before we get to those?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

• Hawk Moth Brewing has an update!
• A former Conifer manager is opening her a spot in Fayetteville. We’ll tell you about Handshake.
• Moonhouse has announced their grand opening date in Fayetteville.
• Bienvenue flipped to Bistro 16. Quickly.
• The Mermaid’s team is re-opening in Fayetteville, but it’s not quite a restaurant. We’ll explain.
• Our buddy @reesewithnospoons took a poll and the results? Not great.
• The River Grille Steakhouse has another Dining in the Dark coming! We’ll tell you when.
• WE GIVE AWAY A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND OF @BITENWA. Watch the drawing!

The folks at Bentonville Brewing Company have been through a lot. Remember when you were in your 20’s and moved apartments every so often? That’s kind of how Bentonville Brewing started. In fact, Bentonville Brewing wasn’t always in Bentonville. You’ll hear that scar tissue from Co-Owner and COO Katie Boykin. She’ll also talk about how she was able to keep the staff paid during covid, and there were some genius ideas that very much helped. Finally, what about that beer? Katie will talk about the first beer they ever brewed commercially, and talk about their staples, including their Homewrecker IPA and Space Goose Hazy IPA, and a beer that won a big national award!

We’ll talk with Katie Boykin next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

John talks about how you can win tickets to BITE NWA. Also, BITE NWA announced their lineup last week of who all will be participating, we talk about some of them, and that includes some that haven’t opened yet! You’ll be able to try them out before they even open their doors. Also, you’ll find out where to park this year, where to go, and of course, where the party is.

We talk with Tatum Murray of BITE NWA next on this bonus edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we have a story of perseverance as we interview Junto Executive Chef, Donovan Johnson. That’s a man who’s been through a lot, but before we get to him?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Botanical Live in Fayetteville has now turned into two different spots that have two different themes. We’ll hear from one of the others, @fnoway
• The Barber opens Friday!
• The Fox Trail Distillery is transitioning their tasting room. We’ll tell you what they’ll be doing
• You can now take Stoic Brews home!
• Greenhouse Aleworks has their new home in downtown Rogers.
• Speaking of downtown Rogers, happy anniversary to Tusk & Trotter’s second location!
• The doors are open at Blue Ember Smokehouse in Rogers! We’ll hear from GM Chance Sneathern.
• Keep your eyes out- WE HAVE BITE NWA tickets! We’ll be telling you how to win them this week!
• The Collective in Fayetteville soft opens with entrée’s tonight.
• Los Compas Margaritatown is selling their food truck.
• KDK’s Chicken and Waffles are moving into a brick and mortar.
• Folklore Ice Cream grand opened in the Fayetteville Square.

Junto Sushi opened in the Motto Hotel in Bentonville a year ago, almost to the day. Chef Donovan Johnson has been there from the start, and it was a hard road for him to get there. VERY hard. It was a road paved with addiction, rehab, relapses, and cooking around northwest Arkansas... One of his earliest jobs in his teens in Mountain Home might have been his most important. It helped shape his professional cooking preference and through it all, he never lost sight of it or let it go. That’s one of the many things that helped get him to where he is today.

He talks about it in detail, and the scare that sparked his turnaround. How did a guy from Mountain Home who had always cooked in Fayetteville gain the favor of a James Beard Award winning chef that has worked in a Michelin-star restaurant? We hear from Junto Executive Chef Donovan Johnson next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking with Chef William Mauk of Bienvenue in downtown Springdale which will flip into a new restaurant VERY soon, but before we do?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• We hear about the new champagne bar @Muselet.nwa in Bentonville from its owner
• Time’s running out to try your hand at the Miracle League burger competition. You could get a golden ticket to the World Food Championships!
• Top Chef NWA will be at the Walmart AMP!
• Arsaga’s Mill District has sold. We’ll tell you what’s coming.
• An update from Wrights BBQ about their Johnson location.
• Folklore Ice Cream opens on the Fayetteville Square soon!
• An update on Confident Coffee’s soon-to-be Fayetteville location.

Bienvenue has been in operation in downtown Springdale for almost 2 years now, and in less than a month, will be something else as Owner & Executive Chef Will Mauk will be flipping the format, and he’ll explain why and what it’s going to be... Also. He’s involved in a few other things, like the launch of Goat Lab Red at the former Renzo’s in Fayetteville on Garland, and he’s one of the esteemed chefs for the Cobblestone Farms 2025 Cultivating Community Fundraiser dinner... He’ll tell us all about it next, here, on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at Casa Alejo in downtown Rogers, where we hear great stories from the Mayorga family, but first!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• There’s a new date and new location for this year’s Top Chef NWA, benefitting the Rogers Public Library Foundation.
• Chuo Izakaya will be opening soon in Rogers. It’s owned by Meiji’s Darwin Beyer, who will tell us when he plans to open it!
• Cura Culinary will finally be back soon! We’ll tell you where and hear from them!
• Bienvenue will be flipping formats. We’ll tell you what’s coming in its place!
• Wildberry Smoothie Company opened Monday in Fayetteville.
• There’s a new Asian buffet at the old Eat My Catfish spot in Fayetteville. We’ll tell you about Osaka House!
• Savory Hibachi will open soon on MLK in Fayetteville!
• The work is done at the Springdale Pool Lounge. Owner Ross Jackson will tell us when it opens!
• Thai Cuisine in Bentonville looks to have closed.
• Remember, if you have a food news tip, just shoot it to me at the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas social media, or at FlavorsOfNWA@gmail.com!!

Casa Alejo is a family restaurant run by brothers that grew up in the family business. Originally from San Luis Potosi in Mexico, the family emigrated to Searcy to work in the restaurant business.

Brothers Said and Luis Mayorga had their first restaurant together in their adopted hometown of Searcy, and let’s just say that it didn’t go as planned, you’ll hear why. Of course, with age comes wisdom and the brothers will tell you their path to opening the first Casa Alejo in downtown Springdale and then Rogers. It’s quite the ride, including the torn-up road on Emma RIGHT when they opened!!

Also, they’ll talk about family recipes and what the elders thought about birria, and Said’s fascination with finding places on and off-menu for waffle fries. It’s a funny story, but there’s also a good reason behind it.

Finally- are they done, or are there more Casa Alejo’s on the horizon?

We’ll talk with Said, Luis and Kacey Mayorga next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Bentonville Restaurant Week officially starts on Sunday. We caught up with Visit Bentonville’s Natalie Stika to find out more on this bonus edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Learn how you can win free gift cards to some of Bentonville’s favorite restaurants and we highlight some of the deals that are going on for the week! Natalie’s got the deets.

Also? John shares his favorite deal, and it’s the most GenX thing ever! Be sure to check out VisitBentonville.com to see the latest list of offers and get out and support local! As always, Tip you servers!!!