Tag Archives: Cajun food

Little Rock hosts annual food truck festival

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By Crystal Carter Harrell
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – The Downtown Little Rock Partnership held its 9th annual Main Street Food Truck Festival on Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The DLRP and the Main Street Revitalization Committee started the event to help bring people back to Main Street. A record number of 86 food trucks registered for the free event. Twenty-five artists and marketplace vendors provided shopping and fun activities for festival goers.

Kimberly Bratton said she has been looking forward to the Food Truck Festival for weeks. Bratton’s home-based bakery features temperature-sensitive treats which provide options for vegan and diabetic clientele.

“I started baking when I was 9 and fell in love with it. I went to culinary school. After getting out, I said that is what I’m going to do. Once I get a food truck, I plan on expanding,” Bratton said.

Chicago native Melanie Jackson and her family attended the festival.

“We were here last year. My favorite food is tacos, but I think I’m going to get a stuffed turkey leg with chicken and dressing. Mac and cheese sounds good too,” Jackson said.

Vinnie Osmun of Kansas City, Missouri, ordered from a Cajun food truck while visiting his brother, Cody.

“We were like, ‘Let’s check it out’. Gumbo is a staple in Cajun cooking. Good gumbo really defines a restaurant. We also got some chicken and shrimp alfredo,” Osmun said.

Registered food trucks included: A Little Crepesy, Adobo To Go, Banana Leaf, Beaver Tails, Blue Sage Vegan, Bragg’s Big Bites, Bryant’s BBQ, Cheesecake On Point, Comida Rapida Mr. Casas, Cousins Maine Lobster, Crepe Coop, Delta Biscuit Co., Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream, Down Home Blues BBQ, Eat At Eric’s Grill & Catering, Eat My Catfish, El Sur Street Food Co., Flossie’s Funnel Cakes Inc., Food Hut, Fresh Gulf Shrimp and more.

Music lovers enjoyed 55 hours of entertainment. Artists performed song covers from old school Michael Jackson to modern day Taylor Swift. DLRP supplied a watering hole for pets and a rock-climbing wall for kids to enjoy.

The deck at Scott and 6th streets granted free parking all day.  

Editor’s Note: Feature photo shows attendees of the 9th annual Main Street Food Truck Festival in Little Rock. Photo by Crystal Carter

‘N’awlins’ Brings Taste of Louisiana to Jonesboro

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by Katie Woodall
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO — Jonesboro is home to a wide variety of eateries, with new restaurants popping up almost monthly. N’awlins, Arkansas recently opened as a local establishment, specializing in Cajun and Creole cuisines.

John Miller opened the restaurant in December 2016 with his father Glin. It features traditional Cajun and Creole recipes that have been in their family for years.

“It’s an underserved market in Jonesboro. It’s something we both really like to do; we’ve done it as a hobby for years and years. We knew we were going to do something unique to make it work,” Miller said.

The owners made several trips to Louisiana to taste foods they wanted to incorporate into their menu. Some of the traditional Louisiana fare N’awlins offers include gumbo and boudin, as well as classic desserts such as bananas foster and New Orleans-style bread pudding.

“I’ve been working on the gumbo recipe for about 10 years or more. We really want everything to just be as true to the style as possible,” Miller said.

While the owners are trying to promote the restaurant, some patrons said they just happened to stumble upon it while they were downtown.

Arkansas State student Jackson Ochello said he first discovered the restaurant by chance.

“I just happened to be walking by and saw the sign for Cajun food. I love Cajun food, so I decided to have lunch and wasn’t disappointed,” he said.

Miller said he’s hopeful the business will continue to grow. Although they’ve worked with East Arkansas Broadcasters, bought billboard space and used social media, Miller said word of mouth has enticed most patrons.

“The majority of people are first-time visitors. We’re building a fairly loyal following, and a lot of the first-time visits are from suggestions by other people,” he said.

Located at 303 S. Main St., N’awlins, Arkansas is open Tuesday through Saturday. For more information on the restaurant or to see the menu, visit www.nawlinsarkansas.com or the Facebook page.