Food and Drink

There aren't many dishes that speak to the Arkansas palette more than catfish. (We'll talk about spaghetti and fried chicken some other time.)

The setup: I had a craving for fried and flaky fish, so I headed up to Eat My Catfish, which opened its Fayetteville location in July.

• I was hungry, so I ordered a three-piece that comes with two hush puppies for $12.50.
• For my sides, I chose fried okra and more hush puppies.

The verdict: The fish was delish, and the hush puppies were doggone good.

• The okra should've spent more time in the cooker, IMO.

Pro tip: Try the cocktail sauce for dipping rather than the house tartar.

What to try next time: Fried pies — apple, peach, strawberry, chocolate or coconut.

Details: Eat My Catfish is located at 32 W. Joyce Blvd. in Fayetteville near Party City.

• It's open 11am to 8pm on Monday through Thursday, 11am to 9pm on Friday through Saturday and 11am to 2pm on Sunday.

The 8th Street Market may soon be its own entertainment district.

What's it means: If the Bentonville City Council approves the district Tuesday night, you'll be able to drink alcohol anywhere around the market area, instead of in only designated areas.

We asked readers about their favorite burgers, starting with Benton County. This week, we're looking at Washington County. Your picks, in no particular order:

• Angus Jack in Springdale, where the patties are made from, you guessed it, Angus beef, was a pick from our friend Kathleen Glasgow Sparks.

We recently asked readers to weigh in on the best burger joints in Benton County. Your picks, in no particular order:

• Natural Muse. Choose from a single or double patty and unlimited free toppings.

An Axios analysis of Small Business Administration data shows that nearly half of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants awarded in Arkansas went to women-owned restaurants or food businesses.

Context: The SBA initially gave priority access to small businesses that are majority-owned by women, veterans, or those who are socially and economically disadvantaged by giving them a 21-day head start on the application process.

The Small Business Administration's Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) will give grants to fewer than 30% of the Arkansas companies that applied for the money.

What's happening: The American Rescue Plan established the RRF to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open during the pandemic.

• Owners could apply for grants to offset their losses over the past year.

Looks like we have a well caffeinated readership. Thanks for sending in your favorite coffee drinks at your favorite local spots.

The lowdown: Some were not so surprising, like Arsaga's and 7 Brew.

• Reader Randy says to try the Lucky Penny at Arsaga's.

Sushi isn't a dish you normally associate with Bentonville. Face it, we're about as far from the ocean as you can get without being in Kansas.

• But I've traveled enough and eaten enough to know good sushi from meh sushi.
• So I was hopeful — though skeptical — when trying out Aoi Sushi in downtown Bentonville.