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!