This Arkansas Restaurant Was Named Among The Best New Spots Of 2026

The fries get cooked in beef tallow, and the burger buns are baked in house. That alone had my full attention.

Then I learned the cherry pie and the ice cream beside it are homemade too.

I’m drawn to new restaurants that skip shortcuts on purpose. This downtown spot in Arkansas leans hard into scratch cooking.

The pickles are house-brined, and the ranch dressing is made right there in the kitchen.

I also appreciate a menu with a sense of humor. One burger is called the After School Special, and a turkey sandwich tastes like Thanksgiving leftovers.

There’s even a cinnamon roll that people can’t stop talking about. So how does a brand-new restaurant earn this much buzz this fast?

Let’s find out together.

A Brand-New Downtown Spot Already Earning Big Buzz

New restaurants open all the time, but few make this kind of splash in their first months. Hazel’s Public House opened in downtown Little Rock and quickly started showing up on best-new lists.

The reason is pretty simple. The kitchen makes nearly everything from scratch, right down to the buns, pickles, and pie.

Plenty of places claim homemade food. Hazel’s Public House backs it up with hand-cut fries, house-made ranch, and ice cream churned in the building.

That kind of effort shows up on the plate. It also explains why the menu feels fresh instead of copied from somewhere else.

The restaurant joined the River Market area, one of the busiest parts of downtown. That puts it close to hotels, events, and lots of foot traffic.

Being new means the menu and mood still feel exciting. You get to try it before everyone else in Arkansas catches on.

So why does this matter for your next meal out? Because a place this committed to cooking from scratch is worth putting on your list early, while it still feels like your own discovery.

Burgers On House-Baked Buns Steal The Show

Burgers are the headliner here, and the buns deserve their own round of applause. Every one is baked in house, which gives each burger a soft, fresh base.

The lineup has fun names that make ordering feel like a game. You’ll find the Classic burger, the Pit Burger, and the Fun Guy burger.

Then there’s the After School Special. The name sounds unusual, and the toppings might surprise you, but the flavors work together well.

Trying something unusual can pay off in a big way. The After School Special gives adventurous burger fans another option beyond the classics.

The kitchen also takes its burgers seriously. Fresh, never-frozen Black Angus beef and house-baked buns are central to the restaurant’s approach, with an emphasis on quality ingredients.

A good tip is to go with a friend and split two different burgers. That way you can compare the Pit Burger against the After School Special without picking just one.

Every bite reminds you that fresh bread changes everything. Once you try a burger on a bun baked that same day, the frozen kind will seem a little sad.

Fries Cooked In Beef Tallow Are A Whole Different Deal

Old-school cooks knew a secret that many modern kitchens forgot. Frying potatoes in beef tallow gives them a rich, savory flavor that plain oil just can’t copy.

Hazel’s Public House brings that tradition back. The fries are cut fresh by hand and then cooked in tallow.

Hand-cut fries have more character than frozen ones. Each piece looks a little different, and that’s part of the charm.

Now let’s talk about dipping sauce. The ranch dressing is homemade, and it might ruin bottled ranch for you forever.

Ranch fans can be very picky about their favorite brand. Hazel’s makes its dressings from scratch, giving diners another reason to try the house-made version.

Here’s a smart move for your visit. Order an extra side of ranch, because you’ll want it for the fries, the chicken, and maybe your fingers.

Fries often get treated like an afterthought at many restaurants. At this Little Rock spot, they get the same care as the main course, and you can taste the difference in every salty, crispy bite.

Crispy Chicken Gets The Royal Treatment Too

Not a burger person? No problem, because the chicken here has its own fan club.

The restaurant’s chicken sandwiches feature freshly breaded chicken prepared in-house. That scratch-made approach gives chicken lovers something to consider beyond the burger menu.

That combo is simple but smart. Tender chicken and crispy breading come together in a sandwich without any fuss.

The chicken tenders also deserve a spotlight. They’re crispy on the outside and stay moist inside, which is the whole goal of a good tender.

Dry chicken is a common letdown at many restaurants. Here, the breading stays light so the meat can do most of the talking.

Kids and picky eaters usually love tenders. Pair them with that homemade ranch, and even the fussiest eater at your table should be happy.

A fun idea is to order the sandwich and a side of tenders to share. You’ll get to taste both styles and decide which one wins your vote.

Either way, you’ll leave understanding why the chicken competes so well with the burgers.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Show Up In Sandwich Form

Some sandwiches feel like a holiday you can eat with your hands. The Gobbler is one of them.

It’s a turkey sandwich stacked with all the day-after-Thanksgiving fixings. Think of it as the best part of the holiday without washing a single dish.

The Gobbler is fun and filling. It’s a great pick if you want something different from a burger but still hearty.

Sharing it is also a solid plan. It comes loaded, so splitting it with a friend still leaves both of you satisfied.

Now pair it with deviled eggs as your side, if they’re available. They’re a Southern classic, and their creamy filling makes a fitting companion to a hearty sandwich.

Deviled eggs show up at nearly every family gathering in Arkansas. This kitchen treats them with respect, making them feel special instead of ordinary.

Together, the sandwich and eggs feel like a cozy Sunday lunch at a relative’s house. The only difference is that nobody asks you to help clean up afterward, which might be the best feature of all.

Snack Boards And Pretzel Poppers Make Great Openers

Charcuterie boards usually feel fancy and a little fussy. Hazel’s Public House gives the idea a playful, down-home twist.

The menu features a cowboy-style charcuterie board, sometimes called the redneck charcuterie. It’s a fun spin on the classic snack board, with a bit more personality.

Boards like this are perfect for groups. Everyone can grab a little of everything while you decide on the main event.

Pretzel poppers are another crowd-pleaser to start with. They’re bite-sized, easy to share, and very hard to stop eating.

Starters set the mood for the whole meal. Ordering one or two keeps the table happy while burgers and sandwiches cook.

The house-brined pickles also pop up across the menu. They add a sharp, tangy bite that cuts through richer foods nicely.

A little tip for groups is to order the board and poppers together. That gives everyone something crunchy, salty, and savory to share.

It also turns a regular dinner into more of a hangout, which fits this friendly downtown pub perfectly.

Save Room, Because The Pie Case Means Business

Cherry pie has become one of the most talked-about items on the whole menu. The slices are baked in house, and the ice cream served with them is homemade too.

That pairing is classic for a reason. Warm fruit and cold, creamy ice cream make a combo that never gets old.

Coconut cream pie is another favorite. It’s a Southern dessert staple, and the homemade version here gets plenty of love.

Then comes the cinnamon roll. It might be the dessert people mention most, often with lots of exclamation points.

Here’s honest advice for planning your meal. Leave some space, because skipping dessert here would feel like leaving a movie before the ending.

Can’t decide between pie and the cinnamon roll? Bring a friend and order both, then trade bites halfway through.

Homemade desserts are rarer than they should be at casual restaurants. Hazel’s Public House treats them like a main attraction, not an afterthought.

That attention makes the final course feel like a sweet reward instead of an extra charge on the bill.

Game Day Fans Will Feel Right At Home

Missing a big play because of a bad seat is the worst. If you’re visiting to watch a game, it’s worth checking which tables offer the clearest television views.

That makes the restaurant a strong pick for watching sports with friends. You get great food and a view of the action at the same time.

The space itself got a careful remodel. It feels clean, comfortable, and cozy, with booths that invite you to stay a while.

Friendly service adds to the easygoing mood. The staff is known for warm greetings and helpful menu suggestions.

New restaurants sometimes feel stiff or unfinished. This one already feels laid-back, like a neighborhood hangout that’s been around for years.

It works for more than game nights, too. Lunch with coworkers, a casual date, or a family dinner all fit right in here.

If you’re planning a big game night, consider showing up a little early. That gives you time to order snacks before kickoff.

Then you can relax and cheer without worrying about where the food is.

A River Market Address That Makes Planning Easy

Location can make or break a restaurant visit. Hazel’s Public House sits at 225 E Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201, right in the River Market area.

That’s one of the liveliest parts of downtown. Hotels, events, and attractions are close by, so it’s easy to fit a meal into a busy day.

Visitors in town for conventions and big events can walk right over. It’s a handy stop on the way back to a hotel after a long day.

The hours are friendly, too. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. every day, so lunch is always an option.

Dinner runs late as well. It stays open until 10 p.m. most nights and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

That schedule makes it easy to plan around shows, games, or a stroll near the river. You won’t have to rush through dinner.

Next time you’re exploring downtown Little Rock, put this spot on your route. A scratch-made burger and a slice of homemade pie might become your new favorite Arkansas tradition.