Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking about Evening at the Farm at Apple Seeds Teaching Farm in Fayetteville. We talk with Apple Seeds Event Manager Carol Weaver, who walks us through what Apple Seeds is and what they do, and how Evening at the Farm has grown over the years. You’ll also hear from Chefs Case Dighero and Tyler Rogers about the night, the menu, and more. This is a night that always sells out, and this year will be no different because there aren’t many tickets left. The dinner is October 10th and you can get your tickets at appleseedsAR.org.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we sit down to talk with Isabella’s, Big Daddy’s Burgers, TJ’s Sandwiches, Hugs Ice Cream, and Mermaid’s Catering Co-owner & Executive chef Todd Golden, but before we hear from him?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
NWA has a new Guiness World Champion and he’s going for another on Friday, and you can be there to witness it!
A new winner has been crowned from the Miracle League of NWA, and they’ll be heading to Indianapolis to compete in the World Championships. You’ll hear from him.
Parlay on 8th won some big recognition on Friday night.
We’ll hear from the new owners of Orthodox Brewing!
A new update from Apple’s Thai-Nee Restaurant.
Bearberry Donuts will be opening in Bentonville, we’ll tell you where!
Know a restaurant that should make the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame? You can nominate them until September 30. We’ll tell you how!
Nola’s Pantry will re-open soon. We’ll tell you when!
Available tickets for BITE NWA are only available for one day!
Happy one-year anniversary to Mouret Maison in Lowell and Muselet in Bentonville!
Speaking of Muselet, in today’s Flavors Flashback, we hear how Executive Chef Aaron Walters got into cooking- and it started with a lie!
Chef Todd Golden has been in the Fayetteville restaurant business scene for 35 years. Since we sat with him a few years ago, he and his family have added 4 spots, 2 of which are restaurants, an event space called the Golden Venue, and a private wellness studio called Red Light Retreat! Chef Todd talks about the recent opening of Big Daddy’s Burgers in Fayetteville, the recent closing of Mermaids in Rogers, and what the restaurant scene is going through in Fayetteville now and more, and that’s on this edition of the Flavors of NWA podcast.  

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re in Johnson at La Media Luna talking with owners Julio & Adrian Leonardo, but first?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!!
Another NWA restaurant made ANOTHER impressive list in the New York Times! We’ll tell you who, and you’ll hear from them!
Hotel Vin in Rogers has officially opened. We’ll hear about their food and beverage availabilities.
Kaylee’s Bakery had a HUGE grand opening in Highfill last Saturday. Kaylee will tell us about her spot!
Is Memo’s Tacos finally open in Springdale?
A 20 year-old has opened a coffee drive thru on Bentonville called Tri-Stars.
Hill City Popcorn will be opening in a new spot soon. We’ll tell you when & where!
Lot 9 Billiards will have food, folks!
Sunday is the Miracle League of NWA’s Burger Competition. We’ll tell you all about it!
The World Champion Squirrel Cookoff happened in front of record crowds. We’ll tell you about the winners!
Get your tickets NOW if you’re planning to goto BITE NWA!
Stone Mill Café is permanently closing one of their spots. We’ll tell you which one.
Onyx at the Preserve opens to full capacity today!
On today’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from Onyx at the Preserve Executive Chef Arturo Solis about getting into the family business when he was young. Wait until you hear the business!
Julio & Adrian Leonardo opened La Media Luna ALMOST a decade ago in Johnson. For those that have been, you know how different some of their food is from other area Mexican restaurants. They’ll explain why. Also, Julio came to Fayetteville from Hidalgo Mexico. He opened another restaurant before La Media Luna that he still operates. He’ll tell you which one. And finally, what does La Media Luna mean? They’ll tell you about it and more and that’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast.

In this week’s Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re in Fayetteville at 1834 Tavern Lafayette talking with Co-owner Stephanie Ouyoumjian, but before we hear from her?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Herman’s Ribhouse reopened last week. Owner Nick Wright will tell you about the turnout and his new partner- a Razorback legend.
Nola’s Pantry is temporarily closed in downtown Rogers. We’ll tell you why.
We have news on the soon-to-be Memo’s Taco’s in the old Angus Jack’s space in Springdale.
Kai officially opened in Fayetteville last week. We’ll tell you the hours.
AQ Chicken made a national publication!
Mothership Brewhouse Kitchen has reopened in Springdale.
Kaylee’s Bakery & Mercantile opens this Saturday in Highfill.
You can still enter the 2nd annual rib competition at Centerton Days 2026!
Find out what all you’ll be able to do on Saturday at the World Championship Squirrel Cookoff and hear how it started 15 years ago in this week’s Flavors Flashback!
Stephanie Ouyoumjian and her husband Matt Taylor are both well-accomplished in their fields, and they’re started to become accomplished in another- owning and operating a Belgian Tavern. They opened 1834 Tavern Lafayette in March and haven’t looked back. Stephanie will tell you about the concept, which is unusual to Fayetteville, but becoming more and more familiar to those that eat there. They had a specific vision for the place and needed a chef that could deliver. They’ll tell you how they landed Executive Chef David Fisher, and how he’s over-delivered. She’ll also talk about his unusual training once he took the job. We’ll also talk about the food and the inspirations behind the menu. And finally?  Belgium beer! That’s next on this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re in Cave Springs sitting with Zach Reeves and talking about Pizza Cave on Main, but before we get to that?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
5 GRAND OPENINGS THIS WEEK (AND MAYBE A 6TH?!?!)
Blu in DTR is reopening. We’ll tell you when and how to get a table!
Gusano’s is opening this week in the old King Burrito spot in Fayetteville at Joyce & College.
Heavenly Acai in Rogers is opening this week as well! We’ll tell you when and about their mission!
A coffee shop is opening at Sassafras in Springdale? We’ll tell you all about it!
Cable Car Pizza is opening at their original spot in Fayetteville!
Kaylee’s bakery in Highfill announced their grand opening. Not this week, but SOON!
The Apple’s Thai-Nee Food truck is closing... to open a restaurant in Springdale!
Romero’s Cuisine Toque Latino announced where they’ll be opening their second spot!
Onyx will have weekend pop-ups... in London?!?! Oui!
The first Ozarks Flame and Flavor Festival is in the books. We’ll hear from one of the winners!
Happy 3rd anniversary to House 1830!
Happy first anniversary to Springdale Pool Lounge!
In today’s Flavor Flashback, we hear what got Blu’s Barry Furuseth to move from LA to NWA!
Zach Reeves started working in the hospitality industry at the tender age of 14 in a dish pit. It didn’t take long before he was hooked. He continued with hospitality while also working in some construction, but he was always drawn back. He worked his way up at Crabby’s and stayed for 15 years. How long had he been thinking about opening his own spot and why Cave Springs? He’ll talk about that, the location, and how he bought it. Also? Their popular sourdough pizza dough, along with the wings, drinks, pool, darts, and much more on this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with Bella Vista resident, and three-time League of Fire World Champion in competitive pepper eating Stephen “Fiery Redd” Curgan. We’ll talk about what got him into competitive pepper eating and we’ll also talk about the first-ever Ozark Flame & Flavor Festival happening this Saturday, but first?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Orthodox Farmhouse Brewing sold. We’ll tell you what the plans are.
Dodo Coffee is OFFICIALLY open in their new building, and there’s a party Saturday. We’ll hear from owner Isaiah Ojeda!
Fresh Monkee is having their soft opening week in Fayetteville. Shakes are half off!
A Santa Barbara winery opened their only tasting room in Rogers. You’ll hear from the owner!
Khana Grill closed their dining room, but you can still eat their food. We’ll explain.
Downtown Springdale’s The Blind Bear is expanding into another city.
El Jaliciense in Lowell might be closed, but they may not be done.
Happy 25th anniversary to Grubs in downtown Fayetteville!
Happy 31st anniversary to Marketplace in Springdale!
Happy 4th anniversary to Conifer and Chef Matt Cooper. Speaking of Chef Cooper, he has something BIG coming in 2027!
Again, Speaking of Chef Cooper, he was out fifth interview EVER. He broke a little news on our show back then.
Stephen “Fiery Redd” Curgan is a 3-Time League of Fire World Champion... He eats peppers that a VERY high percentage of us wouldn’t touch. How did he get into it? It all started online- he’ll explain. Also, how do you make your way to being a World Champion in it in only 2 years? It’s an interesting path for sure! Finally, this Saturday is the first-ever Ozark Flame & Flavor Festival in Bentonville at the Record, and you’ll hear all about in this episode \of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest podcast, we’re at the beloved Piehouse Bakery in Bentonville, talking with owner Lisa Sohl and Manager/Pastry Chef Annie Wood, but before we hear from them?!?!
FOOD NEWS!
If you don’t have plans yet for Friday, or even if you do, I’ve got something you need to get to. It’s the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives Watch Party at the Botanical at City Pump in Downtown Rogers!! Both Blu Fish House and Toot Beirut will be on Friday night’s episode! I’ll kick it off at 7 with Toot Beirut and Blu trivia. Then the episode starts at 8. The folks from Toot Beirut will be there with food, so if you haven’t had it yet, prime time to try it. And hustle, because it’ll run out! Again, Friday night at 7 at the Botanical at City Pump at 623 West Walnut in downtown Rogers. See you there!
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We talk to Springdale’s Carnitas Los Cuatro Hermanos about being in the NY Times
Bienvenue is open to the public in Rogers! We’ll hear from Owner/Executive Chef Will Mauk!
Nosh Nola had a big opening weekend in downtown Springdale! We’ll hear from Owner Hayne Begley!
Herman’s Ribhouse is working to re-open!
Fayetteville’s Hill City Popcorn is back open with a new owner and new plans!
Fresh Monkee announces their soft opening dates in Fayetteville. It’s SOON.
The popular Dodo Coffee Trailer is closed this week. We’ll tell you what they’re saying.
A new bakery opens in Highfill soon! We’ll hear from the owner.
Is your burger better than everyone else’s? You might be able to make it to the World Championships in Indianapolis. We’ll tell you where to sign up.
Happy 30th anniversary to Bordinos! You can win Bordinos for a year this week!
In this week’s Flavors Flashback. Bienvenue Chef Will Mauk tells us his path into cooking.
Piehouse Bakery Owner Lisa Sohl was raised on a Nebraska farm with a big family. She learned how to cook and bake out of necessity. While college took her to the corporate world, she always baked for others and became an office favorite. How did she end up in Northwest Arkansas, and how did she decide that it was time to finally start a bakery? Also, her most important early hire almost spooked her. She’ll talk about that. Finally, they earned a golden ticket to the World Food Championships for winning a state championship pie competition on the other side of the state. We hear all about it from Lisa and Annie Wood, next here on the flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking about the Bentonville Restaurant Week with Visit Bentonville’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Alison Nation. It happens next week (August 16-22), and we cover all the deals that participating Bentonville restaurants are offering.
Go out, and enjoy... and as always, please tip your servers!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re in Bentonville at Chick’n Headz, talking with owners Byron & Natasha Kendle, but before we sit down with them?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!!
Here come the grand openings! Saltine’s Bakery & Kitchen announces when they’ll open!
Flyway Brewing opened their Bentonville location on the Walmart campus. CEO/COO Rob Byford talks about their growth in the northwest part of the state.
Aida’s is a Saturday night only spot in the 8th Street Market. We’ll tell you about it!
Punk Truck Stop is diversifying business in Fayetteville’s Metro District!
Bienvenue’s Will Mauk talks about getting their Rogers spot turned around QUICKLY.
Whole Hog Café turns 26, and we’re all going to party like it’s 2000 (literally)!
Bucks on Emma celebrates a decade on Saturday – we have the deets!
Foghorns on 15th street closed last weekend.
It’s your last chance to eat from the Blazin Asian food truck.
Nosh Nola opens VERY soon, and in today’s Flavors Flashback, you’ll hear from owner/operator Hayne Begley, who took some time away from the restaurant life for a little stability. You’ll never guess what he did for a living!
Byron & Natasha Kendle are high school sweethearts from Little Rock. What brought them here is what brings many people here- Walmart. They both come from big families and have a pretty big one themselves. Though they have corporate backgrounds, there was a little restaurant experience and their recall from it’s pretty funny. They’d always kicked around the idea of a restaurant, but it wasn’t ever real. Until one day, and it’s a story where their bluff got called, and they had to figure everything out on the spot. It’s a great story. Finally, why the move from Fayetteville to Bentonville? It may not be what you think- you’ll hear the reasons on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

WELCOME TO EPISODE 150 of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!!! We’re spending it at the legendary Bordinos in Fayetteville talking with co-owner Molly Allison and they’re celebrating Bordinos 30th anniversary, but before we get into that?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
We’re hosting a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives watch party on Friday at 7! Both Mezzaluna and Saiwok will be in this episode! Come watch with us!
Chef Mauk announces the grand opening date for Bienvenue on today’s podcast!
Speaking of Bienvenue, Nosh Nola is about to open in their old spot in Downtown Springdale!
Arkansas Trails Brewing Company opened over the weekend in a VERY significant building. Owners Audrey & Adam Jones will explain.
It’s Tontitown Grape Festival Week!
Bloom Cheese Collective officially opened their front room remodel and opened a wheel of cheese the next day!
This is the final week for Los Compas Margaritatown’s physical location, and they’re partying!
In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we go back to Chef Will Mauk from Bienvenue who tells us where he worked when he came to NWA.
Jeff and Molly Allison had the opportunity to buy Bordinos in 2020 when Joe Fennell decided to sell and retire. Molly will tell you that story. Also, 30 years!!! Molly will tell you how they plan to celebrate and it happens soon! Finally, something that they didn’t see coming... Covid. They hadn’t owned Bordinos for even two months when that started. Molly tells us what they did to survive, and that’s in this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!