Camp Taco
As the temperature rises, the grass greens and the birds start to chirp once again, there is no better place to be than on a restaurant patio, enjoying good eats and sips. To aid in springtime fun and relaxation, AY About You found three restaurants in central Arkansas that offer unforgettable al fresco dining experiences.
Be transported back to summer camp at Camp Taco at Lost Forty. The whole restaurant gives off a retro camping vibe, said Amber Brewer, creative director and brand manager at Yellow Rocket Concepts, which operates the funky restaurant.
The camping theme would not be complete without a large patio to dine on and an outdoor events space called The Yard.
“It’s a super relaxed spot with hang-out vibes,” Brewer said.
In cooler months, the patio is covered and heated, but once the warm weather rolls around, both patio and The Yard open up to let patrons enjoy the Arkansas sun.
The Yard features a large stage where local acts perform. Camp Taco has hosted everything from acoustic sets to full bands, as well as magic shows, theatrical performances and movie screenings.
“That’s the variety you can expect to see,” she said.
The Yard also has an old-school airstream trailer, which serves as a bar during the events. All ages are welcome, and there is never a cover for The Yard. However, leave the pups at home because the astroturf does not mix well with pets’ bathroom needs.
For its menu, Camp Taco also drew from the retro summer camp inspiration, featuring fare that may be served while camping. However, nothing about the food itself is old school, Brewer said.
The main staples of the menu include tacos with various fillings, such as al pastor tacos and birria tacos. For those who do not eat meat, there is a delicious mushroom adobo option, Brewer said. All the tacos are served on trays to really make guests feel as if they are eating in the mess hall at camp.
Among the best-selling food items is the Mexican ramen, which is a “huge bowl of ramen noodles in a spicy chili lime broth,” Brewer said.
“It’s a real mash up of flavors,” she added.
Also, diners who drink cannot leave Camp Taco without trying one of the 15 rotating tap beers. Camp Taco is the experimental brewery wing of Arkansas beer juggernaut Lost Forty brewery nearby, so there is always something fresh and interesting to sip.
Take the beer up a notch with the Food Fight Michelada, which features Lost Forty’s Second Rodeo beer, tomato juice, a lime popsicle, chamoy straws, jicama slices and more. Brewer said many people take selfies with the outrageous drink.
For those less interested in beer, two people can opt to share the Double Vision Piña Colada, which comes in a giant frozen pineapple. Brewer said it is the ideal cold drink for hot summer days.
The Yard will start having its summer slew of events in May. One of the first performances planned is the emo band PropHunter. For that night, the Camp Taco team will be mixing special drinks and bringing early 2000s emo vibes into the space.
To keep up with events happening in The Yard this summer, visit the events page or follow Camp Taco’s social media.
“It’s the home of eternal summer,” Brewer said.
CAMP TACO
822 E. Sixth St., Little Rock
501-353-0884
camptaco.com
Sunday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cypress Social
Nestled a short drive off Maumelle Boulevard in North Little Rock is Cypress Social. With its lake views and surrounding greenery, it is no wonder its large deck is very popular when the weather is pleasant.
“It’s the best outdoor dining in central Arkansas,” General Manager Brendan Turner said. “We’re back in the woods, so you wouldn’t know that you were in a city at all.”
The deck is covered and heated during the cooler months. Then, once spring rolls around, the deck is open air. Off the patio, there is an area called the courtyard, which has picnic and outdoor tables.
“They’re there with umbrellas under trees and out there with God’s great nature,” Turner said.
Cypress Social does not usually rent out the entire patio but has hosted large groups there, he said.
“Reservations are highly recommended, especially if you want to be on the patio,” he said.
If one is OK with sitting inside, the team keeps seats open in the restaurant’s waterfall room and bar area for walk-ins.
Cypress Social is known for its “low-country Southern food with a little bit of a Cajun kick to it,” Turner said. One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes is the blackened redfish Pontchartrain. The weekly specials are also very popular, including Cajun shrimp pasta and raw oysters.
“On the weekends, for Friday and Saturday, we do what’s called butcher block, and it’s a heavy protein,” he said. “We’ll do a lot of surf and turf or smoked prime rib or things of that nature.”
While deck seats are coveted, especially in spring before the weather heats up, no matter where diners sit, they receive the same delicious food and good service.
“Our motto here is dining, drinks and destination,” Turner said. “We believe that we are the top restaurant in central Arkansas, and we strive to become the best destination in central Arkansas for travelers within the state and for out-of-state travelers visiting Arkansas.”
CYPRESS SOCIAL
7103 Cock of the Walk Lane, North Little Rock
501-916-2670
cypresssocial.com
Monday through Saturday
Dining: 4 to 10 p.m.
Bar: 4 to 11 p.m.
Root Cafe
The Root Cafe’s flagship location in the SoMa area of Little Rock is known for its large outdoor dining space, but The Root Cafe’s newer spot in Breckenridge Village gives the original a run for its money. It also features a large deck for people to sit and eat outside with their friends and family.
Owner Jack Sundell described the vibe walking into both locations as welcoming and comfortable.
“We want you to immediately feel at home,” he said.
The Breckenridge location features a larger indoor dining space than the downtown location but still offers a lot of room outdoors, as well with a deck that can seat about 40 people.
Both locations are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, meaning The Root Cafe serves a lot of different types of meals, all featuring as many local ingredients as possible.
“We really see ourselves as a community-focused space that is focused on local sourcing,” Sundell said. “The common theme is well-prepared and scratch-made Southern classics.”
The menu also has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options for each meal, as well as options for carnivores.
“If a group is going out to eat and one person is vegan or vegetarian, we still want the people who aren’t to be able to get something that they’ll really enjoy, as well,” he said.
He added that The Root Cafe team has recently planted a garden on the Breckenridge location’s deck and cannot wait for it to take root soon.
“We hope that, over time, it will become as green and lush as the courtyard is downtown,” Sundell said. “Here in west Little Rock, we’ve planted several native plants and native trees and shrubs. In a few years, they’ll really have a chance to get established and take over.”
ROOT CAFE
SoMa
1500 S. Main St., Little Rock
Tuesday through Sunday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Breckenridge Village
10301 N. Rodney Parham Road.
Suites C3 and 4, Little Rock
Tuesday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
501-414-0423
therootcafe.com
