Hidden in North Little Rock’s Argenta Arts District sits a gastropub that’s redefining what Arkansas dining can be. 🍺
Brood & Barley opened in June 2020 during a pandemic, yet still managed to become the neighborhood’s most talked-about destination with creative dishes and rare spirits that make every visit an adventure.
This isn’t your typical burger-and-beer joint—it’s where thoughtful precision meets hearty comfort food.
How Brood & Barley Won Locals’ Hearts
Owner Jess McMullen made a gutsy move, convincing his cousin and Philadelphia chef Brayan McFadden to relocate and help launch this ambitious gastropub project.
McMullen had already found success with Flyway Brewing a few blocks away, but Brood & Barley represented something bigger—a showcase for creative, rarely-seen dishes balanced with familiar favorites. 🎨
The secret to winning hearts? McMullen assembled an all-star team of Little Rock industry veterans including David Burnette as Beverage Director and Odell Lil’o as Beer Manager, mixing local expertise with McFadden’s kitchen crew from around the country.
This comforting blend of new and old translated directly to the menu, where house-made pierogies share space with legitimate Philly cheesesteaks and wild game dishes inspired by the Mississippi Flyway. 🦆
The commitment to scratch cooking and thoughtful execution made believers out of skeptics who wondered if a gastropub could survive such challenging times.
Critics called it “an absolute winner” with potential to become one of the area’s best restaurants—and locals agreed.
Add in curated rare and refined spirits and a 4-course chef’s tasting paired with Flyway brews, and you’ve got a hidden gem that checks every box. 🌟
Food Highlights
Raclette Burger: A half-pound European-inspired monster topped with sautéed pilsner onions and tableside-poured raclette cheese blanket—rich, decadent, and like biting into Europe with Swiss cheese heritage and Czech Republic vibes.
8th Ward Smash: AÂ classic smash burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, crispy onion, and signature 8th Ward sauce that showcases their thin-patty technique.
- The Big Stupid Burger: This sweet and savory masterpiece features cheddar, bacon, sunny egg, sausage gravy, and blackberry jam, creating an absolutely unapologetic flavor combination that has become a signature item.
The Umami Bomb: Features a bison patty with Swiss cheese, fried portobello mushrooms, black garlic aioli, and umami-dusted brioche that delivers next-level savory depth.
Hi-Yo Smash: Features pilsner onions, cheddar cheese, and horseradish cream for a bold flavor punch that stands out from typical smash burgers.
Legit Cheesesteak: Made by a Philadelphia transplant who knows the real deal, this sandwich features shaved ribeye, pilsner onions, and cheese sauce on a toasted roll—customers call it 10/10 perfection.
Dutch Burger: This breakfast-inspired creation combines house scrapple, cream cheese, fried egg, and apple butter on charred brioche for a uniquely Pennsylvania-Dutch flavor profile.
- The Butcher Cut: Critics predict this grilled teres major (beef shoulder cut) will be the restaurant’s most popular dish—cooked to perfect medium-rare with crispy onion strings, Yukons, gorgonzola, and black garlic butter.
- Scotch Deviled Eggs: A fan favorite appetizer that puts a sophisticated twist on the classic with quality ingredients and expert preparation. 🥚
Pierogies & Crawfish: The crown jewel and must-order starter features house-made dumplings filled with mashed potatoes, topped with crawfish-laced cream sauce, roasted corn relish, and fried tarragon that adds subtle anise flavor.
Atmosphere
The comfortable black, white, gold, and copper color scheme creates an inviting space that feels both upscale and approachable in the heart of the Argenta Arts District.
Tables are thoughtfully spaced with curtains between booths, while the bar area showcases the restaurant’s impressive selection of rare spirits.
The synergy of creativity and artistic expression from the surrounding galleries and shops fuels the passion behind every dish.
Bottom Line
Visit for big, hearty dishes executed with thoughtful precision, experience house-made specialties like pierogies and wild game you won’t find elsewhere, enjoy curated rare spirits and Flyway craft beers, and discover why critics called this pandemic-opening restaurant an absolute winner with potential to be Arkansas’s best. 🍻
Address:
411 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114
đź“ž (501) 400-8967
🕔 Open Mon-Thu, 11 AM–11 PM | Fri-Sat 11 AM-12 AM (closed Sun)