The Grumpy Rabbit — Restaurant in Lonoke

Ok so I saw a segment on Arkansas Eats about this place that’s about an hour away from me. It highlighted some of dishes that were unique to this place. I checked out their website and the food looked mouth watering. I heard about their orange soda collard greens and knew that one day I would have to try them. Also, the fact that it is located in an old, historic, downtown building really appealed to me.

Ok so maybe I went at an off time or an odd day because the first thing I was underwhelmed by was the interior of the building. There was one other patron there. The rest of the place was empty. I was expecting to feel a sense of nostalgia upon entering the 100+ year old building but instead felt like the meat and bones of antique architecture was missing. I was expecting to walk inside and feel the awe and admiration you feel when you walk into one of those old, century old homes that still have all the original wood trim around the doors and windows, transom windows above every door, original wood floors etc. Like you are viewing a preserved piece of history but instead I felt disappointed with the modern fish tank and tables and yes, I realize this has nothing to do with the food but my experience as a whole would have been upgraded if I had been wowed with the vintage interior I was anticipating.

Not into the food. There isn’t a lot to choose from on the lunch menu but I wanted something light anyway so I ordered the Reuben sandwich and paid the $2 upgrade for the orange soda greens, a premium side that would cost $7 by itself. Upon arrival, I remember thinking how dark the greens looked. I’m no greens expert as I’ve only tried to cook them once myself and they turned out ok but I have had some really good greens so I know what I like. I like greens that are tender and have a rich, buttery, bacony( I know that’s not a word) flavor and they almost melt in your mouth. The greens from grouchy rabbit were nothing like that. I ate 2 bites and was done. As I said, I am not greens expert so I’m not sure what went wrong but they were bitter. Not tender at all. No flavor really except the bitterness. Like when u burn coffee in the pot because u left the warmer on then someone decides to make another pot and didn’t rinse out the burnt coffee and u take a swig and then the rest of the day u have that horrible, burnt, bitter coffee taste sealed onto your taste buds. That’s how these greens tasted. So maybe old? Sitting too long or not long enough? I don’t know. I just know I expected better.

The sandwich was nothing spectacular. It was thin. I expected it to have more filling between the bread but not terrible.

The fries that came with the burger were good. The burger patty looked like it came frozen in a Case. It definitely didn’t look like a hand created patty from fresh ground beef. You know the difference between a hand formed patty and a processed one. I was impressed by the thick slice of cheese until I took a bite of just the cheese and realized it tasted just like the processed velveeta loaf. It looks and feels and tastes like white processed velveeta.

The best part of my trip to Lonoke was the little boutique next door. They were having a sidewalk sale and I found some really neat boho items that were clearances to $10 each so my road trip wasn’t a bust...

Hello Friends; It's your favorite local travel guide showing you all the best out of the way places to visit from around our country. Here's a new one if not the best yet!

So I'm driving from the East to the West Coast along highway 40 just coming into Arkansas, when I see this billboard sign for a place to eat called...

"The Grumpy Rabbit".

So after my GPS took me around this little town about 8 Miles off the main stretch & down a few side streets I finally find the place.

Now friends you know that I've spun you around and pointed you in a lot of different directions towards some mighty good places to grab a bite to eat, but I'm telling you right now this was like finding the Golden Egg on your first Easter Egg Hunt this Easter Sunday!

First of all I was greeted at the door by the manager and Ushered in past a gauntlet of smiling faces and well-wishers for this Easter holiday brunch. I ended up with an incredible server by the name of "Cassi" who had a smile so bright behind her mask, you'd think you were looking at the Sun! Her attention to details and sparkling personality made me feel relaxed & like I was part of the family.

After deciding on her recommendations from the menu, I ordered the "Shrimp and Grits" with a fruit cobbler and a great cup of coffee. The Chef came out to personally check on my satisfaction of the meal. I even got a recipe tip on their special sauce for the shrimp and grits, which incidentally in my opinion are the best I've ever had anywhere in the world! Every bite was flavorful, smooth and delicious with "Plump" juicy Shrimp, not at all over-spiced & "Hot"! The cobbler was fresh & naturally sweet, packed with luscious berries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, served up with a side cup of "Rich & Bold" hot Coffee! 😋

Though I dined on the first floor near the front of the restaurant, the outdoor dining area in the rear and top of the restaurant is magnificently comfortable and beautiful. If ever there was a place that is worth driving a short distance out of your way, this would be it on any given day. "The Grumpy Rabbit" is my Top Choice!

Thank you Cassi for making my dining experience and Easter Sunday one that I won't forget for a very long time. I look forward to my next visit, worth the trip from...

At the risk of being perceived as a jerk, I'll say something I think needs saying. After that, I will give this place the compliments it deserves.

I'd heard great things about TGR. Even though it's a bit of a drive, I thought it would be worth it to meet some people here. A nice dinner. A glass of wine. Maybe a coffee afterward as we chatted.

It would have been perfect, if not for the screaming kids and the sounds of eighteen wheelers right outside the dining room. Despite the best efforts of the owners, the atmosphere is not what it should be. I neither dislike children nor semi-trucks. I'm just advising that it's noisy. Not much the owners can do, except maybe install noise-dampening windows and get rid of the kids menu. Yes, I know that sounds harsh. And I really do love kids. But a seventy dollar meal (appetizer, steak, salad, wine) shouldn't be interrupted by a child flinging his chicken strips across the room.

That being said, the food is excellent. Some of the best in Arkansas. I"m glad to see true American classics served with a genuinely Arkansan twist. Every appetizer, salad, entree, and side was perfect. I've been back for the roast beef at lunch. I have no idea how they squeezed so much beef flavor into that roast. Best I ever had.

The prices are terrific. The more expensive dinner items are worth every penny. Lunch is a gourmet bargain.

The decor is classy, and not at all gaudy. The presentation of the food is as good as you will find.

I would put this place up against the finest diners in the country except...except for those screaming kids. Haha.

Yes, I plan to be back. Yes, I highly recommend this place. But not every dining experience should be redolent of a birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese. I would come back more often if I was confident of enjoying a...