Whole Hog Cafe North Little Rock — Restaurant in North Little Rock

I recently stopped by Whole Hog at the North Little Rock location to redeem a $10 gift card that was given to me to replace an order of dry ribs I previously purchased for my mom. Her 4-bone ribs were dry with a tough texture the day I ordered them for her. I called the restaurant right away to let them know. I was told by the kitchen that the ribs had been sitting for a little while. The kitchen also agreed they looked a little dry and offered to replace them. 1 week later, my mother decided she wanted stop by Whole Hog after her treatment to pick up a fresh 4-bone rib order. As I walked up to the counter to place her order, the owner (Rich Cosgrove) approached the counter and told his 2 female employees "no more for her" then he walked away. At this point, I was confused and needed clarification as to what he was referring to. I asked one of the cashiers if I could speak with him to get a better understanding. At this point, the owner came back to the counter and started walking towards me yelling, and speaking aggressively while pointing his finger in my face accusing me of scamming, and ripping him off for 18 years, even though I've only lived in Arkansas for only 8 years. He shouted, "you've been ripping me off and scamming me for 18 years and you know it" he also stated he had been watching me rip him off on his cameras. He then yelled "If you don't like my food then don't eat it" I actually enjoy eating at Whole Hog, the seasonings are blended perfectly, but when the meat taste dry, I let the restaurant know. I usually speak with Tyler if I have a complaint.  The owner publicly humiliated, and verbally assaulted me in front of his employees, as well as customers during lunch time. I felt ashamed, disgraced, degraded, and discriminated against. He was extremely upset and angry. He also bragged to his staff about how he had to get up in a customer's face. As a military family, we've traveled the world and have dined at some of the finest restaurants, yet I've never encountered a restaurant owner who walked up in my face yelling, and pointing his, or her fingers at me. My family and friends have also purchased large orders for special occasions from this establishment. I've eaten at Whole Hog since I've lived in Arkansas because I enjoy the 1/2 of chicken plate. My mother and husband occasionally ate the ribs. However, sporadically the chicken would also have a dry texture and taste, especially the breast portion. When this occurs, I call the restaurant and notify the kitchen right away. Just recently, I was told by the kitchen that the meat is placed in a warmer after 3pm until closing, which explains why the chicken/ ribs are sporadically dry when I place my to-go orders after 3pm. I was told it's best to order prior to 3pm. to ensure the meat is moist The way I was approached by the owner was extremely unprofessional. I broke no rules, or laws. Richard Cosgrove spoke to me as if I was a criminal that had been ripping him off and stealing from him for years based on what his employee told him. We've purchased many orders from Whole Hog via dine in or pick up. We've also eaten at both the old and new location. The front counter staff has always treated us with the highest level of customer service. Overall, our meat is perfectly prepared, and cooked. But whenever it's inconsistent and dry, I request a moist replacement. I am a law-abiding citizen, shaped by the proud and honorable legacy of my family- a lineage that includes distinguished military officers, respected law enforcement leaders, dedicated registered nurses, and esteemed principals and educators. Their commitment to service, integrity and the betterment of our communities guides my own principles and conduct. Replacing a customer's order whenever the meat is dryer than usual is a normal business practice. I've never ever requested a refund. The owner was verbally aggressive, abusive, hostile, and insulting. After being publicly humiliated, my family or friends will never dine at this...

4 Review—Whole Hog Cafe

2OldHobbits1PsychoCat

The Best BBQ in the USA is in Little Rock, Arkansas! (Note: My wife is a Fourth Genaration Texan and says this review may cause her Texas citizenship to be revoked.) We are old, and between us combined have eaten BBQ for almost a century. Yes, we are BBQ nuts. We’ve eaten stuff literally around the world, and all over Texas, of course.

We had the pleasure to eat at the Whole Hog Cafe for the first time (actually on their last day open back in April when they closed for covid.) We’d been in Maine for four years, and no, Virginia, there is no BBQ in Maine. Or as we found anywhere else outside of Texas (we don’t know what that KC/Memphis stuff is because it certainly isn’t BBQ as we know it). So finding the Whole Hog, and being in dire BBQ deprivation, we sampled several of Whole Hog’s specialties and were completely delighted (okay, blown completely away) with how fantastic this barbeque was! The brisket was meltingly tender and deliciously moist, with a perfect smoke ring (you brisket fans know how important that ring is, and how hard to do right). That chicken must have had angel wings before it hit the grill, because it was heavenly. The sausage is utterly addictive. And the ribs were so tender the meat just fell off the bones if you just looked at it. This BBQ should be served with a warning label, because once you’ve tasted this, nothing else will ever compare. They didn’t forget sides, either. The delicious homemade red potato salad was a bowl of “Stand back, I’m going in!” The baked beans tasted like they’d baked food low and slow for hours in a cast iron dutch oven, and put even my grandmother’s baked beans to shame. (We need to try the other sides). They have many wonderful BBQ sauces. We loved #1 and 2, but you should try them all! We were in heaven with the utter yummola-ness of everything we ate!

Accidentally met the owner who was unloading his van. We told him how great the food was and that we had not been able to get good barbeque since we left South Texas. But Whole Hog is soooo much better than anything we ever found, even in Texas. Rich told us this was their last day as they were shutting down for covid. We told him that when he finally reopened, we’d be there with bells on. And we did! We were so excited when we heard and saw they were finally reopening. So, as promised, we hung kitty cat tinkle bells around our necks and high-tailed it to the Whole Hog. Rich took a photo to prove it! Anyway, If you want great, really Great melt off the bone good-eatin, do not go ANYWHERE but to the Whole Hog Cafe. You will leave well-fed and happy!

Dadcat, Momcat and Golda...

I tried this place out with my family total of 7. When we got there the place was pretty slow about 3-5 quest already there. The place was very quiet inside. My family and I decided to sit on patio since the weather was nice. We were given menus to look over but had to come back inside to place order because there was not any waiters. Once we placed our order, it came to about $80. The cashier was very nice and friendly. While we waited outside for our food, the kids enjoyed playing on patio. The food was ready in about 20min and the cashier helped bring food out since as I stated, there wasn't any waiters. 3 of my kids ordered ribs no sides and they enjoyed it. rating it a 6/10. My nephew had pulled pork sandwich that was very cold 🥶 and he did not like any of the BBQ sauces to add to his sandwich he said they all tasted the same some even tasted like tomato sauce he rated his sandwich a 3/10. I had the loaded baked potato with cold chicken, 🥶 cold potato, and topped with unmelted shredded cheese and chives. I tried adding bbq sauce to my potato and did not enjoy any of the sauces I settled with sauce #1. I rate my potato a 2/10 because the chicken had a good taste just cold and the potato was soft. My 2 small children had kids plate with pulled chicken, baked beans and roll they had cold chicken and cold beans as well 2/10!!! The customer service and atmosphere was ok however, the food did not meet my standards so we will not be returning. Everything I had tasted like leftovers and no microwave to...