The original Sir Loin’s Inn was in North Little Rock on West 29th Street, one block north of Pershing Boulevard. It was a favorite go-to of mine whenever I was in the Little Rock area on business, primarily because of its elegant atmosphere and relatively low prices. Particularly memorable was the whole loaf of freshly-baked bread sitting in a pan of melted butter which was brought out ahead of the meal. A similar kind of bread with melted butter was also a feature of the Colonial Steak House in Pine Bluff, so one wonders if this was something that was unique to Arkansas. At any rate, at least a decade or more ago, Sir Loin’s Inn closed, and I had imagined I had tasted it for the last time.
When news broke late last year that different owners were resurrecting the famous restaurant, I was both hopeful and skeptical. Would it be the same? Not only were different people making the effort, but it was also going to be in a different location, along busy John F. Kennedy Boulevard. The first thing I noticed upon reaching the new location was how much bigger it is. The style of the place is somewhat odd, a mix between an old English style that would fit the name, and then also a New Orleans theme, which is also reflected in some of the menu items. But altogether, I found the atmosphere comfortable, and to my joy, they do indeed offer the same bread I remembered, sitting in melted butter. The steaks seem lower priced than many steakhouses, but that is somewhat misleading, as everything is a la carte, and the sides are actually much more expensive than normal, so your final bill will end up being about the same as a high end steakhouse. That being said, I was quite pleased with my meal overall, and the service was attentive, despite a large party they were dealing with in a special room upstairs.
It is always fun when getting to return to something that you thought you would never taste again. Sir Loin’s Inn II is certainly worthy of the name, and the food measures up to the quality the name demands.
Sir Loin’s Inn
552e John F. Kennedy Blvd
North Little Rock, AR 72116
(501) 246-5937