Great gods of delectable delight!! We're back! The month of November has been a furious who's-who of crazy weather, crazier football games, long-distance flights, and failed Nanowrimo attempts. But the trio of Faylunchin has had enough! We're ready to reclaim the saddle, atop the pony known as Fayetteville. We are ready to boldly ride, again, the road of gourmet savings. It is a hard journey--one full of tasty morsels, savory beers, and generous prices--but we risk it all for our fans.
Today, at the dawning of another Christmas holiday, an Englishman, a Chinese Man, and an Indian ride forth. On to victory...or full stomachs. Whichever comes first.
Today, at the dawning of another Christmas holiday, an Englishman, a Chinese Man, and an Indian ride forth. On to victory...or full stomachs. Whichever comes first.
On Wednesday, approximately 2pm, the Faylunchin trio had a hankering for a hearty meal. Not just any meal, but the stuff of reunion. What better way to reconvene our holy oaths than by traveling up to Locals 479, a recently opened bar and grill, located at 3290 Lee Ave., just off of College Avenue. We heard whispers that the burgers were delicious, the TVs played sports all day, and that beer flowed like a heavenly fountain. But were the rumors true?
Our rating system is structured within four primary categories: Atmosphere, Food, Lunch Bargain, and Service. We base our scores out of a possible ten points per category--typical stuff, we know. But this is where our ratings diverge! Sure, we count up the numbers, but they don't have so much to do with the restaurant's overall score. That, friends, is our pride and joy: a celebrity tribute, where we define a restaurant's personality with a famous person's name. Cool, huh? Ya, we know.
Our rating system is structured within four primary categories: Atmosphere, Food, Lunch Bargain, and Service. We base our scores out of a possible ten points per category--typical stuff, we know. But this is where our ratings diverge! Sure, we count up the numbers, but they don't have so much to do with the restaurant's overall score. That, friends, is our pride and joy: a celebrity tribute, where we define a restaurant's personality with a famous person's name. Cool, huh? Ya, we know.
ATMOSPHERE
Upon entering Locals 479, we found the place much larger than we anticipated. From the outside, the place looks modest, the size of a Chili's (or some other commercialized restaurant), but with a much homier feel. Upon entering, your first impression is the bar, which wraps from the walls of the main dining room into the lobby. Seemingly, all too convenient to sit and have a drink while you wait on your table.
The dining area has a high, vaulted ceiling with rafters. If you look to your immediate right, you'll find a coat of armor standing somewhat tall. He's there to protect your meal while you eat it. Thank you, sir knight! Before we sat down (at a table of our choosing), we looked through a minor walkway (where the bathrooms are located), into another dining area, possibly larger but incomplete. The bartender, also our server, informed us that this room should be done shortly, and that it will eventually lead to a back patio that would wrap around the entire backside of the building. Now that's how you utilize space, people!
Finally sitting down, we took in the many TVs, all spaced evenly along the walls, low enough so that you don't have to crane your neck. We noted the low lighting, kind on the eyes. And then we took in all the cool decor (fun paintings, pop culture posters, that sort). For a bar/restaurant, Locals 479 is smartly constructed, well-spaced, and pleasant--much too easy a place to drink.
SCORE 7/10 (with the potential for a future 8/10)
Upon entering Locals 479, we found the place much larger than we anticipated. From the outside, the place looks modest, the size of a Chili's (or some other commercialized restaurant), but with a much homier feel. Upon entering, your first impression is the bar, which wraps from the walls of the main dining room into the lobby. Seemingly, all too convenient to sit and have a drink while you wait on your table.
The dining area has a high, vaulted ceiling with rafters. If you look to your immediate right, you'll find a coat of armor standing somewhat tall. He's there to protect your meal while you eat it. Thank you, sir knight! Before we sat down (at a table of our choosing), we looked through a minor walkway (where the bathrooms are located), into another dining area, possibly larger but incomplete. The bartender, also our server, informed us that this room should be done shortly, and that it will eventually lead to a back patio that would wrap around the entire backside of the building. Now that's how you utilize space, people!
Finally sitting down, we took in the many TVs, all spaced evenly along the walls, low enough so that you don't have to crane your neck. We noted the low lighting, kind on the eyes. And then we took in all the cool decor (fun paintings, pop culture posters, that sort). For a bar/restaurant, Locals 479 is smartly constructed, well-spaced, and pleasant--much too easy a place to drink.
SCORE 7/10 (with the potential for a future 8/10)
Bathrooms
We believe bathrooms are crucial enough to be a subcategory of Atmosphere, deserving of its own score. Our resident Harvey-on-the-spot visited the closest Johnny-on-the-spot. He reports that the bathroom was spacious, clean (in the case of the faucet, recently wiped), and comfortable for one person. Harvey was poised to give it 7/10, but then he turned on the faucet and it sprayed him. SCORE 6/10
We believe bathrooms are crucial enough to be a subcategory of Atmosphere, deserving of its own score. Our resident Harvey-on-the-spot visited the closest Johnny-on-the-spot. He reports that the bathroom was spacious, clean (in the case of the faucet, recently wiped), and comfortable for one person. Harvey was poised to give it 7/10, but then he turned on the faucet and it sprayed him. SCORE 6/10
FOOD
Here's what we came for! A burger and a beer can work wonders when you've had such a long layover, and boy, had we built an appetite! To start, Mike ordered himself a beer (Ozark's local chocolate stout), and looked expectantly at his English and Chinese counterparts. Who ordered waters... Apparently, it was too early to drink on a Friday afternoon...at least in some parts of the world. This didn't stop Mike from guzzling every drop to his satisfaction.
Qi's side
Qi was not one to abstain from his hunger, however, ordering Local's Smoked Wings, hardwood smoked and sautéed in a Carolina sauce. As his usual generous nature, Qi shared. The trio found that the meat fell from the bones without so much as a fight, and the smokey flavor soaked each and every bite. Yet Qi, who has the keen taste buds of a catfish (click here), could taste something frozen within the wings. Not as though the wings were cold (they weren't), but as if they'd been frozen at some point. "Oh well," decided the trio, "if frozen can taste this good, who cares?" And perhaps, just maybe, Locals bought from nearby Tyson Chicken, which means we were eating local!
For entrees, Harvey scarfed down The Bacon Wrapped Short Rib Burger (a mouthful by name and taste). Qi never flinched when taking down the Locals 479 Steak Burger. While Mike, full of beer, decided that a yummy Chicken sandwich was enough for now.
The burgers were moderately sized, served hot, and presented within puffy brioche buns. Overall, the presentations of these burgers far outdid any typical bar food. Both the Englishman and Chinese Man were proud of their genre-bending choices. The Indian was also content, finding his sandwich to be filled with a wonderful aioli sauce, paired with fresh tomatoes and lettuce, topped with a perfectly crisped ciabatta bun. Of course, this is not mentioning the thick cut fries adorning each plate. For three enthusiasts of skinny crispy fries, we were more than impressed. SCORE 8/10
Here's what we came for! A burger and a beer can work wonders when you've had such a long layover, and boy, had we built an appetite! To start, Mike ordered himself a beer (Ozark's local chocolate stout), and looked expectantly at his English and Chinese counterparts. Who ordered waters... Apparently, it was too early to drink on a Friday afternoon...at least in some parts of the world. This didn't stop Mike from guzzling every drop to his satisfaction.
Qi's side
Qi was not one to abstain from his hunger, however, ordering Local's Smoked Wings, hardwood smoked and sautéed in a Carolina sauce. As his usual generous nature, Qi shared. The trio found that the meat fell from the bones without so much as a fight, and the smokey flavor soaked each and every bite. Yet Qi, who has the keen taste buds of a catfish (click here), could taste something frozen within the wings. Not as though the wings were cold (they weren't), but as if they'd been frozen at some point. "Oh well," decided the trio, "if frozen can taste this good, who cares?" And perhaps, just maybe, Locals bought from nearby Tyson Chicken, which means we were eating local!
For entrees, Harvey scarfed down The Bacon Wrapped Short Rib Burger (a mouthful by name and taste). Qi never flinched when taking down the Locals 479 Steak Burger. While Mike, full of beer, decided that a yummy Chicken sandwich was enough for now.
The burgers were moderately sized, served hot, and presented within puffy brioche buns. Overall, the presentations of these burgers far outdid any typical bar food. Both the Englishman and Chinese Man were proud of their genre-bending choices. The Indian was also content, finding his sandwich to be filled with a wonderful aioli sauce, paired with fresh tomatoes and lettuce, topped with a perfectly crisped ciabatta bun. Of course, this is not mentioning the thick cut fries adorning each plate. For three enthusiasts of skinny crispy fries, we were more than impressed. SCORE 8/10
LUNCH BARGAIN
Local's 479, being a bar, didn't have a lunch menu, but we expected that. Therefore, we paid more mind to the price per dish and how much food you received. Harvey's and Qi's burgers were $10, with cheese an additional $2. Mike's chicken sandwich was $9. Paired with their thick cut fries, the plates were loaded but not overstocked. We'd guess most of you, barring the gluttons and extreme dieters, could finish your meal feeling pleasantly full. Entrees were a good deal, then.
Our only qualm came from our clucking friend, the chicken wings. For around six wings, which are undeniably tasty, you're paying $8. We think that's a little steep for six wings. Make 'em $5 or $6, and you've got yourself a deal! SCORE 7/10
Local's 479, being a bar, didn't have a lunch menu, but we expected that. Therefore, we paid more mind to the price per dish and how much food you received. Harvey's and Qi's burgers were $10, with cheese an additional $2. Mike's chicken sandwich was $9. Paired with their thick cut fries, the plates were loaded but not overstocked. We'd guess most of you, barring the gluttons and extreme dieters, could finish your meal feeling pleasantly full. Entrees were a good deal, then.
Our only qualm came from our clucking friend, the chicken wings. For around six wings, which are undeniably tasty, you're paying $8. We think that's a little steep for six wings. Make 'em $5 or $6, and you've got yourself a deal! SCORE 7/10
SERVICE
Perhaps we're just blessed by good timing, or perhaps (*cough, *brushing our shoulders off) our reputation as Fayetteville's coolest dining trio has grown. Lately, we're seeing great service on a consistent basis. On this particular afternoon, Locals was a bit slow but for a few friendly people at the bar. The bartender was sharing duties as the server for the entire dining room, and completely rockin' it!
The first notable achievement: there were some soccer games we wanted to watch, but all the TVs were playing non-soccer related things (a pretty typical problem for most Arkansans, we're sure). The bartender, being busy with other tables and not completely well-versed in the many satellite channels, sat with us, surfing the various sports networks, until our game was found. That took patience, and we can't deny that it impressed us.
Secondly, she managed to take our order promptly, and have our food out to us in less than fifteen minutes. That was the perfect time for soccer to get our bellies rumbling!
Thirdly, and our readers might not be surprised, we admired how our server/bartender ended our meal. She waited until each of us was through eating, that point when all the plates are untouched and eyes are glued on the television screens, to bring us our checks. We've had servers in the past who seem to rush you through the dining experience, eager to close your tab. Nope, not this time. And that's why she receives this...
SCORE 9/10
Perhaps we're just blessed by good timing, or perhaps (*cough, *brushing our shoulders off) our reputation as Fayetteville's coolest dining trio has grown. Lately, we're seeing great service on a consistent basis. On this particular afternoon, Locals was a bit slow but for a few friendly people at the bar. The bartender was sharing duties as the server for the entire dining room, and completely rockin' it!
The first notable achievement: there were some soccer games we wanted to watch, but all the TVs were playing non-soccer related things (a pretty typical problem for most Arkansans, we're sure). The bartender, being busy with other tables and not completely well-versed in the many satellite channels, sat with us, surfing the various sports networks, until our game was found. That took patience, and we can't deny that it impressed us.
Secondly, she managed to take our order promptly, and have our food out to us in less than fifteen minutes. That was the perfect time for soccer to get our bellies rumbling!
Thirdly, and our readers might not be surprised, we admired how our server/bartender ended our meal. She waited until each of us was through eating, that point when all the plates are untouched and eyes are glued on the television screens, to bring us our checks. We've had servers in the past who seem to rush you through the dining experience, eager to close your tab. Nope, not this time. And that's why she receives this...
SCORE 9/10
OVERALL SCORE
This brings us to our celebrity score, which is our favorite part. We'll admit, this score carries more weight than the previous ones. That's due to our hiatus lately. Locals 479 was a positive experience that is sure to bring us back, worthy of a high score. But our fans deserve something for all their patience, too. Therefore, we've chosen a person that is likely more recognizable in this area of the country than in others.
He's had his share of rough times, hard knocks, losing seasons. His truck was once set aflame. Yet time and time again, he's proved himself to be extremely resilient, closing things down in winning fashion. So long as he's healthy, and got a good crew behind him, his potential is off the charts.
That's right, fans. Our overall score for Locals 479 is none other than...
This brings us to our celebrity score, which is our favorite part. We'll admit, this score carries more weight than the previous ones. That's due to our hiatus lately. Locals 479 was a positive experience that is sure to bring us back, worthy of a high score. But our fans deserve something for all their patience, too. Therefore, we've chosen a person that is likely more recognizable in this area of the country than in others.
He's had his share of rough times, hard knocks, losing seasons. His truck was once set aflame. Yet time and time again, he's proved himself to be extremely resilient, closing things down in winning fashion. So long as he's healthy, and got a good crew behind him, his potential is off the charts.
That's right, fans. Our overall score for Locals 479 is none other than...
(photo courtesy of ibtimes.com)
Locals 479 lived up to our expectations for most of the meal, but, as it came to its conclusion, we realized that the experience was much higher than most would anticipate. High quality food, an enjoyable dining area, classy service. Almost makes you want to stand up and do the Hog Call.
But no, no. That'd be awkward. (So click here)
Like our blog? Have any restaurants that you would like rated? Or maybe just a food fan? Leave us a comment below or email us.
But no, no. That'd be awkward. (So click here)
Like our blog? Have any restaurants that you would like rated? Or maybe just a food fan? Leave us a comment below or email us.
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