New Soul Food Spot Takes Over Former LuLu’s Seafood Kitchen
Sweet Cheeks Soul Cafe & Dessert Bar has officially opened its doors at 5911 R St. in the Heights, taking over the space previously occupied by LuLu’s Seafood Kitchen. This new soul food restaurant is run by the family behind the well-known downtown eatery, Fat Jaws Soul Food and Southern Eats.
Familiar Faces and Menu Favorites
For those who frequented Fat Jaws, the presence of Chef William Watkins, known for his impressive stature and culinary skills, will feel familiar. Customers can rejoice as beloved menu items, such as fried catfish and collard green tacos, have made a comeback. During a recent visit, I sampled the tacos, which were served in a three-sleeve taco stand. The tacos were generously filled with crispy, well-seasoned catfish and a vibrant collard greens slaw, served alongside a hearty portion of crinkle fries and four fluffy hush puppies, all for just $14.50.
Satisfying Portions and Flavorful Choices
On a previous visit, I ordered the chicken tender lunch plate priced at $17.25. This dish included four large chicken tenders and two sides from the “soulful fixins” section of the menu. I chose yams and mac and cheese, hoping my coworkers would share in the feast. Other side options featured barbecue baked beans, coleslaw, greens with smoked turkey, green beans with potatoes, cheesy broccoli rice casserole, mashed potatoes, and skillet cabbage.
Despite the seemingly high price of $17.25, the generous portion sizes justified the cost. The to-go container was hefty, satisfying four hungry colleagues at the Eat Arkansas office. The chicken, yams, and mac and cheese were all exceptional, leaving Arkansas Times reporter of the month Milo Strain still thinking about the meal long after.
Diverse Menu Offerings and Sweet Treats
The menu at Sweet Cheeks features a variety of sandwiches, including meatloaf, barbecue ribs, chipped beef brisket, salmon croquettes, catfish fillets, spicy chicken, grilled cheese hot links, and cheeseburgers. Other lunch plate options include wings, fried catfish, fried ribs, and pork chops.
For those with a sweet tooth, a dessert bar located in the back corner of the restaurant offers an array of cookies, pies, and cakes from the Chocolate Spoon Bake Shoppe.
Operating Hours
Sweet Cheeks Soul Cafe & Dessert Bar is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Brunch is available on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information and online ordering, visit their website.
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