As a kid growing up, pizza was something that you got as take out from some national chain kind of joint. It wasn’t something that people went and sat down and enjoyed as a meal. Maybe a buffet but even that was a stretch. I think maybe it’s a southern thing for pizza to be seen as strictly a takeout thing because up north there are non-chain pizza joints on every corner that have been owned by families for generations and are seen community hubs of activity.
Down here, it was pretty much a grab an go affair, and it’s only been in the last few years that I can remember noticing places that were real actual sit down restaurants. One such restaurant that I had heard of is Damgoode Pies. There are a few locations in Little Rock and one in Fayetteville, so it’s not a chain the Domino’s sense of the word. It’s the kind of place that looks a little sketchy on the outside to be honest. From outside appearances honestly it has kind of a dive sort of feeling. Inside is slightly better.
Now aside from being funky and ultra casual, this place has a very friendly atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you see young hipsters eating in one booth, and older men with pitchers of beer enjoying a baseball game in the next. It’s very casual and laid back overall, but better than the ambiance………………….is the pizza. I like pizza in general, but I LOVE pizza from Damgoode pies. They have a variety of toppings, crusts, sauces, and cheeses that can either be made into your own combination, or you can have one of their delicious pizzas of their own creation. My personal favorite is “The Hog” which is a creation of pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and canadian bacon. We order it stuffy style, which means they put down a crust, add your toppings, add a top crust, bake it and then when it comes out of the oven they top it with your sauce. This is genius because the pizza doesn’t get soggy in the least because rather than inside the dough, the sauce is on top. 
I have been here a few times now, and I can’t get past this pizza. Everyone I talk to says that every pizza they try is delicious, and one day I will get past The Hog and move on, but it’s just SO GOOD I can’t! One thing I have tried are the cheese bread sticks which are garlicky and delicious, and when dipped in ranch dressing are nothing short of heavenly.
Check out their website at www.damgoodepies.com and if you are in Little Rock or Fayetteville, stop in and taste the deliciousness.
We found a cute little place called The Whistle Stop Cafe. How could we resist?
I got a cheeseburger. Again, my expectations were smashed when I got a burger that was a hand formed patty from fresh beef. Another touch that I loved that was with each sandwich meal you got a mini dessert. Ours was a small muffin. I think that is an awesome idea because most of the time you are too stuffed for dessert but would like a taste of something sweet.
On the way to the ladies room I peeked in the kitchen and had a nice chat with the owners. They knew we were from out of town right away. Maybe we looked like tourists, or we had Texas tags on the car. Whatever it was, they were nice and they wanted to know if we liked our food. I told them I was a little surprised at the quality. Overall, a great find in Hope.
This is the type of place we love to find. They are moving to a new location next week and I’m not sure of exactly where it will be. I know it is still in downtown Hope, so if you are there, give it a try. It makes it even better if you have been driving around, singing 70’s rock for a few hours!
I got a hamburger and the wasteland chips. These are the leavins’ of a the homemade french fries they make. I felt like I was doing a good deed for the environment while also having a delicious treat. They came with a dipping sauce that was addictive. The hamburger patty? It wasn’t in a perfect circle which to me indicates that instead of flopping a pre-made frozen number on the grill, they actually take real fresh ground beef and make the patty. This of course is always a better, tastier, juicier choice.
Next was dessert. We had been set on bread pudding and we certainly weren’t disappointed. Rod said it was right up there with the best bread puddings he has ever had. He said the fresh cream enhanced the flavor. He is seriously the pickiest eater ever, so if he says wow this good, that really translates into go buy some now.
