Doing 30 with Peter ends with a remarkable recap of the journey

 

Editor’s note: Peter Lewis, who has authored “The Friday Feast” since November, has reviewed 30 locally-owned and/or operated restaurants across five categories: American, Asian, BBQ, Mexican and Date (establishments to impress your date, spouse or both). Doing 30 with Peter was the best comprehensive and consistent review of area restaurants EVER delivered by a media outlet in the Fort Smith area. We trust that you enjoyed Peter’s insight and artistic license as much as we did. If you didn’t, we’ve included once again the “Peter Smile-O-Matic Meter” because, well, uhhh, because we got nothing else for anyone who found NO joy in the past 16 weeks of good stuff from Peter.

Week 1: Taqueria la Guadalupana, and Las Americas Too
Week 2: The Cuban Grill and El Rodeo
Week 3: El Milagro and Restaurante Salvadoreno Norita
Week 4: Green Papaya and Pho Vietnam
Week 5: Fried Rice and Pho King
Week 6: Diamond Head 2 and Tran’s
Week 7: Yellow Umbrella and Goodson’s
Week 8: Red Rooster and Boom-A-Rang
Week 9: Lewis’ Family Restaurant and Hamburger Barn
Week 10: Big Al’s and Al’s Barbecue
Week 11: Neumeier’s Rib Room and Jerry Neel’s
Week 12: Pink Flamingo and Art’s BBQ
Week 13: 21 West and Bella Italia
Week 14: Doe’s Eat Place and Rolando’s
Week 15: BK and Chick-fil-A

review by Peter Lewis

On May 13, 2009, a journey began on The City Wire. Though one might think the numerology of the commencement ominous, it has instead ended up a rather fortuitous journey. Through the boulevards and byways of our home town, restaurants were tested, tried, and tested again. While this process began just over three months ago, it now seems a distant memory.

Over the weeks and weeks, between the earnest commencement and the somewhat blithe conclusion, there were plenty of discoveries and disappointments. Certain aspects of the palatal progressions were unfortunate reiterations of preconceived notions.

In particular, River Valley barbecue establishments have long left something to be desired. Vainly, I hoped that this deeper search would perhaps reveal a place that would rank high enough to dismiss this notion of inferiority out of my mind. While there were enjoyable establishments, nothing stood out, unfortunately (that the rapidly expanding Whole Hog franchise is rumored to have finally opened a location in Fort Smith gives new hope, slight as it is).

In life it is quite often easier to ridicule. Unfortunately, it often seems that derision has become as ubiquitous in daily life as gas stations or televisions. A spade is a spade, however, so while I do find the general status of barbecue in the River Valley to be a disappointment, there are countless other aspects of our dining scene that are, on the other hand, a delight.

While it is easy to dwell on negatives, the entire experience was rewarding. Through the countless calories, the dynamism of the local dining scene became startlingly apparent.

Specifically, I found the vibrancy of ethnic restaurants like Las Americas Too or Pho Vietnam to be a crowning point of the local cuisine. The community is the life blood of commerce and this is especially true for restaurants. Scattered throughout the area are dozens upon dozens of smaller restaurants begging for a chance to serve you, just waiting on you to stop by.

One important lesson that I continue to learn pertains to fears or uncertainties. While a former President once famously declared that fear was the only thing we had to fear, the perpetuation of the phrase has morphed the profound words into a trite shell. Even though they may seem hollow or disjointed to your life now, they are wonderful words to remember when trying new things. We are all better people when we branch out, when we introduce ourselves to the varied pleasures of life.

Often, I lose sight of this and instead find myself drifting, a comatose counterpoint to the usually curious cat. Never is this curiosity, this “joie de vivre” (that’s French for woohoo!) as necessary as it is in the realm of restaurants. Instead of blazing trails like that dashing Meriwether (related in spirit only), we find ourselves settling for X, Y, or Z. Not because it is tasty, not because it is exciting or cutting edge, but because it is, like Everest, “there.”

We visit these restaurants because they are there, they are visible.

They are on the main thoroughfares.

They have large signs and pretty commercials.

Which, of course, are their ploys to entice patrons. Now, do not mistake me, these restaurants have their place. I am as guilty as anyone for visiting them. My argument is for those restaurants tucked away on side streets, the ones without the money to purchase advertising during Razorback games. Seek out and explore. Dare to try new dishes. Forgive the cliché imploring, but bold decisions, no matter how small, can positively affect your life. It is a rewarding mental drug (and is quite often rewarding for your palate as well).

I have been informed that there are “rumors” circulating about my whereabouts. Given the flat reception of my previous column and to squash the swirling theories surrounding my whereabouts, I thought it would be fitting to address the issue here in this last column. I have not been hunting narwhals in the north, nor have I been sunning in Santo Domingo. Instead, I woke up one morning to find myself in Austin with a job working in the marketing department of SXSW, a company that puts on a rather large Music, Film, and Interactive Festival and Tradeshow (dedicated readers may remember my somewhat ill-fated dalliances as an attendee/member of the press at SXSW this past March).

My new residence, however, is not a severance with The City Wire. I will continue to write for The City Wire and hopefully, in my own small way, continue to aid in its growing success as the premier entertainment and news outlet for the River Valley area.

Looking back on the experience, I most certainly hope my series of columns were entertaining. My greater hope, however, is that these summertime columns might have spurred you forward toward a new horizon. Whether that activation was toward Midland, Rogers, or 271 south matters little. It is only that conveyance of desire which is of consequence. Addressing appetizers with flowery language is worthless unless the words plant a seed of aspiration to call upon the establishment in question.

As I bid adieu to this particular series of columns, I hope that a chord was struck. Given my inability as a musician, these are the only sort of chords I have a chance of ever striking.

An explainer note from Peter
Having such cultural diversity within easy reach is one of the many dining pleasures in the River Valley. As we continue to explore the different cooking styles throughout the area, I hope it will spur you into trying something new. Broadening horizons is as old as time itself.

You can reach Peter at [email protected]