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Marketplace Grill
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- None
3 reviews for Marketplace Grill
A local favorite. I've eaten there many times. It's so popular that it's getting hard to get in for lunch, and they don't take reservations.
This is a classic American Food style grill with a smattering of choices on the menu ranging from pasta, to red meat, to BBQ, to some seafood, to a solid cheeseburger, if so desired. It's similar, in a lot of ways, to restaurants like Bennigan's, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday, etc. just with better atmosphere (read: less fake/generic).
Their menu rotates, so you can't always expect to see the same items on the menu. This is both good and bad.
It's competitively priced with other restaurants of this style, but the food is superior to the big chains. There are a handful of these restaurants in the area, including some smaller Marketplace Express restaurants (including one in the mall in Fayetteville), and they seem to be growing. Good food and good business sense seem to do that. Wouldn't be surprised if this went national in the next 20 years.
I must admit, when I was booked on a business trip to Springdale, Ark., my culinary meter was a bit discombobulated. Would there be traditional southern food? Barbecue? Lots and lots of chicken (per Tyson)?
From what I saw and heard from our local staff, there isn't a regional fare as many in Northwestern Ark are "transplants."
But Marketplace was good! On the other side of the Holiday Inn parking lot where we shacked up for the training, it was a no-brainer for lunch.
Walking in I was impressed - really cool and cute decor with bins of (fake) fruits and veggies in produce carts. Had a comfortable farmer's market feel. Tons of tables for business lunches or whatever you mosey in for.
Food was good. Yay for Sweet Tea in the South! We started with fried Jalapeno and cheese bites and boy were they good. Mild cheddar cheese was packed with Jalapeno slices and fried in an almost tempura batter and topped with Parmesan cheese. I could have eaten the entire basket all by my lonesome.
For lunch I was craving red meat and went with the "Prime Dip" (aka French Dip). It was ok. The ciabatta bread was excellent, nicely toasted for an extra crunch. Just enough provolone cheese melted on top. The thinly sliced prime rib was ok, a little too fatty for my liking.
I ordered a side of sweet potato fries (which I noticed everyone had on their plate as I walked in) and was in instant starch-heaven. Even better, they serve the fries with a side of sweet melted butter/cinnamon dipping sauce.
Great place and the service was delightful. A very pleasant lunching experience!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (2)
This is a pretty good place to eat. I would consider it Traditional American cuisine. The food is very good and the desserts are solid as well. I enjoy the atmosphere.
Favorite Meal: BBQ Ribs & Sweet Potato Fries
Favorite Dessert: Key Lime Pie
Notes of concern:
* The Flaming Queso Dip looks neat, but that's about it. Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad, but I've had much better queso for cheaper at other restaurants.
*Some have said that it is hard to hear in there because of how open the building is...I just think they are going deaf.
