In our Lunching in Little Rock blog series, Michael Kirkpatrick will explore and review the city’s best restaurants – all in time to get back to the office. This week, Michael ate lunch at The Box on 7th Street. Click here to read more in this series.

There are days when you dash out and grab a healthy salad for lunch and return to your desk feeling good about yourself, but also a little hungry and unsatisfied. There are other days when only a cheeseburger fried on a grill and a basket of fries will conquer your appetite. Your doctor and your scale may not agree, but ignore them and head down to The Box on 7th Street. Since 1948, The Box has been serving up some of the best burgers in town and you deserve one today.

Just across the street from the downtown fire station and around the corner from MEMs, The Box is often full of first responders. The table and chairs are plain, a radio plays classic rock in the corner, and the smell of grilled onions and fries fills the air.  Today I am dining with my boss, mentor in all things advertising, life adviser and dad, Dan. The sweet waitress welcomes us and brings our drinks in foam cups with that good ice, which hits the spot on a smoldering July day. Having been here before, we do not need to look at the short menu. Dad orders the hamburger steak, while I order the cheeseburger. Dad’s comes smothered with grilled onions and gravy, a side of fries, Texas toast and even a fancy salad.  The burger is thick, fried on the grill with melty cheese, a buttery toasted bun, and all the fixins. If your appetite allows, you can get a double or even add a fried egg. Actually, you can add a fried egg to anything on the menu at The Box, including a fried bologna and egg sandwich on Texas toast. I also want to highlight the fries: they were crispy and had the perfect amount of seasoning and salt. All that food, bottomless drinks, and service with a smile for a more-than-reasonable price.

Dad had a stress test at the cardiologist this week and they said he has the heart of a 20-year-old. So this week, ignore your diet for a day and head down to The Box. Treat yourself to the cheeseburger and fries you’ve been craving. Splurge on the bacon and add a fried egg on top. Be bold when you return to work, brag about your indulgent lunch, and when you look upon your co-workers’ hungry faces, send them to The Box for a real lunch experience.


Photo courtesy of The Box