April 1, 2024

Whole Frog Cafe in Little Rock (Pulaski County) opened in 1999 and was the first and only restaurant established specifically to offer the smoked fish products colloquially known as “garbecue.” The idea of garbecue had originated during the administration of Governor Mike Huckabee and was promoted as both as a cuisine unique to the state and as a healthier alternative to the meat-heavy dishes typical of modern Arkansas foodways. However, the idea of garbecue was short lived, and in 2000 Whole Frog revamped its offerings and changed its name to Whole Hog.