Kevin Shalin began The Mighty Rib as a food blog in 2010 while living in Houston and looking for a creative outlet. A family move took him to Boston, and then Little Rock, where he thought surely there wasn’t enough going on in the local food scene here to keep his hobby going. Boy, was he wrong. These days, The Mighty Rib’s strongest presence is on Facebook, where Kevin engages some 55,000-plus followers in conversation about can’t-miss food finds around the state. Read on to learn more about the man behind The Mighty Rib.
Q: You travel the state in search of hidden gems. What are a few of your recent favorite finds?
A: Cozy Nook Café in Lonoke. In addition to making the most delicious scratch-made food, the space is also an art studio and gallery. It’s so freaking unique. Tons of charm, and that’s thanks in large part to owner, artist, and head chef Terri R. Taylor. It sounds cliché, but when you’re inside the restaurant, it feels like you’re sitting inside her house. Ten sandwiches are on the menu, all of which are named after famous artists. Make sure to get the Warhol, a dynamite chicken salad handheld. Speaking of sandwiches, Hagarville Grocery in teeny, tiny Hagarville makes some of the very best you’ll find anywhere. Go! You will not be disappointed. Hard to pick one sandwich, but it’s hard to beat the Dogmother, which comes loaded with ham, pepperoni, salami, and provolone.
Q: Sweet or salty?
A: Can I say both? Seriously, love that combination of sweet and salty, then add in a little heat. There’s not a better example of this than the Truth Sauce Wings at Certified Pies in Little Rock. They use Truth Sauce, which is this perfect balance of sweet and heat.
Q: Favorite meal growing up?
A: That’s easy. My mom’s skillet fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and any vegetable she felt like preparing that day. Fried chicken done right is an art, and my mom, even to this day, is Picasso.
Q: Go-to barbecue order?
A: Boy, this is a tough one. I’m from Texas, so beef generally needs to happen. If I’m at a restaurant that’s known for its brisket—Knight Fire in Searcy, Ridgewood Brothers in Russellville, Wright’s in Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock, and Reid’s in Booneville all come to mind—then at least one slice will end up on my platter. But, honestly, I absolutely love smoked turkey. In the barbecue world, it’s often overshadowed by other proteins like ribs, pulled pork, and the aforementioned brisket, but I enjoy the lightness of turkey. Maybe that’s a sign I’m getting old.
Q: While traveling for The Mighty Rib, what other discoveries have you made about the state that don’t necessarily have to do with food?
A: I’ve been traveling around Arkansas quite a bit, going to smaller towns for a podcast project that I’m working on with my good friend John Wilkerson. It’s called “There’s Something Here,” and we highlight all the ins and outs of these towns. Food is a large part of it, but we cover so much more. Famous buildings, community leaders, storefronts, museums, you name it. And the one thing that always stands out is that each town is not only vastly different but also offers something truly special to check out. Hence the name, “There’s Something Here.” You just have to take the time to look.
Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of The Mighty Rib?
A: My favorite thing about the blog is the interaction it generates. The Mighty Rib is a community. Yes, it’s a food blog, but food is really just the vessel in helping bring people together to build a stronger community. The back and forth, the sharing of ideas and suggestions—I love being part of it all. It’s what fuels me each day. Many of the readers have been following the blog for well over a decade. I never take that type of loyalty for granted. Never. And don’t get me wrong, highlighting eateries throughout Arkansas is amazing, but my true reward is being able to use this platform to work and raise funds for nonprofits like Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, Potluck Food Rescue, Seis Puentes Hispanic Outreach, and many others.
Every now and then, Kevin still blogs at themightyrib.com—but you’ll most often find him on Facebook (@themightyrib). Follow along to join the conversation.
Photo by Lori Sparkman Photography courtesy of Kevin Shalin
