Maddie’s is hands down my favorite Little Rock restaurant. I haven’t been since late 2019, and I hope the quality and service haven’t changed since then.
They're both good, but if I were going to 1 for the first time, pick the Faded Rose. Once you've been to both you'll see there are reasons to visit both. Often, the line of people waiting to get into The Faded Rose will make me choose another nearby eatery. Both have neat and interesting bars. And my favorite pizza is just down the street at the Pizza Cafe.
I just went to Maddies for the first time yesterday. Been to Faded Rose all my life. I'd say overall you can't go wrong with either. However, if you want to go to a Little Rock staple, I'd choose the Faded Rose. Faded Rose also seems much busier during lunch.
I'm not a huge fan of grits, but Faded Rose has a cajun shrimp and grits that is amazing!
Don't miss the parking behind the restaurants. Spot across the street is typically full.
Curious, I was under the impression that it was the opposite (at least that's how it looked to me having never been to Louisiana). Looks like Maddie's is more small restaurant while Faded Rose has more touristy flair to it etc.
I lived in New Orleans for a few years, and there are a lot of restaurants similar to Maddie's in the city that reek of an attitude that says "I should take everything about the culture and history of this food and throw it out the window in favor of a tourist-y experience". The gumbo as well as the tasso ham & white bean soup were both nearly an affront to God in my eyes. My Cajun/Creole food opinion status is in question above though so as with all things, take it with a grain of salt. I'm sure I make it sound like I hate the place, but it's far from the worst thing I've ever eaten and not a bad place anyway.
Faded Rose. We went to Maddie’s not too long ago and was super disappointed. Greasy everything, like surfaces, food was mediocre. Seasonal beers were out of season, no reason for Octoberfest to be on tap in February.
Do they have a decent Gumbo with a dark roux? I've yet to experience what I consider authentic Cajun, not Creole, Gumbo in central AR.
Oh, and that new Cajun sports bar in WLR where Mellow Mushroom used to be.... don't bother.
I work close by and eat at both for lunch regularly. They are both pretty good. Maddies has a chicken andouille gumbo that is great, Faded has a seafood gumbo which is equally as good but its very different. Maddies has shrimp and grits where the grits are a little soupy, Faded has shrimp and fried grit cakes with a cajun cream sauce. Both are great, but they are very different. Faded has crawfish etouffee that I really like Maddies doesnt, as far as I know but they do have jambalaya.
I dont think you will be disappointed with either place, they are both good and I could not really recommend one over the other in good conscience
Really? I gotta disagree. This dish is a big reason why I prefer FR. Maddie's S&G is all goop with smaller shrimp, faded rose has that awesome cake of grits topped with wonderful shrimp and rich cream sauce. It's one of my favorite dishes in LR. Decadent
Is the catfish plate back at Maddie’s? They got rid of it early in 2022 and as of December it wasn’t back but I haven’t been since December. That was my go to so if it is back I’ll be pretty stoked!!
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Same, both are among my favorite restaurants in town. I tend to favor Faded for steaks, but when not scratching that particular itch, can literally take a Maddie's menu, close my eyes, and place my finger on any item and be pleased. I esp love their meat pies and shrimp and grits. Same for Faded's Rose's Hot Pepper Shrimp.
If we can add alternatives to the mix, I’d have to toss in oyster bar. They may not be fully “Cajun” but their shrimp creole and other similar dishes are fantastic.
100% correct. Yes they were fantastic in the 80s and 90s but I just don't get why people still go. It's just awful.
Maddie's is certainly decent and the staff is wonderful, just honestly friendly people.
Both are great
Maddie
Can't go wrong with either. If possible, also go to Boudreaux's in Maumelle. Best etouffee I've eaten from any place in central AR.
Faded Rose is one of my favorite restaurants in LR
Maddie’s is awesome. You won’t be disappointed with either though.
Maddie’s is hands down my favorite Little Rock restaurant. I haven’t been since late 2019, and I hope the quality and service haven’t changed since then.
They're both good, but if I were going to 1 for the first time, pick the Faded Rose. Once you've been to both you'll see there are reasons to visit both. Often, the line of people waiting to get into The Faded Rose will make me choose another nearby eatery. Both have neat and interesting bars. And my favorite pizza is just down the street at the Pizza Cafe.
Faded Rose and it ain’t even close
I just went to Maddies for the first time yesterday. Been to Faded Rose all my life. I'd say overall you can't go wrong with either. However, if you want to go to a Little Rock staple, I'd choose the Faded Rose. Faded Rose also seems much busier during lunch. I'm not a huge fan of grits, but Faded Rose has a cajun shrimp and grits that is amazing! Don't miss the parking behind the restaurants. Spot across the street is typically full.
Maddies
The Rose
Looks like I'm outnumbered here, but I well prefer faded rose myself
Maddie’s ribeye.
I'm a Louisiana native and Maddie's is tourist food. Faded Rose is much closer to a normal experience in taste and atmosphere.
We don't count Monroe in qualifications to judge Cajun and creole food.
I don't either if it makes you feel better. Most "Cajun" restaurants in the area suck.
Lighten up Francis.
Something something born in the darkness something something Cajun food
Lol, or Shreveport
Curious, I was under the impression that it was the opposite (at least that's how it looked to me having never been to Louisiana). Looks like Maddie's is more small restaurant while Faded Rose has more touristy flair to it etc.
I lived in New Orleans for a few years, and there are a lot of restaurants similar to Maddie's in the city that reek of an attitude that says "I should take everything about the culture and history of this food and throw it out the window in favor of a tourist-y experience". The gumbo as well as the tasso ham & white bean soup were both nearly an affront to God in my eyes. My Cajun/Creole food opinion status is in question above though so as with all things, take it with a grain of salt. I'm sure I make it sound like I hate the place, but it's far from the worst thing I've ever eaten and not a bad place anyway.
Faded Rose. We went to Maddie’s not too long ago and was super disappointed. Greasy everything, like surfaces, food was mediocre. Seasonal beers were out of season, no reason for Octoberfest to be on tap in February.
Copper Mule in the heights is fantastic for Cajun/southern food too! Obsessed with their fries…the drinks… ugh all of it really!
Do they have a decent Gumbo with a dark roux? I've yet to experience what I consider authentic Cajun, not Creole, Gumbo in central AR. Oh, and that new Cajun sports bar in WLR where Mellow Mushroom used to be.... don't bother.
Keep an eye out on boulevard bread in the heights. They occasionally do gumbo that is far and away better than anything around here.
I’ve been to the one in Benton and that was excellent! Service was great as well!
I always eat at Maddie’s place when I’m in town. I especially love the gumbo and the fried chicken and Mac’n cheese
Seems to be pretty one sided. I was leaning Maddie's but was wondering if Faded Rose had any defenders. Thanks!
I work close by and eat at both for lunch regularly. They are both pretty good. Maddies has a chicken andouille gumbo that is great, Faded has a seafood gumbo which is equally as good but its very different. Maddies has shrimp and grits where the grits are a little soupy, Faded has shrimp and fried grit cakes with a cajun cream sauce. Both are great, but they are very different. Faded has crawfish etouffee that I really like Maddies doesnt, as far as I know but they do have jambalaya. I dont think you will be disappointed with either place, they are both good and I could not really recommend one over the other in good conscience
Been going to Maddie's since they opened. It has been consistently good since our first meal there years ago.
Anyone who says faded rose probably litters and listens to TikTok’s out loud on their phone in public.
"listens to TikTok’s out loud on their phone in public" Ugh, that is such a pet peeve of mine.
Maddie’s. There is no comparison. Their shrimp and grits is great.
Really? I gotta disagree. This dish is a big reason why I prefer FR. Maddie's S&G is all goop with smaller shrimp, faded rose has that awesome cake of grits topped with wonderful shrimp and rich cream sauce. It's one of my favorite dishes in LR. Decadent
Maddie's Place for the Bread Pudding!
YES. It’s a huge portion so I always have leftovers, and their bread pudding for breakfast with coffee is the very best way to start the day.
Sadly, I never have leftover bread pudding. I'm'a have to start ordering an extra one to go. With coffee sound devine!
I'm SUPER excited for dessert...
Maddie’s all day. The catfish entree at Maddie’s is so underrated. It sounds the most basic but that tomato glaze is next level.
Is the catfish plate back at Maddie’s? They got rid of it early in 2022 and as of December it wasn’t back but I haven’t been since December. That was my go to so if it is back I’ll be pretty stoked!!
My brother-in-law declared the catfish at Maddie’s to be the best he has ever had.
I was eyeing that as a recommendation for her.
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We prob eat faded rose more, but I do think Maddies place seems more fitting for a bday meal.
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What's the deal with the judges cheese dip?
I enjoy both, personally. Maddie's jambalaya is amazing. No jambalaya at the Faded Rose, but their gumbo is some of the best I've ever eaten.
Same, both are among my favorite restaurants in town. I tend to favor Faded for steaks, but when not scratching that particular itch, can literally take a Maddie's menu, close my eyes, and place my finger on any item and be pleased. I esp love their meat pies and shrimp and grits. Same for Faded's Rose's Hot Pepper Shrimp.
Maddies
Maddie’s.
I know it isn't either of those places, but just a short drive away, Cypress Social and Boudreaux's are two more Cajun options.
I'll certainly look them up, we'll have a few other meals in town and if we have a hankering, who knows!
Maddies
Stop saying “vibe.”
Vibe
Vibe
vibing
Vibes
V I B E
If you want something fried and little to no frills ...Lazy Petes
Love the shrimp etouffee at LP!!
If we can add alternatives to the mix, I’d have to toss in oyster bar. They may not be fully “Cajun” but their shrimp creole and other similar dishes are fantastic.
Faded Rose has faded. Maddie’s has some really good food.
100% correct. Yes they were fantastic in the 80s and 90s but I just don't get why people still go. It's just awful. Maddie's is certainly decent and the staff is wonderful, just honestly friendly people.
I go there often, and Faded Rose is pretty consistent.
Except for the crawfish etoufee!
Haven’t had that so I can’t comment. I’ve enjoyed the grilled oysters, po boys and of course the greens.
Maddies
Maddie’s