LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Every week, Eat It Up sets out to tell the story of a locally-owned eatery. Most often we comb through viewer suggestions, and that’s how we found ourselves at Yancey’s Cafeteria in Little Rock.
This humble mini-cafeteria is located in the heart of the historic Wright Avenue community, at the intersection of MLK and Wright Avenue, just blocks away from Central High School.
Originally opened by Martha Yancey in 1952, Yancey’s has become known for its rich soul food style southern cooking.
In 1976, James Kinard bought the establishment. Kinard, known by many as “Mr. Yancey”, is 90 years old and blind.
When asked how a blind individual learned to cook so well, he was quick to credit his mother and grandmother. Laughingly he then pointed out Ray Charles was a world-renowned musician and never missed a note.
“The secret to home cooking is concentration,” explained Kinard, aka Mr. Yancey. “You have to really like what you’re doing.
Kinard goes on to tell the story of his grandmother tasking him with cooking turnip greens as a child. Despite her clear instructions not to burn the greens, his short attention span got the best of him. His grandmother forced him to eat the burnt greens. Now, he explained, because of that lesson stays very concentrated on his craft.
Yancey’s is a quaint space. Only three booths are available for those looking to dine in, and most get their meals to go. The menu changes daily.
Yancey’s is located at 1510 Wright Ave. in Little Rock.