Making its mark

Wedington Drive Penguin Ed’s offers the same barbecue, but in a unique venue

Penguin Ed's Bar-B-Q offers a variety of mouth-watering entrees and baked goods at each of its three Fayetteville restaurants. With daily specials, varying from location to location, employees expect each patron to find something they can't resist.

The newest location opened in 2007 at 6437 West Wedington Dr. It offers a Monday special of meatloaf, green beans and Texas toast that has become a local favorite.

"We sell out every Monday because people love it," said general manager Julie Morrill.

"Everything we make is super fresh, and we smoke it that day," she said.

Penguin Ed's started as an impromptu business, in a borrowed tent, at Mission Boulevard and Crossover Road. From there, it has grown into a three-location Fayetteville icon. The laid-back atmosphere and quirky collection of penguins make it a popular meeting place, but the cuisine keeps people coming back.

"Although we are a little off the beaten path, it's really a quick drive. Our store here is very open, with high ceilings, bold colors and a welcoming staff," Morrill said.

The menu continues to grow, with a ghost pepper sauce for wings on the horizon.

Initially, slow-smoked, hickory -enhanced ribs and chicken were the offerings, but as the business expanded, so did the menu. Now the menu includes beef brisket, chopped beef, pork shoulder, pulled pork and pulled chicken, and some locations also offer ham, hot links and Polish sausage.

Each restaurant has a slightly different menu, but they all offer more than just barbecue. There are burgers, wings, salads and baked goods, including, "Audrey's Infamous Cookies."

Hot sub sandwiches include the turkey-bacon club and the Philly steak.

Both the Wedington Drive and Mission Boulevard locations have a vegetarian menu that includes a house salad with grilled portobellos, garden burgers, black bean veggie burgers and vegetable subs.

Penguin Ed's has carry-out orders covered, too. Bulk meats can be ordered in quarter-pound, half-pound or a pound, and side items can be ordered in half-pint, pint, quart or gallon.

Family packs that serve from four to 50 people can be ordered for pick-up at any location.

The rib pack includes a rack of ribs, two pints of sides, four Texas toast slices and sauce for $29.95.

The 'Just a Few' pack includes a pound of pulled or sliced pork or Polish sausage, two pints of sides, four buns and sauce for just $16.95. Chicken or beef can be substituted for an additional $2.

Gallons of lemonade or tea are also available.

The full menu for each location is available online at penguineds.com/menus-locations.

For those looking for a place to hold a group event, the Wedington Drive location has a private room that can hold up to 50 people. The room fee is $50 or 18% gratuity on the check.

Reservations are accepted, except for on weekends and on University of Arkansas game days. Tables in the restaurant can be pushed together for parties of 12-20, but calling ahead for this is preferred.

The Mission Boulevard location also has a banquet room that accommodates up to 65 people. The B&B location has a smoke-free patio.

Those visiting Penguin Ed's should bring an appetite, and perhaps a penguin for owner Ed Knight. For each penguin donated, Knight donates $1 to the Center for Biological Diversity, which works to save threatened and endangered species, including penguins.

NAN Dining Guide Cover on 08/28/2015

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