For the last 34 years, the Arkansas Times has asked its readers to vote for the best restaurants in the state. This year, we’ve split the voting into two rounds: one for nominating restaurants and another for selecting among the top four vote getters and last year’s winners in each category.

We’re at the tail end of the nomination process. The poll officially closes on Friday, Jan. 30, but if you follow this special link, you can add your nominations until Monday morning. The final round of voting runs Feb. 16 through March 6.

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Below, check out all of the winners in our Best Overall and Best New categories throughout the years. You’ll note some missing years for the the around the state versions (that is, everything that’s not Little Rock and North Little Rock, where we have the largest concentration of readers). For whatever reason, we didn’t publish winners those years.

Best restaurant (LR/NLR)

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1981 Restaurant Jacques and Suzanne
1982 Restaurant Jacques and Suzanne
1983 Cajun’s Wharf
1984 Restaurant Jacques and Suzanne
1985 Restaurant Jacques and Suzanne
1986 Restaurant Jacques and Suzanne
1987 Coy’s
1988 Ashley’s
1989 Coy’s
1990 Coy’s
1991 Graffiti’s
1992 Regas Grill
1993 Blue Mesa
1994 Brave New Restaurant
1995 Brave New Restaurant
1996 Brave New Restaurant
1997 Trio’s
1998 Brave New Restaurant
1999 Trio’s
2000 Brave New Restaurant
2001 Trio’s
2002 Brave New Restaurant
2003 Trio’s
2004 Brave New Restaurant
2005 Brave New Restaurant
2006 Brave New Restaurant
2007 Brave New Restaurant
2008 Brave New Restaurant
2009 Trio’s
2010 Brave New Restaurant
2011 Trio’s
2012 Brave New Restaurant
2013 Brave New Restaurant
2014 The Pantry

Best restaurant (around Arkansas)

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1997 James at the Mill (Johnson)
1998 James at the Mill (Johnson)
1999 James at the Mill (Johnson)
2000 James at the Mill (Johnson)
2002 James at the Mill (Johnson)
2003 James at the Mill (Johnson)
2004 James at the Mill (Johnson)
2005 James at the Mill (Johnson)
2006 Chef Paul’s (Hot Springs)
2007 James at the Mill (Johnson)
2008 Mike’s Place (Conway)
2009 Mike’s Place (Conway)
2010 Mike’s Place (Conway)
2011 Mike’s Place (Conway)
2012 Mike’s Place (Conway)
2013 James at the Mill (Johnson)
2014 The Hive (Bentonville)

Best new restaurant (NLR/LR)

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1981 Black-Eyed Pea
1982 Shorty Small’s, The Blue Plate Special (tie)
1983 Shogun
1984 Packet House
1985 Ashley’s
1986 Graffiti’s
1987 Juanita’s
1988 A’lan’s
1989 Gabriel’s
1990 Lucky’s Paradise Seafood Grille, Purple Cow (tie)
1991 Regas Grill
1992 Tia’s Tex and Mex Grill
1993 Brave New Restaurant
1994 Romano’s Macaroni Grill
1995 Romano’s Macaroni Grill
1996 Spaule
1997 Loca Luna
1998 Capers
1999 St. Pascual’s Kitchen
2000 Vermillion Bistro
2001 Whole Hog Cafe
2002 Trio’s River Market
2003 Lily’s Dim Sum Then Some
2004 Boscos
2005 On the Border
2006 Ferneau
2007 SO Restaurant Bar
2008 Bill Valentine’s Ballpark Restaurant
2009 ZaZa
2010 Capi’s
2011 Dugan’s Pub
2012 Big Orange
2013 Local Lime
2014 South on Main

Best new restaurant (around Arkansas)

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1997 Chez Charles (Eureka Springs)
1998 McAllister’s Gourmet Deli (Conway)
1999 Three Monkeys (Hot Springs)
2000 Cafe Nibbles (Fayetteville)
2002 Exchange (Hot Springs)
2003 La Mirabelle (Hot Springs)
2004 Ella’s (Fayetteville)
2006 Mike’s Place (Conway)
2009 Michelangelo’s (Conway)
2010 Sassy’s Red House (Fayetteville)
2011 ZaZa (Conway)
2012 Garden Bistro (Eureka Springs)
2013 Tusk & Trotter (Bentonville)
2014 The Hive (Bentonville)

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