Say McIntosh Restaurant: North Little Rock Family Legacy Grows | Arkansas Food

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Say McIntosh Family Restaurant, a local eatery honoring the legacy of civil rights activist and “Sweet Potato Pie King” Robert “Say” McIntosh, has opened a second location in North Little Rock. The new restaurant, located at 4604 E. Broadway, welcomed customers on Thursday with a line extending beyond the building, according to reports.

The expansion marks a continuation of a vision that began in 1962 with Robert McIntosh, who was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and community involvement. His grandsons, Robby and Chris McIntosh, are now carrying on his tradition, building upon the foundation he established over six decades ago.

The McIntosh family first opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Little Rock in July 2024, following a successful run with a family food truck. The Little Rock location celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and offered a free slice of pie to the first 50 customers.

Robert “Say” McIntosh was a prominent figure in Little Rock, operating a series of restaurants in the Black community where he served barbecue, plate lunches, and his signature sweet potato pie. A 2011 profile by Arkansas Times editor David Koon described McIntosh as a dedicated restaurateur who often provided meals to those in need, including a free Thanksgiving dinner for 500 people in 1976.

The menu at the Say McIntosh Family Restaurant features McIntosh’s original sweet potato pie, alongside fried catfish, burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and barbecue. On Sundays, a soul food menu is offered, including fried chicken, turkey chops, turnip greens, candied yams, purple hull peas, and fried okra – all recipes passed down from Robert McIntosh.

Robby McIntosh III expressed his belief that his grandfather would be proud of the restaurant’s growth. “He would love this. I am pretty sure he is looking down and smiling,” McIntosh said. “The main concern of his would be how much money we made at the end of the day.”

Robert McIntosh began his career in the restaurant industry as a teenager, working as a waiter at Franke’s Cafeteria. He later owned several restaurants, becoming a beloved figure in the community. The new North Little Rock location aims to honor his memory and continue his legacy of providing good food and community service.

The opening of the second location signifies not only a business expansion but also a celebration of family, faith, and determination, rooted in the life and work of Robert “Say” McIntosh.