Where can you find a Hungry, Hungry Hippie in Eureka Springs? At the Little Bread Company, of course, where «Hungry, Hungry Hippie» is a Little Bread Company signature sandwich.

Known to Eurekans as «the bakery,» (as in «meet me at the bakery,») the Little Bread Company is a popular village gathering place. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a cafe in small town Europe. No, there isn't a soccer game playing on a small TV behind the counter. Nobody ever stops to holler sacré bleu! and mourn a football score in the middle of your order. The LBC isn't quite that European.

But regular patrons sip Espresso, eat croissants, read newspapers, engage in spirited conversation and dart in from the natural food market next door to complete their grocery shopping with a loaf of the freshly baked bread that gives the Little Bread Company (LBC) its moniker.

The LBC menu starts with breakfast sandwiches, served on your choice of a bagel, croissant or focaccia with spuds on the side. Though they're called «breakfast sandwiches,» these ham, bacon, egg and cheese confections are served throughout the day. Our favorites include the Daybreak (egg, herb cream cheese, ham & onion on a bagel - $5.75) and the Sunny Side--(egg, avocado, cheddar, tomato and sprouts on grilled focaccia - $6.25.)

Purists may prefer to accompany their tea, freshly ground coffee or Espresso--all available hot or cold--with a selection from the LBC's pastry case. Croissants, Bear Claws, Cinnamon Rolls, Pecan Sticky Buns, Spinach Feta Pockets, Turnovers, Danishes, Bagels, Muffins, Cookies, Biscotti and Grissini are baked fresh daily.

The Little Bread Company also bakes its famous bread every morning--baguettes are hot out of the oven by noon. At the top of our to-die-for list is Uncle Jesse's Roasted Garlic, a rich white bread full of whole, mellow, roasted garlic cloves. White, wheat, German 5 grain, Italian olive and foccacia are available daily. Specialty breads, like chocolate walnut and caraway rye, are available on certain days. If you live close enough to keep the LBC on speed dial, they'll call you when your favorite breads are hot out of the oven.

Little Bread Company soups are made entirely from scratch and flavors vary daily. Some of our favorites include vegetarian vegetable, split pea, potato with fresh basil and clam chowder. At $3.50 for a cup, served with fresh bread, LBC's tasty soup makes a filling and affordable meal.

The LBC has a wide variety of sandwiches, from the Hungry, Hungry Hippie (spinach feta spread, swiss, sprouts, tomatoes, celery, carrots, vinaigrette and sunflower seeds on German 5 grain - $6.50) to the artery busting Triple Bypass (beef tenderloin, bacon, ham, cheddar, swiss, grilled onion and mayo on soft focaccia - $7.95.)

You'll find your old favorites at the LBC: BLT's, tuna melts, chicken salad, turkey and grilled cheese--4 cheeses, garlic and tomatoes for the grownups; simple, tasty cheddar on white for the kids; plus more than a baker's dozen of unusual flavor combinations--like the Fresh Mozzrella (buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil and tomatoes on a baguette, basil mayo or vinaigrette on the side - $6.50), Tuna Steak with citrus mayo ($7.50), and the Turkey Gobbler ($5.95) which is, more or less, a complete Thanksgiving dinner between two slices of country French wheat.

Little Bread Company salads are enormous. Bring a friend, your pet goat, a herd of rabbits--you'll need some help to empty the salad bowl. Salads start with romaine lettuce, field greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, carrots, sprouts, celery and grissini croutons ($5.95). Add seeds, herbs, olives, meat and cheese for a nominal additional charge.

The Little Bread Company uses locally grown produce from community farmers. All flours and a majority of ingredients are organic; no artificial ingredients or processed food of any kind. Eat indoors, where you can keep your eye on the quiches, cakes, Napoleons and Cream Puffs in the dessert case; or dine alfresco on the garden deck.

Picky Queen Alert: Girl, if you want something light and flaky, find yourself a Branson chorus boy. The LBC makes desserts and pastries with a hot oven and a heavy hand.

Verdict: Give us this day our daily bread... and soup, sandwiches, salads & Espresso from the Little Bread Company.

Little Bread Company
121 E Van Buren, in «The Quarter»
479-253-0800

Open 7 am - 9 pm, Monday - Saturday
7 am - 3 pm Sundays

Popularity: 7% [?]