My South Arlington neighborhood is a little short on happy places for happy hour. That’s why I usually end up somewhere in Fort Worth. But on a tip from a buddy, I recently wandered into Little O’s Patio Grill. She lives nearby and said the Little O’s parking lot has been consistently packed since the place opened around Thanksgiving. In fact, she may have gotten over her Thanksgiving-company hangover there.
Little O’s sits in a building formerly occupied by a Steak and Ale. Little O’s owners have given the exterior a colossal facelift and created a cute little patio out of half of the old parking lot. The patio features potted palm trees, tower space heaters (necessary this time of year), and what looks like a water feature. It’s not. It’s actually a fire feature, and at night, the top of the 10-foot gas-fired fountain is lit up like the Olympic torch. It’s a nice distraction, as the patio also offers an unparalleled view of I-20’s eastbound lanes. No matter. Little O’s is an unusual combo: mild-mannered restaurant by day, karaoke- and DJ-inhabited dance party by night. And fair warning: The place is closed all day Monday.
The first thing that caught my eye was a poster near the patio. It was a giant picture of a woman who looks like me (if I had longer hair and wore that much lipstick) and the slogan “Working Woman’s Wednesday.” From 5 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday, Little O’s offers us hardworking gals dollar margaritas and dollar longnecks (pretty sure that’s domestic beer, but I would be willing to go back and check). Appetizers are also only a buck on Wednesdays, and I have to say that if you’re ordering, I recommend The Rattler. It’s kind of the Turducken of appetizers: an unholy combo of bacon wrapped around shrimp, wrapped around a jalapeno pepper, and stuffed/covered with cheese. Addictively tasty. If you get the app as part of a combo platter (alongside nachos and quesadillas), be prepared to share. Or be ready to stab your date with a fork to get a second helping. The well margarita wasn’t Wonder Woman-strong, but it washed down The Rattler quite nicely. And at the non-happy-hour price of $3.25, it was a fairly good deal.
Fridays are “Girls’ Night Out at the O” –– if you’re one of the first 100 women to show up between 10 p.m. and midnight, management will give you $5. That’ll buy you two of the specially priced Cosmos or two margaritas or maybe one of each –– hell, all night on Fridays, both girly beverages are only $2 apiece. (Don’t forget to tip the bartender, ladies.)
And in case you’re feeling left out of the action because you don’t have a pair of double-X chromosomes, Little O’s has a regular happy hour, too, for everyone. From 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, you have a plethora of options from which to choose. Little O’s has Bud Light, Miller Lite, and Ziegenbock on tap for $2, well drinks for $3, and the elusive you-call-its are only $2. And during happy hour, appetizers are also half-priced.
Speaking as someone attuned to décor, Little O’s looks a little … odd. The food is Mexican-themed, but the restaurant itself looks like something out of Under the Tuscan Sun, assuming that Tuscan builders use putty to create fake brick façades. Anyway, there’s no cover charge on most nights, but when a band is playing (usually on weekends), you’ll pay something at the door. Little O’s also has themed rooms. The Cheers room is where the karaoke magic happens, and the Cabo room immediately next door is where Little O’s stages the DJ. The long bar in front of the main room is outfitted with several large-screen televisions. And that patio looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun come springtime, when I know I’ll be wanting a few of those Wednesday dollar ’ritas. –– Laurie Barker James
Little O’s Patio Grill
4650 Little Rd, Arlington.
817-561-0000
Contact Last Call at lastcall@fwweekly.com.
