Doe's Eat Place on Little Rock Appetite.com

The moment you walk in the door of Doe's Eat Place, there is a sense you have crossed out of the realm of ordinary dining, and stepped over into legend. The black and white linoleum at your feet has worn into an organic, winding path that nearly renders it's original checkerboard pattern indiscernible. You know this can't be a simple case of neglect, and a quick glance around the room confirms that this floor is hallowed ground. Signed photographs of famous and powerful people line the walls.

There's Levon Helm, of the Band, and there's Bill Clinton. And there's a framed article from People magazine spotlighting Doe's as the unofficial headquarters for the 1992 Clinton campaign. And an original Annie Lebowitz portrait of Doe's owner, George Eldridge, and cook, Lucille Robinson, taken at the Clinton inauguration.

You might be momentarily star-struck, but then your eyes fall on the real star: the food. The steaks at Doe's are "some of the best anywhere," says road food.com editor Michael Stern, and the tamales are "legendary."

With its incredible two-pound-plus cuts of premium grade beef cooked to order, Doe's is a steak lover's paradise. For the non-carnivores, there are fabulous shrimp and grilled salmon. Sides are kept simple and tasty--the hearty house fries and green salad tossed in oil and lemon juice complement the main course without distracting, as does an icy cold beer, a good bottle of wine, or a stiff cocktail.

Doe's is equally popular for lunch as it is for dinner. After eating a Doe's steak, you might expect the kitchen to know how to grill a great cheeseburger, and you'd be right. Wear your faded blue jeans or your power suit, and keep an eye on the door. You never know who's going to walk in.