CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Stock Option Receivable [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
BALANCE at Oct. 03, 2009	$ 38,102	$ 57	$ 22,501	$ (29)	$ 23,440	$ (76)	$ (10,095)	$ 35,798	$ 2,304
BALANCE (in Shares) at Oct. 03, 2009		5,667
Net income attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.	1,521				1,521			1,521
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	(248)								(248)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	37			37				37
Total comprehensive income (loss)	1,310							1,558	(248)
Stock-based compensation	458		458					458
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(121)								(121)
Payment of dividends - $0.75 per share	(2,618)				(2,618)			(2,618)
Repayments on stock option receivable	47					47		47
BALANCE at Jul. 03, 2010	37,178	57	22,959	8	22,343	(29)	(10,095)	35,243	1,935
BALANCE (in Shares) at Jul. 03, 2010		5,667
BALANCE at Oct. 02, 2010	37,440	57	23,050	8	22,554	(29)	(10,095)	35,545	1,895
BALANCE (in Shares) at Oct. 02, 2010		5,668
Cumulative effect adjustment related to consolidation of variable interest entities upon the adoption of the amendments to ASC Topic 810	3,417				(348)			(348)	3,765
Exercise of stock options	48		48					48
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)		4
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options	3		3					3
Net income attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.	541				541			541
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	1,280								1,280
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	(3)			(3)				(3)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	1,818							538	1,280
Stock-based compensation	190		190					190
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(1,246)								(1,246)
Payment of dividends - $0.75 per share	(2,619)				(2,619)			(2,619)
BALANCE at Jul. 02, 2011	$ 39,051	$ 57	$ 23,291	$ 5	$ 20,128	$ (29)	$ (10,095)	$ 33,357	$ 5,694
BALANCE (in Shares) at Jul. 02, 2011		5,672