CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands	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]	Total
BALANCE at Oct. 02, 2010	$ 57	$ 23,050	$ 8	$ 22,554	$ (29)	$ (10,095)	$ 35,545	$ 1,895	$ 37,440
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				(348)			(348)	3,765	3,417
Net income (loss) attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.				(1,765)			(1,765)		(1,765)
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests								759	759
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities			(5)				(5)		(5)
Total comprehensive income (loss)							(1,770)	759	(1,011)
Exercise of stock options		30					30		30
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	2
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options		3					3		3
Stock-based compensation		155					155		155
Distributions to non-controlling interests								(678)	(678)
Payment of dividends - $0.50 per share				(1,745)			(1,745)		(1,745)
BALANCE at Apr. 02, 2011	57	23,238	3	18,696	(29)	(10,095)	31,870	5,741	37,611
BALANCE (in Shares) at Apr. 02, 2011	5,670
BALANCE at Oct. 01, 2011	57	23,291	3	20,128	(29)	(10,095)	33,355	4,831	38,186
BALANCE (in Shares) at Oct. 01, 2011	5,672
Net income (loss) attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.				683			683		683
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests								422	422
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities			(3)				(3)		(3)
Total comprehensive income (loss)							680	422	1,102
Write-off of stock option receivable					29		29		29
Purchase of treasury stock						(3,125)	(3,125)		(3,125)
Distributions to non-controlling interests								(1,016)	(1,016)
Payment of dividends - $0.50 per share				(1,623)			(1,623)		(1,623)
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 57	$ 23,291		$ 19,188		$ (13,220)	$ 29,316	$ 4,237	$ 33,553
BALANCE (in Shares) at Mar. 31, 2012	5,672