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 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)							538	1,280	1,818
Exercise of stock options		48					48		48
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	4
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options		3					3		3
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	57	23,291	5	20,128	(29)	(10,095)	33,357	5,694	39,051
BALANCE (in Shares) at Jul. 02, 2011	5,672
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 attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.				3,647			3,647		3,647
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests								737	737
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities			(3)				(3)		(3)
Total comprehensive income (loss)							3,644	737	4,381
Stock-based compensation		29					29		29
Distributions to non-controlling interests								(1,825)	(1,825)
Payment of dividends - $0.75 per share				(2,434)			(2,434)		(2,434)
Write-off of stock option receivable					29		29		29
Purchase of treasury stock						(3,125)	(3,125)		(3,125)
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 57	$ 23,320		$ 21,341		$ (13,220)	$ 31,498	$ 3,743	$ 35,241
BALANCE (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2012	5,672