CONSOLIDATED 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	$ 46	$ 23,061	$ 8	$ 22,554	$ (29)	$ (10,095)	$ 35,545	$ 1,895	$ 37,440
BALANCE (in Shares) at Oct. 02, 2010	4,597
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.				1,415			1,415		1,415
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests								889	889
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities			(5)				(5)		(5)
Total comprehensive income							1,410	889	2,299
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								(1,718)	(1,718)
Payment of dividends - $1.00 per share				(3,493)			(3,493)		(3,493)
BALANCE at Oct. 01, 2011	46	23,302	3	20,128	(29)	(10,095)	33,355	4,831	38,186
BALANCE (in Shares) at Oct. 01, 2011	4,601
Net income attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.				5,489			5,489		5,489
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests								1,661	1,661
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities			(3)				(3)		(3)
Total comprehensive income							5,486	1,661	7,147
Stock-based compensation		108					108		108
Distributions to non-controlling interests								(2,313)	(2,313)
Payment of dividends - $1.00 per share				(3,245)			(3,245)		(3,245)
Write-off of stock option receivable					29		29		29
Purchase of treasury stock						(3,125)	(3,125)		(3,125)
BALANCE at Sep. 29, 2012	$ 46	$ 23,410		$ 22,372		$ (13,220)	$ 32,608	$ 4,179	$ 36,787
BALANCE (in Shares) at Sep. 29, 2012	4,601