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. 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.				1,086			1,086	29	1,115
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities			1				1		1
Write-off of stock option receivable					29		29		29
Purchase of treasury stock						(3,125)	(3,125)		(3,125)
Distributions to non-controlling interests								(555)	(555)
Payment of dividends - $0.25 per share				(811)			(811)		(811)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	46	23,302	4	20,403		(13,220)	30,535	4,305	34,840
BALANCE (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	4,601
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
Net income attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.				8			8	239	247
Purchase of member interests in subsidiary		(2,685)					(2,685)	(280)	(2,965)
Tax benefit of purchase of member interests in subsidiary		1,020					1,020		1,020
Stock-based compensation		80					80		80
Purchase of treasury stock									(3,125)
Distributions to non-controlling interests								(600)	(600)
Payment of dividends - $0.25 per share				(811)			(811)		(811)
BALANCE at Dec. 29, 2012	$ 46	$ 21,825		$ 21,569		$ (13,220)	$ 30,220	$ 3,538	$ 33,758
BALANCE (in Shares) at Dec. 29, 2012	4,601