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. 03, 2009	$ 57	$ 22,501	$ (29)	$ 23,440	$ (76)	$ (10,095)	$ 35,798	$ 2,304	$ 38,102
BALANCE (in Shares) at Oct. 03, 2009	5,667
Net income attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp.				2,605			2,605		2,605
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests								(288)	(288)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities			37				37		37
Total comprehensive income (loss)							2,642	(288)	2,354
Exercise of stock options		13					13		13
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	1
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options		1					1		1
Stock-based compensation		535					535		535
Distributions to non-controlling interests								(121)	(121)
Payment of dividends - $1.00 per share				(3,491)			(3,491)		(3,491)
Repayments on stock option receivable					47		47		47
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.				1,415			1,415		1,415
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests								889	889
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities			(5)				(5)		(5)
Total comprehensive income (loss)							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	$ 57	$ 23,291	$ 3	$ 20,128	$ (29)	$ (10,095)	$ 33,355	$ 4,831	$ 38,186
BALANCE (in Shares) at Oct. 01, 2011	5,672