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.				(213)			(213)		(213)
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests								309	309
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities			2				2		2
Total comprehensive income (loss)							(211)	309	98
Exercise of stock options		12					12		12
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	1
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options		1					1		1
Stock-based compensation		78					78		78
Distributions to non-controlling interests								(101)	(101)
Payment of dividends - $0.25 per share				(873)			(873)		(873)
BALANCE at Jan. 01, 2011	57	23,141	10	21,120	(29)	(10,095)	34,204	5,868	40,072
BALANCE (in Shares) at Jan. 01, 2011	5,669
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.				1,086			1,086		1,086
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests								29	29
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities			1				1		1
Total comprehensive income (loss)							1,087	29	1,116
Distributions to non-controlling interests								(555)	(555)
Payment of dividends - $0.25 per share				(811)			(811)		(811)
Write-off of stock option receivable					29		29		29
Purchase of treasury stock						(3,125)	(3,125)		(3,125)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 57	$ 23,291	$ 4	$ 20,403		$ (13,220)	$ 30,535	$ 4,305	$ 34,840
BALANCE (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	5,672