This is the South … and we certainly know a thing or two about damn good fried food. And while I am constantly trying to decrease my grease intake, there’s just no denying all the wonderful options we have right here in Little Rock.

So I decided to come up with a list of my 15 Noteworthy Fried Foods in our town. Are they the best? Maybe … maybe not. But because this is such a broad category and there are so many dishes I’ve yet to try, I’m hesitant to make this a “Best Of” list.

Enough with the semantics … let’s get to it!

K Hall & Son’s Fried Pork Chop
Never been to K Hall? It’s the grocery/eatery off Wright Avenue serving up one of the better fried pork chops you’ll find. Side note: K Hall marks the first time I ever ate my food while sitting on a curb right outside an establishment.

Torito’s Churros
Torito’s, much like K Hall, is a both a restaurant and a small grocery store. They serve up fresh Mexican pastries, none better than the fried donut sticks covered in cinnamon and sugar, also known as churros.

Banana Leaf’s Samosa
Gosh, I’m just happy that Banana Leaf, the food truck located just a stone’s throw from UAMS, is back in business. I do love me some of their Chicken 65, but when I’m not looking to burn the heck out of my mouth, I generally opt for the potato-filled, piping hot samosas.

Doe’s Fried Shrimp
Well smack my ass and call me Charlie … Doe’s does some pretty mean fried shrimp. The soft, lightly fried crust is what I enjoy most about these jumbo-sized bad boys.

Gus’s Fried Chicken

Gus’s Fried Chicken
Did you really think I’d make a “fried food list” and not include Gus’s fried chicken?

Lassis Inn’s Buffalo Ribs
These are massive, fantastically fried fish ribs. Take a moment to process that information. The mild white fish comes off the bone with ease and is best washed down with a nearly freezing 40-oz beer. Lassis Inn is a must-visit for any Little Rockian.

The Faded Rose’s Wedge Fries
Regulars to this blog know the love affair I have with these oversized hunks of potato goodness. Soft in the middle and crispy on the outside, the fries are best eaten after a good dipping in the accompanying ranch sauce.

Buffalo Ribs at Lassis Inn

Ciao Baci’s Fried Chicken
I LOVE the thick, crispy crust chef Owens is able to achieve on his fried chicken. It ain’t cheap, but he uses a quality bird and you can count on it being fried just right.

Bossa Nova’s Mandioca Frita
Say that three times in a row. These boiled, then deep fried chunks of yucca root are just so awesomely addictive. Deep each piece into the spicy ketchup, and you’ve got an excellent appetizer for two.

Table 28’s Fried Brussels Sprouts
Deep.fried.Brussels.sprouts.

Chi’s Sweet and Sour Fish
Maybe it was a dream, but I’m pretty sure my wife once ordered this off-menu dish from the Shackleford location, prompting me to then re-new our wedding vows. Thin cuts of white fish are deep fried and served up with some typical sweet and sour sauce. Oh so good!

Table 28’s Brussels Sprouts

Franke’s Chicken Tenders
I could literally eat these five times a week. Thick, juicy (when they haven’t been sitting in the bin for a long time) pieces of monster chicken tenders, with that flakey salt and pepper coating, are paired best with the honey mustard.

Hillcrest Artisan Meats’ Pan Fried Pork Loin Sandwich
I haven’t seen this on their menu in a while, but if they put it back on, go get it. A thin piece of pork loin is pan fried in extra virgin olive oil, then topped with Dijon mustard, aioli, and all the fixings. Like all of HAM’s sandwiches, it isn’t over the top, rather, just well-constructed from the finest ingredients.

South on Main’s Duck Wings
First, imagine a fried chicken wing…only bigger, meatier, richer in flavor, and just plain better. Then, roll it around in some house-made Buffalo sauce. Finally, thank little 8-pound, 6-ounce new born baby Jesus that chef Bell comes up with fun food items. You’ll only find the fried duck wings on SoM’s bar menu, and even then, you won’t see them very often.

The Southern Gourmasian’s Fried Egg
No one, I mean no one, does a better fried egg in Little Rock than chef Patterson. His poached version is pretty damn spectacular as well, but that’s a post for another day.

OK Little Rock, when fried foods did I miss? Would love to know in the comment box below.