11 Little Rock, Arkansas Fried Catfish Spots That Locals Say Are Worth Every Bite
Little Rock knows catfish.
Plates of crispy, golden fillets have been landing on tables here for generations, and locals have quietly built up a mental map of where the best fried fish lives.
Some spots hide in blue buildings near the interstate, while others anchor busy shopping centers or roll up to festivals in bright food trucks.
Walking into any of these Little Rock, Arkansas, places means walking into a conversation that started long before you arrived, one where the fryer stays hot, the hushpuppies pile high, and nobody apologizes for ordering seconds.
I have spent years chasing down catfish all over this city, learning which counters deliver the crispiest crust, which dining rooms hum with the best energy, and which kitchens somehow make every fillet taste like it just came out of the water.
This list pulls together twelve Little Rock catfish spots that locals return to again and again, the kind of places where regulars greet staff by name and newcomers leave planning their next visit before they even finish their plates.
1. Lassis Inn, Little Rock
Hidden near the interstate in a low-slung blue building, I learned very quickly that Lassis Inn is where serious catfish business happens.
This landmark sits at 518 E 27th St, Little Rock, AR 72206, and somehow still feels slightly hidden even though it has been drawing crowds for generations.
Platters arrive stacked with fried catfish fillets or big bone buffalo, with crust that shatters gently before you get to the sweet, tender fish inside.
One night, I watched a table of regulars order round after round of catfish and hushpuppies and realized no one here pretends they came for a light snack.
Inside, the wood-paneled room, jukebox glow, and easy conversation make it feel more like a neighborhood living room than a restaurant.
Whenever friends ask where to begin their Little Rock fried catfish journey, I usually tell them to start at Lassis Inn and work outward from there.
2. Eat My Catfish – Breckenridge, Little Rock
On days when my catfish craving refuses to negotiate, I head straight to the Breckenridge location of Eat My Catfish and let the fryer do the talking.
You will find it at 10301 N Rodney Parham Rd, Little Rock, AR 72227, tucked into the Breckenridge shopping area with a steady stream of regulars walking through the door.
The menu leans hard into fried catfish plates and po’boys, with fillets that come out hot, crisp, and just seasoned enough that you do not reach automatically for extra sauce.
I still remember splitting a catfish and shrimp combo here and immediately regretting agreeing to share once I tasted the first piece.
Hushpuppies, fries, slaw, and other sides pile up quickly, creating the kind of tray that makes you pause just to plan where to start.
Whenever I am in west Little Rock and want something quick but satisfying, this is the catfish counter I keep circling back to.
3. Flying Fish, Little Rock
Whenever downtown Little Rock feels a little too busy, I spot the bright fish signs at Flying Fish and feel my shoulders drop a notch.
The restaurant is easy to track down at 511 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, just a short stroll from the riverfront.
Here, the fried catfish basket is the move, with generous fillets, fries, and hushpuppies arriving on metal trays that always look a little overstuffed in the best way.
One afternoon, I sat by the window watching trolleys roll past while working through a catfish platter and realized I had completely lost track of the clock.
The room buzzes with a mix of locals and visitors, walls packed with quirky mounted fish and signs that make the whole place feel playful and casual.
When I want crispy catfish, city energy, and easy people-watching in one stop, this River Market staple never lets me down.
4. Lazy Pete’s Fish & Shrimp, Little Rock
On indecisive days when both shrimp and catfish sound perfect, I let Lazy Pete’s settle the argument for me.
The restaurant sits at 200 N Bowman Rd, Little Rock, AR 72211, in west Little Rock, and it is worth threading the traffic just to get there.
Fried catfish here shows up by the half pound or pound, with crunchy breading that holds up beautifully beside piles of fries, red beans and rice, or cheddar grits.
I once told myself I would order just a half pound, then quietly upgraded mid-order because the menu descriptions made my earlier plan look timid.
Inside, the vibe is relaxed and warmly lit, the kind of place where families, office groups, and solo diners all feel completely at home.
Any time I am in the neighborhood and craving a generous, no-nonsense catfish plate, this is the door I am happiest to walk through.
5. Crazee’s Café, Little Rock
If I ever had real intentions of eating a small lunch, they usually disappear the moment I step into Crazee’s Café and glance at the catfish plate.
You can find it at 7626 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72227, a neighborhood hangout that locals defend fiercely whenever out-of-towners ask where to eat.
The fried catfish comes out in hefty portions, with fillets that stay flaky under a crisp coating and sides that feel straight out of a Southern kitchen.
One afternoon I watched a nearby table talking about just grabbing a quick bite as their plates arrived, and every conversation at that table instantly shifted to the food.
The space has a laid-back, slightly eclectic feel, where regulars greet staff by name, and new people are quietly folded into the rhythm.
When I want catfish that tastes local in every sense of the word, Crazee’s is the spot I picture long before I even park.
6. The Faded Rose, Little Rock
When I am in the mood for comfort food that dresses up a little, my mind jumps straight to The Faded Rose and its catfish.
This Little Rock staple is at 1619 Rebsamen Park Rd, Little Rock, AR 72202, in a stretch of restaurants that locals treat as a second dining room.
The menu leans into Louisiana-inspired dishes, and the fried catfish plate fits right into that lineup, with fillets that balance rich flavor and light crunch.
One evening, I ordered catfish after promising myself I would branch out, then laughed when I realized half the nearby tables had made the same boring choice.
Servers move quickly but somehow still manage to chat, topping off tea and checking in just enough that you feel looked after but never rushed.
Whenever I want catfish that feels special without being fussy, a meal at The Faded Rose hits exactly the tone I am after.
7. Burge’s Hickory Smoked Turkeys & Hams, Little Rock
Even though the sign at Burge’s hints at smoked meats first, my cravings usually flip straight to the fried catfish once I walk through the door.
The Little Rock location is at 5620 R St, Little Rock, AR 72207, tucked into a quiet strip that hides just how popular this place really is.
Fried catfish shows up as plates and sandwiches, with fillets that stay moist under a well-seasoned crust and sides like slaw and fries to round everything out.
I still remember biting into a catfish sandwich here and realizing I had spent years underestimating a place I thought of mainly for holiday orders.
Inside, the atmosphere feels part deli, part café, with cases of smoked meats sharing space with people hovering over freshly fried lunches.
When I want to grab catfish and maybe a little something extra for later, Burge’s covers both missions in one very efficient stop.
8. The Oyster Bar, Little Rock
Stepping into The Oyster Bar, I always smile a little, knowing that despite the name, my order is headed straight toward fried catfish.
The restaurant sits in the Stifft Station area at 3003 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205, where it has been a neighborhood fixture for decades.
Catfish fillets arrive with a light, crisp coating and just enough seasoning, and there is usually a hushpuppy or two trying to roll off the plate.
One lunchtime I squeezed into a booth between friends debating whether to order oysters or catfish and quietly felt smug for choosing the fish without hesitation.
The room hums with the sound of conversation, clinking plates, and the occasional jukebox pick, creating that easy, slightly old-soul energy that suits comfort food.
On days when I want my catfish to come with a side of Little Rock history, this is the barstool or booth I hope to claim.
9. Bobbie D’s Southern Cuisine, Little Rock
If my day has been rough and I need food that feels like a reset button, I usually think of Bobbie D’s Southern Cuisine first.
The restaurant is located at 3201 W 65th St, Little Rock, AR 72209, in a south Little Rock stretch that hides some seriously satisfying plates.
Fried catfish here shows up alongside greens, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and other classics, with portions that make you very grateful for to-go boxes.
I still remember finishing a catfish plate and thinking I should have paced myself better, then immediately planning what I would order on my next visit.
The room feels friendly and relaxed, with staff who check in often and regulars who clearly have favorite combinations they order on repeat.
For days when I want catfish to feel both comforting and a little celebratory, Bobbie D’s is the table I hope to end up at.
10. Lee’s Fresh Fish Food Truck, Little Rock
There are afternoons when my main goal becomes tracking down Lee’s Fresh Fish Food Truck and seeing what the fryer has planned.
Most often, you will spot it parked at 4021 Asher Ave, Little Rock, AR 72204, a bright setup that is hard to miss once you turn into the lot.
Plates come loaded with freshly fried catfish fillets or nuggets, fries, pickles, onions, and bread, all cooked to order, so nothing sits around getting tired.
One visit turned into a full-on pause in my day as I ate in the car and realized the fish still tasted as if it had just left the water.
The truck’s vibe is friendly and straightforward, with the owner chatting through the window and making sure everyone leaves happy.
Any time I want catfish that feels extra fresh and a little bit like a find, Lee’s is the truck I start searching for.
11. Adams Catfish Express & Catering, Little Rock
At big events around town, I have learned to scan the scene for one thing first, and that is the Adams Catfish Express & Catering setup.
Their base address is 215 North Cross St, Little Rock, AR 72201, but the whole operation is designed to roll out to festivals, gatherings, and big group meals around the area.
Fried catfish is the star, cooked on-site so fillets stay hot and crisp, with shrimp and all the usual Southern fixings lining up beside the main attraction.
I once walked past their setup at a community event, planning to just look, and five minutes later, I was balancing a catfish plate and trying not to spill fries.
The team works quickly but still finds time to greet people and keep the energy upbeat, which somehow makes the food taste even better.
When I spot their trailer at a Little Rock gathering, I know there is a very good chance my next stop will involve a catfish plate from their line.