Lassis Inn
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1905 |
| Founder | Joe and Molassis Watson |
| Headquarters | Little Rock , United States |
Key people | Elihue Washington Jr., Maria Washington (owners since 1989) |
| Products | Fried catfish, catfish steaks, buffalo fish ribs, hushpuppies |
Lassis Inn is a dining establishment located in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, with origins dating back to 1905. During the civil rights era of the 1950s and 1960s, it served as an important gathering spot for movement leaders. The restaurant was honored as one of the inaugural inductees into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame in 2017 and received the distinction of an America's Classic from the James Beard Foundation in 2020.
History
Established circa 1905 by Joe and Molassis Watson, Lassis Inn stands among Arkansas’s most longstanding eateries. Initially, the founders sold sandwiches from their residence before broadening their menu to include fried catfish and opening a dedicated carryout location. The business moved to East 27th Street in 1931 and shifted slightly again in the 1960s due to freeway development. Today, it is positioned just beneath the Interstate 30 overpass near downtown Little Rock.
During the civil rights movement, Lassis Inn was instrumental, providing a meeting venue for figures such as Daisy Bates who organized desegregation initiatives including those related to the Little Rock Central High School. It gained recognition as a secure refuge for activists throughout this time.
After encountering health-related difficulties, the owner shuttered the restaurant in December 2022 with intentions to reopen later. In July 2024, Elihue Washington Jr., then-current proprietor and entrepreneur, initiated legal action to annul a contract for selling Lassis Inn due to payment disputes. By August 2024, this conflict was resolved favorably for Washington Jr., ensuring his continued proprietorship of this historic establishment.
Menu
Lassis Inn is renowned for its catfish specialties, featuring fried catfish, catfish steaks, and "fish ribs" crafted from regional buffalo fish, accompanied by hushpuppies. Southern Living emphasizes the uniqueness of the fish ribs, describing them as crunchy and substantial ribs made from larger bones of the buffalo fish. Although buffalo fish contain numerous small bones, the rib section is especially valued for its distinctive taste and texture.
Recognition
The restaurant was among the first to be inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame in 2017 alongside establishments like Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales and Jones Bar-B-Q Diner. It was awarded the title of an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2020. Arkansas Online commended its catfish and buffalo fish as some of Arkansas’s finest fried fish offerings. Kelley Bass from Heaping Spoonful described it as "a truly legendary restaurant," while Southern Living included it in their 2022 compilation of the South's Best Soul Food venues.
Ownership
In 1989, ownership transitioned to Elihue Washington Jr. and Maria Washington, marking a pivotal change in management and business direction.