Lassis Inn

{{Short description|Restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox restaurant | embed = | name = Lassis Inn | title =  | logo = | logo_width = | logo_alt = | image = Lassis Inn, full building with sign.jpg | image_width = | image_alt = | image_caption = The Lassis Inn in July, 2024 | mapframe =  | pushpin_map =  | map_alt = | map_caption = | map_size = | established = {{Start date|1905}} | closed =  | current_owner = Elihue Jr. and Maria Washington | previous_owner = Joe and Molassis Watson | manager = | head_chef = | chef = | pastry_chef = | food_type = Catfish | dress_code = | rating = | street_address = 518 E 27th St | city = Little Rock | county = | state = Arkansas | postcode =  | country = United States | coordinates =  | seating_capacity = | reservations = | other_locations = | other_information =  | website =  }}

'''Lassis Inn''' is a restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, founded in 1905. It was a meeting place for local civil rights leaders in the 1950s and 60s. In 2017 it was one of three inaugural inductees into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame and in 2020 was named an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation.

== History == The restaurant was founded by Joe and Molassis Watson around 1905 and is one of the oldest restaurants in Arkansas<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Lassis Inn |url=http://www.arkansas.com/little-rock/food-drink/lassis-inn |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Arkansas.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title = Announcing the 2020 America's Classics Winners |url = https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/announcing-the-2020-americas-classics-winners |access-date = February 28, 2023 |publisher = James Beard Foundation |language = en }}</ref>

The couple started the business by selling sandwiches from their home. As the business grew, they added fried catfish and built a separate structure for the carryout business.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title = Encyclopedia of Arkansas |url = https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/lassis-inn-12248/ |access-date = February 28, 2023 |website = Encyclopedia of Arkansas |language = en-US }}</ref> In 1931 the Watsons moved the building and business to East 27th Street and in the 1960s moved again slightly due to freeway construction.<ref name=":0" /> The restaurant is just below the Interstate 30 abutment south of the downtown area.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last = Douglas |first = Deborah D. |title = Moon U.S. Civil Rights Trail: A Traveler's Guide to the People, Places, and Events that Made the Movement |date = 2021 |publisher = Avalon Travel |isbn = 978-1-64049-915-7 |edition = |location = Berkeley, California |pages = 253, 272 |oclc = 1153664052 }}</ref>

The restaurant was a meeting place for civil rights leaders in the 1950s and 60s, including Daisy Bates, while they were planning efforts such as the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last = Kraft |first = Chris |date = February 26, 2020 |title = What an 'America's Classic' Award Can Do |url = https://gardenandgun.com/articles/what-an-americas-classic-award-can-do/ |access-date = February 28, 2023 |website = Garden & Gun |language = en-US }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date = July 30, 2022 |title = The Sites in this Guide Are a Key Part of Understanding America's Story |url = https://www.npr.org/2022/07/30/1114721467/the-sites-in-this-guide-are-a-key-part-of-understanding-americas-story |publisher = NPR }}</ref> It was considered a "safe haven" for these activists.<ref name=":6" />

Due to health problems faced by the owner, the restaurant was closed in December 2022 but planned to reopen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brinkley |first=Rhett |date=2024-05-24 |title=UPDATE: Lassis Inn has not closed permanently, owner says |url=https://arktimes.com/eat-arkansas/2024/05/24/is-lassis-inn-gone-for-good |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Arkansas Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In July 2024, Elihue Washington Jr. filed a lawsuit to get of his contract to sell the restaurant to Kristian Nelson "claiming, among other things, Nelson paid him with a hot check."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-16 |title=Lassis Inn owner files lawsuit to void sale of iconic Little Rock restaurant {{!}} Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |url=https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2024/jul/16/lassis-inn-owner-files-lawsuit-to-void-sale-of/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=www.nwaonline.com |language=en}}</ref> In August 2024, the suit was settled in his favor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lassis Inn |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/lassis-inn-12248/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carroll |first=Scott |date=2024-08-20 |title=Lassis Inn Lawsuit Settled in Favor of Longtime Owner |url=https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/lassis-inn-lawsuit-settled-in-favor-of-longtime-owner/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Arkansas Business — Business News, Real Estate, Law, Construction |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Menu == The restaurant specializes in catfish, including fried catfish and catfish steaks, "fish ribs" (made from local specialty buffalo fish) and hushpuppies.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last = York |first = Joe |date = July 31, 2013 |title = Fish Ribs in Little Rock |url = https://www.southernfoodways.org/film/fish-ribs-a-film-bite/ |access-date = February 28, 2023 |publisher = Southern Foodways Alliance |language = en-US }}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last = Silver |first = Kate |date = May 30, 2021 |title = New travel guide to civil rights sites charts a road map of history |url = https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/travel/story/2021-05-30/new-travel-guide-to-civil-rights-sites-charts-a-road-map-of-history |access-date = March 1, 2023 |website = San Diego Union-Tribune |language = en-US }}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Whitworth |first=Katherine |title=Cornbread Nation 5 |publisher=University of Georgia Press |year=2010 |isbn=9780820335070 |editor-last=Sauceman |editor-first=Fred William |pages=87–88}}</ref>

''Southern Living'' calls out the fish ribs, saying "it's actually a type of bony, white-fleshed, freshwater fish. The buffalo fish's larger bones are butchered with enough flesh on each side of the bone to resemble spareribs. The result is a crunchy, hot, and meaty rib".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title = The South's Best Soul Food |url = https://www.southernliving.com/travel/soul-food-restaurants |access-date = March 1, 2023 |website = Southern Living |language = en }}</ref> The buffalo fish is not a preferred fish due to its many small bones; the only part of the fish that is free of these is the rib.<ref>{{Cite web |last = |date = January 5, 2023 |title = Lassis Inn: A Southern Classic |url = https://somewhereinarkansas.com/lassis-inn-little-rock/ |access-date = March 1, 2023 |website = Somewhere In Arkansas |language = en-US }}</ref>

== Recognition == In 2017 it was among the three inaugural inductees into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame, along with Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales and Jones Bar-B-Q Diner.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last = Nelson |first = Rex |date = March 15, 2017 |title = Rhoda's Big Night |url = https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/mar/15/rhoda-s-big-night-20170315/ |access-date = February 28, 2023 |website = Arkansas Online |language = en }}</ref> In 2020, it was named an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title = James Beard Foundation Names 6 Restaurants 'American Classics' |url = https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/restaurants/james-beard-foundation-american-classics-2020 |access-date = February 28, 2023 |website = Food & Wine |language = en }}</ref> Arkansas Online called the restaurant's catfish and buffalo "some of the state's best fried fish".<ref name=":1" /> Kelley Bass in Heaping Spoonful called it "a truly legendary restaurant".<ref>{{Cite web |last = Bass |first = Kelley |date = December 1, 2020 |title = Elihue Washington Jr. of Lassis Inn |url = https://www.audible.com/webplayer?asin=B08KWZB4F8&contentDeliveryType=PodcastEpisode&ref_=a_minerva_cloudplayer_B08KWZB4F8&overrideLph=false&initialCPLaunch=true |access-date = February 28, 2023 |website = Heaping Spoonful |via = Audible }}</ref> ''Southern Living'' named the restaurant in 2022 to their compilation of the South's Best Soul Food.<ref name=":5" />

== Ownership == The restaurant was purchased by Elihue Washington Jr. and Maria Washington in 1989.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":7" />

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Further reading == {{refbegin}} * {{Cite book |last = Hoekstra |first = Dave |title = The People's Place: Soul Food Restaurants and Reminiscences from the Civil Rights Era to Today |isbn = 978-1-61373-059-1 |oclc = 904800969 }} *{{Cite web |last = Nelson |first = Rex |date = March 4, 2020 |title = Lauding Lassis Inn |url = https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/mar/04/lauding-lassis-inn-20200304/ |access-date = February 28, 2023 |website = Arkansas Online |language = en }} *{{Cite web |date = July 12, 2021 |title = Rex Nelson Steps Up to the Plate for Classic Restaurants |url = https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/136486/rex-nelson-steps-up-to-the-plate-for-classic-restaurants |access-date = March 1, 2023 |website = Arkansas Business |language = en }} {{refend}}

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Category:Black-owned restaurants in the United States Category:Restaurants in Arkansas Category:America's Classics winners Category:1905 establishments in Arkansas Category:Restaurants established in 1905 Category:American companies established in 1905 Category:Buildings and structures in Little Rock, Arkansas

Lassis Inn

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