About.com Rating

Visit Their Website

Location
300 President Clinton Ave., Suite D
501-372-2211

Gus's has been a favorite on Front Street in Memphis for decades. They've franchised out in a few other locations now, including Little Rock, AR. The spicy fried chicken served in Little Rock measures up to the Memphis location. I think it might even have more of a kick in Little Rock.

Guide Review - 7/2013

I admit it. I have ventured over the bridge into Memphis for the sole purpose of eating at Gus's.

I was excited when I heard they were franchising to Little Rock, but a little worried the Little Rock location wouldn't hold up. I love the Gus's Memphis location, the food, the service and pretty much everything about it.

Gus's moved into the River Market in Little Rock in the location that formerly held the Flying Burrito and, more recently, Red Bones. It doesn't have as much character as Front Street in Memphis, but it's more tourist friendly. The insides of that location haven't changed much since Red Bones occupied it, but Gus's gives causal new meaning. The restaurant has plastic checkered picnic tablecloths, Styrofoam plates and plastic spoons and forks. It's really all about the chicken.

What makes Gus's chicken so special? It's always moist and juicy, but you can find that anywhere. The real draw is the breading. Gus's has a hot and spicy breading that delivers just the right amount of kick and crispness. The chicken is served over white bread, to soak up the chicken grease Southern style.

I think what I've had at the Little Rock location is a bit spicier than the Memphis location. Every table has bottles of hot sauce if you want to kick it up even further.

Almost everything at Gus's is deep fried in peanut oil. Gus's plates include baked beans and slaw, but you can sub any of the sides for $0.50 extra. Other sides available are fries, potato salad, fried rice and collard greens. The fries and collard greens are pretty good. You get plate with two pieces of white meat chicken for $6.35 and 3 pieces of dark for $6.70.

They have two appetizers (both $5.75): fried pickle spears and fried green tomatoes. I'd never had fried pickle spears before, but they were crispier than I thought they'd be. Their fried green tomatoes are excellent. Both are served with a packaged ranch dressing that is pretty mediocre, but the food more than makes up for it.

For dessert, they have sweet potato, coconut, pecan and chess pie ($2.25/slice). Chess pie is not commonly seen in restaurants, but it's an old Southern favorite. Chess pie is a custard pie with cornmeal added to the custard. Gus's serves it warm. It's sweet, but not too sweet. It's the perfect complement to fried chicken.

Service has been a bit slow, but friendly, since Gus's opened. The location in Memphis always has a line, but I expect the Little Rock might slow down a little by winter. On one visit, they ran out of several side dishes, but they still had chicken. That's what counts. I highly recommend visiting, even if there's a bit of a wait.

Contact Info / Hours / Menu

300 President Clinton Ave., Suite D
501-372-2211

Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Menu, Facebook

Visit Their Website