LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A Black-owned restaurant in Little Rock known for its delicious food and rich history has been temporarily closed for the past year.
While it looks like Lassis Inn is closed for good, owner Elihue Washington Jr. said on Friday that he doesn't have any plans to close down. Instead, he's trying to find a dependable person to take over the restaurant while he manages his health.
For years, the restaurant was known for far more than just its delicious catfish and buffalo ribs, it was also known to have been frequented by Daisy Gatson Bates and other civil rights leaders who often held meetings inside the restaurant.
The restaurant which was located on Little Rock's East 27th Street was founded in the early 1900s by Joe and Molassis Watson.
When they first opened their business, Mr. Watson sold sandwiches out of his home and sales grew quickly once catfish was introduced to their menu. Years later, they relocated to the building on East 27th Street.
The Watson family operated the restaurant for decades but it was purchased by Mr. Washington in 1989.
