A fried food paradise awaits at Woods Place in Camden

A fried food paradise awaits at Woods Place in Camden

I’ve long heard about the fried catfish at Woods Place in Camden. The restaurant’s signature dish is renowned as some of the very best in Arkansas, which is why I made the nearly 2-hour drive from Little Rock to the South Central Arkansas town. Here’s the thing : as my late Saturday lunch with four friends proved, the fried catfish only scratches the surface of what this culinary haven offers. And we did our best to try it all.

A generous start : hushpuppies and yeast rolls

In Woods Place, the initial step of our feast began with a complimentary basket of fried hushpuppies and fresh-baked yeast rolls. Why can’t every restaurant do this ? Honestly, yeast rolls bring me immense joy. Though the hushpuppies ended up being my least favorite item of the meal, I certainly appreciated their presence. The hushpuppies also marked the first of many fried delights to hit our table within the next hour.

My dear friends understand what I do, and that includes the necessity to try a variety of dishes for a comprehensive review. With that said, we nearly ordered every fried item Woods Place had to offer. That included the chicken fried chicken, chicken fried steak, onion rings, sour cream fries (wedges), hand-cut fries, crinkle-cut fries, fried chicken tenders, and the aforementioned fried catfish.

Exploring woods place’s fried specials

The towering variety of fried food at Woods Place left us bewildered but thrilled. Truth be told, it was nearly impossible to pick a favorite. However, if I had to choose, the hand-battered onion rings might have taken the gold medal, with the cornmeal-coated catfish running a close second.

The clean-tasting fish arrived piping hot. I love breaking a piece in half to release the steam, followed by a bite with a coleslaw chaser. That too is pretty fantastic at Woods Place. The simple, slightly sweet, and creamy coleslaw served as an ideal complement to any of the table’s accompanying fried proteins.

The fried chicken tenders looked and tasted the part, as did both the chicken-fried chicken and chicken-fried steak. And none of that frozen cubed steak garbage at Woods. Expect a tenderized steak fried just right and covered in peppery cream gravy.

When it comes to fries, the salt and pepper, hand-cut ones are the way to go. That’s not to say the crinkle-cut or the sour cream fries weren’t good because they were. The latter were wedges that we all thought would be coated in some sort of a thicker ranch dusting.

Missed opportunities and future visits

Despite indulging in so much food, we still only partook in a small percentage of Woods Place’s offerings. We missed out on appetizers like fried pickles, mushrooms, and green beans, as well as entrees including burgers, sandwiches, quesadillas, and fried chicken livers. Decisions like these ensure there’s always a next time.

The entire experience at Woods Place takes place in a cozy, down-home setting, complemented by an attentive staff. Additionally, one notable feature not to overlook is the soft drink offering. It may sound peculiar, but Woods Place boasts some of the best ice around. The soft, chewable pieces are what dreams are made of.

Dish Description
Fried Catfish Fresh, cornmeal-coated catfish, served hot with coleslaw.
Chicken Fried Chicken Juicy chicken breast fried in a crispy batter.
Hand-Cut Fries Salt and pepper seasoned, freshly cut potatoes.
Onion Rings Hand-battered onion rings, crispy and golden.
Yeast Rolls Freshly baked, soft and fluffy rolls.

The unique appeal of woods place

Woods Place stands out not just because of its fried catfish but because of the encompassing experience it offers. Located at 1173 W Washington St in Camden, it’s a haven for fried food enthusiasts. The combination of traditional Southern cooking, a welcoming atmosphere, and an attentive staff creates a dining experience that’s simply unparalleled.

Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and it’s closed on Sundays. The nearly two-hour drive from Little Rock is a testament to how special this place is, making it worth every mile. Camden is indeed fortunate to have Woods Place, a treasured establishment in the heart of Arkansas.

In summary, this restaurant has everything a fried food lover could dream of : exquisite dishes, a charming ambiance, and that unforgettable soft ice in the beverages. It’s more than just its fried catfish; Woods Place is a culinary paradise awaiting your visit.