Fried pie is a southern delicacy, a must have dessert when visiting Arkansas. Sometimes you can find them on a dessert menu where you are dining, but if you want a sure fire fried pie, take the short ride from Little Rock to Conway where there is a location of the small franchise The Original Fried Pie Shop.
From the exterior, the sign reads the Original Burgers Pies & Fries Restaurant, but you’ll see when you order it’s really all about the pie.
The restaurant has been making fried pies for over 100 years, crusts and fillings are made fresh daily from scratch. Made to order and served piping hot, they are incredibly delicious and melt in your mouth. These handheld pies are cooked in peanut oil. Dinner was solely dedicated to fried pies. It began with two savory pies to split, the chicken and vegetable – very potpie like – along with the spinach and cheese.
The exterior is unbelievable flaky clearly packed with chunks of quality ingredients. Other savory options include TexMex, pulled pork, and at breakfast time – bacon egg and cheese. One of these pies is more than enough of a serving for a meal, especially if you will be having dessert. And you will be having dessert. There are fruit pies and cream pies, or you can build your own and mix the two, which I highly recommend. The blackberry was classically delicious with tangy bits of berry.
The peaches and cream combination was absolutely dream worthy, undoubtedly a top tier dessert option on the planet. Other sweet options to try include cherry, pineapple, pecan, chocolate, and seasonally sweet potato. Fruit pies are also available sugar free. There is a drive through to order from or you can dine in the retro interior. If dining in you order at the counter and your food is brought out efficiently.
In Conway, the restaurant is also known for their burgers as well as fried pies, especially the brisket burger. Flavors vary by location, other shops are found throughout Arkansas, Texas, and there is one shop in Missouri, so you can have your fried pie fix all over the south!