It's no secret that seafood doesn't typically top Kansas's local dining scene. Instead, it's a state uniquely poised between hearty Midwest cuisine and vibrant Southern cooking. However, restaurants in the Sunflower State have actually been transforming fresh coastal and locally-caught favorites into phenomenal, swoon-worthy dishes for years. Of course, when it comes to seafood, locals can also have some pretty strong opinions. But if there's one thing just about everyone can agree on it's that catfish is king and it tastes best when devoured in a humble, no-frills establishment. Enter Excellent Choice: a hidden gem of a soul food seafood shack in Kansas that knows more about frying up fresh catfish than just about anyone.

Quietly hidden away from the Kansas City and Wichita dining hubs, Excellent Choice: Deep Fried Catfish and More is easy to miss, despite its vibrant exterior. But this tiny, home-grown hidden gem eatery in Leavenworth, Kansas is well worth a side trip.

But don't let the humble exterior mislead you as there are some fantastic entrees being whipped up in the kitchen! Specifically, the fried catfish has been reeling in visitors since 1996.

Excellent Choice was originally started by Earthell Bynum decades ago when she cooked, ran, and managed the restaurant entirely on her own.

After retiring in 2003, she and daughter-in-law Rachel recently reopened the restaurant, much to the delight of locals and seafood fans.

Of course with catfish right in the name, you know the namesake entrée has to be stellar. And it is! Sweet, crispy, and perfectly seasoned, the fried catfish here is as fresh and authentically prepared as it gets.

You can find it served whole, as filets, or as poppable nuggets.

Every delicious helping is cooked to order, irresistibly golden, and served with delicious, just-like-grandma-made-them sides.

You'll also find fresh-baked desserts as well, like peach cobbler, sweet potato pie, and pecan pie. Of course, you might not have room for all the extras after devouring the light and buttery catfish!

Looking for something else instead? The fried chicken here is just as stellar. You'll choose from comforting entrees like shrimp, gumbo, and jambalaya.

Epic down-home Southern cooking, amazing service, and all of the nostalgia you could ask for. This under-the-radar restaurant is worth a trip on its own!

What a sweet hidden gem! We absolutely love discovering Kansas's best-kept dining secrets, and you can't go wrong with genuine southern comfort food! Who's ready to dig into a plate and experience Earthell's cooking for themselves?

Keep in mind that this local favorite only offers pick-up and carry-out. You can view a full menu on the restaurant's website or stay on top of hours, seasonal specials, and more by following Excellent Choice on Facebook.

Looking for more things to do in the Sunflower State? Make sure you've checked all of these natural wonders off of your Kansas bucket list!