I grew up eating carne asada fries. They were my favorite dirty, delicious treat to take down after a long day of catching catfish or falling off my skateboard.

They’re a California classic — essentially piled-high loaded nachos, but replace the chips with fries that soak up all the sauce and grease that falls to the bottom. I think fondly and nostalgically of carne asada fries when my mind wanders back home. Then, I remind myself how grateful I am to have Red Bone’s Turkey Legs right here in Memphis.

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Red Bone’s Turkey Legs is the permanent pop-up inside Downtown bar Carolina Watershed, focusing its menu, almost exclusively, on the eponymous smoked turkey leg. Red Bone’s dresses its bird up in many different suits, including pulled turkey bowls and sandwiches, stuffed and glazed whole legs and turkey-topped pizzas.

There isn’t a ton in the way of potential $10 Deals on Red Bone’s entrees, but oftentimes, a good steal calls for strategy in ordering. In this case, dear reader, look to the appetizers.

Two out of three apps hit the $10 mark exactly: loaded fries and loaded nachos. When it comes down to it, I’m a fries person all the way, as you could probably already tell. I like the texture of fries as a base carb, especially when generously garnished. I like how the softness and malleability of the fries allow for maximum sauce absorption and for the equal coating of each individual fry — something rarely achievable with tortilla chips.

This is exactly what’s great about Red Bone’s loaded fries. They come in a big plastic boat (the perfect vessel) lined in tin foil and cradling a hefty layer of crispy fries seasoned in garlic salt, paprika and cayenne. They’re loaded up with white cheddar, white queso, pulled turkey leg meat, jalapeños and your choice of barbecue or buffalo sauce.

If you want some extra heat, go buffalo. The tang from the hot sauce cuts the fattiness of the cheese and french fries very well.

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Red Bone’s doesn’t skimp on any of the toppings, either; there’s quite a bit of turkey on this plate. It’s fresh off the bone, juicy and warm. These fries are some beautiful place on the spectrum between poutine and nachos.

They’re basically the carne asada fries of Memphis, baby. And I’m here for it. You can’t ask for a whole lot more for 10 bucks, flat. 

Red Bone’s Turkey Legs is located in Carolina Watershed, 141 East Carolina Ave., and is open from noon-9 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays; 12-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; and from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays.