Tater tots were a staple of my diet growing up. At least once a week, I could convince my mom to make them and some chicken nuggets for dinner. It was one of the few things I ate as a child besides peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Glad I grew out of that picky phase! 

With extensive knowledge of potatoes shaped like tots, I complied a list of our five favorite tater tots in the area. Check them out: 

Flying Saucer(Raleigh) - They made the list for their Rocket Tots appetizer – bite-sized cheese & pepper tots with habanero sour cream dipping sauce. Just the perfect amount of spice and cheese. 

Falls Tap Room (Raleigh) - They offer their tots Irish-nacho style, covered with queso, pico and sour cream. A treat for the tastebuds. 

Busy Bee (Raleigh) -  They offer plain tater tots as a side, but the real draw is their small plate of loaded tots, covered in cheddar, bacon, sour cream and scallions. They even offer the loaded tots on a burger. How can you say no to that?! They taste like mini-baked potato bites. (Note: They are also WRAL's Ken Smith approved!)

Overtime Sports Pub (Knightdale) - It is a great surprise to find a bounty of these bite-sized crispy treats at the bottom of your basket of chicken fingers! 

Sonic (various) - For the tater tot purists, I had to pick this place. Sometimes they are a little too salty (depending on which location you visit), but most of the time I get them they are perfect! These crispy treats are joy in your mouth! Just ask Ken Smith, who has Sonic in his blood (literally, because I think he eats it that much!) 

So where do you like to grab some tater tots, besides your local supermarket freezer section?