A Dunedin cafe is hitting the headlines this week for taking the classic Southland cheese roll and deep frying it.

The cheese roll is a well known South Island staple but not everyone is adopting this modern twist.

Owner of the Stable Kitchen in Gore Brett Dawson says he's not convinced by the latest trend.

"Our previous owner used to do it. I think they made national news and all that, but I can't bring myself to do it."

The cafe has sold out every day since it started selling the deep fried treats but Peter Dawson says he "doesn't want to ruin the icon" so it's not worth it for him.

"They are iconic down here and we have a lot of tourists buses coming here and the guides talk it up and these people are from all over New Zealand, all over the world ... and they love them."

Dawson says they stick to a very traditional recipe at his cafe.

"Honey, cheese, mustard, onion soup, it's very stock standard really."

He says he has no plans to change his cheese rolls.

"People are happy with what we do so why change it."

LISTEN ABOVE AS BRETT DAWSON SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING