Some Texas traditions never need a calendar reminder, and Friday night catfish is one of them. All across the state, small restaurants still fill up at the end of the week with families, work crews, and couples craving cornmeal-crusted fillets and a basket of hushpuppies.
This list covers seven catfish houses, from the Red River border down to Conroe and out west to Abilene, that keep that habit alive. Each one earns its spot with something specific, like green tomato relish, whole fried catfish, frog legs, or pecan cobbler.
Some are counter-service spots with no reservations, while others are sit-down dining rooms where you can call ahead. A few keep short hours or close early in the week, so timing matters.
Save this list for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who always asks where to find good fried fish.
1. Huck’s Catfish, Denison, TX
Up near the Red River, Denison has a catfish habit, and Huck’s Catfish on S Trail Dr is where a lot of it gets fed. The restaurant keeps things simple with counter service and a menu built around fried catfish and Southern comfort plates.
The fillets come in a light, crispy cornmeal crust, and the sides get real attention here. Black-eyed peas, fried okra, garlic bacon slaw, and creamed spinach all show up on plates.
Start with the hushpuppies and a side of green tomato relish. That combo has been a family favorite for some regulars since childhood.
Save room for peach or pecan cobbler. Chicken fried steak and fried shrimp dinners cover anyone not in a fish mood.
Huck’s does not take reservations, and there is usually a wait on Friday and Saturday evenings. It is open until 9 PM on Fridays, closed Mondays, and wraps up at 2 PM on Sundays.
2. Catfish Sam’s, Arlington, TX
Long before Arlington became known for stadiums, places like Catfish Sam’s were feeding the neighborhood on W Division St. It is a long-standing, unfussy spot with a dining room that leans quiet and a little historic.
A catfish dinner here arrives with a familiar lineup. Think pinto beans or baked beans, coleslaw, hushpuppies, and a pickled tomato relish that fans of old-school catfish houses will recognize right away.
The menu stays focused. Catfish fillets come in small dinner portions or larger plates, with shrimp baskets, okra, and chicken fried steak rounding things out.
For dessert, Butterfinger pie is the playful pick. It is the kind of thing you order once and then mention every time you come back.
Catfish Sam’s is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 9 PM, and closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Friday evenings.
3. Cherry Creek Catfish, Austin, TX
South Austin changes fast, but a plate of cornmeal-breaded catfish on Menchaca Road still holds steady. Cherry Creek Catfish calls itself a down-home seafood shack with Southern coastal cooking and a little Cajun-Creole flair.
The catfish gets a homemade cornmeal breading and comes out crispy. Hushpuppies, generous portions of okra, and a mac and cheese with a serious following fill out the table.
Not everyone wants fried every time, and the kitchen gets that. Grilled or blackened catfish and fish tacos sit on the menu next to the catfish basket.
Starters lean fun, with fried green tomatoes, corn nuggets, and border fried pickles. A budget-friendly lunch special makes weekday visits easy too.
Cherry Creek stays open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, the latest on this list. It also offers outdoor seating, live music, and reservations.
4. Corbett’s Catfish & More, Avinger, TX
Avinger is home to fewer than 500 people, yet its Main Street restaurant fills up on Friday nights. Corbett’s Catfish & More sits at 2 S Main St in a quaint little setting deep in East Texas.
The big draw is whole catfish, served with homemade fries, beans, hushpuppies, and coleslaw. Fillets are on the menu too, along with tomato relish, shrimp, oysters, and chicken fried steak.
Desserts stay homestyle, with strawberry cake and banana pudding. All-you-can-eat options are also offered.
Hours take some planning. Corbett’s is closed Monday and Tuesday, serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and opens for a Sunday lunch from 11 AM to 3 PM.
On Friday, doors open at 4 PM and close at 9 PM. Reservations are accepted, which is a smart move for a weekend road trip through the Piney Woods.
5. Molly’s Catfish Corner, Seven Points, TX
Lake days around Cedar Creek tend to end with somebody suggesting fried fish. In Seven Points, that usually points to Molly’s Catfish Corner on E Cedar Creek Pkwy.
The hushpuppies are a house signature. They pair with thick, hand-battered catfish fillets that come in hearty portions.
The seafood range goes a little wider than most small-town catfish spots. Fried shrimp, oysters, and crawfish tails share the menu, along with homemade onion rings, baked potatoes, and house-made sauces.
Molly’s is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday until 3 PM. It is closed Monday through Wednesday, so check the day before heading over.
Parking can get tight when the dining room is busy, especially Friday evening. Reservations are accepted, so calling ahead is a good idea.
6. Vernon’s Kuntry Katfish, Conroe, TX
Hushpuppies with green tomatoes get their own line on the menu at Vernon’s Kuntry Katfish, and that says plenty about the place. The pickled green tomatoes are a classic pairing, and here they are treated like a must-order.
Set on W Davis St in Conroe, north of Houston, Vernon’s has a relaxed, rustic dining room that suits family dinners. Fried catfish platters lead the way, and grilled and blackened catfish are available too.
Crab cakes and fried shrimp give seafood fans another reason to stop in. For the land side, chicken fried steak with okra and mashed potatoes is a hearty pick.
Vernon’s runs seven days a week, staying open until 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday afternoons also draw a crowd, so the after-church rush is real.
Reservations, catering, and a private dining room make it handy for bigger groups.
7. Catfish Corner, Abilene, TX
Frog legs in West Texas might surprise a few out-of-towners. At Catfish Corner in Abilene, they show up on the menu next to golden fried catfish, and both have loyal fans.
The catfish is well seasoned and comes out hot and moist. Homemade onion rings are the side people talk about most, with hushpuppies and coleslaw close behind.
The menu also takes a few bold turns. Chicken fried bacon, a cheesy chicken fried bacon burger, stuffed crab, and a 15-piece grilled shrimp plate all make an appearance.
Homemade tea is part of the routine here. Prices stay reasonable, and all-you-can-eat options are offered.
Catfish Corner is open every day from 11 AM to 9 PM, which makes it the easiest stop on this list to plan around. Friday evening is the busiest time, so reservations or takeout can help.
Wherever your road takes you, one of these seven tables is ready for your next Friday fish fry.
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