Friday night in rural Georgia has a menu, and it usually starts with a basket of fried catfish. Across the state, small fish camps and catfish houses still open their doors at suppertime, serve hush puppies and grits, and send folks home full.
These seven spots stretch from the North Georgia mountains to the farm towns of the southwest, and each one keeps the Friday fish fry tradition alive in its own way. Save this list for your next weekend road trip, because a good catfish supper is always worth planning around.
1. Canoochee Catfish, Twin City, GA
Only three nights a week, the fryers fire up out on Canoochee Garfield Road. Canoochee Catfish opens Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 10 PM, so Friday supper here takes a little planning.
The setting is a quiet, casual dining room in rural Emanuel County. It is the kind of place where regulars come back month after month for the same plate.
Fried catfish leads the menu, and half orders of fillets are an option for lighter appetites. Grits come out tasting homemade, and fried squash and sweet potato fries make strong side picks.
The menu goes beyond fish too. Fried shrimp, assorted seafood platters, and steak all have a following, and there is a salad bar plus dessert.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu. Reservations are accepted, parking is free, and most plates land around $20 to $30 per person.
2. Jack’s on the River, Dublin, GA
River views and fried catfish make a fine pair on Rex Miller Road. Jack’s on the River sits along the Oconee River in Dublin, giving Friday dinner a scenic backdrop.
Inside, the look is rustic and simple. The focus stays on generous plates of fried food served by a quick, attentive crew.
Catfish here come in big portions, and bone-in catfish is on offer for folks who like it the old-fashioned way. Cheese grits pair with catfish, oysters, and fried shrimp.
I would save this one for a group that cannot agree. Frog legs, quail, steak, pork chops, and fried pickles round out the options.
Hours run Thursday through Saturday, 5 to 9 PM. Friday evening is the busiest stretch, so calling ahead for a reservation is a smart move.
3. Rivers Run Catfish and Seafood House, Milner, GA
Hungry crowds, meet your match. Rivers Run Catfish and Seafood House on Main Street in Milner serves its catfish buffet style, with all-you-can-eat dining.
Catfish fillets are the star, seasoned and fried consistently. The spread also includes fried shrimp, frog legs, fried chicken, and ribs.
Sides lean country, with collard greens and a salad bar. Save room for banana pudding or cobbler.
The dining room is spacious and family-oriented, with high chairs and a kids’ menu ready to go. There is even a private dining room for bigger gatherings.
Friday and Saturday hours run 4 to 8 PM, with Sunday service from 11 AM to 6 PM. Fridays fill up, so an early arrival in this small Lamar County town pays off.
4. Nothin’ Fancy Fish House, Leary, GA
The name tells you exactly what to expect, and that is the appeal. Nothin’ Fancy Fish House keeps things simple on GA-234 in Leary, a farm town in Calhoun County.
Fried catfish fillets come out crunchy and seasoned without hiding the fish. Catfish fingers are another option, joined by fried shrimp and hush puppies.
Fried okra and onion rings fill out the side lineup. Dessert is available for anyone with room left.
Service is quick and the room is clean and quiet. Prices run roughly $10 to $30 per person, which keeps a family fish supper affordable.
Doors open Thursday through Saturday, 4 to 9 PM. Free parking is easy to find.
5. Catfish House, Ocilla, GA
Some Friday fish fries stretch all day. At Catfish House in Ocilla, Friday brings a lunch window from 11 AM to 2 PM and a supper shift from 4 to 10 PM.
Portions are generous, with catfish cooked just right. Oysters get plenty of attention too.
Adventurous eaters can try gator or frog legs. Shrimp and steak are on hand, and hush puppies and sweet tea finish the plate.
The dining room is bright and open in downtown Ocilla, in rural Irwin County. Curbside pickup is available for takeout fans.
Prices land around $10 to $20 per person, making it one of the budget-friendly picks on this list.
6. Hawg Wild BBQ & Catfish House of Hiawassee, Hiawassee, GA
Mountain views and all-you-can-eat catfish fillets are a rare combo. Hawg Wild BBQ & Catfish House sits on US-76 in Hiawassee, with outdoor seating looking toward the lake and North Georgia mountains.
Catfish here is not limited to fried. Fillets can be ordered fried, grilled, or blackened.
The barbecue side of the name holds its own. The 3 Meat Combo Platter, country fried steak, and chicken tenders cover non-fish eaters, with plenty of sauces on the table.
Friday hours run 11 AM to 9 PM. Live music, a drive-through, and dog-friendly outdoor seating add to the easygoing setup.
Most meals cost about $10 to $20 per person.
7. The Catfish Shackcat, Newton, GA
Roadside shacks often fry the biggest fish, and this one in Baker County backs that up. The Catfish Shackcat on GA-91 in Newton serves large pieces of fresh Southern fried catfish.
Onion rings and cheese grits are the go-to sides. Fried shrimp, chicken tenders, burgers, and steaks cover everyone else at the table.
The vibe is casual with fast service and outdoor seating. A kids’ menu makes it easy for families.
Friday is a full day here, from 11 AM to 8 PM. That makes it handy for a lunch stop on a South Georgia road trip.
Prices run about $10 to $20 per person, with free parking on site.
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