Friday night in Texas has a menu all its own, and for a lot of families it starts with a basket of fried catfish. Long before food trends and trendy patios, these restaurants were already dropping fillets into the fryer and passing hush puppies across the table.
Some opened in the 1950s, others in the 1970s and 1980s, and every one of them still draws a crowd when the work week ends. This list covers seven catfish houses from Arlington to Lubbock to the Hill Country that have earned their spot through years of steady cooking.
You will find old-school relish trays, all-you-can-eat sides, Cajun twists, and one restaurant set inside a country store built in 1869. If you need a plan for this Friday, or a road trip with a crispy reward at the end, save this one and share it with whoever always asks where to eat.
1. Catfish Sam’s, Arlington, TX
Back in 1952, long before Arlington had big stadiums, Catfish Sam’s was already in the catfish business. It still sits on West Division Street, and it still keeps things simple.
The plate here is a classic setup. Farm-raised catfish comes fried crisp alongside hush puppies, baked beans, coleslaw, cut pickles, and a tomato relish that tastes a lot like pickled tomatoes.
That relish is the detail I would point out to first-timers. It is an old-school touch you do not see at many newer spots, and it gives the fried fish a tangy partner.
Shrimp, fries, and pinto beans round out the menu for anyone sharing a table. Most meals land in the $10 to $20 range per person.
Plan ahead on timing. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest stretches of the week.
Reservations are accepted, there is a kids’ menu with high chairs, and the free lot usually has room.
2. Huck’s Catfish, Denison, TX
Here is a pro tip worth remembering in Denison: ask for your catfish extra crispy. Huck’s will make it that way, and the light batter holds up well to a little more time in the fryer.
Open since 1987, Huck’s has been feeding the Texoma area for well over three decades. Some regulars have been coming back for more than twenty years.
The fillets are cleanly cooked with a flaky crust, and the portions are generous. Homemade sides like black-eyed peas and fried okra keep the plate firmly in Southern territory.
Not in a fish mood? Chicken fried steak is on the menu too, and dessert is a strong reason to save room.
This is counter service, so you order up front and grab a seat. Reservations are not taken, and a wait is common at peak hours.
Friday is the late night here, running 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., while Saturday closes at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Mondays are closed.
3. Catfish Parlour Austin, Austin, TX
Old Austin is not completely gone. A good chunk of it lives on East Ben White Boulevard, where Catfish Parlour has been serving since 1972.
The family-owned restaurant built its name on catfish, shrimp, and oysters. Fried oysters and fried shrimp share the menu with chicken fried steak and fish and chips.
What sets this stop apart is the sides. Coleslaw, hush puppies, and fried okra come unlimited, and black-eyed peas, Asian-style slaw, and sweet potato fries also show up on the menu.
Do not skip the jalapeno tartar sauce. It gives the catfish a mild Texas kick.
The room leans throwback, with 50s and 60s music playing in the background. Friday and Saturday hours run until 10 p.m., which makes it one of the later Friday options on this list.
Reservations are accepted, and parking is usually easy.
4. River Smith’s Chicken & Catfish, Lubbock, TX
Catfish on the High Plains might sound like a stretch, but Lubbock has had River Smith’s since 1976. The place on Avenue Q has a Cajun streak that makes it different from the rest of this list.
Blackened catfish sits next to fried catfish here. Butterfly shrimp, chicken bits, fried pickles, blackened whitefish, and chicken fried chicken fill out the menu.
I would come here when the group cannot agree on dinner. The fish fans and the fried chicken crowd both leave happy.
There is also a salad bar, plus a drive-through and curbside pickup for nights when sitting down is not in the cards. Mariachi nights add some live music to the mix.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday evening is by far the busiest time, so arriving early helps.
5. Catfish King, Tyler, TX
Ask around East Texas about catfish strips and Catfish King in Tyler tends to come up. It is the kind of place people visit as kids and return to as adults.
The menu is built around hearty seafood baskets. Catfish and shrimp come in ample servings, and the fish is fried without leaving a greasy finish.
Hush puppies are a given, and the coleslaw earns its own fans. Prices generally fall between $10 and $20 per person.
Convenience is a big part of the appeal. A drive-through, takeout, delivery, and catering all make it easy to feed a crowd without much planning.
Friday hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the busiest stretch from Friday afternoon into the evening. Sunday is open too, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., which is handy for an after-church lunch.
Reservations are not taken, but the free lot usually has plenty of space.
6. Clear Springs Restaurant, New Braunfels, TX
Few catfish dinners come with a building this old. Clear Springs Restaurant has operated since the mid-1980s inside a country store that dates to 1869.
The barnlike space is filled with country-style and nostalgic decor. It sets a relaxed Hill Country tone before the food even arrives.
Catfish here comes your way, whether blackened, fried, or grilled. That flexibility is a big reason it earned a spot on this list.
The onion rings are the house signature, and they are Texas-sized. The green beans and the beans in general also have a loyal following.
Beyond catfish, look for shrimp tacos, shrimp brochette, firecracker salmon, chicken fried chicken, and big portions of chicken fried steak.
Clear Springs is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. No reservations are taken, so Friday evening and weekend crowds are something to plan around.
Outdoor seating allows dogs, which helps if your road trip includes a four-legged passenger.
7. Cherry Creek Catfish, Austin, TX
Grab a chair outside if the line is long. Cherry Creek Catfish sets out tables for waiting diners, which tells you how busy Friday evenings can get on Menchaca Road.
This South Austin seafood shack has been around since the 1990s. It mixes Southern coastal cooking with a bit of Cajun-Creole flair.
The Catfish Dinner features hand-breaded fillets fried crisp and golden. For a lighter plate, the grilled catfish with Cajun seasoning still brings plenty of flavor.
Shrimp, oysters, fish tacos, and hush puppies round out the menu. Portions run big for the $10 to $20 price range.
Indoor and outdoor seating give you options, and live music is part of the mix. Hours stretch to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Reservations are accepted, so calling ahead is a smart move before a weekend visit.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.