Some places along the river in west Alabama have quietly fed families since the 1970s, and they never needed a billboard to do it. Folks drive two hours, some even 150 miles, just for one plate of fried catfish and a tall glass of sweet tea.
Others skip the car and show up by boat or jet ski, climbing straight up the riverbank to get to lunch. The tables are rough wood, the walls are crowded with old photos and mounted heads, and the barges float past the windows like they own the place.
This spot near Lavaca, outside Butler, has stayed a fish camp at heart even as it grew. Keep reading to learn its story, what to order, when the doors are open, and why so many families treat it like a tradition.
A Fish Camp on the Tombigbee
Down a quiet country road in Choctaw County sits a restaurant that many drivers almost miss. Ezell’s Fish Camp is found at 776 Ezell Rd, Butler, AL 36904, in the Lavaca area of west Alabama.
The building rests on the banks of the Tombigbee River, tucked off the highway. It is a seafood restaurant, and fried catfish is the star of the show.
Many people say it is the kind of place mostly locals know about. One family drove right past it, saw the sign, and turned around to go back.
That small detour turns into a habit for plenty of people. The out-of-the-way setting is part of the charm, and it keeps the place feeling like a secret shared among friends.
The river is more than just a backdrop here. It is a road of its own, bringing boaters, jet skiers, and barges right past the dining room.
So the trip can begin on asphalt or on water. Either way, the destination stays the same, and it has been reeling people in for decades.
Roots Going Back to the 1970s
Some regulars have been coming here since the 1970s. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident.
The restaurant started as a simple fish camp on the banks of the Tombigbee. Over the years, it changed shape a bit.
The back porch was enclosed. The building was expanded to hold more hungry guests.
Still, the heart of the place never moved. Longtime fans describe it as a fish camp first and a restaurant second, and they mean that as high praise.
Families have built traditions around it. Some stop on the way to their hunting club in south Alabama, making it a regular part of the drive.
Others come back after twenty years away just to see if it still holds up. Husbands bring wives and kids to share a place they first loved long ago.
The walls help tell the story too. Old pictures hang throughout, giving a glimpse of how things looked in earlier days.
Generations have passed through these doors, and many of them keep coming back for seconds.
Fried Catfish, the Main Event
Catfish is the reason most people make the trip. It comes up more than anything else when folks talk about this place.
The fish is hand breaded and deep fried. The batter is light but crispy, and the plates come in sizes like 3 piece and 5 piece platters.
Portions are generous. Even hearty eaters sometimes leave a few pieces behind.
A combo plate lets diners pair catfish with popcorn shrimp. That is a smart move for anyone who cannot pick just one.
Opinions are honest here, and not every plate wins every heart. A few guests have found the catfish fairly standard on an off day.
Most, though, say it is cooked well every single time. One longtime fan put it simply: there may be other catfish around, but this one is always good.
The menu does offer other choices. Still, as plenty of loyal eaters point out, a fish camp is where you go for fish, and that logic is hard to argue with.
Huge Glasses of Sweet Tea
Southern tradition says catfish needs a partner. At this fish camp, that partner arrives in a huge glass of sweet tea.
Regulars mention the oversized glasses as part of the experience. It is the drink that has sat beside countless plates of fish over the decades.
Servers keep a close eye on the table. Guests say staff check in often so nobody runs dry.
A table of three spent a little over $60 on an appetizer, entrees, and drinks. That works out to a fair deal for a full meal with a view.
Sweet tea also fits the mood of the place. It is simple, familiar, and comforting, much like the rest of the menu.
For first-timers, ordering one is almost a rite of passage. Skip it and you might miss half the point of the visit, so go ahead and say yes to the refill.
The Famous Bowl of Slaw
Before the catfish even lands, a giant bowl of coleslaw shows up. It sets the tone for the whole meal.
This slaw has a loyal fan club. It is creamy, on the sweet side, and loaded with onions.
Many guests rank it right next to the catfish as a must. Some say the restaurant always has the best fish and coleslaw, almost as if the two come as a set.
Hushpuppies are another side that earns plenty of attention. Fans call them legit, and one tip is to shake a little hot sauce on them.
Not every batch lands perfectly for everyone. A few people have noticed hushpuppies that were underdone or not quite like the old recipe.
Still, the slaw remains a steady favorite year after year. Sometimes the side dish quietly steals the spotlight, and nobody seems to mind.
River Views and Passing Barges
Lunch here often comes with a live show. Diners have watched barges glide down the Tombigbee River right outside.
The river view is one of the most talked-about features. People call it incredible, and some say it is priceless.
It adds a relaxed feeling to the meal. Many say the view helps make the dining room feel cozy and easygoing.
For groups celebrating something special, the setting makes the event feel bigger. A family birthday for 15 guests came with a beautiful river backdrop.
Sunsets over the water are a favorite for boaters. The scenery gives people a reason to linger after the plates are cleared.
There is no extra charge for the scenery. It just comes with the table, and that might be the best side order of all.
Arriving by Boat or Jet Ski
Not every guest parks a car. Plenty of them tie up a boat instead.
In summer, families cruise the river and stop here for a meal. Some groups traveling the Tombigbee on jet skis toward Spanish Fort even plan their days around lunch at the fish camp.
Getting from the water to the table takes a little effort. Climbing up the riverbank can be a challenge.
Most say the climb is worth it. It turns a meal into a small adventure.
Boat crews of six or more show up together at times. A quick tip from regulars: call ahead if a favorite menu item matters, since some items are not always available.
That mix of road traffic and river traffic gives the place a lively energy. Few restaurants can claim a parking lot and a waterway as entrances, and this one makes good use of both.
Mounts, Old Photos, and Picnic Tables
Rustic is an understatement inside this dining room. Long wooden benches sit at rough wooden tables that feel like picnic tables.
A few booths are available too. In colder months, gas heaters help keep things comfortable, which February guests appreciate.
The walls are where personality really shows. Mounted deer, hog, and even moose heads hang throughout.
Some love how much character the mounts add. Others find them a bit unexpected for a fish camp, and that debate is part of the fun.
Old pictures cover plenty of wall space as well. They give the room a classic, lived-in feel.
Outside, the building shows its age with faded wood. Some think the interior could use updates, though most agree the older style suits the spot perfectly, and nobody comes here for fancy chandeliers.
Starters, Shrimp, and Pie
Catfish may run the show, but the supporting cast gets plenty of love. Fried mushrooms are a top pick as an appetizer.
Many people call them the best around. Fried dill pickles, cheese curds, and a blooming onion also show up on tables.
Shrimp fans have choices too. Butterfly shrimp, fried shrimp, and popcorn shrimp all appear on the menu, and fried oysters make an appearance as well.
Sides include fries, sweet potato fries, home fries, and baked potatoes. The menu is small, which makes ordering easy.
Dessert deserves a spot in the plan. Pecan pie wins fans, and a lemon cake has pleased others.
Fair warning for anyone avoiding fried food: this is a fried food lover’s place. Everyone else should save room, because the finale is worth the wait.
Hours, Groups, and a Friendly Verdict
Timing matters here, because the doors are not open every day. The restaurant is closed Monday through Wednesday.
Thursday and Sunday hours run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday stay open later, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Fridays can get busy, so arriving early helps. Guests who show up on the early side often get seated right away.
Big groups are welcome. The staff has handled a family birthday for 15 and even a planned party of about 50.
Service gets frequent praise for being warm and attentive. Many say it feels like dining with family, with servers who bring plates out with a genuine smile.
No place is perfect on every visit, and a few meals have missed the mark. Still, for river views, a slice of history, catfish, and sweet tea, this Lavaca landmark keeps families hooked, generation after generation.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.