Fried catfish is one of those Texas meals that people will happily drive an hour to find. The best plates usually come with hush puppies, coleslaw, and a squeeze of lemon, served in small towns and roadside spots you might otherwise pass right by.
Some of these places have been frying up filets for decades, while others have quietly built loyal followings without much fanfare. If you love a good catfish plate and a scenic country drive, this list is built for you.
Here are twelve Texas restaurants where the catfish makes the trip more than worth it.
1. Catfish Plantation, Waxahachie, Texas
Set inside a Victorian home built in the late 1800s, this Waxahachie favorite pairs Southern cooking with plenty of old-house character.
The menu leans into Cajun and Southern comfort food, and the fried catfish is a longtime draw. You can order it with classic sides like hush puppies and dirty rice.
Waxahachie itself is worth the drive for its historic downtown and gingerbread-style architecture. A catfish lunch here fits nicely into a day of wandering the square.
2. Clear Springs Restaurant, New Braunfels, Texas
Housed in a former general store and cotton gin, this New Braunfels institution has been serving catfish for generations.
The kitchen is known for its thin, crispy filets, often ordered by the platter for the table. Onion rings and other fried favorites round out the plates.
New Braunfels sits in the heart of the Hill Country, so it is an easy stop on a river day or a scenic drive. The setting alone makes it feel like a proper road trip destination.
3. Koon’s Catfish, Athens, Texas
Athens likes to call itself the home of the hamburger, but catfish holds its own weight in this East Texas town.
Koon’s keeps things simple and Southern, with fried catfish served alongside classic sides that locals count on. It is the kind of no-fuss spot where the food does the talking.
East Texas is catfish country, thanks to the region’s lakes and country cooking traditions. A meal here fits right into a lazy backroad afternoon around Athens.
4. Bodacious Bar-B-Q and Catfish, Longview, Texas
Barbecue may be the headline in Longview, but catfish earns its spot on the same tray.
Combining smoked meats with fried catfish gives you the best of two Texas traditions in one visit. That makes it a smart stop when your group cannot agree on just one craving.
Longview sits deep in the Piney Woods, an easy anchor for a day of driving through East Texas. Fill up on catfish here before heading out to explore the region’s lakes and small towns.
5. The Catfish Corner, Fort Worth, Texas
Big-city location, small-town flavor. Fort Worth may be a metro area, but this spot keeps the catfish comfort-food honest.
Fried catfish shows up alongside classic soul food sides, keeping the plates familiar and filling. It is an easy weekday lunch that does not require a long trip out of town.
For folks in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, this is proof you do not always need a rural drive to find a solid catfish plate. Sometimes the good stuff is closer than you think.
6. Olle’s Catfish, Kirbyville, Texas
Way down in Southeast Texas, near the Louisiana line, Kirbyville is about as backroad as it gets.
Catfish is the star in this small-town restaurant, served the classic fried way with familiar Southern sides. The remote location is part of the charm for anyone chasing good food off the beaten path.
Kirbyville sits near the Big Thicket, so the drive itself feels like an adventure through deep woods. A catfish meal here rewards the effort of getting there.
7. Sartin’s Seafood, Nederland, Texas
Gulf Coast seafood and Cajun flavors meet fried catfish at this longtime Southeast Texas name.
Known for its seafood platters, the kitchen also serves catfish for those who want a river fish instead of shellfish. It is a good pick when your table wants a mix of Gulf and Southern favorites.
Nederland sits in the Golden Triangle region near Beaumont, close to plenty of coastal drives. Catfish here comes with a strong dose of Cajun-Texas coastal culture.
8. Riverside Catfish House, Marble Falls, Texas
A Hill Country setting near the water makes this Marble Falls spot a scenic catfish stop.
The menu focuses on fried catfish and classic Southern plates, keeping the theme clear from the name on the sign. Order the catfish and settle in for a relaxed country meal.
Marble Falls sits along the Highland Lakes chain, making it a natural anchor for a Hill Country drive. Combine the catfish with a lake view and you have a full day mapped out.
9. Catfish O’Havers, Corsicana, Texas
Corsicana is better known for fruitcake, but catfish fans have their own reason to pull off the highway here.
Fried catfish anchors the menu, served with the kind of straightforward sides that make a plate feel complete. It is a dependable choice for travelers passing through Central Texas.
The town sits along I-45 between Dallas and Houston, making it an easy break on a long drive. Trade the fast-food exit for a real catfish plate instead.
10. The Fish Place, San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio has more than tacos and barbecue on its plate. This casual seafood spot keeps fried catfish front and center.
The menu covers fried fish and seafood baskets, with catfish among the most ordered plates. It is an easy, affordable pick when you want something fried and familiar.
For anyone exploring the River City, it is a chance to eat catfish without leaving the big city limits. Simple food, simple mission, and it delivers on both.
11. Catfish King, Palestine, Texas
A regional favorite across East Texas, Catfish King has built its name on one dish done consistently.
Fried catfish comes in generous portions with hush puppies and Southern sides, keeping the formula reliable from visit to visit. Families like it for the roomy plates and steady quality.
Palestine is a scenic East Texas town known for its dogwood trails and railroad history. A catfish lunch pairs well with a day spent exploring the area.
12. Huntsville Catfish, Huntsville, Texas
College town energy meets Piney Woods cooking in Huntsville, home to Sam Houston State University.
Fried catfish anchors the menu here, served in the honest, no-frills style that fits a small East Texas town. Students and travelers alike keep the tables filled.
Huntsville sits along I-45 north of Houston, surrounded by state parks and forest land. Grab a catfish plate before heading out to hike or explore the nearby woods.
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