Some restaurants ask you to save room for dessert. This one asks you to save room for everything.
In St. Cloud, Florida, there is a family-owned spot where catfish is caught daily, gator appears on the menu without anyone blinking, and hush puppies have a fan club of their own. Plates arrive so loaded that plenty of diners leave with a to-go box and a plan to come back.
Locals treat it like a neighborhood fixture, and travelers fresh off airboat tours get sent here by their guides. Over the next few sections, you will learn where to find it, what to order, how the recent remodel changed the room, which days it stays open late, and a smart tip for anyone eating gluten free.
Bring an appetite and a little curiosity.
A Seafood Landmark on 13th Street
The address to remember is The Catfish Place, 2324 13th St, St Cloud, FL 34769, United States.
St. Cloud sits just southeast of Orlando, close enough for a quick drive but far enough to feel like small-town Florida. The restaurant is classified as a seafood spot, and its whole identity leans on locally sourced fish served in relaxed, unassuming digs.
Nobody here is trying to impress you with white tablecloths. The draw is the plate in front of you, and the catfish that gave the place its name.
With a 4.6-star standing built on more than 4,000 opinions, the restaurant has clearly earned a loyal following. Some call it a country cooking legend that gets passed around by word of mouth.
One honest note helps set expectations. The surrounding neighborhood is not the fanciest part of town, yet that has never slowed the crowds heading through the door.
Out-of-towners often land here after searching for catfish near Orlando. Others arrive because a brother, a parent, or a tour guide insisted they had to try it.
Either way, the destination is clear, and the hunger part is up to you.
New Owners, Fresh Walls
Change can be risky for a beloved restaurant, but a recent ownership switch brought a real makeover.
The new owners opened up a room that once sat behind the old fish tank. Tile now covers the wall, and a bar area with TVs has joined the space.
Florida-themed art decorates the dining room, giving it a local personality without fuss. The place stays clean and comfortable, which regulars point out again and again.
Many longtime fans say the cooking remains as strong as ever after the remodel. A few miss the way certain portions felt under the previous ownership, so opinions are not entirely uniform.
Still, the family-owned spirit continues to shape the experience. The room keeps a neighborhood, diner-style feel that suits a casual lunch as easily as a family dinner.
It is the kind of update that respects history while giving it a little polish. Old regulars can still recognize the place, and newcomers get a brighter room to settle into.
The Catfish That Started It All
Daily caught catfish is the headliner, and the menu treats it with the respect a namesake deserves.
The fried catfish arrives with a cornmeal breading that is well seasoned and light. Many diners describe the fish as flaky and fried just right.
Options go beyond a single fillet. There is all-you-can-eat catfish for serious appetites, plus fingerling catfish for those who like a classic Southern style.
A three-piece catfish platter shows up often on tables, frequently paired with hush puppies and Cajun fries. Some plates come piled so high that finishing becomes a team effort.
Not every visit is flawless. A handful of diners have found their fish a bit overcooked or dry on certain days.
Even so, catfish remains the most talked-about dish in the house by a wide margin. It is the reason first-timers walk in, and the reason many of them come back with friends.
Consider it the main event, with plenty of supporting acts waiting in the wings.
Gator and Frog Legs for the Brave
Here is where the headline earns its keep. Gator ranks as the second most mentioned item on the menu, right behind catfish.
Fans recommend it highly, often as a must-try for anyone new to Florida cooking. It works well as a shared starter or a full plate for the curious.
Frog legs sit right beside it as another local adventure. Diners call them worth a try, especially if you are already in an exploring mood.
A sampler is available for those who cannot decide, though some guests feel it runs small for its price. Ordering a couple of plates for the table can be the smarter move.
Shrimp and fried oysters round out the seafood lineup. Fried flounder and snapper also appear for diners who prefer something more familiar.
So yes, the gator truly does share the plate. Whether it becomes your new favorite or just a great story to tell back home, it is a bite worth taking.
Hush Puppies With a Fan Club
Some side dishes stay in the background. These hush puppies refuse.
With more than 150 mentions, they are among the most praised items in the whole restaurant. Even people who claim they do not usually like hush puppies end up converts.
They come out slightly sweet with a crunchy outside. One enthusiastic diner suggested they deserve an award.
The secret weapon might be the honey. The restaurant buys it locally, and servers sometimes bring orange blossom honey to pair with the hush puppies.
That same honey is sold in a little shop area inside, so you can take some home. It is a small touch that connects the meal to Central Florida.
House-made ranch also gets a lot of love for dipping. Regulars note that sauces and dressings are made from scratch in the kitchen.
Order an extra basket. You probably will not regret it.
Southern Sides and Surprise Stars
Catfish may own the sign, but the side dishes quietly steal plenty of attention.
Fried green tomatoes are a popular starter, with a light coating that lets the tomato stand out. Fried dill pickles and fried okra also make strong cases for themselves.
Cheese grits draw frequent praise, along with braised cabbage, collard greens, and corn on the cob. Coleslaw is another dependable pick.
Mashed potatoes arrive in their own bowl, a detail that delights more than a few guests.
The menu also goes well beyond seafood. Country fried steak earns big compliments, and chicken livers have devoted fans of their own.
For dessert, the key lime pie has been compared favorably to versions found down in the Florida Keys. Peach sweet tea is another favorite on the drink side.
Bottom line, nobody in your group has to love fish to leave happy. The comfort food lineup covers a lot of ground.
Friendly Faces Behind the Counter
Plenty of people leave talking about the food. Just as many leave talking about who served it.
Servers here regularly get called out by name for their warmth. Guests describe feeling like family by the time they head out.
Staff members explain dishes, offer suggestions, and sometimes share ideas for things to do in the area. Hosts have even stepped in to help when a server was stretched thin.
Pacing is another strength on good days. Groups mention enjoying appetizers and conversation without feeling rushed.
Busy moments can still slow things down. Some diners have found the room loud and the service slower during big family gatherings.
The overall picture, though, is a team that genuinely cares. That attitude explains why so many people bring parents, partners, and out-of-town guests back again.
Good cooking gets people in once. Kind service turns them into regulars.
Hours, Budget, and a Gluten-Free Tip
Planning ahead makes the meal even better.
The Catfish Place opens at 11 am every day of the week. It closes at 8 pm Sunday through Thursday and stays open until 9 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Expect to spend around $20 to $30 per person. Kids meals range from about $9.99 to $13.99.
Some guests consider the prices on the higher side for certain plates. Others point to big portions as a fair trade.
A handy money tip comes from regulars. Ordering off the lunch menu still delivers plenty of food.
Gluten-free diners have a real option here thanks to a dedicated fryer. Gluten-free chicken tenders and fries are available.
Calling ahead is smart, since the dedicated fryer may not be in use on rare occasions, such as when a main fryer is down. The restaurant phone number and menu details are on its website.
Worth the Drive, Worth the Appetite
Some diners drive an hour and a half just to eat here again. That says a lot.
The Catfish Place fits a long list of plans. It works for a Monday lunch, an anniversary dinner, a family outing, or a stop after an airboat ride on the nearby marshes.
Big appetites will feel right at home. Lighter eaters can share plates or stick to the lunch menu.
It is not perfect every single day. Occasional overcooked fish and portion debates come up, and weekends can get noisy.
Yet the bigger story stays consistent. Daily caught catfish, adventurous gator, award-worthy hush puppies, local honey, and staff who remember to be kind.
For anyone passing through Central Florida with an empty stomach, this St. Cloud favorite delivers a meal with plenty of personality. Go hungry, order something new, and save a little room for key lime pie.
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