Got a craving for catfish kicking in?
Sometimes, you’re just in the mood for a classic Southern dinner — we’re talking crispy, fried catfish, baked potato, coleslaw and hushpuppies — but when that mood hits, where do you go?
This is Alabama recently asked their Facebook followers just that, and the responses are proof that our state has plenty of restaurants, new and old, that know how to fry up some catfish.
So whether you prefer it whole, filleted, on a sandwich, cut into bite-size nuggets or all of the above, here’s a look at 12 Alabama restaurants serving some of the state’ best catfish.
The Ark restaurant in Riverside, Ala., is famous for its fried catfish and hush puppies. In 1999, The Ark was included among the Top 10 catfish restaurants in America, as selected by the Catfish Institute.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)The Ark
Locations in Riverside and Springville
The Ark has been serving its signature catfish at its original location in Riverside for nearly 100 years, so we weren’t surprised to hear it’s a favorite for many. Whether you go for the filet, nugget strip or the whole thing on a platter, you know you’re about to fill up on some of the state’s best catfish. That’s why the Alabama Tourism Department’s list even put their fried catfish and shrimp on its “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die.”
Top Hat BBQ
8725 U.S. Highway 31 in Hayden
Top Hat Barbecue in Hayden has become known for its hickory-smoked meats over the past seven decades, but that doesn’t mean you should sleep on their catfish. The popular restaurant offers U.S. farm-raised, country fried catfish served whole or filleted, and they even have a lunch special that lets you enjoy two catfish fillets, two sides, which range from a classic baked potato to fried green tomatoes, and a drink for only $11.99.
Top O’ the River has multiple locations in Anniston, Guntersville and Gadsden.Courtesy of Top O’ the RiverTop ‘O the River
Locations in Anniston, Guntersville and Gadsden
Whether you go to the original Top ‘O the River in Anniston, open since 1982, or one of the popular restaurant’s other locations, just know you’re in for one of the best catfish dinners in the state. The eatery is known for offering farm raised, grain-fed catfish that you can order broiled or fried to perfection. Not sure what to order? Can’t go wrong with the Riverboat Special, which includes a half pound of fried catfish, hushpuppies, a baked potato and more.
David’s Catfish House
Multiple locations throughout Alabama
Catfish and hushpuppies or a baked potato feels like a classic pairing, but what about catfish and cheese grits? At David’s Catfish House, which has several Alabama locations, you can — and should — give that unexpected, but absolutely delicious, combo a try. After all, both, David’s Famous Catfish dinner and their cheese grits, are were included on the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” by the Alabama Tourism Department.
Fried catfish at Alabama barbecue chain Full Moon Bar-B-Que.Full Moon Bar-B-Que/Nik Layman PhotoFull Moon BBQ
Locations throughout the state
Full Moon BBQ, which got its start in Birmingham before opening locations all over Alabama, might be best known for its pulled pork, brisket and more, but many readers were quick to say its Southern fried catfish, which is farm-raised and hand-breaded in cornmeal, is some of the best they’ve had. You can order it on a plate with your choice of sides or in as an open-face sandwich. Either way, it’s bound to satisfy any catfish craving.
Catfish Charlie’s
13971 Highway 43 N. in Northport
Next time you want catfish without the fuss of having to get dressed up and sit down in a restaurant, head to Catfish Charlie’s in Northport. Open four days a week, the quick service, to-go only seafood spot has accrued a strong following thanks to their crispy, crunchy U.S. catfish. Whether you get it filleted or whole and served alongside shrimp or put in a po’ boy, everything is made to order so you know it’s fresh.
Fried catfish at Katy’s Katfish in Rainsville, Ala.Haley LaurenceKaty’s Katfish
1382 Main Street E. in Rainsville
When it comes to Alabama hidden gems, Katy’s Katfish in Rainsville is certainly among them. Open since 1993 and housed in a log cabin filled with local history, the beloved restaurant might not have the name recognition of some of the spots on our list, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. After all, its fried catfish — alongside its popular chicken fingers — made the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” by the Alabama Tourism Department just the same.
Catfish House
3011 Cobbs Ford Road in Millbrook
If you’re looking for a catfish dinner that feels like a family meal, Catfish House in Millbrook is where you need to go. In business for more than 50 years, the beloved restaurant offers fried as well as broiled catfish, served whole or as a boneless fillet, along with a table full of sides, including coleslaw, white beans and hushpuppies, so everyone leaves with with a full, happy and ready to plan their next visit back.
Mary Ann Ezell Hall runs the beloved catfish restaurant her father founded in Lavaca, Ala. (Michelle Matthews/mmatthews@al.com)Ezell’s Fish Camp
776 Ezell Road in Lavaca
When thinking of legendary catfish in Alabama, Ezell’s Fish Camp in Lavaca is the first place to come to mind for a lot of folks. The family-owned business officially became a restaurant in the 1950s, but was serving its perfectly fried catfish at fishing camps even before that. While its menu is simple and its atmosphere is rustic, you’ll understand why Ezell’s has become a favorite for so many once you’ve had that first bite.
Catfish Springs
17901 U.S. Highway 43 in Russellville
Head to Catfish Springs in Russellville if you’re looking to try catfish that’s got a little something extra going on. The restaurant’s “Voodoo Catfish,” which consists of its golden fried catfish on a bed of jambalaya before both are topped with a creamy shrimp sauce, is sure to do the trick. Of course, their classic catfish, available whole or filleted, alongside their large salad bar isn’t likely to disappoint either.
Fried catfish plate at Greenbrier Restaurant. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com)Matt WakeGreenbrier Restaurant
27028 Old Highway 20 in Madison
While Greenbrier Restaurant in Madison may have gotten its start in the 1950s as a one-room building offering take-out only, its size, and customer base, has grown far beyond that over the years. The beloved restaurant offers its pond-raised, grain-fed catfish as fillets or whole, served alongside coleslaw and your choice of potato. Just try not to fill up on the complimentary basket of hushpuppies before your dinner comes.
The Back Porch Restaurant
270 Marina Drive in Talladega
Do you prefer your catfish dinner to come with a view? At The Back Porch Restaurant in Talladega, you can enjoy their golden fried catfish, served just about every way from whole to filets as well as nuggets and strips, while looking out over gorgeous Logan Martin Lake. Just be sure to save room for a decadent slice of their chocolate peanut butter pie for dessert.
Dining and Cooking