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Texans will happily drive an hour for a plate of good fried catfish, and honestly, that seems fair. A great fillet has a light cornmeal crust, a flaky center, and sides that taste like somebody’s grandmother made them that morning.
This list covers seven fish joints across the state, from a Denison counter-service favorite to a lake-town stop near Cedar Creek Reservoir. Some are old-school and unfussy, some lean Cajun, and one stays open late enough for a midnight basket.
Each one earns its spot for a different reason, whether that is homemade cobbler, tomato relish, jalapeno tartar sauce, or portions big enough to share. Several keep short or unusual hours, so checking the schedule before you hit the highway is a smart move.
Grab a friend with an appetite, save this list, and plan your next catfish road trip around it.
1. Huck’s Catfish, Denison, TX
Garlic bacon slaw is not something you expect to see next to a catfish plate, and that is exactly the kind of detail that makes Huck’s stand out. The Denison restaurant specializes in fried catfish and traditional Southern cooking, with a light, crispy crust on clean, flaky fillets.
The sides get real attention here. Black-eyed peas and fried okra are classic partners, and the homemade touch shows up across the board.
Save room for dessert, because both peach cobbler and pecan cobbler are on the menu. The kitchen also turns out fried shrimp dinners, chicken fried steak, and burgers for anyone who skipped the fish memo.
Ordering happens at the counter, and the setup is casual and kid-friendly, with a kids’ menu and high chairs. Huck’s is closed Mondays and only open 11 AM to 2 PM on Sundays.
Friday and Saturday evenings bring the biggest crowds, so a weekday lunch is the easier play.
2. Catfish Sam’s, Arlington, TX
Tomato relish might be the secret handshake at Catfish Sam’s. Every catfish setup comes with crispy hush puppies, cut pickles, and that tangy pickled tomato relish, a combo longtime fans of this Arlington spot know well.
The restaurant has been around a long time, and it still keeps things simple. Farm-raised catfish gets a light breading with just the right amount of cornmeal, fried until crisp outside and tender inside.
Sides include baked beans, pinto beans, coleslaw, and okra. Shrimp baskets and chicken fried steak round out the menu, and the Butterfinger pie is a fun way to finish.
Catfish Sam’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, closed Sundays and Mondays. It accepts reservations and offers table service, which is handy for larger groups.
3. Cherry Creek Catfish, Austin, TX
Jalapeno tartar sauce is the quiet star in South Austin. Cherry Creek Catfish on Menchaca Road pairs its golden, cornmeal-breaded catfish with that spicy twist, and it turns a familiar basket into something more Austin.
The kitchen cooks Southern-style coastal food with Cajun-Creole flair. Beyond the catfish basket, the menu includes fried green tomatoes, corn nuggets, border fried pickles, fish tacos, and a steak finger basket.
Prefer your fish without the fryer? Grilled or blackened catfish is also available.
The mac and cheese has a serious following too.
There is outdoor seating, live music, and a lunch special that keeps the bill friendly. Hours run daily, with later service until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
4. Bayseas Catfish House, San Antonio, TX
Timing matters at Bayseas, so plan around the clock. This family-run catfish house on Nacogdoches Road closes at 4 PM Tuesday through Thursday, stays open until 8 PM on Friday, and wraps up at 6 PM on Saturday.
Make the trip and you get catfish in a crispy, golden brown breading with a moist, flaky center. It comes with fries, coleslaw, and a sweet homemade tartar sauce.
The catfish and shrimp platter is the move for anyone who cannot pick just one. Families often go for the catfish and shrimp family meal, and gumbo, green beans, and fried mushrooms are also on the menu.
The setting is relaxed and quiet, with free Wi-Fi and reservations accepted. Catering is available too, which makes Bayseas a fun pick for a backyard gathering.
5. Captain Tom’s, Houston, TX
Night owls, this one is for you. Captain Tom’s on FM 1960 serves food until 11 PM most nights and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, which is rare for a catfish stop.
The storied, self-serve spot has a nautical theme and a long list of down-home seafood standards. Catfish comes as fillets or whole catfish, and the three shrimp and two catfish filets plate is a popular combo.
Gumbo fans should grab a cup of the seafood gumbo on the side. Oysters on the half shell, boiled shrimp, and crab fingers are also part of the lineup.
Ordering is at the counter, and reservations are not taken. Weekend afternoons and evenings get busy, so expect a line and come hungry.
6. The New Pier, White Oak, TX
Big appetites tend to steer toward Highway 80 in White Oak. The New Pier is known for large portions of fried catfish and shrimp at fair prices, and the plates arrive loaded.
Hot, crispy fries and hush puppies come alongside the fish. Fried oysters are another strong pick, and the burger holds its own for anyone in the mood for beef.
The menu also branches into crawfish and spicy boiled shrimp, a nice change of pace for an East Texas stop. Table service and a kids’ menu keep things easy for families.
The New Pier is open Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays. Reservations are not accepted, so a weekday lunch beats the Friday and Saturday dinner rush.
7. Molly’s Catfish Corner, Seven Points, TX
A lake weekend near Cedar Creek Reservoir pairs nicely with a stop at Molly’s Catfish Corner in Seven Points. The restaurant is known for its fried catfish and signature hush puppies.
The catfish is fresh, thick, and hand-battered, with breading that stays light rather than heavy. Portions run large, and homemade sauces come on the side.
The menu goes beyond catfish with fried shrimp, oysters, fried crawfish tails, and homemade onion rings. That variety makes Molly’s a solid pick for a group that likes to share.
Hours are limited, so plan ahead. Molly’s is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM, and it accepts reservations.
Parking can be tight at busy times, which is one more reason to call ahead.
From Denison to Seven Points, each of these kitchens treats catfish like it deserves a road trip. Pick one, check the hours, and bring a friend who never turns down hush puppies.
