Arkansas takes its catfish seriously, and the best places to eat it tend to share a few things: crisp cornmeal fillets, hushpuppies by the basket, and sides that keep showing up until everyone is full. This list covers eight spots from the Ozarks to the White River to Lake Hamilton country, each with its own twist. Some serve family-style platters with unlimited fixins.
Others run buffets, sit beside the water, or lean into a fishing theme. Whether you are planning a Friday night with the kids or a long road trip across the state, these catfish houses give you plenty of reasons to pull up a chair. Bring a real appetite, because the portions here are not shy.
1. Catfish Hole Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR
Unlimited hushpuppies are the headline on the table at this Wedington Drive restaurant. Catfish arrives alongside slaw, green tomato relish, and pickles, all served family-style.
The menu also includes frog legs, scallops, and chicken tenders, so groups with mixed tastes can still order together. The tartar sauce gets plenty of attention, and the homemade fries are a nice change from the usual side lineup.
Kids are covered with a kids’ menu and high chairs, and the restaurant accepts reservations, which helps on busy weekend nights. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest times, so Sunday or a weekday lunch is the easier choice. Plan around the closed day on Monday.
Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. Meals typically land in the $10 to $20 per person range.
2. Catfish Hole – Alma, Alma, AR
Here is a catfish restaurant housed in a modern art building, which is not what most people picture for a fish fry. Inside, the draw is still the classics: catfish fillets, catfish steaks, and all-you-can-eat hushpuppies and coleslaw.
The menu goes beyond catfish with frog legs, fried shrimp, clam strips, and salmon. Pickled tomato relish comes along as a tangy side, and okra is on the menu as well.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs, and there is a drive-through for quicker pickup. Reservations are accepted for larger groups.
Note the schedule. Tuesday through Thursday it opens at 4:30 PM, while Friday and Saturday start at 11 AM and Sunday runs 11 AM to 8 PM. Monday is closed.
3. JoJo’s Catfish Wharf, Mountain View, AR
Eating catfish with the White River in view is the pitch at this Jacks Resort Road spot. The casual dining room has a river-themed look, and a salad bar sits alongside the fried options.
The three-fillet and five-piece catfish dinners come with a basket of hushpuppies, beans, slaw, and pickled green tomatoes. A five-piece order is sized large enough to share, and homemade tartar sauce and shrimp round out the menu.
Dessert is worth saving room for, with fried coconut pie among the favorites.
Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM, it is closed Monday and Tuesday. Dogs are allowed in outside areas, and there is free parking.
4. Brown’s Catfish, Russellville, AR
Few catfish houses also serve gumbo, ribs, and homemade cinnamon rolls. This family-run Russellville restaurant runs an all-you-can-eat buffet with Southern dishes and Cajun accents.
Catfish leads the lineup, joined by whitefish, shrimp, chicken, crab cakes, and hushpuppies. Vegetables and salad items fill out the line, and bread pudding is on the dessert side.
The setting is casual and suited to groups, and service tends to move fast. Prices are a step up from some others on this list, usually $20 to $30 per person.
Hours are split into two windows. Tuesday through Saturday it serves 11 AM to 2 PM and reopens at 3:30 PM, closing at 8 PM Tuesday through Thursday and 9 PM Friday and Saturday. Sunday and Monday are closed.
5. Catfish John’s, Rogers, AR
Dating back to around 1988, this Hudson Road restaurant keeps things simple. Southern-fried catfish and hushpuppies are the specialties, with no fuss in the setting.
Portions are big, and the sides are carefully done. Homemade tartar sauce, tomato relish, beans, fries, and a well-balanced coleslaw come with the fish, and onion rings and shrimp are options too.
Service options are wide, including dine-in, drive-through, takeout, and delivery. Reservations are not accepted, though parking is plentiful and kids’ menus and high chairs are available.
Monday hours are shorter, 11 AM to 3 PM, and Tuesday through Saturday run 11 AM to 8 PM. Sunday is closed.
6. Ron’s Catfish, Jonesboro, AR
Come hungry to Dan Avenue, where all-you-can-eat catfish is served cafeteria-style. The homey spot also offers frog legs, shrimp, crab legs, smoked ribs, and crawfish.
The catfish steaks come out tender and flaky, and hushpuppies and pickled green tomatoes sit alongside. Desserts are generous and are part of the draw.
It is a no-table-service setup, so you serve yourself and settle in. Delivery and takeout are available, and the salad bar adds lighter choices.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 8 PM, with Sunday and Monday closed. Friday evening and Saturday afternoon fill up the most.
7. Mr. Whiskers, Hot Springs, AR
A lake-fishing theme sets the tone at this Malvern Avenue eatery. Catfish, shrimp, and chicken are made to order and served with fries.
Light, crispy breading is the common thread, and the fried shrimp are large. Hushpuppies come with the plates, and the portions are big enough to leave leftovers.
Choose counter service, dine-in, curbside pickup, or the drive-through. Free parking and a kids’ menu help with family outings.
It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM, and closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations are not taken, so arrive a bit early on Friday evenings.
8. Fred’s Fish House, Mountain Home, AR
Lake views and big fillets define this Highway 101 Cutoff restaurant. The catfish is thick, fried through, and often described by its sheer size.
Beyond catfish, the menu has a wide range of seafood and fish options, plus healthy choices. Sides get attention too, and dessert and coffee are highlights.
The mood is quieter than at some rivals, and outdoor seating is available. Dine in, take out, or use delivery, and a kids’ menu is offered.
Hours are 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, 11 AM to 9 PM Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM to 7 PM Sunday. Meals usually run $20 to $30 per person.
Share this story
