Friday nights in Texas just hit differently when crispy fried catfish, golden hushpuppies, and homemade sides are on the table. Some restaurants have been serving these Southern favorites for generations, keeping traditions alive one plate at a time.
One spot has been frying catfish inside a historic building dating back to 1873, while another opens only two nights a week. There’s also a family-run favorite that started with just ten tables and forty seats.
From small-town fish barns to longtime local favorites, these seven Texas restaurants prove that a good old-fashioned fish fry never goes out of style. Each one brings its own flavor, history, and Southern charm to the table.
1. David Beard’s Catfish King
Some family recipes stay in a drawer, but this one went on to feed East Texas. The hushpuppies here come from David Beard’s mother’s original recipe.
The story starts in 1969, when David Beard opened Catfish Village near Ore City. His mother made the hushpuppies, and his brother helped haul live fish.
That’s a true family business, with everyone pitching in. A second Catfish Village later opened in Longview, and the brand kept growing from there.
Today, David Beard’s Catfish King has locations across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The chain still serves East Texas through locations in Tyler, Lufkin, and Mount Pleasant, among other cities.
So what should you order? The catfish dinners come in three sizes called the Regular Catch, Special Catch, and Super Catch.
Each one comes in classic or Cajun style, so you can pick your heat level. Feeling mild tonight? Go classic and save the spice for next Friday.
Not in a fried mood? Grilled catfish is on the menu too, which is handy if someone at your table wants a lighter plate.
The dinners arrive with hushpuppies, fries, beans, and coleslaw. That’s a full Friday spread without any extra effort on your part.
Now, about that tomato relish. The restaurant calls it famous, and it’s a fun extra to spoon next to your fillets.
Gumbo and shrimp platters round out the menu for anyone who wants to branch out. A cup of gumbo before the main event sounds like a smart plan to me.
The real charm here is knowing where the food came from. A mom’s recipe from 1969 is still showing up in baskets today.
That kind of staying power doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a family cares about getting the little things right, one hushpuppy at a time.
Address: 1100 US-59 Loop N, Livingston, TX 77351
2. Catfish Sam’s
Arlington has changed a lot since 1952, yet one family has kept feeding the city the whole time. Catfish Sam’s says it has served Arlington since that year.
Catfish joined the story in 1990. The restaurant is known as the oldest one in Arlington still run by the same family, which is a pretty proud title.
The building itself went up in 1970. So you’re eating in a spot with more than half a century of history behind its walls.
Let’s talk fish. The kitchen uses U.S. farm-raised catfish, served as crispy fillets, mini strips, or whole catfish dinners.
The Mini Strip Dinner is a popular pick, especially if you like more crunchy edges per bite. Who doesn’t want extra crispy corners?
Shrimp fans can go for the Shrimp Basket Dinner. Can’t decide at all? Sam’s Combo Special lets you skip the hard choice.
Every meal comes with hushpuppies, so nobody leaves without at least one. The sides lineup is where things get fun.
You’ll find coleslaw, pinto beans, tomato relish, and pickled okra. That pickled okra adds a tangy snap that cuts right through fried food.
Then there are the homemade rolls. Rolls at a catfish joint are a sweet surprise, and they’re great for mopping up your plate.
Timing matters here, so plan ahead. Catfish Sam’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays. Friday night fits right into the schedule, which feels like the way it should be.
A place that has stuck with one family this long has clearly figured out its rhythm. You just have to show up hungry and pick your basket.
Address: 2735 W Division St, Arlington, TX 76012
3. Catfish Parlour
Jalapeno tartar sauce might be the most Texas thing ever poured into a little cup. At Catfish Parlour in Austin, it comes with the meal.
Dave Kerbow founded the restaurant in 1973. It’s still family-owned and has been part of Austin dining for more than fifty years.
That’s a long run in a city famous for change. Plenty of trends have come and gone while these fryers kept going.
The star is fresh U.S. farm-raised catfish. It gets fried in trans fat-free oil, a detail the restaurant proudly points out.
Meals come with house-made coleslaw, savory pinto beans, and homemade hush puppies. Then that zesty jalapeno tartar sauce joins the party.
Honestly, the tartar sauce alone might be worth the trip. Regular tartar suddenly feels a little shy next to it.
Bringing a group with mixed cravings? The menu goes well beyond fried catfish, so you can keep the peace.
Grilled options are available for lighter appetites. Fried oysters and jumbo shrimp are there for seafood lovers who want variety.
Chicken fried steak covers the folks who skip fish entirely. Desserts are on the menu too, so save a little room.
Friday and Saturday hours run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday hours run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., while Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The restaurant calls itself family-friendly with a comfortable setting. That makes it an easy pick for a big table with kids and grandparents.
Live up north? A second location sits in Georgetown, but the Austin spot on East Ben White is the one with the longer story.
Address: 4705 E Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78744
4. Vernon’s Kuntry Katfish
Ten tables and forty seats. That’s how Vernon and Mary Bowers started Kuntry Katfish in Conroe back in 1984.
Small beginnings can lead to big things. The restaurant has stayed family-owned and operated since Vernon’s passing in 2001.
Decades of family recipes still shape the menu today. I love that a husband-and-wife dream kept going for the next generation.
Now for the main attraction. The fried catfish platter features fish in a traditional cornmeal batter, fried in peanut oil.
Cornmeal brings that classic Southern crunch. Peanut oil is an old-school choice too, and it fits the spirit of this place nicely.
Here’s a friendly bonus. Complimentary hushpuppies hit the table, made with chopped onion and peppers.
Free hushpuppies are a great way to start any meal. Just try not to fill up before your platter even arrives.
Pickled green tomatoes also show up, and they’re a fun twist. Their tang balances the richness of fried food really well.
Not a fish fan? The chicken fried steak is another popular dish, so your steak-loving cousin can come along too.
Then there’s the blackberry cobbler. A Friday fish fry that ends with cobbler sounds like a week well finished.
Vernon’s is known for generous portions, so you may want a to-go box. Leftover cobbler for Saturday breakfast? No judgment here.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the doors stay open until 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, hours end at 8:30 p.m.
Address: 5901 W Davis St, Conroe, TX 77304
5. Clear Springs Restaurant
Cotton, dancing, and catfish all share a history under one roof. The New Braunfels building started life in 1873 as the Clear Springs Hall and Store.
Over the years, it served as cotton storage, a dance hall, and a gathering spot. Clear Springs Restaurant opened inside it in 1986.
The restaurant has kept the historical feel of the old structure. So your Friday dinner comes with a side of Texas history.
The catfish is billed as world famous, which is a bold claim. It has a light cornmeal batter with a slight kick.
That little kick keeps things interesting without overpowering the fish. It’s a nice middle ground for mild and spicy eaters alike.
Speaking of spice, the hushpuppies here contain jalapenos. In Texas, adding peppers to fried things is practically a hobby.
Don’t skip the onion rings. They also carry the world famous label, and a basket for the table is a smart move.
Want more variety? Fried shrimp, Cajun gumbo, chicken fried steak, and fish tacos are all on the menu.
Fish tacos at a historic catfish hall feel like a fun crossover. Old building, new twist, and plenty of crunch.
Hours are friendly to night owls on the weekend. The restaurant opens daily at 11 a.m., but visitors should confirm Friday and Saturday closing times before heading out.
The restaurant generally lists a 9 p.m. closing time, although its published weekend hours differ between official pages.
Not many places let you eat catfish where folks once stored cotton and danced. That’s a story worth telling over a plate of rings.
Address: 1692 Hwy 46 South, New Braunfels, TX 78130
6. Cook’s Fish Barn
Most restaurants want you any day of the week. This one in Comanche keeps it simple with just two nights.
Cook’s Fish Barn opens Fridays from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Saturdays run from 4 to 9:30 p.m., and it’s closed the rest of the week.
That schedule makes Friday feel like an event. Miss it, and you’re waiting for Saturday or next week.
The building matches the name with a rustic, barn-like look. It gives the place a down-home feel that fits a country fish fry.
Out on Highway 36, it’s the kind of spot you plan a drive around. Call it a small adventure with a tasty reward.
Fried catfish is the signature dish. It’s seasoned and fried to a crispy golden brown, which is exactly what a fish barn should promise.
Got a big appetite? The All You Can Eat Catfish Dinner is a notable offering, so pace yourself wisely.
Shrimp and oysters are on the menu too. That’s good news for anyone who wants a little variety on the plate.
Save room for dessert, though. Homemade pies are part of the lineup, and pie after catfish is a fine tradition.
Comanche sits in Central Texas, away from the big city rush. A slower setting suits a meal that’s meant for lingering.
Bring friends, bring family, and bring patience for that second plate. All-you-can-eat nights are best enjoyed without hurrying.
Honestly, a weekend-only fish barn feels like a throwback in the best way. It turns dinner into something you look forward to all week.
Address: 3669 TX-36, Comanche, TX 76442
7. The Catfish House
Frog legs on a Friday night? At The Catfish House in Carrollton, that’s a real option.
The menu goes beyond fillets with whole catfish, frog legs, shrimp, and oysters. That lineup gives curious eaters plenty to explore.
All seafood here is cooked to order. So your plate comes out of the kitchen made for you, not sitting under a lamp.
The fried catfish is the main draw. It’s breaded, seasoned, and served crispy and hot.
Simple is often best with catfish. A good crust and fresh fish don’t need much fuss to shine.
Feeling brave? Try the frog legs alongside your fish. It’s a classic Southern pairing and a fun story for the drive home.
Whole catfish is another throwback choice. Eating fish on the bone takes a little work, but plenty of folks think it’s worth it.
It’s a family restaurant, so bringing the kids is easy. A clean dining room and friendly staff help the night run smoothly.
Hours are generous too. The Carrollton spot is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
That late close is handy for a Friday that runs long. You can still grab a hot basket after a busy week.
The restaurant is known as a go-to for Southern-style seafood in North Texas. That reputation comes from steady cooking, not flashy gimmicks.
Sitting in a strip center on Old Denton Road, it proves you don’t need a fancy setting. A good fryer and a loyal crowd can carry a place a long way.
Address: 3108 Old Denton Rd #103, Carrollton, TX 75007
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