Jane wants good catfish she doesn’t have to drive to get and I promised her we’d turn to the bloggers’ experience for this. It does seem that every time a group gets together for catfish, there’s driving and often state lines involved. She’s looking for good catfish in town, preferably in East Memphis or Germantown.
I offer Soul Fish, with the disclaimer that it’s west of the Parkways. Still, you don’t even have to cross a county line to get there.
Sought and Found
Responses to “Help Jane find catfish”
February 25th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Definitely Soul Fish because not only is the fish good, but so are the sides.
I also like the catfish at Blue Monkey.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Catfish Cabin by the airport is one of our family traditions. You can’t pick someone up from the airport with stopping there for a welcome home meal. Soul Fish gets a vote from our house, too. The only place I can think of out east is the Tennessean in Collierville. They only have catfish on the lunch menu, but it’s really good catfish.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
This is not in line with the specific request, as it involves a bit of driving, but if you can believe it, the best catfish is served at Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis, AR. You can only get it in the area called “The Winner’s Edge.” They serve up two huge, meaty, juicy catfish fillets that are always served hot, as they only prepare them when they are ordered. With fries, slaw and hush puppies, it only costs about $6. Definitely the best I’ve had in the area, with Catfish Cabin coming in second.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Since crossing the state line isn’t an option, that leaves out Olive Branch Catfish Co. & Seafood Junction in Byhalia. But I also enjoy catfish & other seafood at Mortimer’s on Perkins between I-40 & Summer.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Southwind Fish at Winchester and Hacks Cross. Excellent fish with the decor of an authentic catfish joint (harsh florescent lighting, metal chairs, oil cloth tables). Just as good as the out of state guys.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
This will sound crazy but I swear I love the fried catfish at Rafferty’s. Yes, it is a chain restaurant and not even a great one but I’ve never been disappointed by their catfish platter. Crispy on the outside, thick & tender on the inside. I also like their catfish sandwich, which they took off the menu but will still make upon request.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Soul Fish is easily the best in the city. I refuse to eat catfish anywhere else. It’s easily worth the 20 minute drive from Germantown.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:15 am
The Flying Fish downtown across from the Peabody also has some very good catfish.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I should note that the one time I’ve been to Catfish Cabin (which is a whopping one-minute drive from work), the catfish was greasy and soggy, and the service was similar. When trying a new place, I’m fond of saying that it can only be bad once–this was definitely true of them.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Flying Fish is good, but a little too greasy for my tastes. Soul Fish gets my vote as well.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I’d like to suggest a few different options.
The Crenshaw Christmas Tree Farm in Trenton, TN. The Fuch’s family that used to have a restaurant in the Milan TN run the restaurant at the Christmas Tree Farm. The fish is great, and they have long hushpuppies. The atmosphere is unique, because it is a Christmas Tree Farm.
The other suggestion, if still open, is one of the better ones in Memphis. James’ and Jacks’ Catfish Shack on Mendenhall.
The Cajun Catfish Company in Sycamore View, if still open, is another suggestion that came to mind.
Another suggestion, not a reataurant, is a local parish. Why not check with the local Catholic Parish. Most Knights of Columbus Councils have Friday Fish Frys (well, I mean it is Lent).
The parishes that I am aware of that have Fish Frys are: St Frances-Cordova, Our Lady of Perpetual Help-Germantown, Incarnation-Collierville, Holy Rosary-East Memphis, St Louis-East Memphis, St William-Millington, Christ the King-Southaven, St Matthews-Milan TN(this week), and St Mary-Jackson, TN
Please check with a parish, if one plans to attend a fish fry on a particular Friday
February 26th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
How about driving just over into Fayette County, on Hwy. 70 (Summer Ave.)? In Gallaway, TN, right on Hwy. 70, a restaurant called County Line Catfish. They have very good catfish and their hushpuppies are excellent - and all you can eat (hushpuppies, that is). With your order, they also serve frieds, homemade pickle relish and a thick slab of onion. Add tea or coffee - all for less than $10. This restaurant is very simplistic - plank floors, and your food is served in plastic baskets.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I will always drive for catfish. My favorite is Braden Station in Braden, TN just beyond the aforementioned Galloway. About a 10 minute drive from Arlington. They are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 1 Sunday a month (for lunch, I think the 2nd Sun.) This is a buffet with whole catfish (my preference), filets, stuffed crab, shrimp (boiled & fried), clams, oysters, chicken tenders, 2 kinds of hushpuppies, country vegetables, pickled tomatoes, cobbler. I think it is around $14-15. The catfish and hushpuppies are excellent.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
D’bo’s not only have the best wings in town…they also have excellent catfish.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Re: Southwind Fish… I’m embarrassed to say that I assumed from the name and the storefront (which doesn’t look like a restaurant) that they sold FISH! Pet fish, in tanks, swimming! I’ll check it out.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I am somewhat of a catfish snob. I will drive for my catfish. We love the Bruinswick General Store. They only serve catfish for diner on Friday nights (we are going tonight). Here’s the deal if you do not like fried catfish or fried chicken don’t go that is all they have. Your sides are either fries, or a baked potato, with slaw, a pickle and a onion slice. They also have really great homemade desserts. I love the chocolate pie. The pies are like grandmas not pretty but so good.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Let me start with a statement. I hate buffets. Hate, hate, hate buffets. However, Leonard’s buffet has DELICIOUS catfish. It’s the only buffet in town that I’ll eat. The catfish is great.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Two other suggestions. There’s a place in Rossville (I can’t remember the name) that has great catfish. Also, Gus’s Chicken Downtown has catfish on Mondays. It’s really good.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:03 am
The Rossville restaurant is the Wolf River Cafe. I remember it as good catfish, but I haven’t been in years.
March 1st, 2008 at 10:15 am
McEwen’s On Monroe (Downtown Memphis) has a great Sweet Potato crusted Catfish that is served with Mac & Cheese. It’s great and not fried. You should try it.
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