Where to Find the Best Fried Catfish in Oklahoma

A true Southern classic, fried catfish has always been an integral part of Oklahoma cuisine. Discover the best places to feast on freshly fried catfish with heaping helpings of coleslaw, hush puppies and green tomato relish with these nine stand-out catfish spots!

Give the house specialty a try at McGehee's Catfish Restaurant in Marietta.
Photo Credit: Lori Duckworth

Continue reading below

A special thanks to our advertisers

No matter where you are in Oklahoma, there’s an excellent catfish place nearby. Whether tucked away in the city or near the state border, these restaurants all share a simple approach to this classic dish: an emphasis on flavor and texture with as little fuss as possible.

McGehee's Catfish Restaurant - Marietta

Good things are always worth a little drive and the catfish you’ll find at McGehee’s is definitely a good thing. Located by an old airstrip near the Oklahoma/Texas border, McGehee’s serves up an all-you-can-eat catfish dinner that has been satisfying diners for decades. Pair your fish with plenty of mouthwatering, homemade hushpuppies, coleslaw and their famous green tomato relish.

Cajun King - Oklahoma City

An Oklahoma City standout, Cajun King serves up some of the best Cajun food in the state like gumbo, jambalaya, frog legs and, of course, fried catfish - very good fried catfish. Battered and fried to a light and flaky crisp, this catfish (especially when dunked in Cajun King’s house-made dipping sauce) can be downright addictive. Add in some red beans and rice and a basket full of the ever-present beignets, and you’ve got yourself a meal worth remembering.

Simon's Catch - Elk City

Simple, straightforward and utterly delicious, the food at Simon’s Catch in Elk City is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings. Their all-you-can-eat-catfish meal has been drawing hungry patrons from around the state since 1993. Perfectly seasoned and fried to a golden brown, this mouthwatering catfish is served with sides of chilled green tomato relish, hot hushpuppies, slow-cooked pinto beans and Aunt Tiny’s famous coleslaw. Top off your meal with a slice of homemade brownie pie for the perfect end to a great meal.

Bill's Fish House - Waurika

A longstanding favorite in southern Oklahoma, Bill’s Fish House is a relaxed, comfortable spot where diners have been enjoying expertly prepared fried catfish since 1962. Their farm-raised catfish is hand-trimmed, fileted in-house, coated with their specially seasoned cornmeal and then deep-fried to golden perfection. Enjoy your catfish with homemade tartar sauce, complimentary hushpuppies and a stunning view of the Red River valley.

Louie's Catfish Corner - Ardmore

At the wonderfully unique Catfish Corner, you can enjoy two top-notch restaurants under one roof. For over three decades, this Ardmore favorite has served scrumptious fried catfish with all the fixings alongside classic Mexican dishes with equally delicious results. Start your meal off with some fried green tomatoes or spicy fried pickles before you move on to their irresistible cornmeal breaded, Southern-fried catfish served in four, six or even ten piece servings. You certainly won’t leave Catfish Corner hungry.

The Lazy Fisherman - Bixby

Some of the finest Southern-style seafood in northeast Oklahoma can be found at the Lazy Fisherman in Bixby. Despite the name, the cooks at Lazy Fisherman take great care with their fish, frying it up in expert style and serving it with brown beans, hush puppies and coleslaw, all homemade. Don’t miss out on dessert at the Lazy Fisherman – look for their knock-out coconut cream and German chocolate pies, as well as their individual fried crescent pies filled with your choice of apple, cherry, apricot or peach.

White River Fish Market & Seafood - Tulsa

Tucked away near the Tulsa International Airport, the acclaimed White River Fish Market serves some of the finest seafood in the area. With fresh seafood flown in daily from around the world, the cooks at White River know to let the food speak for itself. All of their seafood, including the succulent catfish, is perfectly cooked to order in whichever style you choose: broiled, grilled or fried. You can even pick the cut you want from the display case. Sides, especially the homemade hushpuppies, are excellent. With such variety and quality, you’ll want to return to White River again and again.

Catfish Round-Up - Seminole

If your family loves catfish, bring them out to Seminole for a fun, delicious time at Catfish Round-Up. The fried catfish is breaded with a secret combination of herbs and spices and is reportedly so tasty that the restaurant goes through more than a half-ton of catfish each week. The side dishes and popular hot rolls round out this delicious feast, while the mouthwatering apple or blueberry fritters provide a sweet finish. Also, kids will love looking in the 750-gallon aquarium that greets visitors at the front door.

Steven's Gap Restaurant - Broken Bow

What’s better after a long day of exploring a place like Beavers Bend State Park or Broken Bow Lake than a hearty meal of tasty fried catfish? Find the answer at Steven’s Gap Restaurant, a favorite in the Hochatown and Broken Bow community. Visitors from around the region rave about its generous portions of flavorful catfish, hushpuppies, large onion rings, homemade pie and so much more. We think you’ll find your meal at Steven’s Gap to be a perfect end to a refreshing time in this beautiful area of the state.

See Related Pages

Order Related Brochures

Sign Up For Related E-mails

A special thanks to our advertisers

Find it fast on the map

back to top