Summer is for Catfish

Published 7/11/2011

Summer is for Catfish

The Retired Cooks Diary

By Suzette Pennington Munson

Summer fun when I was growing up included Catfish Fry’s and homemade Ice Cream and wonderful cakes and fresh fruit pies. With diet changes caused by health needs we have eliminated cakes and pies except for special occasions? Excluding Catfish from summer is one thing that Doug and I will probably never give up. We may give up white potatoes, white rice, white pasta and white bread but fried Catfish will not happen in this family.

Saturday night Doug and I drove to Wichita Falls to go to a movie and make a stop at the “Catfish Grill” at 1505 Southwest Parkway. The location is not close to the mall and if you are in a hurry to go south toward Henrietta you might miss the restaurant. It is at the last stop light heading out of town from the mall, or the first light coming into town. It is on the south side of Southwest Parkway and is in a strip mall next to a pool hall. Be sure to take time to find the restaurant because it is one of the best Catfish places in North Texas.

We happened on the “Catfish Grill” about a year ago on our way out of Wichita . We had spent the day shopping and had decided that the “pre fab” of the chain restaurants was not what we wanted for our last meal of the day. I had noticed the grill on the way into Wichita Falls and we were taking our time leaving, looking for the restaurant. IT was packed!!! That was a good sign!

The “Catfish Grill” has an extensive menu. Everything from Appetizers of chicken fried bacon (?) wet wings (?), burgers, salad bar, Chicken Fried Chicken, Steaks of all kinds and of course Fried Catfish and my personal favorite, Oysters. Fried, or fresh they have them and not even the best chain fish places offer Fried Oysters.

The owner Anthony Scott has done it right. He has good fast service and items on the menu for every taste. Though every time we have been there all I see people ordering is the Catfish. I would say that this is probably their most popular menu item.

We have been to many places claiming to have “fresh” fish and many fall short. Two that have hit the top of my list are the “Catfish Grill” in Wichita Falls and “Go Go Gumbo” in Boyd. Both have extremely fresh fish and though they are on opposite ends of the restaurant spectrum they have one thing in common……they do it right! They do it fast! Most of all they are affordable and family oriented.

Doug and I ordered the “All 3 for Dinner” it consisted of Fried Catfish, Fried Shrimp and Fried Oysters, with a choice of French fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Fried Okra, with hush puppies and cole slaw, needless to say we brought food home and enjoyed leftovers the next day. This whole meal was $15.99. For two adults that is reasonable for that much food $15 each is the most usual the price at better restaurants. So for just down to earth economics “Catfish Grill” gives you more for your dollar than the chain restaurants and with money as tight as it is, this is pure value.

When gas is $3.50+ a gallon to drive out of your way to eat it is a must that the food is Excellent, service must be Fast and the price Reasonable. “Catfish Grill” meets all of these requirements. So if you do go to Wichita Falls on business or pleasure, take the time to find the “Catfish Grill” it will be time well spent.