Catfish Restaurants in east TN (Knoxville, Cookeville: work, house, retirement)

[BarbG]

Hi, guys! You have been a treasure trove of great info, so I'm hoping someone can give me some input.

I love fried catfish every now and then, being a MS native, and so much of the nation's catfish coming from there . I know there's a C O C K of the Walk in Nashville, which we love, but I'm hoping to find a good catfish restaurant closer than two hours from the Knoxville area.

We love crispy fried fillets with the trimmings. The only place I've found so far that has good tasting fried catfish is Cowboy's over in Dandridge, and even that's not consistent. Aubrey's (Knoxville & Maryville) has a 'fancified' catfish that's good, but I long for just the simple fried catfish.

Anybody got a place they can recommend?

[inave]

Well, Barb, wish I could help but, having been born and raised in N.O. and living 20 years in MS, I can't STAND to even taste catfish or red beans (tho, not bragging since I don't know what they taste like, but I've been told I make great red beans!). I had PB&J sandwiches on red beans and rice nights while I was growing up. In fact, don't care much for watermelon so I'd get a snoball when the family went to the watermelon stand. Hey, thanks for the chance to relive some memories!

[JMT]

Originally Posted by BarbG

Hi, guys! You have been a treasure trove of great info, so I'm hoping someone can give me some input.

I love fried catfish every now and then, being a MS native, and so much of the nation's catfish coming from there . I know there's a C O C K of the Walk in Nashville, which we love, but I'm hoping to find a good catfish restaurant closer than two hours from the Knoxville area.

We love crispy fried fillets with the trimmings. The only place I've found so far that has good tasting fried catfish is Cowboy's over in Dandridge, and even that's not consistent. Aubrey's (Knoxville & Maryville) has a 'fancified' catfish that's good, but I long for just the simple fried catfish.

Anybody got a place they can recommend?

Well this might be a little far to drive, but if you want an adventure, there's a floating restaurant on Center Hill Lake that serves fresh catfish caught right there in the lake. It is sooooooo good. It's called Cookeville Boat Dock. It's nothing fancy, in fact it's the kind of place where you can walk in wearing just a bathing suit. But the catfish is outstanding, the hushpuppies are hot and not greasy, and the people who work there are delightful. And the backdrop is really beautiful, right there in a secluded part of the lake.

[BarbG]

LOL, inave, but were those good memories?

I know what you mean about N.O. and red beans & rice on Mondays. It's a law, I think. My step-mother was from N.O. and we had that on Mondays, fried chicken on Sundays, like clock-work. She DID make the best fried chicken, though.

[bbkaren]

Two places I can think of:

1. Lefty's Barbecue in Fairfield Glade has catfish on the menu, though I didn't try it. If it's anything like their other selections it should be amazing. Not very "East" though...

2. I remember reading in one of my Tennessee books about a restaurant (and I think, campground) where you can catch your own catfish and they'll cook it up for you. I don't believe you have to catch your own--I think they have some on hand as well. I think it may have been the Crosseyed Cricket in the Loudon/Kingston area (we kept going by the signs for the Cricket while we were down there). I'm not positive, I'll check when I get home. But, also not all that "East".

Good luck!

[greenva]

My hubby likes Carver's which is on Hwy 321 in Cosby...

[BarbG]

Originally Posted by JMT

Well this might be a little far to drive, but if you want an adventure, there's a floating restaurant on Center Hill Lake that serves fresh catfish caught right there in the lake. It is sooooooo good. It's called Cookeville Boat Dock. It's nothing fancy, in fact it's the kind of place where you can walk in wearing just a bathing suit. But the catfish is outstanding, the hushpuppies are hot and not greasy, and the people who work there are delightful. And the backdrop is really beautiful, right there in a secluded part of the lake.

We will definitely have to check this out! We don't mind driving for a good meal, especially in a beautiful setting

Originally Posted by bbkaren

Two places I can think of:

1. Lefty's Barbecue in Fairfield Glade has catfish on the menu, though I didn't try it. If it's anything like their other selections it should be amazing. Not very "East" though...

2. I remember reading in one of my Tennessee books about a restaurant (and I think, campground) where you can catch your own catfish and they'll cook it up for you. I don't believe you have to catch your own--I think they have some on hand as well. I think it may have been the Crosseyed Cricket in the Loudon/Kingston area (we kept going by the signs for the Cricket while we were down there). I'm not positive, I'll check when I get home. But, also not all that "East".

Good luck!

And we were just at Fairfield Glade the other weekend. I will have to write that one down. Thanks for the input!

Originally Posted by merrickmgtdotcom

My hubby likes Carver's which is on Hwy 321 in Cosby...

We go down that way from time to time. Will definitely have to try it out. Thanks!

[greenva]

Hubby also suggests the Bullfish Grill and Calhouns in Pigeon Forge :-)

[Milo Bloom]

Allison's Catfish Restaurant is just outside Maryville off US321. Turn left on Lane Drive and drive a half-mile or so until you see it. It's only open Fri-Sat night, FYI.

Very tasty...but a little bit pricey. But then again, I think a meal at a restaurant ought to cost no more than $10 unless it's super fancy, so I may not be the best judge of price.

If you want the BEST catfish ANYWHERE, then you will have to go over to Reelfoot Lake and eat at Boyette's Dining Room or the Blue Bank Fish House, both in Tiptonville. I prefer Boyette's, but both are top-notch. Mmmmmm.....fried catfish, white beans, onion rings to die for. Makes me want to do the 6 hour drive just for dinner!

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by bbkaren

2. I remember reading in one of my Tennessee books about a restaurant (and I think, campground) where you can catch your own catfish and they'll cook it up for you. I don't believe you have to catch your own--I think they have some on hand as well. I think it may have been the Crosseyed Cricket in the Loudon/Kingston area (we kept going by the signs for the Cricket while we were down there). I'm not positive, I'll check when I get home. But, also not all that "East".

Good luck!

Last I heard, the Cross-eyed Cricket closed it's restaurant since the owners are in semi-retirement. The campground is still open.