While visiting friends in Lakeland, they suggested we try out Catfish Country. Believe me, their suggestion definitely didn't disappoint. It was lunchtime and the parking lot was about 3/4 full...a good sign. Prior to entering the front door, I couldn't help but notice numerous license plates from around the country attached to the ceiling of the entry. We were welcomed by a maritime theme, again, along with numerous license plates tacked up in numerous places on the wall. I immediately noticed a few amateur "ham" radio plates. We were greeted by a friendly hostess. The place was bustling with the sounds of many customers chatting and laughing as we were escorted to our table. She presented us with menus and told us our waitress would be there shortly. After a short while we were welcomed by Madison, a lovely, young "bubbly" waitress. She presented us with their complimentary signature biscuits with cinnamon butter and their delicious coleslaw. We had already reviewed the menu and were eager to try their Alligator Nuggets w/horseradish dipping sauce and an order of Fried Calamari. We gave her that and our drink menu. She would be back shortly for our main menu selections. In the meantime, we sampled those excellent biscuits and cinnamon butter and coleslaw. Both...delicious! My wife and I were both there for their catfish, which was recommended by our friends. I got their blackened catfish sandwich and their criss-cut sweet potato fries. My wife got her catfish sandwich southern fried along with the same sweet potato fries I had ordered. Our friends ordered their mahi-mahi with fries and shrimp and scallops linguine with Alfredo sauce. Madison came back shortly with our appetizers. My wife was the only one of our group that hadn't tried alligator before. She was very surprised, commenting that it tasted like chicken. Ha Ha! Both appetizers were excellent. After a short while, the kitchen staff came out with our main menus. Lovely presentations on all of them, and "first bites" were all well-approved! Madison returned a short while later asking how everything was going. We shared our delight with all the meals. Of course, there was no way any of us could possibly have finished our meals, so Madison came back with plenty of "to-go" boxes. It was a very worthwhile experience for us...and our friends who were delighted we had enjoyed our time there. It will be a definite return visit when we come back. Hats off to Madison and the staff that gave us all a very memorable experience at Catfish Country! read more

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We had a very good lunch here. We were traveling cross state to visit family for the holidays. Our usual lunch stop is now sadly closed, so we had to do a new search on Yelp. Found this restaurant as a convenient stop enroute. We entered right when they opened and there were already a few tables occupied. We were greeted by friendly Madison, our server, who could not have been cuter or nicer. The meal started out with warm biscuits and cinnamon butter. So good you could just eat these. We each chose a different fish dish from their lunch menu. Since they are named "catfish" country, I decided to get that. My husband ordered the cod. We chose the fish to be fried -- and they were lightly battered pieces and perfectly cooked. Each basket came with two sides. I got green beans and a baked potato. He had collards and cheesy grits. We both loved our fish choices. The only thing that I didn't care for were the green beans -- more like pole beans and peppery southern style (as in mushy). He thought his collards and grits were wonderful. I think we've found a new favorite place to stop mid-state. read more

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Traveling on the road to visit family for the holidays and my wife found this place at a convenient stopping off location. The interior is large, bright and inviting. We were greeted and seated immediately. Our server, (Sweet) Madison, brought menus and explained some of their most popular dishes. While we're looking at the menus she brought some warm biscuits with cinnamon butter... Delicious! I chose a Cod basket with Cheese grits and Collards. I was very happy as everything was very good and cooked just right for me! The restrooms are spotless! Great food Great Service Service. Thank you Madison and Catfish Country for a delightful lunch! read more

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My wife and I stopped in for a anniversary lunch and we were happy we did. Let's start with the people. They were awesome super friendly made you feel at home. 9.5 for the people and atmosphere . Now for the fish sweet potatoes and collard greens. 8.9 delicious the shrimp and mashed potatoes 9.2 again delicious. The biscuits are good with the cinnamon butter coleslaw was ok. This is a great place a must try all and all 9.3 . We live in Riverview and we will be back for more. read more

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Great food. Scallops Fish & Shrimp were seasoned perfectly & baked to perfection. Cassie went above & beyond as a server. First time here but won't be the last. read more

Best seafood in the area. Reasonably priced. Exceptional service. More than catfish. Beer and wine available. Jennifer has been our server twice and her service is exemplary. After one visit she already knew our preferences. Food is great. Served hot with lots of sides to choose from. read more

Lunch with my brother Jonathan. I had the Caesar salad with grilled shrimp and it was huge. So delicious! The salad was crisp, the dressing was tangy, the shrimp were the perfect size and tasted perfect. My brother had the fish fingers and fries. Large portion, lots of pieces and the fish is very good and nice and flaky. Our server brought over some free biscuits with a tasty butter. The ambiance is very nice. It is a large restaurant, but get there early as it gets packed. read more

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The food here is absolutely delicious. There are a few items I wouldn't recommend (particular the hush puppies because they're just so dry), but most everything else is amazing. Before every very meal you get biscuits (lightly and fluffy with a tasty cinnamon butter) and the most deliciously sweet Cole slaw you've ever put in your mouth. Those two complimentary items are worth the trip all by themselves. Though of course buy something. We got the sampler platter on this last trip and I would recommend just getting the clams or the corn fritters. The other items were just ok. The cheese grits are phenomenal. Very creamy but not overwhelming with cheesiness. And the grits themselves were perfectly spiced and tasted like they had just been fresh ground at the mill. Absolute perfection in preparation. The servers are all really nice and did a good job of checking on us and keeping our drinks topped off. read more

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The food was really tasty with pretty big portions. You most likely won't go home hungry. The bbq beans and fries were excellent. The fish was delicious I like it with ketchup. The server was helpful with the menu and kept my iced tea filled. The atmosphere was kind of old fashioned with license plates on wall. Lots of tables for dining can get busy at times. read more

Catfish Country - Fish and chips and bbq beans. - Southern Near Me - Bartow, Florida

Stopped in for lunch during a road trip and this place was a great surprise. I s should have known it was gonna be good whdn i pulled in a few minutes prior to opening and there was a line out front of people waiting for the place to open. Every was sat quickly and the dining room almost filled by time i left. The first thing o noticed was how cute the place was. Neatly kept and very clean. It had a fun touristy southern thing going on. I came in a weekend so the early bird specials were in full effect and they were good. I got the catfish because it must be a classic here. Catfish fried 2 ways, Regular or New Orleans style. I got the original, and it was big filets and they were moist and meaty. Delish!!! The coleslaw that came with the meal (before i even ordered!) Was fantasic too. The service was also amazing. My server was friendly fun and very attentive. If this place was closer to me, i definitly would be a regular. read more

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Yep still five stars for me! The food is always on point. The coleslaw is the best I've tasted anywhere! Service always great! Thank you Jalen for being so cheerful and charming! If you haven't gone to Catfish Country yet please make the drive. They will not disappoint. read more

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Busy during the lunch time. Local favorite for seafood especially the catfish. This is their trade name. We were here after twelve and we still get the order without wait. We all got blackened grouper. The meal come with two sides. I got the collar green and rice. The grouper has spicy blackened. It is good flavor. Also the grouper is big in quantity. Overall is a good experience. read more

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Service was great - Amy was our waitress. Food is meh & pretty over priced but that's to be expected with seafood. I've had much better from Captain D's especially the hush puppies. read more

Catfish Country - Menu - Southern Near Me - Bartow, Florida

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First off, I'll just say YUMMM!!! We've been several times and the restaurant is always packed. However, the wait time has never been bad. The service was great and the food was great. It's a fun place with a very casual dining experience. We will definitely be back. read more

Food was terrible and greasy. I left a $5 cash tip on the table, I checked my bank statement after I left and they charged me an extra $5 on card. Would not recommend, they steal from you. read more

Good food, well made fish and for those that don't like fish, there are options! I like the salmon

This place isn't just about putting great food on the table, they seem to give equal priority to making sure that you come back. Complimentary biscuits, cole slaw and a hush puppy thrown in for good measure. All incredible! And that's just the comps. I had to have the 4 Piece Catfish Dinner (fried of course) this being Catfish Country. Excellent light breading. Very tasty. My wife had the Crab Cakes (real lump crab in there!). Giant sweet potato, good collards and very nice Pinot Grigio. It starts at the front. The parking lot was packed (always a good sign). Given a 20-25 minute wait, the hostesses proceeded to let us know that "the wait is worth it", "by the time you get to someplace else, the wait might be the same and you would have added the additional drive time, but it would be as good as here...". We were sold. The server was polite, professional and courteous. The food came quickly. A manager came by and asked how everything was. I later saw her bussing tables too. Once again, it's more than great food. It's great people. We will definitely be back! read more

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We stopped on for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and were greeted with outstanding service and absolutely fantastic food at a great price (just around 100 bucks before tip for a party of 4!). From the cole slaw & warm biscuits immediately delivered when we sat down to the giant appetizer sampler and each of our entrees (fried catfish, steak, blackened grouper & a HUGE grouper sandwich respectively) everything was on point! Lucky little stop for us and we will certainly be back when we are in the area again! read more

Now that I discovered this true gem, I can't possibly visit the area and not make it a point to stop here. This seafood restaurant is one of my true favorites in all my travels. I remember the first time I came here less than a year ago and when I noticed that they actually bring you coleslaw and biscuits I thought to myself well if it's free it can't be that great. I couldn't have been more wrong. The coleslaw is by far the best. So much so that I preferred what felt like 5 pounds of it to go. The hush puppies and the sweet corn fritters are a great start to any meal as well as the biscuits and coleslaw. I never learn my lesson about filling up too much before the entree and that's ok.. I got to enjoy two meals out of this visit. Also highly recommend the desserts. Both times I've visited here I made it a point to get a dessert to go. The carrot cake and the chocolate cake are amazing! Service here is amazing. Everyone hustles to deliver and get you fed quickly. Great servers with great hospitality and personalities. I just can't get enough of this place! read more

Serving up the best catfish I've ever had the pleasure to eat. I could make a meal on the complimentary coleslaw and biscuits alone. They make you feel so welcome no matter how busy it is. Great variety on the menu and budget friendly too. read more

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I came to this restaurant starving on Sunday and they had the doors locked 15 minutes before closing and the hostess didn't even acknowledge or say anything about them closing early. read more

Super cute place!!! Service was fantastic!!! Very kind people and the food was AWESOME!!!! Will drive an hour back here!!! read more

Catfish Country - Catfish - Southern Near Me - Bartow, Florida

When you walk in it is so cute. There is a definite fishing vibe going on and some of the booths have aquarium scenes painted on the wall, adorable. Super friendly service and people there. Menu is good and reasonably priced. The portions are good and the taste was great. Everything was hot and fresh. The only thing I didn't care for and this is only a personal preference, is the smoke flavor in the collards and I was told by a friend that it was in the green beans also. But that is just me so if you like that then you will enjoy them. I had the fried clams scallops and shrimp and it was delicious and not greasy at all. Nice and crispy breading. Really worth the trip. read more

Definitely not what it used to be. Went for lunch recently and was so disappointed. They used to give the table a bowl of coleslaw. No more. Now it's $4. The sides were terrible. I got green beans and mashed potatoes. The green beans were flat pole beans and seasoned so hot, I couldn't eat them. The mashed potatoes weren't the loaded ones. I ordered plain, but they had long strings of potato peel and hard crunchy things that I couldn't identify. The catfish was tiny little pieces and more fried breading than catfish. Our lunch for two was almost $60. What a waste. I had so looked forward to going there again. What a let down. On the upside, the staff was very friendly and attentive. read more

Amazing food! Best fried green tomatoes I have ever had. Staff was amazing, especially Jada. Very clean and a comfortable setting. They give you Cole slaw and biscuits for free, all you can eat. She even sent us home with some. But, be aware, their portions are huge. They also have all you can eat catfish. My husband got the calamari and lobster bisque soup. One of my favorite spots now. This place is a must!! read more

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Great good food. Amazing service from Cass! Do yourself a favor and stop by with the family for a good time. read more

Catfish Country - Southern Near Me - Bartow, Florida

Terrible place, dirty and food is not good at all. Not a fun place to have dinner it's small and cramped. I live near it and the parking can be horindiois. read more

Food was good & plentiful. Service was barely adequate. No offer to refill drinks. No checking on if we needed anything except for the offer of boxes before we even finished eating. No dessert offered. Definitely a bum's rush. There were many available tables so I don't understand the lack of decent service. My first visit & I doubt I'll return. Table 61 at 11. read more

I consider the food the service and the ambience. Just a very low-key restaurant that brings you enough biscuits and slaw and spring onions to the table to make a meal before you even order your food but the food is really awesome but don't Venture from the catfish it's what they specialize in and it's delicious read more

My husband and I went let me tell you if you go there you can get full I!!!!you won't leave hungry!!! I haven't been to a restaurant in this long that that actually gives you as much food as this place does !!!!!!think my eyes are bigger than my stomach. they start off by giving you biscuits and coleslaw. So yummy !!We had an appetizer ! Have a sampler platter as you can see it has everything on it that was like a meal in itself ! My husband had cod !!!i had fried crab clams shrimp everything was amazing the place was immaculate, so clean.! The food was amazing and my waitress was even better Jada thank you so much for taking such wonderful care of my husband and I your hospitality greatly appreciated and we go back. We will be sure to ask for you l! read more

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Fun little spot! Local gem and a must experience! We had lots of fun trying different menu items to include frog legs! We decided to pick off the fried layers and try the meat itself. We had a reservation for 5 adults and 2 kids at 6:30, we were sat maybe 20 minutes late. This is definitely a local favorite and would return but we should of ordered less fried we were fried out after our appetizers. * Our tables favorites were the alligator nuggets, jumbo stuffed shrimp and surf & turf. * Least favorite was the fried green tomato's; they were very oily on the inside read more

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The food was amazing the atmosphere was great too Maddison our server was the best she was on top of anything we needed drinks food etc and always had a pleasant smile even offered to take a family pic of us all too thank you as you don't get that style of service anymore please let your boss know this when your review comes up thank you and we will be back read more

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Service was fast, food was acceptable but nothing fantastic. Brought coleslaw and biscuits right way. Plate was filling and had good taste. DH enjoyed the catfish and I had the broiled seafood trio plate. Crab stuffed fish was very good. Prepackaged condiments. read more

Catfish Country - 4pc Catfish Trio Sweet Potato Yellow Rice - Southern Near Me - Bartow, Florida

Great place to get your belly full. Delicious food, great staff and unique atmosphere make this place a must stop whenever we are nearby. read more

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food is really great here! never disappointed when we come! I got coconut shrimp which is excellent and the Cole slaw out of this world! I love the hush puppies and the bake potato fresh and fabulous! waitress was awesome and the atmosphere is really nice! love this place! read more

Our cousins, who live locally, suggested Catfish Country as a great place to meet up with them while we are vacationing in the area. We were not disappointed. The ambiance is country casual and comfortable. The greeter was welcoming and arranged a table for 6 quickly. Our server was pleasant, efficient and responsive. She served without hovering over the table and there was no rush to move us out as we enjoyed our meal and conversation. Water, biscuits, and bowls of cole slaw were put out to share as we were seated. Our orders included the catfish, grouper, and scallops. The fish tasted fresh, well seaoned, and cooked to order. Grouper portions were much larger than those we had in another trendier restaurant on the previous night. Side items were good. We will eat here again and will recommend it to others looking for a good meal in a casual setting. read more

Catfish Country - Southern Near Me - Bartow, Florida

Such a cute, on theme restaurant. The staff are so considerate and friendly. My family and I had the broiled scallops, ribs and beans, fried catfish, and coconut shrimp. We had the sampler platter for an appetizer as well. All the food was so yummy and service was quick. read more

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Ordered the four piece catfish blackened. It was very greasy and did not taste very good. I didn't eat it all. Also had the green beans as a side and didn't care for them. Not sure how they have been voted best catfish for 30 years. I don't plan to ever go back. read more

Always good Service Love the coleslaw Early meal is pretty good deal Food is always hot Good fish n chips read more

I gave my husband a couple of choices of places to go for his birthday on Wednesday and he chose Catfish Country Restaurant, a place we had not tried before. We will definitely go back to try more of their seafood. The biscuits alone were worth the trip for us. Light, fluffy, just a hint of salt (more savory than sweet) - absolutely divine. I could have eaten a dozen of those. The coleslaw was very fresh, cold and crisp, but slightly on the sweet side. I prefer more tart or vinegary, but my husband liked it. We did have an appetizer - the Sampler Platter (not pictured, I forgot - GASP!). It was an all fried selection of chicken wings, clam strips, onion rings, corn fritters, pickles and green tomatoes. No, we were not able to eat the whole thing, we took more than half home with us. It was all good. The fried green tomatoes were a little on the limp side, but the tomatoes they used were fantastic. Like sweet and tart. Just perfect. Included with the platter was a horseradish sauce that was just right for many of the appetizers. The waitress, on her own, brought us a cup of ranch as well, which was very thoughtful. For dinner, my husband chose the grilled grouper and the garlic mashed potatoes with gravy on the side. The grouper was a very generous size and the potatoes were just right. He really enjoyed every bite. I was planning on ordering the catfish until I saw they had beer battered haddock, so I had to order that, along with the loaded baked potato. (Both were very generous in size and I brought half of each home.) Good flavor from the batter and the haddock was cooked perfectly. The waitress brought me malt vinegar as soon as I asked. Both meals came with hush puppies which were excellent. The service there was outstanding. Our waitress was prompt & efficient and we were also taken care of by others, bussing, etc. The food was good quality for the price. The place was very clean and all but one worker was masked. read more

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