This is our favorite Catfish Restaurant in East Texas. We have never been disappointed here. The food is great and the service is excellent. The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet. My wife and I enjoy the chance to talk without having to yell across the table. It is quiet and relaxing. We always get the 3 piece fish and baked potato. It comes with their coleslaw and hush puppies. The hush puppies are great and huge!!! I also like the fries which are hand made and freshly cut. The baked potato is a better value and I have yet to finish one even though I am normally a big eater! I highly recommend Catfish Palace. They also have BBQ available Thursday-Saturday. read more

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Best part of this place was the Tea & Baked Potato..I ask the waitress 3 times was this real Catfiish she said yes absolutely! After bring it to me and I looked at it I knew 100% this was Swi a Vietnamese catfish because real Texas Catfish don't curl up when fried. I should have sent it back but they will probably reserve to someone else being I didn't touch it. Shrimp was OK and hushpuppys lol were like golf balls. Anyway 23 00 lunch I'm sure she had to get the tip out of that being she was so honest. Then ask me when I was paying for how was it. I said just like I thought it would be. O" you didn't like I love it I think about it all day. Lady go tell that to someone else. I highly recommend not eating her!!! read more

Catfish Palace - This is some nasty ass vitamese fish they will tell you straight to your face it's real catfish..fricken joke - New American Near Me - Athens, Texas

I had the fried shrimp & fish platter with some sweet tea. The food was great ! Best CATFISH I've eaten. Shrimp was good as well; but the Catfish was the best. And the lady that served our table was very nice and polite. She came to our table a few times, asking if everything was all right. The atmosphere was laid back. A few people were there, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. All in All, I give Catfish Palace a Big 5 Star rating. read more

I was in search of some fabulously fried catfish in the Athens area- this was one of the spots that popped up. Then name was familiar since I remember there being a CP in Tyler that was excellent. Stopped in and got some catfish along with a baked potato and cole slaw. Catfish had decent flavor but was rubbery... only ate half of it, discarded the rest. Baked potato could have been a bit softer. The big body hush puppy looked amazing but wasn't. The flavor and consistency was off, the texture was fine. The best part of the meal was the cole slaw. I'd give it an 8 out of ten. Clean dining area for the most part and friendly service. read more

The catfish was very well cleaned with no grey underbelly that some catfish places serve. We had to take most of the of it home. Very glad we were finally able to stop in. Very friendly staff and good food. It's fresh and made to order. read more

My wife and I began eating here when we moved to Athens 5 years ago. We saw it take a dive in quality for a little while but gave it another chance after an ownership change. We are very glad we did! The fish, coleslaw & hushpuppies (when fresh) are out of this world good! You do have to catch the fries on a good day. Definitely a 4.5 star place and a 5 star, every once in a while. Recommended! read more

Great food and service ! Would go back again and again Friendly, fast, and awesome food read more

Y'all, this is the best fried catfish and hush puppies I've ever had at a restaurant! The fries are fresh cut (not frozen)! It's no frills dining at it best! Check them out. You'll agree! read more

We just happened to be in the area (Saturday), and it was time to eat. Used YELP to see what was available in Canton. We came across Catfish Palace and thought we'd give it a try. This was about 3:30pm, and nobody was there, but a guy started to bring in Music Equipment, so I'm guessing they have Live Music later. Anyways... the I had the Fried Catfish and my wife had the Grilled. BOTH were EXCELLENT!!! read more

We ordered a Catfish Basket, to pick-up & got it open at home (about 20-25 minutes), the fish looked good, however, either way the fish was unlikely to be actually Catfish. It was perhaps the driest fish we have ever eaten. In addition, it had no flavor at all. Will not be coming back. read more

Even though their hours of opening are a little variable which I assume is due to help availability their catfish is BY FAR the best fish in the entire area! Everyone blows about Wade's but Catfish Palace has them beat to smithereens! I tend to like my hush puppies with garlic and onion BUT theirs are HUGE and have a little spicy kick to them. Good coleslaw or salad bar. I will be going back to try their shrimp next time. Definitely give them a try. You won't regret it! read more

Ya gotta go here if you like catfish. So good. The 3 piece is almost more than you can eat. I could never do the all you can eat. Fish fresh, breading and cooking spot on. Staff attentive and friendly. Prices reasonable...they also do grilled if you are not into fried...I am into fried... read more

Catfish Palace - Simple menu, great catfish. - New American Near Me - Athens, Texas

Picked up two catfish dinners to go on Friday at noon. Took them to eat with a friend who lived about ten minutes away. We were both amazed at how perfect the fish, baked potatoes, cole slaw and hush puppies tasted. When I say amazed, I really mean stunned! We were both so overwhelmed with our meals that I decided to call and thank them for such a wonderful experience and at an extraordinarily reasonable price. This is catfish and sides like I remember as a child at the Methodist Church fish fry in Larue, Texas. Clean, delicious and fresh. Will definitely be going back again and again as long as it is what we experienced on Friday. Hats off to this place. Yum! read more

I was there last night. I love going there. The food is wonderful. The shrimp were so good. There chocolate pie was to die for!!! I recommend going there you won't be sorry. read more

This place has changed so much. Love the new owners! The indoor dining area is really cool to see. The seating is spacious and comfortable. The food is the bomb, top notch! Hot and fresh served up quick! Love the seasoning and taste of the food. I appreciate the wonderful staff here. Very helpful. Love coming here with my family. read more

Best catfish and shrimp I've had in a very long time! The service was friendly in this hidden gem! Extremely fresh large portions, everything was like joining your family for a fish fry with fresh catch of the day. I don't live close, but I promise to return. By the way, opt for the hand cut fries, they are FIRE! read more

Food was excellent! Had the 4 piece catfish and clam strips for appetizer. Will be mailing this a frequent stop for the family!! Only had one waitress for a Sat. Night but she was moving and gave excellent service. Place could need a few updates, but we come for the food.... And the food did not disappoint, if anything it exceeded!! read more

When these owners took over they stopped serving fish dinners on plates and served in a plastic basket. I was disappointed, by the fish, baked potatoes, tomato relish, Cole slaw, shrimp and clams were still good. Always enjoyed eating there. Have been a customer for several years. Today I decided to try the chicken fried steak with baked potato. It was very small, and not very good, not tenderized. The baked potato was cold, wouldn't even melt the soft butter! The Cole slaw and beans were good. If this had been my first time, I would never go back, even tho the service was good. I will continue to go back for the fish, shrimp and clams, but will never have their chicken fried steak again!! It was terrible! read more

I asked the lady at the front when I walked in if the catfish the real or other type fish. She said it was the real catfish. The lady's attitude was so bad I asked her if she was okay. Not only did she have an awful attitude, the fish was not the real catfish. I took one bite from the six piece meal I bought, covered it with a napkin, paid and left. Food is too expensive for people to have such bad attitudes like this. I will never go back here again read more

Food served was hot, good portions, tasty, and was reasonably priced . Staff friendly and attentive. We loved the Christian music playing in the background. This was our first visit and we look forward to returning soon. read more

The lady that attended me was super nice but this place needs to be updated and cleaned more i seen i got so sick eating there i won't be back thats for sure read more

A genuine greasy spoon. The place is grimy, run down & just plain nasty. Looks like it hasn't been cleaned in eons. Catfish is pretty good, but my wife and I just couldn't get past the filth. read more

Though ownership changed a while back, new owners are sticking to the original menu pretty much. Fish is good, that's what we go for. Friendly staff too. read more

Finally was able to order as the waitress had earbuds on and couldn't hear when I tried to order. Ordered the Shrimp meal. The fried shrimp was hard and the red sauce was bland. I didn't get the extra hush puppies I ordered and the coleslaw was so wet and too sweet. See pic. My wife said her fish was good. I complained to the owner and the waitress argued that we had a bad experience. Will not ever rerun and Do Not recommend this place. Bad service and sub standard food. read more

Catfish Palace - a plate of coleslaw and fried chicken - New American Near Me - Athens, Texas

Everybody here was so nice. We had our 2 year old granddaughter with us and they went out of their way to make her comfortable and help us get her fed in minimum time. The catfish breading is excellent, sticks to the fish, isn't greasy and has an excellent taste. But like other reviewers said, there isn't a lot of fish between the breading - it's pretty thin - but tasty. Cole slaw, hush puppies are both excellent. I've never had a slice of onion served with fish before but the green tomato relish was really interesting and different; I liked it. read more

The food was good! The catfish fresh. The hush puppies were 'chef's kiss'! Coleslaw was good. And the stuffed jalapeños were delicious too.

I stopped here for lunch and it was an AWESOME experience. Everyone was friendly and professional. I got The supreme catfish with okra and it was cooked to prefection! I wish I didn't live a hour away or I would come weekly for sure maybe daily . Also, Bathrooms were well kept as well which is a added bonus! read more

Amazing chicken sandwich! From my oldest son (12). No need to get a fish plate bigger than the regular size. It was A LOT of food and was amazing! From my youngest son (10). I am so full! From my wife. Absolutely 5 stars for the food! From me. Place is a little dated in decor but the food is worth it. read more

Catfish Palace - This is the regular! 5 pieces of fish! - New American Near Me - Athens, Texas

Very plane no taste!! I wouldn't waste time with this place... your drink comes from two liter bottles!! Don't order all you can eat it's a rip off!! If you order more then what on plate it old and cold!! read more

It had been about 15 years since I last visited this place, it was my father in laws favorite place to eat. I stopped in the other day in the evening, and I was very surprised to see the food was not what I remembered and the place was empty. We ordered some catfish and blackened catfish, and a side of jalapeno poppers. The poppers the brought looked exactly like the ones you can get at the dollar store, very cheap and small, and unfortunately dried out as if they had been reheated or something. Once the main course arrived after nearly an hour, I noticed the fish was very thin, cold and dried out, never mind the fact it want even the blackened catfish that I ordered. It was the most disgusting experience I've encounter in a restaurant, but the staff were friendly. read more

The people there are so nice and friendly. I think the catfish is really good. We have never had a bad experience there. Highly recommend

My first time to dine here. I found the food to be a tad bit above average. The coleslaw was a bit bland, the catfish was a good flavor but a bit tough. I had a baked potato and it was cooked perfectly. The hush puppies were tasty but could have liked more than 2. The service was very good. read more

Saw some reviews with less than flattering comments about the decor. OMG. It's an East Texas roadside fried catfish diner...the decor is perfect! The food and service were great. My husband and I shared the super (or was it supreme?) dinner - 8 pieces of catfish instead of the 5 that comes with the regular. The regular would have been plenty. We debated whether to order an extra side of coleslaw and decided to wait. Glad we did because we had plenty to eat, particularly in that we were given 3 large hush puppies total (one served with the coleslaw before the fish arrived and two with the meal) and the serving of tomato relish was generous (and delicious). We ordered the baked potato instead of fries and it was baked perfectly - mealy instead of soggy. The meal came with a generous slice of deliciously crisp and sweet onion. The menu has some lower calorie broiled and blackened options. We managed our calories - and budget! - by sharing. We would eat here again, unmatched tablecloths notwithstanding! read more

Fish tasted good but thin. I like thick fish. Waitress is nice. It was a nice meal.

Don't let the facade turn you away! After all, the surfaces of the best greasy spoons are always covered in a thin layer of the stuff. We each had the all you can eat plate of catfish and popcorn shrimp for $11.99. The catfish was excellent - tender strips in crunchy cornmeal coating. It was not at all oily. The shrimp was fine - likely frozen - but well cooked. Also had fries, cole slaw, green tomato relish, and hush puppies. The first portion was so large I didn't get any refills. My husband tapped out after one. Service was fast and friendly. We wanted local flavor on our travels and we got it here. Bottom line: We would gladly eat here again. read more

When we ate here we were the only people in the place.. Waitress and hostess were very friendly. The food was ok. Catfish wasn't bad- not fishy or muddy at all. But overall it was just kind of dingy and I just don't think I'd go back. read more

Catfish King - Catfish Village - David Beards If you like any of these places you will like this place as well. same great catfish cooked the same way with the same taste. i don't eat the greentomato relish it's not my thing but it's looks the same as Catfish King. read more

We are traveling through Athens. Texas and it's about noon time and time for lunch. Then we spot this catfish restaurant that is completely surrounded by vehicles. Must be a good place to eat! We find a parking space and park then enter the restaurant. The entrance leaves a lot to be desired. A sign indicates that we should seat ourselves. We pass another sign that advertises all you can eat catfish for lunch. We locate a booth and immediately notice that nothing seems to match in the entire retardant and that the restaurant is in dire need of renovation. Looks as though it has been standing for a century and never given a cost of paint. We are here, so let's take look at the menu. Seems to be nothing but large platters of catfish. The waitress comes by and my spouse ask if there isn't a small plate of catfish and low and behold there is. It's just not on the menu. Four pieces of catfish, cold slaw and French fries for the lunch price of $4.99. We order and then take another look at where we are. No two tables match and only a few chairs match. The ceiling is in bad need of a coat of paint apparently as it has been for a number of years. We realize this is an old restaurant that apparently has changed hands. We have to get by this mental perception as our food is arriving. Four pieces of golden brown fried catfish which turns out to be really good. The cold slaw is in a large cereal bowl and much more than one can consume for lunch and the French fries are very good. The waitress is one of the best and continuously checks to see if everything is OK. The wait staff seems to know a lot of the customers. A Constable sits a few tables away and is eating. Must be a good place if the local law enforcement eats here. This place needs a good cleaning. The food is very good and the service excellent. How does on put all of this together? This may be one of those places that you have fond memories of and that would be about it. read more

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Good eating. I could make a meal on their hush puppies and Cole slaw. Fish was pretty good and lots of it. I had the regular fish dinner and decided I would have wasted 3 dollars on the all you can eat. I was stuffed at 8.99. The green tomato relish is delicious also. They're a little understaffed but we had good friendly and quick service regardless. read more

After three years living in the area and a major fan of catfish I went to this establishment. I was there early to get the fresh stuff and was disappointed to say the least. I don't know if the others who wrote reviews have ever had properly prepared catfish before, but in my opinion this ain't the place. All you taste is cornmeal, the fish is so thin that by the time it's golden brown the fish is overdone. The waitress was very friendly and when she asked how everything was, I told her what I just wrote and suggested a thicker cut of fish would make a better product, golden brown without being over done. All in all, by some fish and cook it at home. read more