This June we came here on a party bud for my MIL 70th birthday party extravaganza, and it did not disappoint. We love Surfside on any ol' Saturday for the view and the chicken dinner, but especially Saturday nights when they have live music! The coconut sam band was playing and welcomed our party of 40 in, all dressed in 70's garb. It was SO fun! The bar kept up with all of our drinks and antics. We had a blast and we even came back the next saturday for another birthday but no live band so check the socials if they keep up with that. read more

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I had not been here for probably 20 years. It was a blast. Everyone in line super friendly. Told me drinks were down at the bar, food line to order. You can eat overlooking the river. Wave to the boats. Feed the fish. The little corn fritters dipped in honey are delicious. Some may say those are for the catfish, nope give them to me. The catfish was awesome, the chicken pretty good also. There was a live band, lots of regulars, a man with a parrot on his shoulder, great vibes. It's not cheap but it's a super fun time, my kids loved it! read more

Surfside Club - Catfish plate - Seafood Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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This place was such a gem! The line was long we got there about 6:30 but the service to order and p/u was fast! We had some really fresh catfish that wasn't fishy at all just perfectly cooked. The fried chicken was well-seasoned and crispy, and everything tasted fresh. I do wish the fries had a little more seasoning, but they were still good. The fried fritters with honey took me straight back to the carnival, so good! The prices were very reasonable, with large portions and affordable alcoholic drinks. The atmosphere was colorful and welcoming--honestly, it felt like being on a resort without actually being at one. It's definitely a whole vibe! Plus, they even had a bounce house for the kids, which was a fun touch. read more

Surfside Club - Catfish fillets and fried chicken - Seafood Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Outstanding spot right on the river which has been a staple in Omaha for years. Fried catfish, wonderful. Fried chicken, the best. Hush puppies, oh boy you know it. The list goes on. Fast service as well. Also live music which is a bonus. 1000% recommend read more

Tastes like everything is fried in the same oil and It hurt the flavor of everything. There's absolutely nothing memorable about any of the food we had. Definitely not worth returning to. There are plenty of fast food restaurants around Omaha that have similar items that are way cheaper and way tastier. read more

This place is surviving strictly on the location only. It's right along the river and you can eat outside and the view is nice. Plus they have a stage in live music. The food however, sucks. Absolutely no flavor. Worst catfish dinner and corn fritters I've ever had. They stopped serving the whole dressed catfish and serve fillets on now. Everything taste like Hospital food. read more

We haven't been here in years, so we ventured out to eat dinner! We got it to go. The fries & corn fritters were not as fresh as we would have liked; however, the fish was piping hot!!! We will be back soon!!! read more

Surfside Club - Catfish dinner - Seafood Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Fried chicken, fried catfish, fried pork tenderloin, fried fritters and hamburgers. If you like fried, this is your place. The hamburger is pretty good but at $19.00 I felt a little taken advantage of. Catfish is $21.00 and the four piece chicken is in the middle. Friends had the chicken and said they liked it. The band was decent but overall I thought it was overpriced and overrated. Many other people there and they seemed to enjoy it. Give it a shot, it may be your groove? read more

Surfside Club is an out of the way Summer destination and institution. It has a tiny but good menu of fried catfish, chicken, pork tenderloin, and cheeseburgers. Nothing is fancy: paper plates, plastic utensils, etc. But the environment on the river is what you go for. The only complaint about the food, the fries are bland and not salted. read more

Surfside Club - Catfish and Fritters - Seafood Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Cool place with tons of seating. You can even drive up on your boat and grab some food. The corn fritters with honey are the star of the show! Everything is battered and fried so definitely not a gluten-free friendly place. Most of the food is pretty pricey but a two piece chicken dinner is reasonable and yummy. read more

I love the setting right along a stretch of the Missouri River. Outdoor seating is my preferred way to experience this spot. Self service walk up window to order food. Choices are fried catfish or chicken or a good sized burger. All served with fries and fritters. Prices are high but you won't leave hungry unless you don't eat fried food. I recommend the burger over the catfish or chicken. read more

Surfside Club - View of the Missouri River. - Seafood Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

I'm from out of town. Haven't been here in years. It's better than I remember. The catfish is delicious; the corn fritters are light and fluffy. Can't find catfish or fritters like this in the Pacific Northwest. read more

I have been patronizing this restaurant since the 70s, but for some unknown reason I haven't been here in years. The food is much better than before. The corn fritters are lighter. The chicken is much juicer and fried better. The patio is a wonderful addition. The number system for picking up orders is great. The parking lot is larger. I understand that there is music on the weekends. While I was a huge fan of the old sign on River Road ("No cutoffs. No muscle shirts. No swim suits. Dress decent or stay out!"), the new signs are good too. I do miss, however, the directional sign to the dinning (sic) room. I am friends with the owner, but my review here represents my honest view. Top tier fried chicken in Omaha; right there with Tracks and Time Out. read more

I have gone to Surfside for years and loved it. Unfortunately, today I had a disappointing experience. I drove up to Surfside to meet people who boated there. Immediately upon exiting my car, the owner started to aggressively tell me the rules of Surfside (can't bring water in or meet people at the boat). What could have been a professional, respectful conversation about rules turned into an unwelcoming, aggressive warning to a paying customer. read more

We were literally first on the scene 15 minutes after opening and it still took 30 minutes after ordering to get our food. I got hassled because I didn't want ice in my drink although I was fine to pay for a double or just have a less full glass. Bounce house that was adult-friendly and shoe-accepting is always a plus in my book. Too loud though and that's pre-live-band! read more

Place used to have great food I do like the way the outside is now compared to how it used to be it's much more open. The food though is not nearly as good and it's pricey for what you get the fritters used to be amazing now they are blah same with the chicken and catfish the whole fish had much better flavor. read more

Good food great ambience and live music check weather if it's nice you'll never find a better spot too go with friends a date or go their too meet a lady read more

As I sit down to write this review for the Surfside Club in Omaha, Nebraska, I'm filled with a sense of nostalgia that spans three decades. This restaurant has been a constant presence in my life since childhood, and its unique charm and warm memories have made it an integral part of my family's gatherings and celebrations. The heart of Surfside, situated by the Missouri River, has always held a special place in my heart. In the past, my extended family and I would come together, enjoying the simple pleasures of life - good food and great company. The menu choices were straightforward, and we wouldn't have it any other way: fried chicken or fried catfish. These classic options became synonymous with our visits, representing comfort and tradition. Over the years, I've witnessed the winds of change sweep through Surfside, bringing with them some welcomed updates. The expansion of the building, with the addition of a marina and outdoor seating complete with a stage, adds a new dimension to the experience. For those looking to indulge in some modern flavors, the introduction of a burger and pork tenderloin to the menu is a fantastic addition. However, for the die-hard patrons like me, the soul of Surfside will always be the iconic catfish and chicken. And, of course, the heavenly corn fritters - crispy, golden bites of goodness that bring back memories with each savory mouthful. I must recommend loading those fritters up with honey - it's a taste that encapsulates the essence of Surfside. Though ownership may have changed, the core spirit of Surfside endures, making it a beloved staple in my family. It's a place that holds the stories of generations, a spot where cherished summer nights are made, and where we can relish in the simple joys of life. It's a no-frills establishment, and that's precisely what makes it wonderful - it's all about the food, the memories, and the genuine moments shared within its walls. As I reflect on the 30 years I've spent patronizing Surfside Club, I'm grateful for the warm nostalgia it's offered me. It's not just a restaurant; it's a time capsule of joy, a place that connects me to the past while allowing me to create new memories with those I love. Surfside Club will forever remain my go-to spot for fried goodness and unforgettable moments. read more

Used to love the cheeseburgers here but apparently kids aren't trained properly this year. Ordered cheeseburger to go three times in the past two months. First one made me sick to my stomach so wasn't cooked properly. Last time, didn't get the lettuce, tomato, onion or pickles. So you pay almost $20 for bland, flavorless meat, cheese, and bun. No toppings, no honey for fritters and soggy fries all three times. It's a shame service has really gone down hill. You have to wait a long time to get the food and its expensive, poor quality, and don't even get all the ingredients or condiments. read more

They only offer a few things to eat...Fried Chicken, Fried Catfish, Hamburger, or Tenderloin Sandwich. So if you like eating fried food by the river listening to live music, then you will love this place! read more

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My friend and I ate at the Surfside for a second chance. The two piece chicken cost $13. The pieces were so small the leg had two bites worth the thigh had four bites worth. The french fries were greasy and soggy and the corn fritters were quite mushy also. The last time I came, I thought it might be an anomaly but I was proved wrong. I definitely can't recommend this place anymore. The portions are so small and the flavor and greasiness were quite bad. No crisp on the chicken breading. It was soggy and greasy. Left very disappointed feeling like I just got took. I hope you will evaluate your portions sizes and pricing. You run about $3.00 - $5.00 higher than most establishments. About $18 for tenderloin and other entrees. Not worth the price anymore. We fed the fish with the fries and fritters. They seemed to enjoy it. Here was another person's perspective: Years ago they had inexpensive food and it was always great, now they have expensive food and it's never good. I stopped going there a few years ago as it was transitioning into what it has become. read more

I have been going here since the 80s. It was always a laid back dive on the river with worn out picnic tables, whole fried catfish and fried chicken, and someone mooning you from a boat driving by. Now I'm not saying I don't appreciate some of the changes, the new bathrooms and picnic tables and the deckroof are nice, but it no longer has that laid back feeling. Now about the food, I always go for the WHOLE catfish...lightly floured and cooked to a perfect golden brown. You eat the first side, turn it over eat the second side, then pick through the nooks & crannies to not leave anything behind. What a disappointment to be served 2 catfish fillets. WHAT THE HECK?!?! You can get fish fillets anywhere. Bring back the WHOLE catfish! read more

The 1 star rating is a result of the temperament and behavior of the owner; unreasonable and aggressive. We were parked in the motorcycle lot , and couldn't leave due to a dead battery. It was getting dark, so someone helped us out by driving their car into the area to shine the headlights on the situation to help us get the bike running. There were only two other bikes there at the time. A man and woman came up the hill. I thought they were coming to lend a hand. It was the owner; he immediately berated us because the car was in the motorcycle lot. I said we were sorry, then hoped to explain why the car was there. The owner would not listen; rather, he became louder and escalated the situation. He refused to hear us, even after repeated apologies. There were six people trying to help; we were all amazed at the anger and refusal of the owner to have a civil discussion. read more

Come for the views and secluded yet convenient location along the Missouri but I would opt to grab a meal elsewhere. The restaurant is about as close to the Missouri as you can get so the outside patio area is really great during the summer months, plus they have a bounce house for the kids. All the food options are fried - corn fritters (which were very little corn and mostly a thick ball of fried bread), catfish, chicken, pork tenderloin and burgers but the burgers are only available on the weekend. The breading on the chicken and catfish were light and crispy but lacked flavor overall. It was a lot of fun to watch the fisherman, boats and garbage (sad but true) come down the river, I hope to be back for some drinks. read more

Literally love love love this place. Great food, beautiful view, all around wonderful atmosphere

It's been 35 years since I was at surf side club, what an upgrade! This is the place to be Friday thru Sunday in summer months with bands scheduled on the patio. The food was as good as I remembered. Long line to order food but it moves quickly. I had the catfish dinner was good and came with fries and coleslaw and also comes with corn fritters, which are desert for me because I like them dipped in honey. Nice escape from Omaha and ultra close to downtown. read more

This place is always good. Relaxed atmosphere and great for kids , although they don't have a kids menu.

No tap water anymore. Just $2 bottles. "Because the owner has to have water trucked in." Owner also has helicopter that he keeps on display in the parking lot, so, maybe trucking in the water isn't an extreme hardship. read more

Service has already been good, I love the catfish.The music is just a added plus the chicken is very good. I have always enjoyed the sitting by the river read more

I wanted to give this five stars. Everything is great BUT one thing. First, let's start with the awesomeness that is now Surfside. They'll always hold a special nostalgia place in my heart as this is where I spent many a summer night in my 20"s. The food is great. Best french fries. The "hush puppies" are pretty good if you're a corn fan. I'm told these items have a cult following by others in line - just not my personal cup of tea. The fried catfish is freshly fried and delicious. The hamburger is amazing and so glad they added this as a certain member of my family has refused to go here because there's no food he likes. So yay for that!!! The live band was great on their new stage facing away from the sun for the band which I'm sure they appreciated and wasn't too bad for the spectators. The bounce house is loved by the kids. They also have new bright, fun colored tables with palm trees so lots of beautiful space for your one thousand best friends. Lots of different shaded places. They seem to have sprayed for bugs because never saw a single bug or got a single mosquito bite like I do at my own home whenever outdoors down the road. Right on the river to see the boats and jet skis. They have an inlet for boats to dock which is amazing! Bringing the Anchor Inn vibes. Now, speaking of Anchor Inn, they have a watermelon drink just as AI used to have (cannot confirm it's similar in taste). This is where I have the complaint. As I was up there, they brought out a Home Depot orange bucket and replenished their machines with the watermelon drink. I appreciate they hopefully cleaned it & the alcohol (which will eat away the orange and chemicals, depositing them into drink) wasn't in there long but why not spend the less than $5 a 5gal food grade bucket costs at Lowe's and get that? (Seriously they put an impressive amount of money into making this a stellar place with lots of shade!) Also, here's a tip for the owners because I want to see this place succeed every day of the week. You can get a food grade bucket for free from a local bakery (or even walmart). But I mention the bakery as it would be a nice partnership to offer some baked goods on slower days (maybe the weekend too) and, it'll get your name out to more people - the bakery's customers. "Hey, we are having [bakery A] brownies/cupcakes/cookies this weekend! Come get them, grab a drink, enjoy the live music, and come down before they sell out because these will go fast!" It's a great market to tap into since this business doesn't compete with a bakery. Just something to consider from a hungry customer. Oh, and get those food grade buckets because I'd love to be back and try out the drink!! And give this the five stars I really want to. I just read a couple other reviews. It appears some folks have a personal vendetta against this establishment so I'm changing my star rating because this place deserves all the business! Just ask if they're now using a food grade bucket and if not, tell them to get one before you drink their mixed drinks! The canned beers are delicious. read more

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This place is a lot of fun and great view of the river, a lot to see. The food is delicious and the staff is very friendly, will be back often. read more

They have live music a lot and it's at the river's edge which is cool. So it's fun to go have some drinks but ridiculously overpriced on "snack bar" quality food. $18 ($1 more than wedsite) for a cheeseburger is insane even with the inflation. Oh, and you stand in line for the food, which isn't a problem but for those prices..... Think stadium prices. read more

Parents: Beware of the Bounce House! Situated on a concrete slab with a 'slide' that is a recipe for disaster. Rowdy on the inside and easy for little ones to wind up sideways/coming to the 2' drop headfirst. So, so stupid and just begging kids under 6-years old to get severely injured. Owners: put some pads down to protect the kids! Otherwise, this place is a ball. Simple menu, laid back river locale. Been coming here for 30 years and love the vibe and food alike. read more

Visited Surfside for the first time in years and was blown away by all the changes! An extended patio that allows easily 3x the people to sit outside and eat, an outdoor bar, a stage with live music on the weekends, a much larger parking area, and even a marina! The corn fritters and honey were as good as I remembered from childhood, as was the fried chicken and catfish. Surfside has come a long way from the quiet riverside north Omaha getaway with ¢10 fountain drinks! We came with our little kids (3 under 4) on a Saturday afternoon/evening, and it was a little stressful. There was a bounce house that our kids were stoked to play in, but it was filled with much older kids and wasn't a safe option for our littles. Not sure we'll come back til the kids are older. read more

Good service and clean place good food eat there often good entertainment bands & on the weekends great time

My husband and I liked going out to Surfside We used to boat a lot so seeing the river is nice But with the drama they had there last night we probably won't ever go back and neither will our friends. The owner was yelling at a customer and calling him names. He is a very rude man and very loud. They could have handled it a lot better than they did. Yelling and creating a scene even after the customer left. Very bad behavior for an owner of a restaurant. Very disappointed read more

The catfish meal was very good. The others in the party all had chicken, which they said was very good. The waitress was very attentive and all the waitstaff were working together to give good service. The restaurant is what one would expect for a club on the bank of the Missouri River; indoor and outdoor seating. Fast service. A great place to enjoy an evening away from the City. read more

The very angry woman at the bar was sneering and complaining at the people in our group for using credit cards. Fun location. Yellow themed food. 0/10 chill surf attitude. read more

While I was here man who said he was the owner started harassing and verbally abusing a woman with her service dog. She was very calm and tried to explain that the fog was a trained service animal and he continued to yell at her and say that she needed to leave. I was excited when I got there as it seemed like a fun environment but I was absolutely appalled at this mans behavior. I just saw on the news that this woman has been confirmed to have a service dog and the owner is currently being fined and sued over the matter. I will never be back. read more

We stopped in at Surfside on a Saturday evening as a friend was playing live in a band that evening. We ordered some meals at the window, and got some beers to enjoy. I'll try to break this down in a couple of sentences. 1. The food -- pass on it. It was greasy, overpriced, and the corn fritters were mostly just bread. Great to throw in the river to feed the carp, if that's your thing. 2. Music -- very good. I suppose it depends upon the band, and the weather, but we had a good time. 3. Family-friendly. There was a bounce house on site to keep the kiddos occupied, and it was quite active. Now I've (finally) been to Surfside. Would I go back? Only for the music. read more