This North Carolina Restaurant Piles Catfish And Shrimp Onto Giant Seafood Platters Made For Sharing

Fried catfish tastes better when the whole table reaches for it at once. Have you ever split a platter that needed two sets of hands?

This family fish camp in North Carolina has been frying seafood since 1968. That is nearly six decades of hush puppies and loyal regulars.

Shrimp, oysters, deviled crab, flounder, perch, and catfish can all share one order. Combo platters let everyone build their own lineup.

What about the folks who skip seafood entirely? Fried chicken, steaks, and surf and turf keep them happy too.

Service is takeout only for now, with doors open just three evenings a week. A little planning goes a long way.

This North Carolina tradition rewards anyone who plans ahead. So who in your crew gets the last piece of catfish?

Six Kinds Of Seafood Share One Very Crowded Box

Shrimp, oysters, deviled crab, flounder fillet, perch, and catfish all land in one order. That lineup is the Twin Tops Seafood Platter, the flagship meal at Twin Tops Fish Camp.

Think of it as a greatest-hits album in fried form. Every track gets a turn, and nobody has to pick just one favorite.

This platter makes the most sense with a crowd. Hand the catfish to the person who loves classic flavors.

Give the deviled crab to the curious eater who wants something a little different.

The flounder and perch offer milder, flaky bites for picky kids. Oysters bring a briny touch for anyone craving a taste of the coast.

Dinners here come with trimmings too. Hush puppies, slaw, and a choice of french fries or baked potato round things out.

That means one order quietly turns into a full spread. Plan your table space accordingly, because the sides need room too.

My advice is simple. Order it for the group, open the lid in the middle, and let everyone grab their favorites.

Sharing has never felt so strategic. Just keep an eye on the deviled crab, since it tends to vanish first in friendly hands.

Shrimp Lovers Will Need A Minute With This Menu

Jumbo, boiled, fantail, calabash, scampi, and green shrimp. That list alone could stall a hungry family at the counter for a good while.

Each style brings something new. Calabash shrimp follow a beloved Carolina tradition of small, lightly breaded pieces fried until crisp.

Fantail shrimp keep their tails on, which makes them easy to grab and dip. Jumbo shrimp, as the name promises, go big.

Boiled shrimp offer a break from the fryer. They’re a nice pick when you want seafood flavor without the crunchy coating.

Scampi brings a buttery, saucy direction. Green shrimp are another option for anyone who wants to explore past the usual suspects.

Choosing just one feels almost unfair. That’s why mixing shrimp styles with friends makes so much sense.

Order calabash for the table and fantail for yourself. Then trade a few and compare notes like proper seafood judges.

Kids usually love the bite-size calabash style. Adults might lean toward jumbo or scampi for a heartier plate.

Whatever you choose, shrimp clearly get star treatment at Twin Tops Fish Camp. The menu practically dares you to come back and try another kind.

Catfish Fans Get Three Ways To Play

Catfish sits at the heart of any proper Southern fish camp. Twin Tops Fish Camp gives it more than one personality on the menu.

You can order catfish plain, salt and pepper, or as a fillet. Each version gives you a slightly different experience at the table.

Plain catfish keeps things classic and simple. It lets the fish and the fry do the talking without extra fuss.

Salt and pepper catfish is a fish camp tradition with a seasoned edge. It’s the pick for anyone who likes a bolder bite in every crunchy piece.

The fillet option suits folks who would rather skip working around bones. It’s a smart choice for younger eaters or anyone eating in the car.

The kitchen uses Yelton’s Best Flour and Corn Meal. That’s a fun detail, since the coating is half the joy of fried catfish.

Here’s a handy strategy for groups. Order two styles and swap pieces, so everyone can crown their own winner.

Catfish debates are a beloved North Carolina pastime anyway. Now you can settle one over supper with actual evidence.

Build Your Own Platter And Skip The Tough Choices

Indecisive eaters, this one’s for you. The combination platters let you pick two, three, four, or even five items from a selection.

That’s a flexible setup for families with very different tastes. One person can go catfish and shrimp while another builds a flounder and oyster combo.

A couple of items sit outside the combo rules. Crab legs and whole flounders aren’t part of the mix, so plan around those.

Five items might sound wild for one person. It makes far more sense when the platter heads to the middle of the table for sharing.

Think of it like building your own sampler. You control the lineup, and nobody has to settle for just one favorite.

Two-item combos work well for lighter appetites. Bigger combos shine when you’re feeding the whole crew after a busy week.

Remember the trimmings that come with dinners. Hush puppies, slaw, and fries or a baked potato stretch every platter even further.

My tip is to plan your combo with your group first. A little teamwork at the counter means more variety and fewer jealous glances at someone else’s box.

Hush Puppies And Sun-Drop Keep It Proudly Local

No fish camp meal feels finished without hush puppies. These golden cornmeal bites are a staple alongside the seafood here.

They play a supporting role, but a mighty one. Hush puppies soak up the moment between bites of catfish and shrimp.

Then there’s Sun-Drop on the drink list. This citrus soda has deep regional roots, and spotting it feels like a friendly wave from the Carolinas.

Pairing Sun-Drop with fried seafood just feels right. The bright, sweet citrus flavor cuts through a rich, crunchy plate.

Slaw also shows up with dinners. It adds a cool crunch that balances all that golden fried goodness.

Little details like these give Twin Tops Fish Camp its character. They connect the meal to the region instead of making it feel generic.

Here’s a fun idea for visitors. If you’ve never tried Sun-Drop, this is a perfect time to grab one with supper.

Out-of-state friends will appreciate the introduction. Just warn them that hush puppies are dangerously easy to keep eating before the main event even begins.

Not Everyone At The Table Wants Fish, And That’s Fine

Every family has one. That person who looks at a seafood menu and quietly asks about chicken.

Good news for them. The menu carries Southern fried chicken, hot ‘n’ spicy chicken wings, chicken tenders, chicken livers, and grilled Italian chicken breast.

Steak lovers have a section too. The landlubber options include hamburger steak, pork chops, ribeye, NY strip, and filet mignon.

Then there’s surf and turf for the folks who refuse to choose. It’s the diplomatic answer to a table split between land and sea.

This variety makes group orders much easier. Nobody gets left out, and nobody has to fill up on hush puppies alone.

Kids who balk at fish usually perk up at chicken tenders. That small detail can save a family dinner plan.

Grilled or broiled seafood choices are also available. They’re a handy route for anyone who wants something lighter than the fryer.

So bring the whole crew without worry. Twin Tops Fish Camp has clearly thought about the picky eater, the steak fan, and the seafood fanatic all at once.

Set Your Alarm Because The Fryer Keeps Short Hours

Timing is everything at this Gaston County favorite. You’ll find it at 4574 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056.

The kitchen currently serves takeout only, with no dine-in service. Plan on enjoying your feast at home, at a park, or wherever your family gathers.

Hours are short and sweet. Thursday runs from 4 to 8 p.m., and Friday stretches from 4 to 9 p.m.

Saturday opens a bit earlier at 3 p.m. and closes at 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, the doors stay closed.

That schedule makes this a true weekend tradition. Miss Thursday, and you’ve still got two more chances.

A wheelchair-accessible parking lot helps with easy pickups. Counter service keeps things moving efficiently too.

Calling ahead is a smart move for big orders. Giant platters take time, and nobody wants a cold hush puppy.

Bring a sturdy bag or a helper for the carry. Those shareable platters can feel heavier than expected on the walk to the car.

North Carolina has plenty of fish camps. Few make a three-night window feel this worth planning around.

Your Next Church Supper Could Use A Mobile Fish Fry

Here’s a twist many folks miss. Twin Tops Fish Camp offers catering, including a mobile fish fry.

That means the fish camp experience can travel. It’s built for church functions, private parties, businesses, weddings, and fundraisers.

Picture a fundraiser where the food actually draws a crowd. Fried fish has a magical way of getting people to show up early.

Weddings might sound like an unusual fit. For a relaxed Southern celebration, though, a fish fry feels joyful and down to earth.

Office gatherings get a boost too. Swapping sad sandwiches for golden catfish could make you the most popular planner around.

The family behind this place has been feeding people since 1968. That kind of staying power suggests they know a thing or two about serving a crowd.

Planning ahead is key for catering. Reach out early with your date, headcount, and event style.

Share platters at home, or bring the fryer to your next big event. Either way, this North Carolina fish camp proves that great seafood tastes best when it’s shared with plenty of people.