Unlike Modern Seafood Spots, This Arkansas Restaurant Still Fries Catfish The Old-Fashioned Way

Unlimited hushpuppies land on your table before you even order. They come with coleslaw and a sweet green tomato relish, and the refills keep coming.

That relish is such a hit that the restaurant sells it in jars. Some Walmart stores even stock it next to frozen bags of those famous hushpuppies.

The catfish comes as fillets or bone-in steaks, fried the classic Southern way. I appreciate a place that still offers the bone-in option for folks who grew up eating it like that.

The dining room seats around 380 people in this corner of Arkansas.

It also earned a spot on ESPN’s College GameDay back in 2006. So how does a catfish house stay this beloved for three decades?

I’d start with the fixin’s and work from there.

The Free Fixin’s Show Up Before You Can Even Open The Menu

Hushpuppies are the opening act at Catfish Hole Fayetteville, and they steal the show. Meals come with free, unlimited hushpuppies, coleslaw, and green tomato relish.

Servers keep those bowls filled the whole time you’re seated. Drinks get the same steady refills, which makes pacing yourself a real test of willpower.

The hushpuppies have a crispy outside and a soft, onion-flavored center. They’re small, golden, and dangerously easy to keep grabbing.

Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone stopping at just one.

Then there’s the green tomato relish. It’s sweet, tangy, and unlike anything most folks expect from a tomato.

First-timers often have no idea what it is until they try it.

The coleslaw rounds things out with a lighter, cooler bite. It balances all that fried goodness nicely between handfuls of hushpuppies.

Here’s my practical tip for you. Save room for your actual entree, because the fixin’s can fill you up fast.

Nobody wants to tap out before the catfish even arrives.

That’s a pretty generous welcome for a casual dinner spot. Few restaurants hand out this much flavor before your main plate reaches the table.

Fillet Or Bone-In Steak? Your Catfish, Your Call

Old-school catfish fans will spot something rare on this menu. You can order your fish as boneless fillets or as bone-in steaks.

Plenty of newer seafood spots skip the bone-in option entirely. Here, it stays on the menu for folks who grew up eating catfish that way.

Fillets are the easy pick for kids and first-timers. You get crispy fried fish without any bones to work around.

Steaks take a little more patience at the table. Many Southern diners prefer them anyway, since eating around the bone is part of the tradition.

Fried catfish is the star, but it’s not your only choice. Grilled catfish is available too, plus blackened options for anyone craving extra seasoning.

Want to mix things up? Catfish can be paired with shrimp, frog legs, or chicken in combo plates.

The frog legs and catfish combo is one of the most talked-about orders.

My advice is simple for your first visit. Try the fried catfish before you branch out, since that’s the dish this place built its name on.

Frog Legs, Scallops, And A Few Surprises Worth Ordering

Not a catfish person? No problem at all, because the fryer here handles plenty more than one fish.

Fried shrimp, clams, scallops, and chicken fillets all share space on the menu. Frog legs show up too, which always earns a raised eyebrow from newcomers.

Those frog legs aren’t just a novelty item. They’re a popular order, often paired with catfish for a classic Southern combo plate.

Craving something lighter? The grill side of the menu offers grilled trout, salmon, and grilled catfish.

Grilled chicken comes Hawaiian, Cajun, or lemon pepper style.

Baked stuffed shrimp is another non-fried choice. It gives seafood lovers a different texture without leaving the comfort-food zone.

Sides keep things classic and hearty. Think hand-cut fries, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, corn, okra, onion rings, and side salads.

Desserts bring the meal home with cobbler, Key Lime Pie, and cheesecake. Drinks include Coke products, lemonade, and tea.

So yes, picky eaters can relax here. There’s a good chance everyone at your table finds something to love, even the friend who swears off fish.

Thirty Years Of Frying Started With A Family Bet On Catfish

Back in 1993, Pat and Janie Gazzola bought a catfish restaurant in Alma. That spot was Catfish Hole number two, after the original in North Little Rock.

One year later, they built Catfish Hole Fayetteville. It opened in 1994 as location number three, near the University of Arkansas campus.

That move clearly paid off. The restaurant has now been frying catfish for more than three decades in Arkansas.

Family still runs the show today. Janie Gazzola and her son, Britain White, own and manage the restaurants together.

Pat Gazzola passed in 2017, but his work lives on in every basket that leaves the kitchen. The family has kept the same down-home approach going strong.

That kind of steady ownership matters. Recipes and traditions often fade when restaurants change hands over and over.

Here, the old-fashioned way of doing things never really got replaced. The hushpuppies, the relish, and the fried catfish still anchor the experience.

I love knowing a meal comes with that much history behind it. Every bite feels a little more meaningful once you know the family story.

ESPN Came Calling, And The Razorbacks Never Left

Few catfish joints can say they’ve been on national sports television. This one landed on ESPN’s College GameDay in 2006.

Todd Blackledge featured the restaurant during his “Todd’s Taste of the Town” segment. That moment put Fayetteville catfish in front of college football fans everywhere.

The football connection runs even deeper. The restaurant also hosted Bobby Petrino Live, a Razorback radio show, during the coach’s time in town.

Razorback decorations fill the dining room today. If you love Hog football, you’ll feel right at home among all that team spirit.

Game weekends bring visiting fans through the doors too. It’s a fun spot to grab a hearty meal before or after cheering in Fayetteville.

Being near the University of Arkansas helps explain the tie. Students, alumni, and families have plenty of reasons to stop by.

Want a sports-day tip? Plan ahead when big games are in town, since the whole city gets busy.

Reservations are accepted, which can make life easier for larger groups.

Catfish and college football just make sense together. Both bring people around the same table with plenty of loud, happy energy.

Room For 380 And It Still Feels Like A Small-Town Kitchen

Three hundred eighty seats sounds like a convention hall. Somehow, this place still keeps a cozy, small-town feel inside.

The dining room has a rustic, laid-back look that fits fried catfish perfectly. Nothing about it feels fussy or overly polished.

Keep an eye out for the stained glass catfish panels. A yellow catfish on the window is one detail that tends to catch people’s attention.

Outdoor picnic tables add another seating choice. On a pleasant Arkansas day, eating outside sounds like a solid plan.

All that space has a real perk. Large groups, birthday crowds, and big family dinners can usually find room together.

The service style stands out too. Several staff members circle the room with refills, so your table rarely runs low.

It’s a team effort that keeps things moving quickly. Food tends to arrive fast, which helps when hungry kids are involved.

Here’s a nice little bonus on your way out. Tootsie Roll Pops are handed out at the counter, which feels like a sweet throwback.

Small touches like that make a big restaurant feel personal.

Bring The Whole Crew, Because Family Packs Exist

Feeding a hungry family can feel like a sport. Family Packs make it a lot easier when you want catfish at home.

Each pack serves four to six people. Combos can include catfish fillets, chicken fillets, fries, hushpuppies, slaw, and relish.

Pickles, lemon, tartar sauce, and ketchup come along too. That covers just about every dipping preference in a typical household.

Dining in with kids works well also. High chairs and a kids’ menu are available for younger guests.

The casual vibe takes pressure off parents. Nobody expects silence here, which makes family meals far more relaxed.

Planning a party or office lunch? Catering services are offered, so the fixin’s can travel to your event.

For larger takeout orders, call ahead and give plenty of notice. That way your food is ready when you pull up.

I’d probably grab extra hushpuppies no matter how big the order. Somebody always ends up wishing there were more.

Trust me, that somebody might be you.

Take The Relish Home Without Begging The Kitchen

Missing that green tomato relish after you leave? Good news, because you can actually buy it.

Jars of green tomato relish are sold at the Fayetteville location. Frozen hushpuppies are available too, ready for your own kitchen.

Some Walmart stores carry both products as well. That’s a pretty impressive reach for a family catfish house.

Frozen hushpuppies are handy for weeknight fish fries at home. Pair them with your own catfish, and you’ve got a decent tribute meal.

Merchandise fans have options too. The restaurant sells hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts with its branding.

A Catfish Hole shirt makes a fun souvenir for out-of-town visitors. It’s a quiet way to show off your good taste in fried fish.

Gift cards and eGift certificates are available as well. They make an easy present for anyone who loves Southern comfort food.

Honestly, a jar of relish might be the most useful souvenir ever. It beats a magnet on the fridge any day of the week.

Plan Your Trip Around Monday, Because That’s The Day Off

Mondays are off-limits, so mark your calendar before heading out. Catfish Hole Fayetteville sits at 4127 W Wedington Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72704. Hours run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and on Sunday.

Friday and Saturday stretch until 9 p.m. Parking is simple, with a free lot plus free street parking nearby. No circling the block for twenty minutes here.

Accessibility is covered too. Wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, and seating are all available.

Paying is easy with credit cards, debit cards, or mobile tap payments. Wi-Fi is also offered if you need to check something during your meal.

The location works well for University of Arkansas visitors. It’s a convenient stop when you’re exploring northwest Arkansas.

Reservations are accepted, which helps larger groups plan ahead. Big weekends in town can fill seats quickly.

My final tip is all about strategy. Arrive hungry but not starving, or the hushpuppies will win before the catfish shows up. Consider yourself warned, friend.