Chattanooga Choo Choo

Language

Tennessee Vacation - The State's Official Travel Planning Website

« Return to Tennessee Specialties

Catfish

A Tennessee favorite catch of the day is flake-tender catfish of the best quality. Fried catfish is considered a quintessential southern dish, along with sweet tea, fried chicken, sweet potato pie and hush puppies.

Southern restaurants and rural fish lovers dote on its sweet flavor. Catfish is often fried with a little cornmeal, salt and oil, served up crispy, golden and delicious, attested by diners at Nashville's famous Arnold's Country Kitchen. Experience an outstanding catfish dinner on the water: cruise or drive to Lighthouse Restaurant at Cookeville Boat Dock. Across the street from Reelfoot State Park Visitor's Center, Boyette's Dining Room draws diners from a four-state area for its legendary catfish dinners. Blue Bank Fish House & Grill, also in the Tiptonville area, brings out heaping helpings of grilled catfish, white beans, salad with Blue Bank Bleu Cheese, baked apples and homemade rolls with strawberry butter.

Chefs around the country are now emulating Tennessee kitchens and eateries by crafting new ways to cook and eat what was once considered a very lowly fish. Blackened catfish is a variation on the traditional southern preparation, paying homage to the cherished Caribbean way with spices. Popular recipes for catfish include serving it broiled, grilled, sauteed, poached, smoked, pan seared and in a stew or soups. Food textures and flavors serving as complements for catfish are coleslaw, onions rings, the must-have hush puppies, fried green tomatoes and browned potatoes. Accompanying sauces that pair well with catfish are piquant cocktail, horseradish--with a kick, tartar or catsup.

Food & Wine Vendor

Allison's Catfish Farm & Restaurant
You'll find southern fried catfish and all the trimmings, plus so much more at this casual, family friendly restaurant. ...more

Region:  
City:  Friendsville, TN
Phone:  865-995-9245.

Food & Wine Vendor

Arrowhead Resort
Located on Watts Bar Lake. Family owned and operated. ...more

Region:  Chattanooga & Southeast
City:  Spring City, TN
Phone:  423-365-6484

Food & Wine Vendor

Bear Creek Grill
The Bear Creek Grill is settled in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park, built over a running creek. The surrounding park is visible from anywhere in the restaurant. ...more

Region:  Smoky Mountains
City:  Gatlinburg, TN
Phone:  865-430-1551

Food & Wine Vendor

Bell Buckle Cafe
Great country cooking. Try our specialties such as fried biscuits, curly chips, smoked pork chops and BBQ. ...more

Region:  Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City:  Bell Buckle, TN
Phone:  931-389-9693

Food & Wine Vendor

Bell Buckle Cafe & Music Parlor
Something fresh and different is happening seven days a week at Bell Buckle Cafe on Railroad Square. We have delicious, tasty food in a world-class cafe, with live music on Thursday-Saturday. ...more

Region:  Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City:  Bell Buckle, TN
Phone:  (931) 389-9694

Food & Wine Vendor

Blue Bank Fish House & Grill
Reelfoot Lake is one of the country's most beautiful natural lakes. Blue Bank Resort, on Reelfoot Lake, is the place to stay when you come to Reelfoot. ...more

Region:  Northwest
City:  Tiptonville, TN
Phone:  731- 253-6878

Food & Wine Vendor

Blue Bank Resort

We welcome you to the finest resort on Reelfoot Lake. If you're looking for the best place to stay on Reelfoot Lake, look no further. ...more

Region:  
City:  Hornbeak, TN
Phone:  (731) 253-0111

Food & Wine Vendor

Blues City Cafe & Band Box
Enjoy the best meal on Beale at the Blues City Cafe in beautiful Memphis, Tennessee. The Blues City menu includes such favorites as our Famous BBQ Ribs, Southern Fried Catfish, Broiled Steaks, and the "Worlds Best" Homemade Tamales. ...more

Region:  Memphis & Surrounding Areas
City:  Memphis, TN
Phone:  901-526-3637

Food & Wine Vendor

Boyette's Dining Room
Boyette's at Reelfoot Lake specializes in catfish, country ham and Certified Angus Beef steaks. Tradition and delicious food brings diners back again and again to this top west Tennessee dining favorite. ...more

Region:  Northwest
City:  Tiptonville, TN
Phone:  731-253-7307

Food & Wine Vendor

Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store/Casey Jones Village
Enjoy world-famous buffets daily at Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store. Award winning Southern restaurant, charming Gift Shoppe, 1890's Ice Cream Parlor & Fudge Shoppe and the Old Country Store To Go. ...more

Region:  Southwest
City:  Jackson, TN
Phone:  731-668-1223

Food & Wine Vendor

Buchanan Resort
A superb choice for the best fishing, boating, relaxing vacation and weekend getaway on Kentucky Lake. ...more

Region:  Northwest
City:  Springville, TN
Phone:  731-642-2828

Food & Wine Vendor

Caney Creek Marina
Upscale marina with ship's store, grill, gas pumps, holding tank pump-outs on every dock, pontoon boat rentals, covered and uncovered slips available year 'round. Electric, water, cable, and phone available in each slip. ...more

Region:  Knoxville & Middle East
City:  Harriman, TN
Phone:  865-882-4042

Food & Wine Vendor

Caney Fork Restaurant

Caney Fork takes its name from the famous Caney Fork River, which winds through middle Tennessee just east of Nashville. The crystal clear waters of the Caney Fork is home to some of the best trout fishing in the South, canoeing, kayaking, camping, hunting and many other door activities. ...more

Region:  Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City:  Nashville, TN
Phone:  (615) 724-1200

Food & Wine Vendor

Cardin's Drive-In
If you just happen to be passing through East Tennessee and just happen to be on Asheville Highway, there is a restaurant that you do not want to miss. Even if it is 50 miles out of the way, you still do not want to miss it. ...more

Region:  Knoxville & Middle East
City:  Knoxville, TN
Phone:  (865) 933-3251

Food & Wine Vendor

Carl's Perfect Pig Barbeque and Grill
Thirty minutes from Nashville on Highway 70, you'll find a full parking lot at Carl's Perfect Pig. The smokehouse is on the side, but inside customers line up for open-pit pulled pork and tender ribs, country fried catfish, Southern veggies and great burgers. ...more

Region:  Middle Tennessee
City:  White Bluff, TN
Phone:  615-797-4020

List Results

Fan Tennessee on Facebook

Twitter - TN food tweets