Mr Catfish

Great for lunch any day! Always cooked fresh! Fast and pleasant service. Everyone is really nice. Clean and spacious a nice place for a family meal. I come here 2 – 3 time a month.

I usually dont have a problem with this place because Ii have been going to it for years. But on today, Ii called in an order of chicken wings and a side of chicken and sausage gumbo… Well when I got there, there were no wings but drumettes. I asked the older black woman who was at the register if this is what they now call wings and she stated no, with no other response. I stated that I ordered wings and I have never known them to be replaced with drumettes. The woman stated that you have to say whole wings because if you just say wings, then we will give you drumettes. This made no sense at all and I explained to her that I was not happy with my order and she just said, «ok». This woman was rude and her explanation was foolish. Because the order had taken 30 minutes to prepare, I decided to take it. Once I got to my destination, the tiny drumettes were extremely salty and the fries were drenched in grease… will stick to going to Country Boyz or Terry’s. Im not a happy camper and this woman did nothing or even offered to make my order better.

Honestly, when it comes to Mr. Catfish, the key to enjoying your food is to not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by preconceived notions.
Mr. Catfish is located in an older-​looking strip mall in East Austin. When you first walk in, the décor is just what you’d expect; eccentric and a bit lack luster. That’s all fine and well, they promise good food, not the best atmosphere. If you grew up in the hood, it’ll remind you of your favorite uncle’s backyard cook outs — everything is good because you know what you came for.
Ordering from the menu is always a breeze for me, primarily because I always order the same thing, the «Wing Ding» meals. Yes, yes, I know; coming to a fish place for their chicken wings is a bit silly but it’s worth it. If you’re craving good wings, this is it. No, they probably won’t be the best you’ve ever had but they’ll kinda remind you of Granny’s & the nostalgia itself is good enough to keep me coming back.
As much as I love the place, I must agree with some other reviews; the catfish, while to my liking, is not the best catfish you’ll find in Austin by far. The fries could do with a little more seasoning (or, heck, even just some salt) and it’d be nice to see sauce that is actually sauce. Not to mention the price. That’s what knocked my review down a star. While the food is good, it’s a once-​in-​a-​while treat for me because I just can’t justify paying so much for twelve pieces of chicken and a handful of fries (no roll or small drink included).
All in all, I’ll continue to go back and would even take friends on occasion. Every now and again I even drive out of my way to go have lunch there. But it’s definitely not something I would suggest if you care enough about getting *the best* food.

I ate here a few days ago. I’m a fan of the big cat, and it did not disappoint. They had a lunch special going on, and for about $ 1-​$ 2 more I could have had sides with the big cat, but I chose not to. I like the tartar sauce packages with the big cat, and I always ask for more packages. This is a neighborhood restaurant and it’s locally owned. I’ve always been treated kindly here.

Aside from the fact the cashier over charged me for boudin balls and for some reason spoke to me like some type of teenage kid while addressing everyone else after me by ma’am and sir, the food was good. The red beans aren’t actually red beans and they should probably take the red off and just say beans and rice or pinto beans and rice. The beans and rice lacked salt and seasoning. The fish was really good. The fries were greasy. They seem to get a lot of lunch time business so people like it. Being from Louisiana you can’t have a menu of this type and it taste any type of way. It was cool and the boudin was cool.

Alright I get it people… the economy isn’t perfect. I believe in finding bargains on lunch if I can because I’m on the road so much for work. This however is in no way a complete compromise for my taste buds. I ate at Mr. Catshit’s on April 4, 2013 a day when my appetite and mindset was for having a «decent» meal. There are a lot of gems in the hood (mainly people) as far as I feel. I didn’t find one on this particular day I’m not happy to say. I explained to an employee behind the serving line I’d never patronized the establishment… she sweetly replied… oh well it’s all good just pick something. Thanks ma’am I’ll take that apron around your neck… seasoning please is what I should have said. I ended up picking the catfish with beans and hushpuppies. I remember the experience well because after paying for my order to the tune of almost $ 10 I asked for water. Now I’m looking around for water on the soda fountain… nope nothing doing. I go to the serving line to Ms. it’s all good and ask her. She points out a spout with a blue handle and says get your water there. I’m looking at it like I know darn well this is the water they use to refill the bottom of the hot trays I figure… uh oh. I get it anyway because I wasn’t in a soda, sugary beverage mood. I place my water at my chosen table and head to wash my hands. The restroom while not in the best shape for the buildings age was actually fairly clean (except for a few flies). I get back to my table and sit down, and I wait… waited some more and about fifteen minutes in I got my food. I got what I can describe best as regurgitated chum, rolled in old flour and sprinkled with expired seasoning. Oh wait my bad the star seasoning was SALT! Oh blood pressure you shouldn’t act like that it was only enough to make buffalo run to the watering hole. Needless to say I didn’t finish my meal. The picture I posted is as good as it got. The beans seemed old and those hush puppies should be called grease sticks. Also that day I recall two other men staring me down. I figured what’s their issue but after my meal they were waiting outside and more of the same. Nothing happened but it made me wonder if they had plans for me beyond lunch… I thank GOD I didn’t have to do anything ugly that day. The point of it all folks there is food and things people present and pass of as edible… kinda like that relative that swears everyone love’s their cooking… guess what they don’t. I’ve never returned folks and have no plans to do so.

The only thing here is worth it is the buffet, their food in general is good but not amazing, the prices are high and the kid at the register always have bar attitude and over charge me and then get pissed if you let him know denied the prices at the big ass board even when they right in front of his nouse and the tarted sauce in packages, really is not a joke the give you the worst tasting tarter sauce there could be its like if they don’t love their own business its very sad to see those baby blue and white packages of tarter sauce …in the other hand the buffet is pretty good not too many choices but the few there are pretty good expensive thought 14 plus tax

I wish I could give half stars on Unilocal,because this place totally earns just that from me. Went in to try on a recommendation from a friend, best catfish in Austin he says, no way bro. From someone who used to live in the N. O and has worked at many of the seafood spots round town. A statement like that is seem like a challenge. First of all, I don’t see why any establishment would put a bitter, unprofessional, rude old woman as a cashier. Second of all, a wet bar towel and a mop would do wonders to your sticky floor and table tops. So now, the food, Costco Sam’s or even swan’s have better fries then this. The red beans and rice, come on! Y’all killed them with that over seasoning of salt and pepper. The gumbo, was made with product that I’m sure were bought from the same place where the bagged tartar sauce and lemon juice came from. Actually I’m sure everything I had here came from there. So the one that could save it all and why I came here in the first place, the catfish, one word for it… blah! Over seasoned cornmeal, taste less fish and the portioning for the price is whack! Never again Mr. Catfish never again.

I received a recommendation to try out Mr. Catfish and brought a visiting friend with me for the event. We went during dinner hours, so I can not comment on the buffet or brunch that some people seem to have a problem with.
The décor is a little scatter-​brained with various signs, and the rest of the layout pretty sparse, but I didn’t go there to audition them for an HGTV spot. I went to try the food. I got the Catfish and some shrimp, with a side of fries, rice and beans, along with some corn muffins.
The catfish was very good. Not the best I’ve ever had, but I’ve had some good catfish around the country. It’s definitely tops in the area. I saw another reviewer comment about the tartar sauce being in packets. I didn’t think anything of it, but my friend did cite it without knowing of the review I had read. So I guess it’s a thing.
The fried shrimp was really good. The seasoned fries were excellent. And the rice and beans were very good. The surprise of the meal were the corn muffins which we added to our meal as an after thought. They were probably the best corn muffins I’ve ever had. They were a little delayed since they were being made fresh, but they were worth the wait.
If I have any suggestions for Mr. Catfish after looking at other reviews, and their menu, I would say don’t try to be all things to all people. If the dining room were half its size, and they only focused on the catfish and related items, all the reviews would be 5 star. If I want a hamburger or a chicken sandwich or a salad, I’m not going to Mr. Catfish. I’ll definitely be back for the catfish.

Imagine my excitement when I see a sign on this business saying that they have a salad bar at lunch time! For those of you who don’t work in this area, let me tell you there isn’t many healthy choices within a couple minute proximity! It’s either fast food, fast food or oh you guessed it fast food!
I made a point to not pack a lunch the next day and head here! I walk in and it’s pretty quiet but, a flood of people came in behind me. This looks promising I thought to myself and at that moment my eyes make contact with an empty and not in use salad bar. My hopes and dreams of a healthy lunch went up in flames.
I tried to make the best of it and ordered overpriced chicken fingers with red beans and rice and coleslaw. It also came with a roll but, I am not much of a roll person.
You get your receipt then your cup to fill at the soda machine. Then you go over and show your ticket to the woman behind the counter. There were all these sides and people were ordering from her too and it was all confusing. If I had known they had all those side options I would have opted to just make a meal out of sides! From there I went and sat down at the table to wait for my order. hmmm 20 minutes later I go up to inquire and the woman was a little snotty and was like they are cooking. I felt like saying I’m sorry did you slaughter the chicken out back and bread them yourself because I think not. I am pretty sure they forgot about me and after 30 minutes I had my to go lunch!
The chicken was ok, just ok. Also, make sure you ask for some type of dipping sauce because they will only give you ketchup. I’m not really sure how many people dip chicken in ketchup but, I had to because my tenders were so dry. I am not even going to begin to dissect all the problems with the coleslaw. The only part that was good was the red beans and rice surprisingly!
My recommendation would be not to advertise a salad bar if you don’t have one or aren’t operating it when the sign says.

I am really disappointed in the previous reviewers who misled me on this one. It should have been mentioned that tartar sauce and lemon are only available in packets. This is not the way to have catfish and shrimp! But, by the time you’ve already paid for your meal ($ 14 for lunch buffet) it is too late, too bad, and so sad. Really felt jilted after paying that price which is a few dollars more than what I typically spend for lunch at Galaxy Café or Panera Bread. Wasting my time also seriously bugs me because as a full time working mom my lunch hour is the only time I have for myself. I won’t ever get this hour or my money back on this unfortunate experience.

We did NOT go into this expecting a really high-​class meal. It was a running joke that one day we would all cure our hangovers at Mr Catfish’s Sunday brunch buffet in the sketchy strip mall over on the East Side, and so this weekend we did it.
The restaurant is small but surprisingly clean and well-​kept. Apparently they have live music sometimes, but charge a cover fee (boo). Prices are astonishingly high! $ 14+tax per person for the buffet, not including a drink. Staff is very nice.
Buffet was a pretty good spread — frito pie, pork chops, meatloaf, fried chicken, gumbo, corn bread, green beans, red beans and rice, collard greens, a few other various sides and, of course, fried catfish.
Not the best catfish I’ve ever had but still good. Big thumbs up to the meatloaf and pork chops you didn’t need a knife to cook.
Overall our experience would of been at last a star better if we all hadn’t come down with horrible GI revolt about an hour later. Lesson learned I guess.

I’m a longtime Austinite and this is easily, absolutely my favorite restaurant in town. Any negative reviews here are completely nuts, as far as I’m concerned.
The food is inexpensive and impossibly delicious, totally consistent and always made fresh. The catfish is the obvious star here, but their shrimp and gumbo beat any that I’ve had anywhere. I don’t normally like tilapia, but I always get a side of theirs.
Some joker listed Mr Catfish as a four-​dollar-​signs meal here, but it’s exactly the opposite. Their lunch deals would easily feed two folks for eight bucks flat.
They’ve also started doing a buffet a few days a week, where they put out items that aren’t otherwise available. The smothered pork chop is RAAAAAGING!
So, in short, if you like great food at a low price, and you want to support a locally owned business (which you should, dammit), then eat at Mr. Catfish, ASAP and as often as possible!