The Fish Fry

Headline: FISH FRY IS LIKE REDNECK DIM SUM
This review is for Dallas types – (everyone in northeast Texas knows this stuff already):
If there is any way for you to take about an hour an’ a half road trip northeast – either 30 east or the «north route» 121 to Hwy. 82 east through McKinney – you arta just go ahead and do it.
Thain’t no fried catfish like this in Big D. This is the best, and they been doin’ it for over 30 year’n (this is dialect, folks).
I’ve been a regular here since, oh, around 1981-​ish. I can’t detect that the facility or décor has changed a bit since then, but its not frumpy or «faded glory» at all. Open for dinner only, I do recommend you make reservations or you’ll be stuffed into the small-​on-​space waiting room with the rest of the Dickensian orphans-​looking-​in-​the-​restaurant-​and-​hoping folks while others with reso’s waltz past you and onto glory.
The food: aight here’s what you need to know: «get the fish.» In Fish Fry parlance, this means the $ 16 all-​u-​can-​eat fried catfish and its all you’ll ever need. Now they do have a combo option for fried ersters or scrimp + a 3-​piece fish plate that is also excellent, but first-​timers need to just focus on «the fish».
In a matter of seconds, drinks and hush puppies’ll be whisked out and placed steaming hot (not the drinks) in multiple baskets in front of you. I won’t call it a rookie mistake to right way begin filling up on these cylindrical golden friend corn meal miracles because even the veterans are powerless against them and we start-​a shov’lin.
Pretty quick after that the waitress (never seen a waiter here) will begin depositing all these little dishes of greatness all over the place family-​style for the group: sweet cole slaw, pickled green tomatoes, more hush puppies, french fries, bowls of ice water w/​fresh-​sliced white onion (this is requisite), a plate of individual tartar sauces that you will ask for more of, and on request a plate of lemon wedges (also requisite).
AND THEN…
Oh man, the big platters of succulent and right-​outta-​thuh-​grease golden catfish filets, some thick and juicy, some thin and crunchy (you can ask for which one you like better, too). They are volcanic hot, so watch out! Squeeze ya some lemon juice on there, pull one apart and put it in yo’ mouf. Now here, you’re gonna stop everything and shut your eyes as you savor that white, flaky clean tastin’ morsel of salty corn meal surrounded catfish, and just suck the juices down your throat. Don’t you put any tartar sauce on it yet. You can do that in a minute. Have it native, first.
Gitcha a forkful of that cole slaw now and another hush puppy. The joke is, no one ever touches the french fries cause the hush puppies are so superior to them.
Now repeat this process until you look and feel like a parade balloon.
Pay on the way out and get a free mint at the checkout to counteract all that col’ sliced onion you ate with the fish and hushpuppies.
P. S. If, somehow, you go here so much that you actually can use your force of will to *not* get the fish, Fish Fry also features some of the best steaks in NE Texas. If you bring a Yankee here with you, they also got baked ham or something like that.

I enjoyed eating here. Catfish was fresh and tasty, and the price is certainly reasonable. I will return here.

Not overly impressive but not bad. Just your standard fried catfish. I have been twice with coworkers. The first time the service was meh. The second time the waitress was actually quite a joy. What they lack in quality (again not that it was bad just… plain) they make up in quantity.

Love this place for Friday Nite Fish Fry. All you can eat catfish. Service was great. We had a party of 7. Never had to ask for anything. Wait staff was checking on us and refilling beverages and making sure we had everything we needed

This place was super busy so like most other reviewers say making a reservation is highly recommended. Even with our reservation we had to wait about thirty minutes. The food was good, but not wait thirty minutes after your reservation good if you know what I mean. My actual rating is closer to 2.5 stars but I rounded up because everyone else seems to like it. I got he shrimp dinner and while it was cooked well the batter could certainly have use a little more flavoring.

I have grown up eating here my whole life & can honestly say that I’ve never had a better filet. You will not leave here hungry! I also really enjoy the fried catfish & the hushpuppies are delicious. My husband says the food is so-​so, it is pretty basic, no dessert & no alcohol but if you’re just wanting a good steak & potato or fish dinner this is the place to go.

This Is the go to place in Paris for special occasions or just to spend with family. My steak had always been cooked perfectly and the service has always been professional. The catfish is not my favorite but that’s what the fish fry is know for.

Classic mom and pop type small town restaurant. I ordered a ribeye and it was fantastic — great cut of meat, flavorful, cooked perfect. Others in my group ordered boiled shrimp and said it was overcooked.

This place is adorable, everyone in town seemed to be celebrating something. The food for the most part was great. Really great cole slaw, and it came in a huge bowl that 2 people couldn’t finish. The baked potato was lacking a bit, I expected cheese but that’s ok. The catfish was wonderful! I guess that’s the main deal here anyway, they do a great job. However the fried shrimp was inedible.
Service was ok. I like my table cleared though when I’m at a nicer place. Overall ok though.

The food here is wonderful and the service is always great. They have great fish but their steaks are the best. Make a reservation on weekends, and even then be prepared to wait a few minutes for a table. During the week it’s not so crowded, and you can probably just walk in. You will have to go somewhere else for dessert, but if it’s a special occasion they don’t mind if you bring in a cake.

Overrated to say the least. Fish is good but it’s just as good or better at Other places. Loooooong waits all the time. Very crowded. Last time I went I got a steak that was not edible. Terrible cut of meat and not
Cooked right. Off to Catfish King…

great chicken and fish!

This is a must try when your in Paris, TX. The atmosphere looks the same as it did in the 1980s but, the food is what you came for. The Fish Fry never disappoints. The steaks, catfish and seafood are all very good. Be sure to make reservations on the weekend as it gets busy and you could have a very long wait.

This place has one of the best all-​you-​can-​eat catfish dinners! It’s a small, local, friendly restaurant that has great appetizers (like the rolled cornbread), good sides and awesome main dishes. For the area, great food!

Very good food altho they do not serve a dessert. But if it’s catfish you are looking this is the freshest around.

Back in Paris again. So where do I go for dinner. The fillet was fork tender and cooked perfectly medium rare. I ordered a catfish fillet on the side with tomato relish. Don’t know how they do it but WONDERFUL. The only shortcoming is that they don’t serve any shredded cheese with their baked potato. Oh well the hushpuppies make up for it. Still a really great place for dinner.

I used to eat here when I worked in the area. So i must confess it’s been 10 years since I’ve been here, but it was a great little find.
This is the ‘go to’ place for catfish and all the fixings– the hushpuppies were great. The owner was a veterinarian and one day decided to turn his place into a restaurant! I find it amazing that a veterinarian with no restaurant experience can successfully reinvent himself in a totally new field. Excellent hidden gem that only the locals know about. (until now)

Love this place! My second time through town and second time I ate here. The restaurant and menu probably hasn’t changed since it opened in the 1970s. Be prepared, there’s not much variety and no alcohol. All-​you-​can-​eat catfish is amazing and very well priced! And it comes with many sides, all just as good as the catfish. Be forewarned, they bring the sides out before the fish, and they are so good that it’s easy to fill-​up on them. My coworker ordered a sirloin steak and was very pleased with it. The parking lot is always full, but the restaurant is large and there’s plenty of room for all.

I am always amazed when I find a great restaurant in small town USA. This place RAWKS! I ordered the filet and it was tender and cooked perfectly! The coleslaw is a must as its light on the cream with a sweet finish. This place is also known for its all you can eat catfish. It looked great as well. If you follow rule number one «eat where the locals eat» you will not be disappointed here when you are in Paris, TX! Great Place, Great Food!

Why are there no reviews for this restaurant!!!
This is one of the best places for catfish! Yes, it is a little pricey, but the all you can eat catfish is totally worth it!
The steaks and shrimp entrees are quite good as well, but catfish at this place = GOODNESS!!!