This Alabama Diner Serves Fried Fish So Perfect, It’s Become A Friday Night Staple
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard someone say, “You haven’t really eaten in Alabama until you’ve been to Ezell’s.” It’s one of those spots that just feels like part of the state’s rhythm.
Sitting right by the Tombigbee River, Ezell’s Fish Camp has been frying up catfish the same way for generations.
Folks drive in from nearby towns for those golden fillets, tangy coleslaw, and hushpuppies that taste like home. It’s simple, honest food that never misses.
Riverside Location With A View
Ezell’s sits right on the west bank of the Tombigbee River near the Highway 10 bridge in Lavaca. The setting alone makes the trip worthwhile. You can watch the water flow by while you wait for your order.
Most folks pull up for supper and stay awhile to enjoy the scenery. The river breeze and the sound of the current add to the whole experience. It feels like stepping back in time to a simpler, slower way of eating.
Catfish Fried To Golden Perfection
Catfish is the star here, and it comes two ways. You can order it as fillets or get it whole if you want the full experience. Either way, the fish is fried to a perfect golden crisp on the outside and tender inside.
Every plate comes with hushpuppies and a tangy slaw that balances the richness of the fried fish. People drive for miles just to get this meal.
The technique hasn’t changed in decades, and that consistency keeps customers coming back week after week.
History That Predates The Civil War
The log cabin that houses Ezell’s is older than most buildings in the area. It was built before the Civil War and originally served as a hunting club site in the 1930s.
Back then, big fish fries brought people together for food and fellowship. The place opened to the public in the mid-1950s, turning a private tradition into a community staple.
Walking through those doors feels like stepping into a piece of living history. The wood, the structure, the whole vibe carries stories from another century.
Family Recipes Passed Down Through Generations
Ezell’s is a true family operation. Multiple generations have kept the same frying technique and slaw recipe alive for decades. That kind of dedication shows up in every bite.
The family doesn’t mess with what works. They stick to the methods that made this place famous in the first place. When you eat here, you’re tasting the same flavors people enjoyed fifty years ago.
That’s rare these days, and it’s one reason the place still draws a crowd every Friday night.
A Rustic Atmosphere With Real Character
Ezell’s started as a two-room dogtrot cabin and has grown into a multiroom complex with a tin roof. The expansion kept the original character intact.
You still get that old-time fish camp feel, just with more space for the Friday night crowds. River views stretch out from the windows, and the lively supper crowd fills the rooms with chatter and laughter.
It’s not fancy, and it’s not trying to be. The charm comes from the honest simplicity of good food and good company in a place that feels real.
More Than Just Catfish On The Menu
Catfish might be the main attraction, but the menu has plenty more to offer. Gulf shrimp, oysters, crab claws, and even frog legs give you options if you want to try something different.
Everything gets the same careful treatment in the fryer. The variety means you can come back again and again without eating the same thing twice.
Regulars often order a mix so they can sample a little bit of everything. No matter what you choose, it’s going to be hot, fresh, and cooked just right.
Recognition From Alabama Food Lists
Ezell’s catfish and coleslaw have earned spots on Alabama food lists and road-trip roundups over the years. Food writers and travelers consistently point people in this direction when they want authentic Southern fried fish.
That kind of recognition doesn’t come easy. The awards and mentions aren’t what keep the place going, though. It’s the steady stream of locals who show up every week and the word-of-mouth from folks who stumble upon it and can’t stop talking about it.
The reputation is built on decades of doing one thing really, really well.
Friday Night Tradition You Can Count On
Friday night at Ezell’s is an event. Families come in, friends gather, and the place fills up fast. It’s become a weekly ritual for many people in the area. You know what you’re going to get, and that reliability is part of the appeal.
Some folks have been making the Friday trip for decades. They bring their kids, who grow up and bring their own kids. The tradition keeps rolling forward, one plate of fried fish at a time.
It’s the kind of place that anchors a community and gives people something to look forward to every single week.