13 Arkansas Buffets Where Catfish Keeps Customers Coming Back
Arkansas knows how to make comfort food unforgettable, and these 14 buffets prove it with catfish that keeps diners coming back for more.
Crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned, each bite feels like a taste of Southern tradition served with a generous side of nostalgia.
From cozy hometown spots to hidden gems along quiet highways, Arkansas buffets show that abundance and flavor go hand in hand.
Locals swear by these plates, where catfish reigns supreme and every visit feels like a celebration.
Discover why Arkansas has perfected the art of buffet-style dining, one catfish at a time.
1. Huckleberry’s Catfish Buffet — Searcy, AR
Locals swear this place serves the crispiest catfish in White County, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why the parking lot stays packed every weekend.
Huckleberry’s sits at 2502 E Race Ave, Searcy, AR 72143, in a rustic building that feels like stepping into a cabin retreat with wood paneling covering the walls and fishing decor hanging everywhere.
The buffet spreads out with golden catfish fillets, hush puppies that melt in your mouth, coleslaw, and white beans that taste like grandma made them.
Families pile in here for Sunday lunch, and the staff keeps the trays fresh without ever letting the quality slip.
Fun fact: the restaurant’s name comes from the owner’s childhood nickname, given because he loved fishing for catfish in local creeks.
Portions run generous, and the sweet tea flows freely, making this a go-to spot for anyone craving authentic Southern cooking done right.
2. Brown’s Catfish — Russellville, AR
Walking into Brown’s feels like joining a family reunion where everyone’s invited and the food never stops coming.
Located at 1800 N Arkansas Ave, Russellville, AR 72801, this buffet operates in a spacious building with large windows that let natural light pour over the dining tables and checkered tablecloths.
Brown’s became famous for their cornmeal-crusted catfish that stays crunchy even after sitting on your plate for a few minutes, plus their fried okra earns almost as many compliments as the fish itself.
The buffet includes cobblers that change daily, with peach being the crowd favorite on Fridays.
Servers here remember regular customers by name, creating that hometown vibe that keeps folks driving from neighboring counties.
Interestingly, the building once housed a furniture store before the Brown family converted it into a restaurant in the 1990s, keeping some of the original exposed beams as part of the charm.
3. Ron’s Catfish Buffet — Jonesboro, AR
Anyone who’s eaten at Ron’s knows the secret isn’t just the catfish but the tangy tartar sauce that people literally ask to buy by the jar.
Situated at 2915 S Caraway Rd, Jonesboro, AR 72401, Ron’s occupies a brick building with a green awning and a neon sign that’s been glowing since 1987.
Inside, the dining room stretches wide with booths lining the walls and a buffet counter that seems to go on forever, loaded with catfish, chicken tenders, fries, slaw, and beans.
The hush puppies here come out sweet with a hint of onion, perfectly complementing the savory fish.
Ron’s attracts college students from Arkansas State University and families alike, especially on Friday nights when the place buzzes with conversation and laughter.
The owner still works the floor most evenings, chatting with guests and making sure every tray stays stocked, which explains why loyalty runs deep here.
4. Ed’s Catfish — Jonesboro, AR
Crispy edges and tender centers define every piece of catfish that comes out of Ed’s kitchen, earning this spot a cult following among Northeast Arkansas diners.
You’ll find Ed’s at 2706 E Highland Dr, Jonesboro, AR 72401, housed in a modest building with white siding and a red roof that’s easy to spot from the road.
The interior keeps things simple with vinyl booths, linoleum floors, and walls decorated with vintage Arkansas photography that gives the place a nostalgic feel.
Ed’s buffet focuses on quality over variety, offering perfectly fried catfish, crispy fries, creamy coleslaw, and beans slow-cooked with just the right amount of seasoning.
The peach cobbler here gets served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into the crust beautifully.
Interestingly, Ed himself was a commercial fisherman before opening this restaurant, so he knows exactly how catfish should taste when done properly.
5. Country Village Catfish & Seafood — Star City, AR
Small-town charm meets serious seafood skills at Country Village, where the catfish comes out so hot you’ll need a minute before diving in.
Located at 1610 W Bradley St, Star City, AR 71667, this restaurant sits in a converted house with a wraparound porch and rocking chairs that make you want to settle in for the afternoon.
Inside, the dining rooms spread across what used to be different living spaces, creating cozy corners with mismatched tables and chairs that add character.
The buffet features catfish as the star, but the shrimp and oysters also deserve attention, especially during seafood nights on Fridays.
Hush puppies arrive golden and fluffy, and the homemade pies rotate flavors weekly, with chocolate meringue being the most requested.
Fun fact: the building was actually a family home for over fifty years before being transformed into a restaurant, and some original hardwood floors still remain beneath the dining tables.
6. Big K’s Catfish Barn — Hazen, AR
Nothing fancy happens here, just consistently excellent catfish served in portions that could feed a small army.
Big K’s stands at 309 N Hazen Ave, Hazen, AR 72064, in a red barn-style building complete with corrugated metal siding and a gravel parking lot that fills up fast on weekends.
The interior embraces the barn theme with exposed rafters, wooden tables, and farm tools decorating the walls, creating an authentic country atmosphere.
The buffet keeps things traditional with fried catfish, chicken strips, french fries, coleslaw, baked beans, and cornbread that crumbles perfectly.
Their signature dish remains the catfish, breaded with a secret spice mix that adds a subtle kick without overwhelming the fish’s natural flavor.
Interestingly, the building actually served as a working barn storing farm equipment before the owners converted it into a restaurant in 2003, keeping much of the original structure intact to preserve that genuine barn feel.
7. Quitman Catfish Barn — Quitman, AR
Tucked away in one of Arkansas’s tiniest towns, this barn serves catfish so good that people make special trips from Little Rock just to fill their plates.
Quitman Catfish Barn operates at 270 AR-330, Quitman, AR 72131, in a weathered wood building that looks like it’s been standing for generations, though it only opened in 1998.
Inside, the space feels open and airy with high ceilings, ceiling fans spinning lazily, and long family-style tables encouraging strangers to sit together and share stories.
The buffet offers catfish as the main attraction, accompanied by hush puppies, fried okra, green beans, and mac and cheese that kids devour by the spoonful.
Peach cobbler appears on the dessert table daily, served piping hot with a crispy top.
The owners source their catfish from local farms, ensuring freshness that you can taste in every bite, and the building’s rustic charm makes dining here feel like stepping back in time.
8. Tadpole’s Catfish Barn — Pleasant Plains, AR
Whimsical frog decorations cover every surface here, but the real star remains the perfectly seasoned catfish that keeps regulars coming back week after week.
You’ll find Tadpole’s at 1915 AR-305, Pleasant Plains, AR 72568, in a green-painted building with a giant frog statue greeting visitors at the entrance.
The interior continues the amphibian theme with frog figurines, lily pad artwork, and pond-themed murals that make kids giggle and adults smile.
The buffet spreads out with golden catfish fillets, crispy fries, tangy slaw, pinto beans, and cornbread muffins that come out warm from the oven.
Their catfish gets a light cornmeal coating that crunches perfectly without being greasy, and the portions run so generous that most folks end up taking leftovers home.
Fun fact: the owners chose the name Tadpole’s because their grandchildren loved catching tadpoles in the nearby creek, and they wanted the restaurant to feel playful and welcoming for families.
9. Hidden Creek Catfish — Conway, AR
Finding this place requires following winding back roads, but once you arrive, the journey feels worth every turn.
Hidden Creek sits at 1710 Old Military Rd, Conway, AR 72032, nestled among tall pine trees in a log cabin-style building that blends into the wooded surroundings.
Inside, the atmosphere stays cozy with stone fireplaces, wooden beams crossing the ceiling, and windows offering views of the creek that gives the restaurant its name.
The buffet features catfish as the centerpiece, but the fried shrimp and grilled chicken also earn praise from regulars who appreciate variety.
Sides include mac and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, and hush puppies that taste slightly sweet.
The banana pudding here has achieved legendary status among Conway residents, with layers of vanilla wafers and fresh whipped cream.
Interestingly, the building was originally a hunting lodge before being converted into a restaurant, and some of the original stonework remains visible around the fireplaces.
10. A & C Fish — Humphrey, AR
Simplicity rules at A & C, where the menu stays short but everything on it gets executed perfectly.
Located at 103 S Hunter St, Humphrey, AR 72073, this spot operates in a plain white building with minimal signage, the kind of place you’d drive past unless someone told you about it.
Inside, the no-frills dining room features folding tables, metal chairs, and walls painted a basic beige, proving that great food doesn’t need fancy surroundings.
The buffet focuses entirely on catfish, with sides limited to fries, coleslaw, and beans, but each item tastes fresh and well-seasoned.
Their catfish comes out incredibly crispy with a peppery kick that sets it apart from competitors.
Fun fact: the restaurant name comes from the owners’ first initials, and they’ve kept the same simple approach since opening in 1989, refusing to expand the menu despite customer requests because they believe in doing one thing exceptionally well.
11. Catfish Shack — DeWitt, AR
Weathered boards and a tin roof give this shack authentic character that matches the down-home cooking served inside.
Catfish Shack operates at 1202 S Jefferson St, DeWitt, AR 72042, in a structure that looks like it might blow over in a strong wind but has stood strong for decades.
The interior keeps things basic with picnic-style tables, concrete floors, and paper towel rolls on every table instead of napkins, embracing the casual fish camp vibe completely.
The buffet offers catfish fried to golden perfection, hush puppies with just enough sweetness, coleslaw that’s more vinegar-based than creamy, and baked beans with bits of bacon.
Their tartar sauce comes homemade with pickle relish and a hint of lemon that brightens every bite.
Interestingly, the building was originally a roadside fruit stand before being converted into a restaurant, and the owners kept the open-air feel by installing large screened windows that let breezes flow through during summer months.
12. Barnhills Steaks & Buffet — Jacksonville, AR
Corporate polish meets Southern comfort at Barnhills, where the buffet stretches longer than most and the catfish holds its own against fancier items.
You’ll find Barnhills at 1711 John Harden Dr, Jacksonville, AR 72076, in a large brick building with a green awning and a spacious parking lot that accommodates the steady stream of customers.
Inside, the dining area feels more upscale than typical catfish joints, with padded booths, carpeted floors, and a salad bar that rivals the hot food selection.
The buffet includes catfish alongside steaks, fried chicken, meatloaf, and a rotating selection of sides that changes daily, giving regulars new options to try.
Their catfish gets a lighter breading than most buffets use, letting the fish flavor shine through, and the yeast rolls served hot from the oven deserve their own fan club.
Fun fact: Barnhills started as a regional chain in the 1980s, and this Jacksonville location remains one of the last still operating.
13. Abe’s Ole Feed House — El Dorado, AR
Country music plays softly while diners pile their plates high with catfish at Abe’s, a South Arkansas institution that’s been feeding families since 1979.
Abe’s sits at 2900 Junction City Rd, El Dorado, AR 71730, in a sprawling building with rough-hewn wood siding and a covered porch lined with rocking chairs.
Inside, the space divides into several dining rooms decorated with vintage farm equipment, old photographs, and quilts hanging on the walls, creating a homey atmosphere that feels welcoming.
The buffet spreads across a long counter featuring catfish, fried chicken, pot roast, turnip greens, mashed potatoes, and cornbread dressing that tastes especially good on Sundays.
Their catfish comes seasoned with a blend that includes paprika and garlic powder, giving it a reddish tint and bold flavor.
Interestingly, the building was constructed specifically for the restaurant using reclaimed barn wood from local farms, giving it authentic character that can’t be faked.