11 Arkansas Fish Shacks That Make The Drive Worth It

If you’re a fan of fresh, crispy catfish, juicy shrimp, and all things seafood, Arkansas has a collection of fish shacks waiting for you. They’re located in small towns and off-the-beaten-path spots.

The dishes served at these fish shacks make you forget the drive and focus on the flavor. Are you in the mood for a casual meal by the water, or are you craving some southern-style fried catfish?

There’s a little something for everyone in Arkansas fish shacks. And you know what makes these places even better?

They’re not just about the food. It’s the vibe.

You can choose from laid-back, rustic settings to family-friendly atmospheres. Each fish shack tells its own story, and the drive to get there is part of the adventure.

It’s not just about the destination; it’s about enjoying every crispy bite and savoring the moments spent at these hidden gems. So, next time you find yourself in the mood for some of the best seafood around, skip the chain restaurants and head out to one of these 11 Arkansas fish shacks.

Trust me, the journey is totally worth it!

1. Seafood Shack, Marion

I walked into Seafood Shack after crossing the river toward Marion, and the place already smelled like a promise kept. The shack sits at 308 Bancario Rd, Marion, AR 72364, located near a strip of everyday errands that make its neon pop.

The catfish dinner arrived, thinly breaded with a cornmeal crust that snapped politely and then melted. The fillets were seasoned wonderfully, and the fries were just salty enough to earn their spot.

Hushpuppies showed up hot, and breathing steam, with a hush of onion and a whisper of sweetness that didn’t need apology.

I tried the shrimp next, light and snappy, proof the fryer oil is kept like a family heirloom. Coleslaw leaned creamy but bright, cutting through the richness.

The tartar sauce stayed zesty and lemon-forward, the kind you keep dipping into just to hear yourself say “one more.”

I loved the atmosphere of people laughing, orders called out, paper bags greasing up like badges of honor. Prices felt fair for portions that made my back seat look like a picnic table.

If you want a meal that tastes like Friday night got promoted, this is your place, and the kind of stop that makes you reroute with a grin.

2. Eat My Catfish, North Little Rock

My loud craving for a great dish led me to Eat My Catfish. The North Little Rock spot at 4216 E McCain Blvd is located near the busy retail area, always buzzing around lunchtime.

The line moved fast, and there was that focused hush in the air, the kind you get when people are deep in thought, choosing what kind of crispy goodness they’re about to dig into.

I went classic first: catfish basket with fries and hushpuppies, plus a side of slaw to keep my conscience balanced. The fillets arrived golden with a delicate cornmeal coat that broke like good news.

The hushpuppies were peppery, lightly sweet, and blessedly fluffy, like somebody whipped the batter with a smile.

I thought to myself, ‘Is there anything better than this?’

The sauce bar is where the fun begins, and I leaned hard into tartar with extra lemon. The fries were skin-on, with enough crunch to stand up to dips without surrender.

The slaw hit that ideal vinegar-creamy middle ground that makes you nod after the first bite.

Service felt like a high-five, with trays landing fast and hot. This location makes it easy to plan dinner around a Target run, which is dangerously convenient.

When you need crispy, quick, and consistent, this place delivers without fuss, and you’ll polish the basket clean like it owes you money.

3. Eat My Catfish, Little Rock (Rodney Parham)

On a weeknight, I slid into the Rodney Parham location. You’ll find it at 10301 N Rodney Parham Rd Ste A3, Little Rock, AR 72227.

It’s not far from the steady hum of suburban traffic and after-work errands. Inside, the energy felt relaxed and efficient, like the kitchen knew you came for comfort, not ceremony.

I ordered a two-piece catfish with onion rings and a side of beans, because balance is a moving target. The fish wore a crisp jacket that shattered tenderly, letting the flaky meat show off.

Onion rings leaned thick and sturdy, with a batter that clung without getting gluey, the dream scenario for dunking.

Beans came smoky and honest, the kind of side that rests its elbows on the table and tells a story. I added extra lemon to the tartar and tucked into the hushpuppies, which tasted like sunshine got coaxed into cornmeal.

Everything hit the basket hot and unbothered by time.

The dining room offers just enough space to breathe without losing the bustling fish-shack beat. Staff kept the pace, smiling like it was muscle memory, and trays orbiting like planets of comfort.

Parking was easy, which matters when your patience is running on fumes. If you want Little Rock convenience with dependable southern crunch, this stop deserves a permanent pin in your map and a recurring calendar reminder.

4. Eat My Catfish, Little Rock (Riverdale)

I made my way to the Riverdale spot on a sunny afternoon when the Arkansas River was showing off. It sits at 2516 Cantrell Rd Suite A12, Little Rock, AR 72202, in a strip with just enough bustle to feel alive.

This one has a breezy vibe, the kind that pairs perfectly with a basket and a window seat.

I went for the catfish po’ boy, dressed and decisive, with the bread toasted to a soft crunch. Each bite staggered perfectly between tangy pickles, creamy sauce, and that airy flake of fish.

I added a side of fries and a cup of gumbo for depth, which made the meal feel like a hug with a handshake. I was already impressed.

The hushpuppies came out like tiny golden planets, peppered and warm. I liked the lemon-forward tartar and kept sneaking extra onto the sandwich for a zippy upgrade.

Everything landed quick, which meant no time for second thoughts, only second bites.

Riverdale’s crowd felt like a neighborhood roll call, lots of regulars and the occasional office escapee. Parking can swell during peak hours, but turnover stays brisk.

When you want crispy fish kissed by a breeze and a seat that makes you linger, this location rewards your detour. It’s the kind of place that turns a short lunch into a tiny vacation you tell your friends about.

5. Flying Fish, Little Rock

Flying Fish seemed like the next stop, and I wasn’t wrong. It’s located at 511 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, right in the River Market where lunch hours hum like beehives.

Inside, it’s playful and lively, with mounted fish and cheeky decor that dares you to grin before the first bite.

I went for the fried catfish basket and a cup of red beans and rice for good measure. The fish arrived impossibly crisp without bullying the flaky interior.

It’s an ideal contrast you feel in your jaw. The hushpuppies were crunchy on the outside with a tender middle, the seasoning whispering just enough to keep secrets.

I enjoyed eating them to the fullest.

There’s a wall of hot sauces for the adventurous, but I stayed loyal to lemon and tartar. The fries were piping hot, generous, and exactly the right amount of salty.

The beans tasted like Sunday patience, slow and full-bodied, the kind of side you finish even when you’re full.

Tourists and locals share the same long tables, and that mix keeps the energy buoyant. Orders fly fast, trays clatter, and the staff lands plates with practiced grace.

It’s easy to slip in for a quick lunch and suddenly realize the afternoon got friendlier. When downtown needs a crispy intermission, Flying Fish steals the scene without asking permission.

6. Lazy Pete’s, Little Rock

I visited Lazy Pete’s on a day when the weather could not pick a mood, and the fryer made the decision for me. The shop sits at 200 N Bowman Rd Suite 9, Little Rock, AR 72211, just off a thrum of errands and steady traffic.

Inside, the vibe is unfussy, the kind of place where the register smile counts as the welcome mat.

I ordered the catfish plate with Cajun fries and green beans.

The fish came in generous fillets, crisped at the edges and tender in the center, like someone tuned the thermostat by instinct. Fries carried a peppery kick that made me nod and keep going back.

The green beans were buttery with a little snap left, a homey counterpoint to the golden crunch. Hushpuppies landed warm, with onion tucked inside like a wink.

Tartar sauce was tangy and dependable, and the lemon wedges were fresh enough to matter.

Everything moved quickly without losing patience or warmth. I watched regulars swap jokes with the staff, which told me I stumbled onto a neighborhood ritual.

Parking was straightforward, and prices kept pace with portions. When you need a no-drama plate of happiness, Lazy Pete’s serves it hot, simple, and absolutely what the day ordered.

7. Catfish Shack, DeWitt

I made the slow roll into DeWitt with radio static and big expectations, the kind of drive that puts you in a patient mood. Catfish Shack is located at 306 S Whitehead Dr, DeWitt, AR 72042, looking like the local heartbeat with a fryer for a metronome.

People were already laughing near the door, which told me lunch was about to be a good idea.

I ordered a catfish dinner with baked potato and slaw, because sometimes you go full classic. Fillets arrived pearly under a confident cornmeal coat that never smothered the fish.

The baked potato came steaming, and ready for butter to make its case. I was impatient to try it.

Slaw leaned sweet and creamy, balancing the savory without shouting. Hushpuppies had a crisp edge and soft center that made them too easy to keep eating.

The tartar sauce was bright and dill-friendly, and I kept spooning a little onto the potato like a rebel.

Service hummed along with small-town ease, no rush but no lag either. Prices kept things friendly, and the portions would make your aunt proud.

It is a place that feels like a Sunday drive even on a Tuesday. If you are craving that lived-in comfort with catfish that tastes like memory, DeWitt’s Catfish Shack will gladly hand you a plate and a reason to stay awhile.

8. Mack’s Fish House, Heber Springs

The lake breeze still clung to my sleeves as I swung into Heber Springs, ready for something golden. Mack’s Fish House sits at 559 Wilburn Rd, Heber Springs, AR 72543, a local institution that wears its history like a comfortable shirt.

The dining room buzzed with families, fishing stories, and the soft percussion of baskets meeting tables.

I ordered the all-you-can-eat catfish because sometimes ambition is a personality trait. Each round arrived hot, flaky, and dressed in a coarse cornmeal crust that gave a friendly crackle.

Hushpuppies were lightly sweet with onion confetti inside, the kind that encourages just-one-more decisions.

Beans were savory and sturdy, and the coleslaw stayed crisp and bright, a cool chorus behind the main act. I squeezed lemon like punctuation and dipped the edges in tartar with zero restraint.

Fries kept their crunch to the last bite, and I ate them in a blink of an eye.

Service ran like a well-rehearsed song, and the refills landed right when I wondered if more was wise. Prices were fair considering how many rounds I championed.

If lake days leave you hungry for comfort, Mack’s is the kind of place that catches you, feeds you, and sends you out smiling. Bring an appetite and a story, and you will leave with better versions of both.

9. The Crawfish Shack, Monticello

The Crawfish Shack sits near town on 181 US-425, Monticello, AR 71655, United States, and the glow feels like a beacon when dinner hour hits. Locals were filtering in with that easy stride that says they know exactly what to order.

I started with catfish because consistency is its own thrill. The fillets were lightly breaded and tender, with hushpuppies that played backup like pros.

I added seasoned fries and a cup of étouffée for comfort, and I couldn’t help feeling happy when I looked into my tray.

The sauce leaned lemony and bright, ideal for chasing the fried edges. Slaw brought crunchy freshness with just enough sweetness to make sense.

Service was swift and kind, like a neighbor passing you a plate at a backyard table.

Portions were generous, and the pace stayed calm even with steady foot traffic. This is the kind of roadside stop that keeps its promises: hot, friendly, and exactly what your drive needed.

Bring a friend, share across the table, and pretend you planned it that way. When Monticello calls, The Crawfish Shack answers with a basket that keeps you from overthinking.

10. Country Village Catfish And Seafood, Star City

By the time I reached Star City, I felt a sense of satisfaction that only a good two-lane road can give you. Country Village Catfish and Seafood anchors the scene at 158 Knight Haven Cir, Star City, AR 71667.

Inside, families gathered like it was both routine and celebration, which is exactly the mood you want for fried catfish.

I ordered the catfish dinner with baked beans and fries, then added hushpuppies because restraint is overrated. The fish wore a nubbly cornmeal coat that sparked when you bit it, revealing soft, steamy flakes beneath.

Beans leaned smoky-sweet and anchored the plate, while fries kept a confident crunch even under tartar drips.

Hushpuppies were golden and onion-kissed, the sort you pass around until the basket is mysteriously empty. Slaw had that cool, creamy snap that refreshes without lecturing.

Lemon wedges did their cleansing magic, and I kept reaching for another bite like my hand had its own plan.

Service had a friendly rhythm, and the dining room carried the low chatter of people who feel at home. Prices were reasonable, portions polite but plentiful, and refills appeared right on cue.

If you are chasing catfish that feels timeless, this Star City staple delivers with grace. It is the kind of place that makes detours feel like destiny, and your return a foregone conclusion.

11. Ward’s The Crawfish Hole, Hot Springs

I went to Hot Springs with mineral steam in the air and catfish on my mind. Ward’s The Crawfish Hole sits west of downtown Hot Springs at 768 Crystal Hill Rd, surrounded by trees and country roads with lakes within easy driving distance.

The casual, laid‑back atmosphere fits the area’s relaxed vibe.

I ordered a catfish plate and added corn-on-the-cob because the vibe begged for it. The fish landed crisp and soulful, with a sturdy crust that guarded tender, fluffy meat.

Hushpuppies were peppery and warm, the kind you pass around then wish you had not.

Fries were seasoned and stacked like small kindling, ideal for scooping tartar and catching crumbs. Slaw cooled the palate with a gentle tang, a steady partner to the rich fry.

Lemon did its bright lift, and I kept nodding like the meal was telling the truth.

The outdoor feel and lake-adjacent energy made the meal taste like vacation, even midweek. Prices matched the portions, no drama, just straightforward satisfaction.

If your Hot Springs day needs a crunchy chapter, Ward’s writes it with a basket you will remember.