14 Jackson, Mississippi Fried Catfish Spots That Locals Swear By
Jackson sits in the heart of Mississippi, and if you ask anyone who lives here where to find the best fried catfish, you will get fifteen different answers before you finish the question.
Catfish is not just food around here. It is tradition, pride, and the kind of meal that turns a regular Tuesday into something worth remembering.
Every neighborhood has its own champion, every family has its favorite spot, and every plate comes with a story that usually starts with someone’s grandmother and ends with you licking your fingers.
I have spent years chasing down these golden fillets across the metro area, and I can tell you that the best catfish is rarely where you expect it. Sometimes it is hiding in a small building on a side street.
Other times it is waiting for you just off the interstate, ready to prove that simple food done right beats fancy every single time.
These fourteen spots represent the kind of catfish that makes locals possessive and visitors jealous, and every single one of them has earned its place on this list the hard way.
1. Bully’s Restaurant, Jackson
Pulling up to Bully’s Restaurant at 3118 Livingston Rd, Jackson, MS 39213, I felt like I was stepping into the beating heart of local soul food pride.
The fried catfish here arrives in generous golden fillets that crackle when you tap them with a fork.
I usually end up dragging each piece through hot sauce and a pile of peppery greens before I even think about sides.
The crust stays crisp while the catfish underneath stays tender enough to flake apart with almost no effort.
Mac and cheese, yams, and cornbread crowd the plate so closely that the catfish has company at every edge.
On one visit, a regular at the next table gave me a full tutorial on how to chase every crumb with the last bite of cornbread.
Bully’s has that easy, unhurried rhythm where you can linger over lunch and watch takeout bags fly out the door.
When locals talk about where to send someone for a first taste of Jackson catfish, this place slips into the conversation very quickly.
2. Eddie & Ruby’s Snack Bar, Jackson
The first time I found Eddie & Ruby’s Snack Bar at 1268 Valley St, Jackson, MS 39203, it felt like I had stumbled into the neighborhood’s unofficial living room.
The menu board leans heavy on fried fish, but the catfish plates are the clear headliners.
Thick fillets come out sizzling, dusted in seasoned cornmeal that smells like every good Friday you ever hoped for.
I always notice how the edges curl just a bit, giving you that extra crunch on the first bite.
Hushpuppies ride along with fries or spaghetti, and there is usually a container of tartar sauce waiting to get demolished.
One afternoon, I watched a steady stream of regulars walk in, call their order by nickname, and walk out grinning with steaming white bags.
The dining room is simple, which suits me fine, because every bit of attention stays on the catfish.
If you want the kind of plate that leaves salt on your fingers and a smile you cannot hide, this little spot earns the miles.
3. Martin’s Fish House, Jackson
Tucked along the road at 5249 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS 39209, Martin’s Fish House looks like the exact kind of place where fried catfish should be taken seriously.
The menu leans into fillets and pan trout, but the catfish plates stay in heavy rotation.
I usually go for a catfish dinner piled with fries and a soft slice of white bread that soaks up every stray crumb.
The batter here is light but fiercely seasoned, so each bite stays bright instead of heavy.
More than once, I have eaten half my plate in the parking lot because the smell inside my car defeated my self-control.
The staff keeps things brisk, but they always seem ready with recommendations if you freeze up at the menu.
There is nothing fussy about the dining room, which matches the straightforward attitude of the catfish on the plate.
When people tell me they want a no-nonsense fish house on the west side of town, this is where I send them first.
4. Ellis Seafood, Meadowbrook Road, Jackson
Ellis Seafood on Meadowbrook sits at 350 Meadowbrook Rd, Jackson, MS 39206, and the sign alone feels like a promise of something fried and unforgettable.
Inside, the menu reads like a roll call of Gulf favorites, but the farm-raised catfish always catches my eye.
You can order catfish fillet platters, strips, or mix it into a seafood combo if commitment is not your thing.
I like how the pieces keep their crunch even after a detour through hot sauce and ketchup.
The sides here do real work, especially the fried okra and corn nuggets that threaten to steal the show if you let them.
One evening, I watched a family at the next table negotiate who got the last catfish strip like it was a high-stakes auction.
The staff moves fast, but the food never feels rushed, just confidently seasoned and ready.
When I crave catfish that tastes like it came straight from a backyard fish fry, Ellis on Meadowbrook covers that craving without fail.
5. Ellis Seafood, Ellis Avenue, Jackson
On the other side of town, Ellis Seafood’s Ellis Avenue outpost at 1041 Ellis Ave, Jackson, MS 39209, gives the same catfish obsession a slightly rowdier energy.
This location keeps the same core menu, so you can still grab catfish platters built around thick, freshly fried fillets.
I tend to show up hungry and leave wondering how I forgot that the portions here basically count as a personal challenge.
The batter clings to the fish in craggy ridges, giving you maximum crunch with every bite.
More than once, I have watched someone quietly switch from fries to fried rice just to have more surface for the juices to soak into.
The vibe is casual and loud in the best way, with takeout orders sliding across the counter like clockwork.
If you want catfish in a spot that feels plugged directly into the neighborhood, this Ellis location is a must.
6. Valley Street Fish House, Jackson
Valley Street Fish House at 1234 Valley St, Jackson, MS 39203, has the kind of straightforward name that tells you exactly what your taste buds are in for.
The menu spells it out even more clearly, with catfish fillet strip sandwiches, catfish orders, and classic fried platters ready to go.
I gravitate toward the catfish fillet strip order, where each piece comes out hot, crisp, and just shy of addictive.
Outdoor seating makes it easy to sit with a basket of fish and watch Valley Street roll by.
On my last visit, I noticed how quickly strangers turned into loud tablemates once the fish hit the table.
The seasoning rides the line between salty and spicy in a way that keeps you reaching back into the basket.
Nothing here feels overcomplicated, which is exactly what I want from a dedicated fish house in the middle of Jackson.
7. E Zee Fish & Chicken, Jackson
E Zee Fish & Chicken stands out along the road at 4330 N State St, Jackson, MS 39206, with a glow that practically advertises fried cravings.
The counter menu is long, but I always land on plates that put catfish front and center.
There are options for fillets, whole fish, and combos, so you can build exactly the kind of fried situation your day calls for.
I appreciate how the batter leans thin and crisp, letting the flavor of the fish stay in charge.
More than once, I have had to sit in the lot for a minute to let the food cool and my impatience calm down.
The crowd usually includes everyone from construction crews in work boots to students in hoodies, which tells you plenty about its reach.
For a quick fix of catfish that still tastes carefully cooked, E Zee earns its loyal following.
8. Sugar’s Place, Jackson
Sugar’s Place sits tucked into downtown at 168 E Griffith St, Jackson, MS 39201, and it always feels like you are walking into someone’s very proud kitchen.
Breakfast gets a lot of attention here, but lunch brings out catfish specials that keep regulars lining up.
I remember the first time I ordered a catfish plate and realized the fish tasted like it had been fried by someone who refuses to rush.
The fillets arrive with a sturdy crust and soft interior, sharing the plate with greens, cornbread, or whatever sides you managed to pick before getting distracted.
The dining room fills with chatter from nearby offices, law students, and people who clearly plan their errands around the daily specials.
On one visit, my server casually suggested their sauce with the catfish, and I have not stopped pairing them since.
If you want catfish with a heavy dose of downtown personality, Sugar’s delivers both on a single plate.
9. Willie’s Seafood, Jackson
Willie’s Seafood at 1553 W Northside Dr, Jackson, MS 39213, is the kind of spot you hear about in quick, confident recommendations from people who know their fish.
The operation runs in the late afternoon and evening, with a focus on seafood baskets that almost always feature catfish.
I like to order a catfish and wings combo, then spend the next fifteen minutes wondering why I did not ask for extra fish.
The batter here has a satisfying crunch that somehow survives the ride home if you are patient enough to wait.
Fries, slaw, and sometimes a piece of bread round out the box, creating a full meal that feels built for busy weeknights.
More than once, I have seen people call in orders from the parking lot just to shave a few minutes off the wait.
For Northside locals who want catfish without any ceremony, Willie’s stays in heavy rotation.
10. Moss Creek Fish House, Pearl
A quick drive from Jackson drops you at Moss Creek Fish House, 413 Riverwind Dr, Pearl, MS 39208, where the sign proudly calls out Mississippi farm-raised catfish.
The menu backs that up with catfish fillet platters, thin and crispy platters, and combo plates that let you match catfish with shrimp or other favorites.
I still remember the first time I tried the thin and crispy version and realized how much texture they manage to pack into each bite.
Hushpuppies, coleslaw, and beans fill the rest of the tray in classic Mississippi style.
Families, travelers, and locals coming off the interstate all end up in the same line, trading tips on which platter to order.
The dining room feels bright and busy, with servers balancing large trays that always seem to include at least one catfish platter.
When friends ask for a sit-down catfish place near Jackson that still feels local, Moss Creek is an easy suggestion.
11. Harvey’s Fish Hut, Pearl
Harvey’s Fish Hut hides at 109 Jones Dr, Pearl, MS 39208, and the building looks like the kind of place you only find if someone tips you off.
Inside, the focus is nearly all on fried fish, especially catfish and pan trout, with sides that feel like they came straight from somebody’s favorite kitchen notebook.
I often end up with a catfish fillet plate that leaves just enough room for hushpuppies and fries.
The fish comes out hot enough to make you regret biting into it too quickly, which I still do anyway.
There is usually a friendly debate happening about which fish is best, but catfish gets plenty of votes.
Harvey’s keeps the atmosphere relaxed and unpolished, which works perfectly for paper trays and plastic forks.
If someone tells you they want a catfish spot that feels like a secret, this little hut fits the description.
12. Cock of the Walk, Ridgeland
Cock of the Walk sits along the water at 141 Madison Landing Cir, Ridgeland, MS 39157, and every part of the building seems built around the idea of catfish.
The menu leans heavily on fried Simmons farm-raised catfish, served in fillets or whole fish with the classic lineup of skillet cornbread, slaw, and pickled onions.
I remember my first visit mostly as a montage of crispy catfish, crunchy onions, and people flipping cornbread in skillets like a party trick.
The batter has a light crunch that gives way to moist, clean-tasting fish with every bite.
Families pack the long tables, and you can hear plenty of conversations about whose out-of-town relatives were just converted into catfish fans.
By the time you walk back out to the parking lot, the smell of the fryer has settled into your clothes in a way that feels like a souvenir.
For many Jackson area locals, this is the place they bring visitors when they want to show off local catfish at full volume.
13. Berry’s Seafood & Catfish House, Florence
Berry’s Seafood & Catfish House at 2942 Hwy 49 S, Florence, MS 39073, sits just far enough from Jackson to feel like a little catfish pilgrimage.
The buffet-style setup lets you build a plate with fried catfish as the main event, then stack on shrimp, chicken, and a whole roster of Southern sides.
I usually make an ambitious first pass at the catfish and hushpuppies, then immediately regret not leaving more room for vegetables.
The fillets are lightly breaded, not greasy, and somehow keep their crunch even when they share the plate with beans and slaw.
Families treat the place like a weekly tradition, and the line near the buffet tells you when the catfish has just been dropped.
If you enjoy choosing your own adventure one scoop at a time, Berry’s gives you plenty of ways to build a catfish-centered feast.
14. Jerry’s Catfish House, Florence
Jerry’s Catfish House at 3326 Hwy 49 S, Florence, MS 39073, looks unforgettable before you even step inside, thanks to its big white dome rising next to the highway.
Inside, the star of the show is an all-you-can-eat fried catfish setup that makes restraint feel like a theoretical concept.
I remember sitting down for the first time and quietly promising myself I would stop after one basket, then completely ignoring that promise when the second round showed up.
The fillets are thin, crisp, and perfectly salted, which makes them far too easy to keep grabbing.
Hushpuppies and coleslaw ride shotgun, keeping the table crowded and the conversation cheerful.
The service moves efficiently, but there is always time for a joke or a quick story from a server who has clearly seen plenty of repeat visitors.
For Jackson area catfish fans who do not mind a short drive for a legendary plate, Jerry’s feels less like a restaurant and more like a rite of passage.