12 New Orleans, Louisiana Catfish Joints Locals Refuse To Gatekeep
In New Orleans, Louisiana fried catfish is more than a plate.
It is a neighborhood ritual where corner joints and longtime institutions turn lunch breaks into tiny celebrations.
Some spots have lines that wiggle forward like mini second lines.
Others hide in plain sight, fryer humming louder than the gossip.
A few serve catfish so crisp you start planning your return before you even wipe your fingers.
Ready to follow the scent of hot oil and peppery batter to the spots locals say are absolutely worth every bite?
Here is my go-to list of twelve locally loved fried catfish joints that will have you hooked on the first bite.
1. Barrow’s Catfish, New Orleans
On the lively stretch near 8300 Earhart Blvd Suite 103 in New Orleans, Louisiana the line forms before the fryer even catches its steady rhythm.
Barrow’s plates a cornmeal-crusted catfish that breaks with a peppery snap, each fillet thick enough to stay juicy.
Some regulars claim this is the only catfish that can pull them across town on a weeknight, and the chatter proves it.
I asked a server how she likes it, and she said the platter lets the crust sing.
I tried the po-boy too and noticed the fillets keep their crisp in that soft loaf.
One bite took me back to family fish fries where someone always guarded the platter until everyone ate.
The dining room hums with pickup orders, families share booths, and the counter crew stays quick with a smile.
Fries crunch, slaw cools things down, and a tartar with lemony twang waits on the side.
When was the last time a simple basket felt like a small celebration?
Hook, line, and delicious!
2. Clesi’s Restaurant & Catering, New Orleans
At 4323 Bienville St in New Orleans, Louisiana, Clesi’s keeps the fryer whispering while neighbors drift in from side streets.
The catfish wears a light, gritty cornmeal jacket that crackles, then yields to soft, flaky meat.
You notice the seasoning immediately, a warm balance that favors pepper over heat.
I chatted with a cook who said the trick is not crowding the basket.
I tasted a platter and then circled back for a po-boy, surprised by how the thin fillets stayed crisp under tomatoes and lettuce.
It brought back a memory of drive-home fries disappearing before I hit the red light.
Inside, televisions murmur, staff call names, and the patio catches an easy Mid-City breeze.
Locals lean on Clesi’s for consistent crunch, quick service, and a sauce with just enough tang.
Do you want platters, po-boys, or both?
However you go, that first crack of catfish feels like a promise kept.
3. Williby’s Catfish, New Orleans
At 4327 Paris Ave in New Orleans, Louisiana, Williby’s looks quiet until the fryer sings and to-go bags stack at the counter.
The catfish here runs in generous strips with a well-seasoned crust that leans savory, not salty.
Each piece crunches without heaviness, like it soaked in confidence rather than oil.
I asked a regular what keeps him loyal, and he said the fish tastes like home without the cleanup.
I grabbed a basket and found the fries sturdy enough to hold a dunk of tangy tartar.
A second visit sealed it, when I realized I was rationing the last three strips like treasured coins.
Inside, the room is simple, the smiles are easy, and conversation floats over the sizzle.
Neighborhood folks say these baskets are honest and fairly priced.
I could hardly remember the last time lunch felt this simple and right.
Williby’s keeps you reeling in another order.
4. New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co, New Orleans
Along 4141 Saint Charles Ave in New Orleans, Louisiana, the streetcar hums outside while baskets of fried catfish land fast.
This kitchen prefers a clean, even cornmeal coat that keeps edges sharp and centers tender.
The fillets ride well as a platter, though strips tuck nicely into sandwiches when you want a handheld fix.
I once sat by the window and watched commuters drift by, dipping bites between streetcar bells.
I asked a counter attendant how crispy they aim, and she said I should hear a tap when my fork touches the fish.
She was right, and the crunch that followed proved it.
On a return trip, I noticed the crust stayed bright to the final piece, which surprised me.
The room buzzes with families, students, and uniforms grabbing quick meals.
Slaw cools things with a fresh snap, and the fries bring that salty crunch you crave.
Ready to make a routine out of this route? Catfish and streetcars make a fine pair.
5. Castnet Seafood, New Orleans
At 10826 Hayne Blvd in New Orleans, Louisiana, Castnet blends market energy with hot fry magic.
The catfish arrives as sturdy fillets wearing a deep-gold crust that snaps like a cracker.
Seasoning leans peppery with a little herbal lift, the kind of profile that keeps nibbling fingers busy.
I asked a cook what makes the crunch last, and he said the oil stays hot and the cornmeal stays dry.
I took a platter to the car and found myself stealing bites before I started the engine.
Another day, I ate at the counter and watched neighbors compare orders while the fryer hissed steadily.
People come for seafood variety, then remember the catfish first.
Fries are straight and crisp, slaw is cool, and a house sauce carries quiet tang.
This place makes takeout taste fresh and even healthy.
Castnet casts a wide net, but the catfish is the prize.
6. Lil’ Dizzy’s Cafe, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
On the storied block at 1500 Esplanade Ave in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lil’ Dizzy’s hums with lunchtime conversations and clinking plates.
The catfish is cornmeal-dusted, crisp at the edges and feather-soft in the middle.
The platter feels like a Sunday table, especially when rice and gravy add warmth alongside.
I asked a server if the kitchen prefers thin or thick cuts, and she grinned and said they aim for tender.
I tasted the po-boy once and loved how the fillets stayed lively under soft bread and shredded lettuce.
Another visit, I paused after the first bite because it tasted like a family reunion.
Regulars swap greetings, staff move with practiced calm, and sunlight slides across the floor.
The tartar here whispers lemon while the fries carry a steady crunch.
Looking for comfort that does not shout?
Lil’ Dizzy’s keeps the rhythm steady, one golden fillet at a time.
7. Katie’s Restaurant & Bar, New Orleans
Around 3701 Iberville St in New Orleans, Louisiana, Katie’s turns midday into a friendly neighborhood parade.
The catfish arrives as generous fillets with a thin, ultra-crisp cornmeal shell that lets steam puff out.
You can go platter or order a po-boy where the pieces are sliced on the bias to maximize crunch.
I once asked the runner how the crust stays so even, and he said patience at the fryer.
I tried a platter first, then returned for the po-boy and noticed the same clean seasoning.
A bite reminded me of road trips where gas stations hid great fryers behind quiet counters.
The dining room glows with conversation, staff glide between tables, and to-go bags stack high.
Slaw brightens, fries hold their shape, and the sauce adds zip without stealing the show.
Do you hear that gentle crackle with each bite?
Katie’s keeps catfish in the spotlight, no fuss required.
8. Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant, New Orleans, Louisiana 70117
On Poland Avenue at 738 in New Orleans, Louisiana 70117, Jack Dempsey’s stands like a promise to hearty appetites.
The catfish arrives in wide fillets, fried to a chestnut gold that crackles along the edges.
The batter leans robust, more coat than dusting, which keeps the inside plush.
I asked a longtime server about the cut, and she said folks love the bigger slabs because they stay juicy.
I split a platter and still walked out full, surprised by how the last bite stayed crisp.
Another visit, I sat near the window and watched neighbors wave through the glass.
Inside, framed memories line the walls, and the staff run a smooth ship.
The sides feel anchored in comfort, and the tartar brings a gentle tang.
At Jack Dempsey’s, the bell rings for big, beautiful catfish.
9. Oceana Grill, New Orleans
Just off the action at 739 Conti St in New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, Oceana Grill turns out crisp catfish for folks who crave steady quality.
The fillets carry a neat cornmeal crust speckled with seasoning, thin enough to keep each bite light.
Heat escapes in little puffs when you break a piece, which always feels like a good sign.
I asked a host if locals still slide in between errands, and he nodded toward a pair of regulars at the corner booth.
I tried a platter after a long walk and found the crunch consistent from first to last.
On another day, I ordered a po-boy and liked the clean edges against soft bread.
Servers move fast, the room hums, and the Quarter’s hum filters through the doorway.
Fries stay crisp, slaw cools the palate, and the sauce leans bright.
If you find yourself craving a reliable crunch near the Quarter, Oceana keeps the sizzle steady.
10. Deanie’s Seafood, New Orleans
At 841 Iberville St in New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, Deanie’s builds platters that draw a crowd before you even sit down.
The catfish is classic Gulf comfort, cornmeal-forward with a confident crunch and flaky center.
Portions run generous, which suits the constant stream of families and downtown workers.
I asked a server how the kitchen keeps pace, and he said the line cooks move like a band.
Their shift ends when the guests are full.
I polished off a platter and realized I was planning my next visit halfway through the basket.
The dining room buzzes, ticket printers chatter, and plates land in steady rhythm.
Hushpuppies bring warmth, fries stay sturdy, and a cool tartar balances the fry.
Want a plate that feels like a small victory? Deanie’s stacks the odds in your favor.
11. Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Lakefront), New Orleans
Along the water at 7400 Lakeshore Dr in New Orleans, Louisiana 70124, Felix’s Lakefront pairs breezes with hot baskets.
The catfish comes as neat fillets with a golden, delicate crust that stays crisp without weighing you down.
You taste a light pepper kick, then clean sweetness from the fish.
I asked a runner if the lake wind cools plates too fast, and he laughed, saying the fry beats the breeze.
I tried a platter on the patio and found the crust held firm to the final bite.
On a later visit, I took a short walk and came back for a po-boy that still crunched.
Inside, daylight washes the room, and outside, walkers trace the seawall.
Fries are snappy, slaw refreshes, and the sauce adds a bright edge.
Craving a lake day with real crunch? Felix’s sends ripples of satisfaction.
12. Middendorf’s, Manchac
Down by 30160 Highway 51 in Manchac, Louisiana 70421, Middendorf’s turns thin-fried catfish into a love language.
The fish is butterflied, pounded thin, and fried until each sheet crackles like a potato chip while staying delicate.
One bite feels weightless and still rich with flavor.
I tried the famous thin style, then went back for regular cut to compare, surprised by how each kept character.
That first crunch rushed me back to road trips where stopping here felt like crossing a finish line.
The room glows with families, and windows frame water and sky while plates keep arriving.
Fries ride first, slaw cools things down, and lemon wakes each shard of fish.
When was the last time catfish felt this light?