In the Nashville area, you should probably swing by Ashland City, which has a couple of very good catfish eateries (Bill’s, Brantleys, Riverview)…

http://www.geocities.com/billscatfish/

There was one in Vicksburg that I used to like to go to, but it was more for the location than the food. It is up on the bluff (that would now be overlooking the casino boat instead of the river) and had a great view. I remember the food was pretty unremarkable.

Yes, Bushie, too bad about Cock of the Walk, particularly that one at Natchez, for I think that was the original location. Friends said it was really bad this spring. And, yes, they have long been located all throughout the southeast, always located on or near some type of water – river, stream, creek, pond, whatever. There are so many other so good and more reasonably priced catfish places everywhere now that I’ve not been into a Cock of the Walk anywhere in long time, but in passing by some, I don’t believe any of them do the business they did ten years or so ago.

Thanks for the update, Liketoeat. Too bad. I didn’t realize they had expanded that much. The only other one I knew about was in Little Rock.

Just noticed your post re Cock of the Walk at Natchez, Bushie. While I’ve not eaten there in a number of years, last time I was there it was good (as were all the Cock of the Walk restaurants thruout the south, tho I think a bit overpriced). However, good friends ate at the Natchez Cock of the Walk this spring and said the experience was awful. All of the food was too greasy, about cold when they got it, overpriced; nothing right; said they would never return to it and would be wary of trying any others anywhere. Maybe they were there on a bad day, but they are as much food freaks as any of us, so I trust their opinions. Just putting this out there for what it’s worth.

"JERRY’S CATFISH" (Florence, MS–near Jackson) about 10 miles south of exit 47A off I-20. The Natchez Trace takes a temproary break around Jackson and you take I-55 to I-20 to get back on, so this would only be about 10 miles from your route. Exit 47A is the first exit on I-20 east of "The Stack" interchange where I-55 joins I-20 around the south side of Jackson. You need to eat heartily in Nashville (and breakfast at Loveless is a great place to start) because there isn’t much but beautiful scenery between there and Jackson, MS.

This is one of the top 3 catfish houses I have enjoyed, I stop anytime I get near a catfish house, and in 2002 and 2003 I have driven my Hondas (Odyssey/Pilot) from San Diego to Key West, I-20 from Dallas to Atlanta, I-40 from Oklahoma City to North Carolina I-80 from New York to Omaha, I-70 from Hays, KS to Baltimore, I-65 from Indianapolis to Mobile, I-75 from Gainesville to Chattanooga, I-59 from Chattanooga to Slidell, LA, I-55 from St. Louis to New Orleans, I-95 from New York to Jacksonville, the length of I-35 from Duluth to San Antonio, various connecting routes–and yes, the Natchez Trace from Jackson, MS to Nashville. My point is, I have stopped at a lot of fish places, and these are the 3 best I’ve found.

Middendorfs in Manchac, LA and Catfish Hut?? off I-65 just north of Montgomery, AL (I can’t remember the name, but it is in a log cabin structure and they bring a big pewter pot of great northern beans to the table as an appetizer) are the others in my top 3.

Jerry’s is in a big Dome building on the east side of highway 49. Order "all you can eat", either fillet or whole fish and ask them to bring some sliced onions on the side. GREAT EATING!!

Cock of the Walk in Natchez used to be really good and fun. It’s been a number of years since I’ve been there, but I haven’t heard any bad reviews of their catfish.

As for the Catfish Quest,I can vouch for the catfish sandwich at Ground Zero Blues Club. It’s at 0 Blues Alley Clarksdale,MS (662) 621-9009.Open for lunch too.The club stands directly across from The Delta Blues Museum.(A must-see for blues fans)Clarksdale is central to the entire Delta area and thus central to the catfish industry.A BBQ sandwich or three from Abe’s (crossroads of Hwy.61 & 49) makes for the perfect afternoon roadtrip through the Delta.I envy your trip.Enjoy.

Precisely at the entrance of the Trace in Nashville is the Loveless Cafe. 8400 Hwy. 100 (931)646-9700.They have the quintessential Southern breakfast which would send you off with a smile in your belly.Have fun.

WE had pretty good catfish and trout in a restaurant in Black Mountain,
NC about a month ago. Can’t remember the name of the place, but Black Mountain is small and anyone there can direct you to the best fish house in town. We also had good BBQ in Black Mountain at a place called Bono’s, part of a regional chain, but good, they smoke the pig right in the parking lot.

Definately do Willy’s Catfish house at the Sevierville, Gatlinburg Exit off I-40. About six or sevn miles on the right going toward Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. They open at 4:00PM if you happen to be in the area.

Do your self a favor and go on into Pigeon forge, do some shopping at the Five Oaks Mall, one of the most beautiful and largest in the USA. Voted the best outlet mall in the USA.

Then go across the street to the Apple Barn and get some of their fried apple pies with ice cream. They have two restaurants, winery two gift shops, bakery, candy making store and other neat stuff. Great apple products.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN