Few things say Ozarks like a plate of golden fried catfish with hush puppies and slaw on the side. Missouri is full of family-run spots that still bread their fillets in cornmeal and fry them fresh to order, the way it should be done.
Some sit right on the water, others are simple sit-down cafes in small towns you might drive past without a second look. This list rounds up seven Missouri restaurants where the catfish is the main event, from lake country near Branson to soul food downtown in Springfield.
If you have been searching for the real thing, save this one and pick your first stop.
1. Flat Creek Restaurant, Cape Fair, MO
Out near the water in tiny Cape Fair, Flat Creek keeps things easygoing with a cheery rustic dining room and a fun bar area. The menu leans into American comfort food, so you can go from burgers to a full fried catfish platter without ever leaving the booth…