Catfish Charlie's
A laid-back, wharf-style seafood restaurant serving classic Southern dishes like fried catfish and shrimp, famous for its hush puppies.
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Catfish Charlie's
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A laid-back, wharf-style seafood restaurant serving classic Southern dishes like fried catfish and shrimp, famous for its hush puppies.
"Locals know they have the best catfish, shrimp, frog legs and gumbo in Corpus Christi. [^M4]"
Try the Gulf Coast Combo
Enjoy perfectly cooked catfish and shrimp with a crispy batter, served with great sides. [^R1, ^M2]
Save Room for Mains
Enjoy the complimentary hush puppies, but be sure to save enough appetite for your main dish.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood, Southern
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(361) 993-0363
Address
5830 McArdle Rd #12, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
Website
catfishcharlies.net/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Catfish Experience
Indulge in Southern-style seafood, especially the thick, meaty, golden-fried catfish that's a local favorite.
Addictive Hush Puppies
Don't miss the complimentary hush puppies, described as the best ever – crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked.
Flavorful Seafood Gumbo
Experience a standout seafood gumbo packed with flavor and generous portions of seafood, a must-try for gumbo lovers.
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Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Gulf Coast Combo
Enjoy perfectly cooked catfish and shrimp with a crispy batter, served with great sides. [^R1, ^M2]
Save Room for Mains
Enjoy the complimentary hush puppies, but be sure to save enough appetite for your main dish. +1
Don't Skip the Gumbo
Locals rave about the seafood gumbo; opt for a bowl for the full, flavor-packed experience. [^R4, ^M4]
Consider Other Options
Beyond seafood, try other menu items like chicken fried steak for a different taste. [^R6, ^M6]
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Gulf Coast Combo
Enjoy perfectly cooked catfish and shrimp with a crispy batter, served with great sides. [^R1, ^M2]
Save Room for Mains
Enjoy the complimentary hush puppies, but be sure to save enough appetite for your main dish. +1
Don't Skip the Gumbo
Locals rave about the seafood gumbo; opt for a bowl for the full, flavor-packed experience. [^R4, ^M4]
Consider Other Options
Beyond seafood, try other menu items like chicken fried steak for a different taste. [^R6, ^M6]
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Catfish Charlie's is celebrated for its delicious Southern-style seafood, particularly the consistently praised catfish and addictive hush puppies. While many enjoy the friendly service and relaxed atmosphere, some reviewers have noted inconsistencies in food preparation and occasional issues with staff attentiveness. Despite minor drawbacks, it remains a beloved local spot for comforting seafood. +4
"I had the gulf coast combo off the lunch and it was great. The catfish and shrimp were cooked perfectly with a good crispy batter. The coleslaw and red beans were good. The hush puppies were awesome. The tater sauce and cocktail sauce were great and complemented the fish and shrimp well. My waitress was on point and the prices were reasonable. I can’t wait to come back and try other items. I highly recommend Catfish Charlie’s in Corpus Christi."
Brisket Yum
"I was excited to try this place out. The waitress didn't seem very welcoming at all. I'm visiting from out of town and from what I saw this place looked to be popular and welcoming. When I asked about grilled options, it seemed to irritate my waitress. I had a long wait to even get offered a drink. I decided to try the special gumbo. It actually tasted pretty good. However, the shrimp in it were not deveined."
Ty R
"The food was really good for the most part (I didn't care for the seafood gumbo, but it wasn't bad either. It wasn't a dark enough roux for my taste, and could have used more cajun seasoning). The catfish was AMAZING!! It was so meaty and tender!! All of the pieces we had were about 1" thick (pics below to show how thick the catfish was) and fried to golden perfection. If we're ever back in the CC area, my husband and I agreed that this place is a keeper."
Deeanna Sanborn
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Catfish Charlie's is renowned for its fried catfish, fried shrimp, frog legs, and its complimentary, highly addictive hush puppies. [^R1, ^R4, ^M2, ^M3]
Yes, the seafood gumbo is a highly recommended dish, described as flavor-packed and loaded with seafood. [^R4, ^M4]
Popular sides include coleslaw, red beans, French fries, and their famous hush puppies. +2
Yes, Catfish Charlie's offers a kids' menu which includes items like chicken fried steak. [^M6]
Service is generally described as efficient and friendly, with some reviewers highlighting exceptional waitstaff. However, a few reviews mention less welcoming experiences. +2
The restaurant has a laid-back, casual, and family-friendly wharf-style atmosphere. [^M5, ^M7]
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Eating Your Way Through Corpus Christi: Best Seafood Diners and Restaurants
Catfish Charlie's is the place to go if you're in the mood for catfish, hushpuppies, and all the fixings. This laid-back restaurant specializes in Southern-style seafood, making it a favorite among locals and visitors seeking comfort food with a Texan twist. Start your meal with an order of their famous Catfish Nuggets, bite-sized pieces of catfish that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
15 Best Restaurants in Corpus Christi 2023 (Best Food)
Catfish Charlie’s has a lovely wharf-style setting with delectable Louisiana fare. Fried catfish is their specialty, but they also make lip-smacking shrimp and gumbo for a hearty family dinner. The restaurant is known as “best of the best” for the deliciously indulgent farm-raised fried catfish, Cajun-style Frog Legs, and Jumbo Fried Shrimp alongside piping hot hushpuppies.
The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in Corpus Christi
This family-friendly restaurant has been open for 40 years and was even voted “Best of the Best” in Corpus Christi’s Caller Times. Catfish Charlie’s serves more than just catfish, too. They are known for their Cajun style frog legs, fried shrimp, and complimentary hush puppies!
Your Guide to the Best Seafood Restaurants in Corpus Christi
A locals' favorite, Catfish Charlie's serves some of the best gumbo in town. "Locals know they have the best catfish, shrimp, frog legs and gumbo in Corpus Christi. A favorite since 1977 that should not be missed!" — Caller-Times reader Reagan Brown. 5830 McArdle Road Suire 12
13 Best Places To Eat In Corpus Christi - Best Hispanic Cuisine On The Gulf Of Mexico
This laid-back and family-friendly seafood restaurant serves catfish and oysters in a wharf-style atmosphere. Seafood is an unbeatable choice in Corpus Christi because it is fresh. This restaurant offers a relaxed and simple dining experience thanks to its retro wharf ambiance.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Corpus Christi
Locally owned and operated for the last 40 years, Catfish Charlie’sis best known for its farm-raised fried catfish, but if that’s too daring for your little eater, they also offer some of the best chicken fried steaks in town on their kids’ menu!. 5830 McArdle Rd. #12
15 Best Restaurants in Corpus Christi, TX for 2025 (Top Eats!)
5830 McArdle Road, #12Corpus Christi, TX 78412(361) 993-0363 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Catfish Charlie’s is a laid-back, family-friendly seafood restaurant that serves its catfish and oysters in a wharf-style atmosphere.
Local Corpus Christi Seafood
Since 1977, Catfish Charlie’s has been one of the locals’ favorite places to eat seafood in Corpus Christi. As implied by the name, they have some of the best catfish in the city. Other specialties include frog legs and gumbo.
Your guide to the best seafood restaurants in Corpus Christi
A favorite with locals, Catfish Charlie’s serves up some of the best okra in town. “The locals know they have the best catfish, shrimp, frog legs and okra in Corpus Christi. A favorite since 1977 not to be missed!
Highest-rated Seafood Restaurants in Corpus Christi by Diners
- Rating: 4.0/5 (273 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 5830 McArdle Road Ste 12 Corpus Christi, Texas - Categories: seafood, southern- Read more on Yelp. You may also like: Coat drives near Corpus Christi
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