Written By:Felecia Causey
Photos By: Felecia Causey
I came across a restaurant called Cooter’s Catfish on TikTok, so while visiting LaGrange, Georgia, it instantly became a must‑try. The night before, I even sat down and wrote out exactly what I planned to order. The drive was a good distance from where I was staying, so I hoped the food would be everything I imagined. The restaurant sits in a small strip near churches, schools, and homes. At one point, I thought my GPS had taken me the wrong way and almost turned back toward the interstate. I’m glad I didn’t, because I would have missed out on something truly good.
I arrived right at opening, so I was the first one inside. Anyone who knows me knows how seriously I take customer service, and the cashier made a great impression. She was friendly, patient, and took her time explaining the menu without making me feel rushed. That alone made the experience start off on the right foot.
The food is cooked to order, and my wait was about 10–15 minutes, which is perfectly fine for fresh, hot food. While waiting, I stepped next door to grab some banana pudding and a pulled‑pork sandwich, which you’ll see in an upcoming review.
The restaurant offers seating—not a huge space, but a cozy spot for lunch or a casual meal for two. I even had the chance to speak with the owner and asked where the name “Cooter’s Catfish” came from. He told me it was a nickname he’d had since childhood, which added a personal touch to the visit.
I ordered the catfish sandwich special, which came with chips and a drink. The fish had the perfect crunch and tasted amazing. I do wish fries came with the special, but the sandwich itself made up for it. It was loaded with lettuce, tomato, onions, tartar sauce, and I added cheese. The cheese wasn’t melted the way I prefer, and the top bun was a little over‑toasted, but those were small details. The sandwich was still so good that I found myself driving while eating it.
Of course, I didn’t stop there. I also ordered six mild lemon pepper wings, one extra piece of catfish, fried okra, and one hushpuppy. Let me pause here to talk about the okra. Not everyone cooks okra well—some places serve it hard on the outside and raw inside, or mushy on the outside and underdone inside. But Cooter’s Catfish nailed it. It was cooked to perfection, and that’s not something I say often. The wings were just the right size—not oversized or fatty—and the sauce was exactly how I like it. My wings must be wet, and these were moist inside and out. The extra catfish filet had the same incredible crunch as the sandwich.
Now, about that hushpuppy. I’m absolutely complaining that there was only one. With food this good, I needed more. I know I could have purchased extra, but I wish the meal came with at least a couple.
Will I be going back. Absolutely. I give Cooter’s Catfish a 4.7 out of 5 stars. I only wish they offered desserts, included more hushpuppies with meals, and avoided over‑toasting the bread. But overall, the food, service, and experience were fantastic. If you get the chance to try Cooter’s Catfish, send me an email and let me know what you think.
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