David Beard's Catfish Village - Waskom

During a long journey, we spotted this restaurant on our way home and decided to give it a try. We arrived within an hour, and the service was prompt. There are many variations of the seafood restaurant concept, and this one stands out as one of the better options. It all starts with excellent service. I had the shrimp, while my friend ordered the catfish. While we waited, we enjoyed nearly perfect hush puppies, and everything was delicious. Even the salad bar was impeccable. The food here isn't anything out of the ordinary—it's classic catfish and seafood, just like we love. I haven’t had hush puppies this good since I was a kid. I will definitely be coming back.

Keep in mind that this is primarily a catfish restaurant, so be prepared for that! They offer a fresh salad bar with a limited selection, but the items served are both delicious and flavorful. One standout was the bean soup, made with bacon, which was exceptionally tasty. However, I found the green tomato relish to be a bit underwhelming. I was hoping for a homemade version, and while it wasn't bad, it definitely didn't exceed my expectations. The white cornbread hush puppies looked unusual but were surprisingly tasty. I ordered the regular Cajun catfish dish, and the portion was generous for lunch. The fish had a good texture and a light flavor. While the spices weren't what I typically associate with Cajun cuisine, I didn't expect much authenticity in East Texas. The fish was served hot, perfectly fried, and not greasy at all. The views from the restaurant are quite pleasant, making it a welcoming stop for travelers on a long drive. The service was good, and the lunch special was reasonably priced. While this might not be a destination restaurant, you'll leave satisfied with good food and likely a beautiful photo or two to remember your road trip by.

Great spot! It's a quaint little salad bar in a small town. We ordered the catfish – my husband chose the large portion while I opted for the smaller "grandfather" size. I don't have a big appetite, so that was just right for me. The food tasted great. We also inquired about the Kanjun, but we weren't sure if it was supposed to be spicy or not.

Really surprised by my last visit! I live in Texas and have family living in Shreveport. Hubby wanted to eat here every time we drive past... I resisted because the food was not so great a few years ago when we ate here last. So last week I gave up and we ate here. I wasn't sure what I could eat because I got vegan. I had the most beautiful older lady than our server. She was so nice when I told her I was vegan and she told me all my options. I could eat a beautiful large salad from the bar with a bowl of some delicious pinto beans! I also had a really good baked potato. I wanted to try the steamed vegetables... They were tasteless and our server took them off the bill and took some wild rice. Sooo good! I was overcrowded after dinner! Am I back? Yes, I will. I'm really happy when restaurants have vegan options for those of us who don't eat animals. WTG Catfish Village!!!!!! :

Great fried catfish and steak and seafood restaurant. The salad bar is always fresh and fully stocked. The building and surrounding lake are beautiful, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. I love this hometown restaurant. They have banquet facilities also!