Alabama restaurant recognized for its legendary catfish and family traditions

A staple of Alabama dining has earned national acclaim, with a long-standing local favorite recently named one of the South’s legendary catfish cabins.

A Legacy in Lavaca

Ezell’s Fish Camp in Lavaca has been a cornerstone of the community for decades, beloved for its fresh fried catfish filets and iconic hush puppies. What started as a hunting and fishing club known for casual fish fries grew into an official restaurant in the 1950s under the guidance of commercial fisherman C.A. Ezell. The restaurant remains a deeply rooted family business today, with his daughter, Mary Ann Ezell Hall, overseeing operations for the last 45 years.

Generations of Tradition

This commitment to history has caught the eye of Southern Living, which recently highlighted the restaurant in an article profiling iconic family-owned catfish houses across the region.

The diverse menu—featuring hamburger steak, po’ boys, and stuffed crab—has kept families returning for generations. Reflecting on the restaurant's charm, Mary Ann Ezell Hall noted, “Grandfathers come in [who came] here as children. They brought their children, [who are now] bringing their children. They don’t want you to change anything. They want the same deer head in the same spot. That’s been the charm of it.”

A Southern Standard

As the recent feature points out, these businesses were built on the foundation of feeding people well and affordably with hospitality that continues to draw massive crowds. Ezell’s joins other notable establishments on the list, including Hagy’s Catfish Hotel in Shiloh, Tennessee, and Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant in Manchac, Louisiana.

Visit Ezell’s

Ezell’s Fish Camp is located at 776 Ezell Road in Lavaca. Doors are open Thursday (11 a.m.–8 p.m.), Friday and Saturday (11 a.m.–9 p.m.), and Sunday (1 p.m.–8 p.m.). You can find more details in the full feature on Southern Living’s website.