Catfish O'Harlies — Restaurant in Texas

Nestled in the heart of Decatur, Catfish O'Harlies offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly puts you at ease. As I stepped inside, the rustic decor and friendly chatter from fellow diners set the tone for what would be an enjoyable evening.

Service Excellence: The service was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we walked in, the staff greeted us with genuine smiles. Our server, Sarah, guided us through the menu with enthusiasm, sharing interesting tidbits about the restaurant's history. She made us feel like cherished guests, attending to our needs promptly and ensuring our glasses were never empty.

A Chewbacca Surprise: Now, here's where it gets intriguing. As we perused the menu, Sarah leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, "Did you know that the actor who played Chewbacca in Star Wars lives just a few miles away?" My eyes widened. Chewbacca—Wookiee co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon—right here in Decatur? It felt like a delightful secret shared among friends.

Culinary Delights and Quirks: The salad bar beckoned, a vibrant array of fresh greens, colorful veggies, and tantalizing toppings. I piled my plate high, savoring the crunch of sunflower seeds and the tang of house-made vinaigrette. The salad alone would have sufficed, but we were here for the catfish.

The catfish fillets arrived, golden and crispy. Alas, they leaned a tad toward the well-done side. While flavorful, I yearned for that perfect balance—tender flesh that yielded effortlessly to my fork. Perhaps a slight adjustment in cooking time would elevate this dish to greatness.

And then there were the frog legs. A novelty for me, their appearance on the menu intrigued my taste buds. Unfortunately, they suffered the same fate as the catfish—overcooked. The delicate meat lacked the succulence I had hoped for, leaving me pondering the mysteries of amphibian cuisine.

Final Thoughts: Despite these minor quibbles, Catfish O'Harlies left a positive impression. The friendly service, Chewbacca revelation, and hearty salad bar compensated for the culinary missteps. As I paid the bill, I vowed to return—perhaps to catch a glimpse of our Wookiee neighbor or to give those frog legs...

I have been to Catfish Oharlie's maybe forty times. I have LOVED the food and service every time I have been there. As soon as you walk in, the gracious host grabs a bucket of roasted peanuts for you to snack on and takes you to your table. I love the atmosphere of an old Hunting/Fishing lodge as well. SALAD BAR is great with several items that you don't find elsewhere. The lettuce & tomatoes are always fresh. Great potato salad, Sliced pickled beets, pinto beans, and I happen to love their traditional sweet cabbage coleslaw. I have ordered almost everything on the menu at one time or another. Unlike some of the other reviews; I love the FRIED OYSTERS!!!!! When you consider that you are eating at a restaurant in the middle of nowhere, and you can get great catfish & hush puppies, Butterfly shrimp, Chicken Fried steak, Chicken fingers, Frog legs, or Broiled steak. I'm sorry, but, when I'm at Catfish Oharlie's I'm in heaven!!!!!!!! A+++++ Rating ps: Why would anyone that doesn't eat meat go to a Catfish restaurant for a meal and then complain about the lack of "NON-MEAT" meals. Really??? read her review. As far as the price goes..... Please consider that for $9.95 you get your bowl of peanuts as you walk in, unlimited trips to the salad bar, 3 pieces of Catfish, hush puppies, french fries, cocktail and tarter sauce. WOW! If that seems over priced to you then you better just head back to them "Golden...

Average. Nothing special about this restaurant. I'll start with what's good. The dining area(s) were cleaned and well kept. The staff was very friendly and extremely courteous. Our server was prompt to the table after a very short wait to be seated. We were invited to the salad bar and that's when things began to turn.

The salad (and the food) was average. There were no meat (protein) options on the bar and the other items lacked much appeal. The bowl for salads were decently sized and allowed you to pile it on without fear of spill over. Our meals were to the table within minutes of finishing our salad although our fried pickle appetizer was late -- apparently the chef's did not hear our server request they prepare that order. Nevertheless, we ate our meals which was riddled with mediocrity. The catfish was luke warm with average (bland) taste (big deal since "catfish" is in the name). The frog legs and stuffed crab were very bland and the grilled shrimp was dry and overcooked. We used copious amounts of salt, pepper, hot/cocktail/tartar sauce, and ketchup to please the palate.

Recommend you try this place if you have no other options for a night out. We travelled an hour from Wichita Falls and won't be doing it again ... Not...