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Relaxed restaurant chain supplying diners with catfish & other hearty seafood dishes.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1201 S Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76711
Phone: (254) 753-7700
Website: https://waco.davidbeards.com/
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David Beard’s Catfish King – Waco, TX 76711 (Menu & Order Online)
Online ordering menu for David Beard’s Catfish King.
Home – David Beard’s Catfish King (Order Online)
Catfish King – Catfish Village – David Beards. Catfish King – Catfish Village – David Beards … Waco, TX 76711 · (254) 753-7700 · Order Now. Tyler. 1216 S …
Catfish King – Visit Waco, TX
Catfish King. A casual restaurant, offering catfish and seafood dishes. address. 1201 S Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76711. phone. (254) 753-7700. website. http …
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Reviews
Patrick Kirby
After 2 days for Turkey and Ham we had to have fish. We got the family combo meal and that was a lot of food. We didn’t eat all the fries and hush puppies and beans. It would be nice to see an update restaurant but we still had a good meal. I wonder what would happen if the built or open a restaurant somewhere between 4th and 11rh street near I 35?
… moreVaRonica Jackson
Definitely don’t come an hour before close because they’ll serve you food that’s not hot. This place used to be really good. Not anymore for me.
… moreBelen
What drew us in was the giant crown. We were then greeted by the cutest cabin style atmosphere, a giant fish, and the friendliest/best customer service (even though we got there an hour before close). Our food was hot, fresh, and pretty tasty. Obviously, we had to try the catfish. I cannot describe the taste of the mix of the kicking Cajun spice mixed with the hot sauce, but if it was my first day on Earth, I would be very happy.
Come try for yourself!
… moreCome try for yourself!
Luis Marquez
I recommend this place, food and service was great, my son enjoyed his chicken strips that he wanted more which surprised me, staff was friendly, the establishment took me back to an old diner which was cool, thank you all for the good experience
… moreDez
**Catfish King: A Hearty Meal with Ample Portions**
Catfish King offers a truly generous dining experience, with massive portions that will surely satisfy even the hungriest diners. I recently tried the Cajun catfish and was impressed by the colossal plate of food that arrived at my table.
The catfish itself was expertly fried, with a crispy exterior and tender interior. The Cajun seasoning added a subtle kick, enhancing the natural flavor of the fish. However, it could have benefited from a slightly more intense seasoning to truly elevate the taste.
Despite the mild flavor, the sheer volume of food made up for any lack of intensity. The catfish was accompanied by a staggering array of sides, including coleslaw, fries, hush puppies, and beans. Each side was well-prepared and complemented the main dish nicely.
Overall, Catfish King is a great option for those seeking a hearty and affordable meal. With ample portions, a wide selection of sides, and efficient service, it’s a perfect choice for casual dining. While the Cajun catfish could use a bit more flavor, the overall experience is recommended.
… moreCatfish King offers a truly generous dining experience, with massive portions that will surely satisfy even the hungriest diners. I recently tried the Cajun catfish and was impressed by the colossal plate of food that arrived at my table.
The catfish itself was expertly fried, with a crispy exterior and tender interior. The Cajun seasoning added a subtle kick, enhancing the natural flavor of the fish. However, it could have benefited from a slightly more intense seasoning to truly elevate the taste.
Despite the mild flavor, the sheer volume of food made up for any lack of intensity. The catfish was accompanied by a staggering array of sides, including coleslaw, fries, hush puppies, and beans. Each side was well-prepared and complemented the main dish nicely.
Overall, Catfish King is a great option for those seeking a hearty and affordable meal. With ample portions, a wide selection of sides, and efficient service, it’s a perfect choice for casual dining. While the Cajun catfish could use a bit more flavor, the overall experience is recommended.
Rick B.
Walking into Catfish King on South Valley Mills in Waco, I was met with a scene straight out of a Texas roadside diner playbook—rustic wooden walls, dim lighting, and an atmosphere that leaned more toward functional than inviting. The counter greeted me first, along with an employee who, when asked how his day was going, responded with, “It’s tolerable.” Not great, not bad—just tolerable. That set the tone for what was to come.
The Food: A Catch That’s Been Sitting Too Long
I ordered the Special Catch Cajun, which came with four fillets of catfish, coleslaw (which I opted out of), Cajun beans, fries, hush puppies (or cusp puppies, as the menu amusingly listed them), and pickled relish. Instead of coleslaw, I went for double beans and rice, which turned out to be the best decision of the meal.
Catfish: The Lamp’s Unforgiving Embrace
The catfish arrived at my table quickly—too quickly. That’s always a telltale sign. Freshly fried fish takes a few extra minutes, but this was clearly pre-cooked and held under a heat lamp, its outer crust already succumbing to time. It lacked that crisp bite that a proper cornmeal batter should have. Inside, the fish wasn’t tender and flaky but rather… something else. You know that texture when fish has just been sitting too long? Yeah, that.
Fries & Hush Puppies: Mere Afterthoughts
The fries—uninspired, limp, and pale—relied entirely on salt, pepper, and ketchup to be anything beyond filler. They had that “we don’t season these because condiments exist” energy. As for the hush puppies? Dense. Heavy. They’re not there to be enjoyed; they’re there to take up space. The kind of hush puppies that make you wish you’d saved room for literally anything else.
Pickled Relish: A Lonely, Neglected Sidekick
The pickled relish? An afterthought. I couldn’t figure out why it was even included in the meal. It didn’t complement the fish, nor did it have a reason to be on the plate. It felt like it was placed there out of habit rather than culinary intention.
Beans and Rice: The Unsuspecting Star of the Show
If anything deserves praise, it’s the beans and rice. Spiced just enough to be interesting, they provided the only real comfort in the meal. The heat, the texture, the seasoning—it was the one thing that didn’t feel rushed or neglected. If I were to come back, it would be for these alone.
The Atmosphere: A Job, Not a Passion
Catfish King doesn’t hum with the energy of a place that loves what it does. The employees were present but not engaged—there to do their job, but not to make anyone’s day better. And I get it, not every place needs to be a vibrant, high-energy eatery. But this was the kind of place where you felt like you were interrupting rather than being welcomed.
Final Verdict: 3.5 Stars (Mostly for the Beans and Rice)
Would I come back? Maybe—for the beans and rice. But for catfish? Not unless it’s guaranteed fresh. If you’re going to call yourself Catfish King, the fish should be the highlight, not the disappointment. Here, it was just tolerable—and maybe that’s the best way to sum up the whole experience.
… moreThe Food: A Catch That’s Been Sitting Too Long
I ordered the Special Catch Cajun, which came with four fillets of catfish, coleslaw (which I opted out of), Cajun beans, fries, hush puppies (or cusp puppies, as the menu amusingly listed them), and pickled relish. Instead of coleslaw, I went for double beans and rice, which turned out to be the best decision of the meal.
Catfish: The Lamp’s Unforgiving Embrace
The catfish arrived at my table quickly—too quickly. That’s always a telltale sign. Freshly fried fish takes a few extra minutes, but this was clearly pre-cooked and held under a heat lamp, its outer crust already succumbing to time. It lacked that crisp bite that a proper cornmeal batter should have. Inside, the fish wasn’t tender and flaky but rather… something else. You know that texture when fish has just been sitting too long? Yeah, that.
Fries & Hush Puppies: Mere Afterthoughts
The fries—uninspired, limp, and pale—relied entirely on salt, pepper, and ketchup to be anything beyond filler. They had that “we don’t season these because condiments exist” energy. As for the hush puppies? Dense. Heavy. They’re not there to be enjoyed; they’re there to take up space. The kind of hush puppies that make you wish you’d saved room for literally anything else.
Pickled Relish: A Lonely, Neglected Sidekick
The pickled relish? An afterthought. I couldn’t figure out why it was even included in the meal. It didn’t complement the fish, nor did it have a reason to be on the plate. It felt like it was placed there out of habit rather than culinary intention.
Beans and Rice: The Unsuspecting Star of the Show
If anything deserves praise, it’s the beans and rice. Spiced just enough to be interesting, they provided the only real comfort in the meal. The heat, the texture, the seasoning—it was the one thing that didn’t feel rushed or neglected. If I were to come back, it would be for these alone.
The Atmosphere: A Job, Not a Passion
Catfish King doesn’t hum with the energy of a place that loves what it does. The employees were present but not engaged—there to do their job, but not to make anyone’s day better. And I get it, not every place needs to be a vibrant, high-energy eatery. But this was the kind of place where you felt like you were interrupting rather than being welcomed.
Final Verdict: 3.5 Stars (Mostly for the Beans and Rice)
Would I come back? Maybe—for the beans and rice. But for catfish? Not unless it’s guaranteed fresh. If you’re going to call yourself Catfish King, the fish should be the highlight, not the disappointment. Here, it was just tolerable—and maybe that’s the best way to sum up the whole experience.
Jason Clark
Being from the deep south, it’s hard to find a good catfish place, especially in central Texas, so I was happy to find this old school restaurant in Waco for lunch last week. This is a no frills, casual decor kind of place that seems to be popular with the locals. I had a regular catfish plate which came with beans, fries, slaw, pickled green tomatoes, and hushpuppies. Fish was plentiful and fresh, the sides were standard fare, nothing to complain about, and the cost was reasonable for the amount of food you get. I would definitely hit it again.
… moreFran Townley
Everything was great, especially the beans, so good! The young man working the register was very polite & cleaning the whole time we were there. (He needs a raise) We will be back again soon.
Update:
My favorite place for a Chicken Fried Steak & baked potato & friendly service from Everett.
… moreUpdate:
My favorite place for a Chicken Fried Steak & baked potato & friendly service from Everett.
Betty S
It had been ages since we were here, and we were NOT disappointed on this visit. The food was so good, just as we remembered, and the place was very clean and neat. And the service was great. I had read some negative reviews, so wanted to write and give a ‘deserving’ positive review. We will definitely be back SOON. Thank you, Catfish King, for still serving great fish dinners.
… moreSharon
Fish was not hot or freshly cooked. Beans, slaw, and fries were good. Tables had not been wiped off and restaurant, in general, was not clean. Fork holder was dirty, too. Kids were too busy talking about video games and using inappropriate language to take care of business. Manager needs to manage and clean up the place!!!
… more