Try the Fried Catfish at Uncle Bud’s (Nashville)

Last updated: 12/20/24

Uncle Bud’s consistently makes the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville list for catfish. Since I grew up in Mississippi, it should be no surprise that I take the claims for best catfish seriously. Fried catfish is one of my favorite comfort foods. We’ve been to Uncle Bud’s in Donelson a couple of times, and I do have to agree that the catfish is pretty good.

The atmosphere at Uncle Bud’s is a large part of the restaurant’s appeal. It’s hard not to feel at home at a place with checkered tablecloths and drinks served in oversized mason jars. The restaurant has a casual vibe that’s family-friendly.

When we order, we always get the catfish fillets. There are other options on the menu, like fried oysters, frog legs, gator tail, and clam strips, but I don’t deviate from their classic staple. When you’ve found fried catfish that has perfectly tender meat with a crisp exterior, why would you order anything else?

All the meals come with unlimited “fixen’s.” These sides include French fries, beans, hush puppies, coleslaw, sweet onions, and pickles. The sides come out at once family-style, and your server will return to bring you more of any of the sides you need.

When you go to Uncle Bud’s you know the food is going to taste good. My only minor complaint about the restaurant is the pricing. The current price for just 1 or 2 fillets seems high. I know that part of the sticker shock for me is that I’m comparing prices at the restaurants I’m used to visiting in rural Mississippi with prices at a restaurant in a major city. That’s not really a fair comparison. Also, prices are understandably higher everywhere in the past couple of years.

Still, ordering several catfish fillets is harder to justify now than it was during our first few visits to Uncle Bud’s. I appreciate that you get unlimited sides, but I’d rather just have more catfish. That being said, the restaurant does Fish Fry Thursday where you can get all-you-can-eat catfish for a flat price. For those craving catfish, Thursday is a good day to visit.

When it comes to quality and taste, Uncle Bud’s hits exactly the right notes. If you’re in the mood for catfish, you won’t be disappointed with what you find here.

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Uncle Bud’s is located at 2719 Old Lebanon Rd, Nashville, TN 37214. Visit their website to see their hours and menu.

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