According to the DOK, the former owners of the Steak and Catfish Barn at Waterloo and I-35 are opening a Steak and Catfish restaurant at Britton (actually, it's Hefner) and I-35 in the building that formerly housed Papa's Little Italy. I have never eaten at the original Steak and Catfish Barn, although when they were serving Italian food my wife and I went there a couple of times. Since I only live two miles from the new location, I'm looking forward to trying them out. They plan to open next week. Any comments on their food? Papa's lasted for 12 years and was always busy and profitable, but the owner decided it was time to stay home and raise their children. Except for Papa's, that location has never been successful. I hope they do well, we need a good restaurant over in my neighborhood.
C. T.

I ate at the one they had downtown and the catfish was pretty good. The place out on Waterloo was always packed considering how far a drive it was to get there. The closer location should be a good fit for them cause they had a large following already.

I thought the owners were moving to Italy?

Easy180,
They still are. According to the article, they are going to help their employees from Waterloo get it up and running, then they are leaving for Italy.
C. T.
I thought the owners were moving to Italy?

Easy180,
They still are. According to the article, they are going to help their employees from Waterloo get it up and running, then they are leaving for Italy.
C. T.

Aha...That makes sense...Appreciate it

Glad to see it open. CT, do you have the actual street address of this place?

Glad to see it open. CT, do you have the actual street address of this place?

In the same parking lot as the conoco station south of Hefner Rd. on west side of I-35 service Rd.

UnclePete,
The actual street address is 10601 North I-35 Service Road. Actually, that's the address of the Conoco that OKCRT mentioned. Like he said, they share the same parking area and driveways. If you plug that address into your gps, you will drive right into both businesses. You can fill your tank and your belly. No, I don't work at either one of them, but I would like the restaurant to be successful, those of us that live East of I-35 need more places to eat. I hated it when Papa's Little Italy closed. Since then we have had a Mexican restaurant and a fried pie place in that location and they didn't make it. I didn't think the Mexican restaurant was very good and the fried pie was just too limited because of what they offered.
C. T.
Glad to see it open. CT, do you have the actual street address of this place?

UnclePete,
The actual street address is 10601 North I-35 Service Road. Actually, that's the address of the Conoco that OKCRT mentioned. Like he said, they share the same parking area and driveways. If you plug that address into your gps, you will drive right into both businesses. You can fill your tank and your belly. No, I don't work at either one of them, but I would like the restaurant to be successful, those of us that live East of I-35 need more places to eat. I hated it when Papa's Little Italy closed. Since then we have had a Mexican restaurant and a fried pie place in that location and they didn't make it. I didn't think the Mexican restaurant was very good and the fried pie was just too limited because of what they offered.
C. T.

Went to Papas Little Italy right after it first opened up back in the 80s I think could have been early 90s. It was very good and went back many times. Was sad to see them close.

Huge news. That used to be my place for lunch when I had court out in Logan County.

Seems they've lost all of their good places (or at least the one I know of) in the last few years.

OKCRT,
It became quite popular, and in the last four or five years, if you didn't have a reservation for Friday or Saturday, you had a long wait, or you just went somewhere else. I would like Steak and Catfish to include some Italian food, but I doubt they will. I think it would do better closer to OKC than it did at Waterloo. I think I mentioned that when the Waterloo location was Italian, my wife and I went several times and it was good. Not great, but really good.
C. T.
Went to Papas Little Italy right after it first opened up back in the 80s I think could have been early 90s. It was very good and went back many times. Was sad to see them close.

In the same parking lot as the conoco station south of Hefner Rd. on west side of I-35 service Rd.

I'll nominate that Conoco station as the most depressing gas stop on I-35. I hope it doesn't jinx the new Steak and Catfish location.

I drove into the parking lot today and even though the sign implied that it's open, it's not! No reason to believe it won't be open next week though.
C. T.

I drove into the parking lot today and even though the sign implied that it's open, it's not! No reason to believe it won't be open next week though.
C. T.

I stopped at that depressing conoco station yesterday to buy a Red Bull and they guy working there told me the restaurant would be open next week. He doesn't have anything to do with it so I suppose he heard from someone connected to the place. The guy working in the station had a heavy coat on and it was pretty chilly in there. I asked him if his furnace was broke and he simply said no. On the way out he asked me if the place opening had good food and I told him I hope so..

According to the owner, it is now open. If I knew how, I would send you a link to their website.

I drove by there today around 1:00 and there were lots of cars. Hopefully their reputation will draw a lot of the long time customers and keep it going at that terrible location. I'm looking forward to trying it. Visit their web page (see link below), warning, they have unsolicited music. It is pleasant, soft music.
C. T.

Dino and Maria's Steak and Catfish Restaurant (http://www.steakandcatfishbarn.com/)

Has anybody tried the new place yet? My friend will be here Sunday, so I hope to go in the next couple of months while she is here. I would like to hear from anybody that's tried it out.
C. T.

I drove by there today around 1:00 and there were lots of cars. Hopefully their reputation will draw a lot of the long time customers and keep it going at that terrible location. I'm looking forward to trying it. Visit their web page (see link below), warning, they have unsolicited music. It is pleasant, soft music.
C. T.

Dino and Maria's Steak and Catfish Restaurant (http://www.steakandcatfishbarn.com/)


That was the music to Heartbreak Hotel w/o Elvis singing over them right?

Achilleslastand,
Sorry, I don't hear the same thing you are hearing. Maybe it changes depending on when we sign in.
C. T.
That was the music to Heartbreak Hotel w/o Elvis singing over them right?

We tried them last night. They were crowded, a great sign and I decided to have the chicken fried steak. I hadn't had one in a couple of months so I bypassed the catfish, and good cuts of beef for it. It was good, not great. My friend had the grilled chicken and she said it was good. Sides were better than average, I had ranch style beans that had a sauce of some kind and I really liked them. I also had French fries and they were probably frozen but seemed to be fresh cut but I believe that's not likely. Chris had mashed potatoes and green beans. They were very good as well. Of course it's hard to screw up potatoes and beans. The service was fast and good until we wanted our check and she was very slow but she knew it and immediately apologized, so she still got a good tip. I believe she was tied up with a large group behind us.
In a nutshell, I will go back, I'm looking forward to catfish and shrimp.
C. T.

We tried them last night. They were crowded, a great sign and I decided to have the chicken fried steak. I hadn't had one in a couple of months so I bypassed the catfish, and good cuts of beef for it. It was good, not great. My friend had the grilled chicken and she said it was good. Sides were better than average, I had ranch style beans that had a sauce of some kind and I really liked them. I also had French fries and they were probably frozen but seemed to be fresh cut but I believe that's not likely. Chris had mashed potatoes and green beans. They were very good as well. Of course it's hard to screw up potatoes and beans. The service was fast and good until we wanted our check and she was very slow but she knew it and immediately apologized, so she still got a good tip. I believe she was tied up with a large group behind us.
In a nutshell, I will go back, I'm looking forward to catfish and shrimp.
C. T.

I drove by there one day last week around lunchtime and the parking lot was packed. I bet the guy in the little store is reaping the benefits of the restaurant. I am sure he is getting the trickle down effect.

I had some family members go Friday afternoon. They said their meals were not good and the place was dirty. They said they would not be going back.

Our group of 18 went to the Steak and Catfish Barn yesterday, and the service and food was outstanding. You would be hard pressed to find better fried catfish anywhere, and the ones that had the chicken fried steak were really impressed. Highly recommended. I did not see any sign of the place being dirty, and it could be a competitor saying that.

Klop,
I took a friend from London and she is very picky about cleanliness (not because of where she's from, just her "thing") and it was clean and as I said before, the food was really good, not great but just good. My friend said the grilled chicken was really moist. Maybe your family hit them on a bad day. I will go back and watch for any problems and report back. It's a shame to give up on a newly opened place after one visit.
C. T.
I had some family members go Friday afternoon. They said their meals were not good and the place was dirty. They said they would not be going back.

Every time I drive by, their parking lot is packed. I think they are doing very well. I haven't had the catfish yet, but I plan on giving it a shot soon. And no, I have no vested interest other than wanting more good eating places near me, I live East of I-35. I live alone and am a lousy cook, so the more the merrier.
C. T.

Best catfish in the city is grill on the hill down in Capitol Hill district on 25th

Garin,
That might be true, but they aren't in my neighborhood. And since I'm old and feeble with a slight handicap, I can't run to the Grill on the Hill very often. Actually, the Grant high school class of 61 holds a breakfast there each month and I have been there many times and I enjoy their food and service. I started this thread about the Steak and Catfish Barn but left off the proper name when I started it, so it's open to any posts about steak or catfish.
C. T.
Best catfish in the city is grill on the hill down in Capitol Hill district on 25th

Garin,
Your comment made me think of another pretty good place. Have you been to McGehee's in Marietta West of I-35? The last time I was there it was really good, but it's been a few years since I stopped ther.
C. T.
Best catfish in the city is grill on the hill down in Capitol Hill district on 25th

Klop,
I took a friend from London and she is very picky about cleanliness (not because of where she's from, just her "thing") and it was clean and as I said before, the food was really good, not great but just good. My friend said the grilled chicken was really moist. Maybe your family hit them on a bad day. I will go back and watch for any problems and report back. It's a shame to give up on a newly opened place after one visit.
C. T.
Good deal. I will let them know. I am looking forward to going there myself. Thanks

This thread reminded me that someone on here once said a gas station on NW 178th/May had great catfish (yeah, I know), so I tried it a couple of days ago. Weirdly and gladly, they were right! Nice sized filets (over 8" long, 2-3" wide), $2.29 each, didn't taste catfish-y (y'all know what I mean) or crumble when you forked it. Not cornmeal breaded, some other kind, but it all holds together really well, breading was nicely seasoned, just good. Okie Express is the name, SW corner of NW 178th/May. Going back, wife wants to try their egg rolls, looks like they have a grill (not totally sure about that, though) and a fryer and that's it, not healthy at all, but it's a gas station. :-P

This thread reminded me that someone on here once said a gas station on NW 178th/May had great catfish (yeah, I know), so I tried it a couple of days ago. Weirdly and gladly, they were right! Nice sized filets (over 8" long, 2-3" wide), $2.29 each, didn't taste catfish-y (y'all know what I mean) or crumble when you forked it. Not cornmeal breaded, some other kind, but it all holds together really well, breading was nicely seasoned, just good. Okie Express is the name, SW corner of NW 178th/May. Going back, wife wants to try their egg rolls, looks like they have a grill (not totally sure about that, though) and a fryer and that's it, not healthy at all, but it's a gas station. :-P

I've been in there dozens of times, but never knew about the catfish. I'll definitely check it out next time. I'm a sucker for good catfish. Haven't found any yet that can top my mother in-law's though. ;)

Garin,
Your comment made me think of another pretty good place. Have you been to McGehee's in Marietta West of I-35? The last time I was there it was really good, but it's been a few years since I stopped ther.
C. T.

Yup been there , and Punkins when they were open was good too... Also a place called Libby's in Washington that is darn good as well.

Not much of a catfish eater but I do like Cajun Kings.

Garin,
I forgot about Punkin's, aren't they in Ardmore? I just googled Punkin's and it's in Pauls Valley.
C. T.
Yup been there , and Punkins when they were open was good too... Also a place called Libby's in Washington that is darn good as well.

Somebody should open a restaurant called "Noodlin'". They could offer catfish done lots of different ways served over various forms of pasta.

As an extra draw, they could have a big tank from which you could catch your fish, by hand, before you tell them how you want it prepared.

nah. catfish needs hushpuppies, greasy fried taters, some cole slaw for those who like that sort of thing, corn cobbletts for me and the rest of them that don't, sweet tea, and some very, very cold banana puddin'. That's a dinner folks, a right fine one at that. Oh, and lightnin' bugs for the wee ones ta chase about whist the big folk enjoy some more sweet tea.

nah. catfish needs hushpuppies, greasy fried taters, some cole slaw for those who like that sort of thing, corn cobbletts for me and the rest of them that don't, sweet tea, and some very, very cold banana puddin'. That's a dinner folks, a right fine one at that. Oh, and lightnin' bugs for the wee ones ta chase about whist the big folk enjoy some more sweet tea.
You've got a way with words that makes a catfish dinner sound like something in a Norman Rockwell painting. I bet your voice sounds like Morgan Freeman too. :D

Several times in my life there have been folks comment I have a voice for radio. Of course, if a brother or some friend who might as well be one was within earshot, there was often the quick quip uttered that I also have a face for radio.

Family, gotta love them.

KD's has really good catfish as well

I drove by there today around 1:00 and there were lots of cars. Hopefully
their reputation will draw a lot of the long time customers and keep it
going at that terrible location. I'm looking forward to trying it. Visit their
web page (see link below), warning, they have unsolicited music. It is
pleasant, soft music.
C. T.

Dino and Maria's Steak and Catfish Restaurant (http://www.steakandcatfishbarn.com/)
PM me when you'll be there and I'll try to meet you. I like catfish.

This thread reminded me that someone on here once said a gas station on NW 178th/May had great catfish (yeah, I know), so I tried it a couple of days ago. Weirdly and gladly, they were right! Nice sized filets (over 8" long, 2-3" wide), $2.29 each, didn't taste catfish-y (y'all know what I mean) or crumble when you forked it. Not cornmeal breaded, some other kind, but it all holds together really well, breading was nicely seasoned, just good. Okie Express is the name, SW corner of NW 178th/May. Going back, wife wants to try their egg rolls, looks like they have a grill (not totally sure about that, though) and a fryer and that's it, not healthy at all, but it's a gas station. :-P

We live right around the corner from Okie Express and go there often. I'm not a big catfish eater (or any fried fish) but theirs is outstanding. All of their deli foods are good but not exceptional like the catfish. They do have a small grill and serve burgers and other things. The area service workers stop there in the morning for non-Ethanol gas and then come back for lunch so the place is usually packed at those times. Best of all, they have a decent selection of soft drinks from Mexico including Mexican Coke, Jarito's and a Sangria flavored soft drink that has to be tasted to be believed.

Glad you posted, forgot to post my follow-up...

Went back with the wife on a Sat afternoon, she got catfish, eggroll, and drumstick, I got catfish, meat pie, and drumstick. We put the drumsticks and my meat pie in the oven on low to stay warm while we did the catfish. Drumsticks turned out great after being heated up a bit, meat pie was decent (nicely spiced filling with onions, meat), she said the eggroll wasn't great, but was better than the same eggroll that every damn Chinese place here has, and the catfish was great again. They also have "bbq burritos", burritos (but if they're fried, aren't they really chimichangas?), cheese sticks, jalapenos, and a few other fried things. We'll go back for snacks every so often, and didn't realize this until my wife pointed it out, but they actually have a dining area with about 8 booths on the other side of the cashier counter, so we can actually get it and eat it there next time.

Yeah, I've been to Okie Express in west Edmond many times as well. For a gas station, their food is pretty damn good. Their pizza and burgers are solid, but the catfish and fried chicken is where it's at. As long as you get it fresh. I will have to say that they have the best fried catfish I have ever had. The store needs a face lift though; it's pretty old and needs some tlc.

Yeah, I've been to Okie Express in west Edmond many times as well. For a gas station, their food is pretty damn good. Their pizza and burgers are solid, but the catfish and fried chicken is where it's at. As long as you get it fresh. I will have to say that they have the best fried catfish I have ever had. The store needs a face lift though; it's pretty old and needs some tlc.

Are you talking about the one on May near 178th? I live very close to that place and have never been in - sounds like I need to go soon.

Are you talking about the one on May near 178th? I live very close to that place and have never been in - sounds like I need to go soon.

Yep, that's it, SW corner of NW 178th/May. You won't be disappointed by the catfish, other stuff maybe, but not the catfish.

The BBQ burritos are one of my favorites and I even like their pepperoni/jalapeno pizza. If you can find their teriyaki chicken it's decent but I think they sell fast. Their pizza pocket is good if you cut off about 3/4" around the edge. I hadn't seen one of those in years! My wife loves the fried chicken but I'm not sure I've tried. The meat pockets used to be my favorite but that flaky crust has to be 100% hydrogenated vegetable oil. :( It's a great place to pick up a quick dinner when we don't feel like cooking.

I went there yesterday and had the catfish. It was very good. I will go back.
C. T.

I went there yesterday and had the catfish. It was very good. I will go back.
C. T.

Glad you liked it! Just found out last week that they stop cooking/frying at about 3 PM (couldn't leave with empty hands, so got their last 2 catfish and chicken teriyakis, they were only an hour old, lol), so if you want fresh, go before then...

TheTravellers,
I'm assuming you mean "stop cooking/frying" for lunch. They serve dinner till 9 and I would hope it was fried at time of order then.
C. T.
Glad you liked it! Just found out last week that they stop cooking/frying at about 3 PM (couldn't leave with empty hands, so got their last 2 catfish and chicken teriyakis, they were only an hour old, lol), so if you want fresh, go before then...

TheTravellers,
I'm assuming you mean "stop cooking/frying" for lunch. They serve dinner till 9 and I would hope it was fried at time of order then.
C. T.

Interesting, I went in at 4-ish one day, nobody was at the grill, he said they stop at about 2-3 unless they're super-busy, but I guess neither one of us thought to ask/tell about dinner frying hours, I just assumed he meant stopped for the day. Good to know they do it in the evenings, never thought of a gas station having hours like an upscale restaurant (open for lunch, closed between 2-5, open at 5 for dinner), lol!

I am not a huge catfish fan as it usually is too gamey for me.
however the catfish at Cajun king on NW 63rd and Macarthur is very good!.. they put a basket of it on your table while you fill your plate at the buffet. they have some great food and I am not a AYCE buffet fan either.

I am not a huge catfish fan as it usually is too gamey for me.
however the catfish at Cajun king on NW 63rd and Macarthur is very good!.. they put a basket of it on your table while you fill your plate at the buffet. they have some great food and I am not a AYCE buffet fan either.

Yeah, their catfish is almondine, I believe, which is a whole different thang than cornmeal (that almost every place uses) or whatever they use (not cornmeal) at Okie Express. I personally don't like almondine catfish, so will most likely never end up at Cajun King.

The catfish at Okie Express isn't catfish-y tasting, it's whole fillets and with the different breading, not like your usual catfish.

Yeah, their catfish is almondine, I believe, which is a whole different thang than cornmeal (that almost every place uses) or whatever they use (not cornmeal) at Okie Express. I personally don't like almondine catfish, so will most likely never end up at Cajun King.

The catfish at Okie Express isn't catfish-y tasting, it's whole fillets and with the different breading, not like your usual catfish.

Interesting. I wasn't aware, perhaps the almondine is why I like it.. I spent the greater part of my childhood in SE oklahoma so we ate our fare share of catfish and my memory always goes to it being "catfish-y Tasting" perhaps its all in my head. To think when I was a young one I would eat the crunchy fried tail.. the actual fin portion!.. the thought of that now turns my stomach..lol

....To think when I was a young one I would eat the crunchy fried tail.. the actual fin portion!.. the thought of that now turns my stomach..lol

Funny how that happens... When I was a kid I ate chicken hearts and gizzards all the time.... Don't know that I would put one in my mouth as an adult.

Funny how that happens... When I was a kid I ate chicken hearts and gizzards all the time.... Don't know that I would put one in my mouth as an adult.

No hearts or Gizzards for me.. but I do like Chicken livers from time to time.

No hearts or Gizzards for me.. but I do like Chicken livers from time to time.

mmmmmm, Gizzards. Liver ain't bad, but mmmmmm, here gizzard gizzard. Mama and I were the only ones who liked them on our house. Mama pulled rank sometimes too.

Interesting, I went in at 4-ish one day, nobody was at the grill, he said they stop at about 2-3 unless they're super-busy, but I guess neither one of us thought to ask/tell about dinner frying hours, I just assumed he meant stopped for the day. Good to know they do it in the evenings, never thought of a gas station having hours like an upscale restaurant (open for lunch, closed between 2-5, open at 5 for dinner), lol!

I've actually spoken with them too, and you are correct. They stop cooking around 3 pm most days. However, I placed a large order once for pickup around 6, and I guess they turned the fryer back on just for my order. We hosted a crawfish boil a couple months back and thought some okie fried catfish would go along perfect with crawfish. We ordered 24 filets, and they were just finishing up frying when I arrived. Crawfish boil was a success, but the biggest hit of the evening, by far, was the catfish. If you need fish in the evening, might not hurt to just ask if they'll cook it fresh for you.

Interesting. I wasn't aware, perhaps the almondine is why I like it.. I spent the greater part of my childhood in SE oklahoma so we ate our fare share of catfish and my memory always goes to it being "catfish-y Tasting" perhaps its all in my head. To think when I was a young one I would eat the crunchy fried tail.. the actual fin portion!.. the thought of that now turns my stomach..lol

I think a lot of the difference is where the catfish was raised. IMHO, there's no comparison between a riverbottom catfish (NO appeal to me) and a farm-raised catfish (not bad to me).

My wife and I tried this place out the other night, along with a couple of participants on this board. In all honesty, I have to say that the catfish filets I ordered were the best pieces of catfish I've ever eaten. The best. Ever. The breading was thin and crispy, the fish juicy and delicious. For ten bucks you get seven or eight filets and two sides. I saved two of the strips for lunch the next day and they even reheated well in the microwave. They have a huge variety of selections on the menu, but I would urge you to order the catfish because they have it down perfectly. Since I never ate at the place when it was on Waterloo Road, I can't do a "then and now" comparison, but I can't imagine how it could have been better than it is now.

With talk moving around to different Catifish places, please say again where Steak and Catfish has moved?