I dont give too many 5-star reviews but this dinner was GREAT! They brought a basket of fritters sprinkled with powder sugar. Im not usually one for corn fritters but these were fresh, fried perfectly with just the right amount of powder sugar! Then we had the cheese curds and a Caesar salad. The cheese curds are made the authentic Wisconsin way. Again excellent! And a very generous Caesar salad. Next for our entrees. I got the all-you-can eat Catfish filets (Fri night special). There were 3 huge filets to start with, perfectly breaded and so so fresh (that makes a huge difference). Im a bit of a cole slaw snob but theirs doesnt disappoint! Just like my mom made when I was a kid! And the fries. They were the crispy battered fries. Really good too. We were too full for dessert but I heard other tables raving about their peanut butter pie. Service was right on top of everything too despite the fact they were swamped. 5-Stars Highly recommended! read more

Ayce wings were very good. They came with fries & slaw. My Alaskan sea perch was very good. It came with fries, slaw and 2 hush puppies. This was out 3rd time here in the last month and it was very good, clean & the servers are great. read more

See all

This place is great!!! Was passing though To stop because we were craving catfish. Best decision ever! Can't wait to stop over here again next time we're over this way!! Kim was an excellent waitress. Best catfish I've ever had!! Those hush puppies were amazing!!! read more

Catfish Johnnys - Catfish fingers - Seafood Near Me - Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

Fantastic food excellent service great atmosphere with frequent daily specials including all you can eat catfish on Fridays

Tried Catfish Johnnys for a birthday lunch. Parts of our visit were awesome and parts were so-so. Greeted and seated immediately on a Thursday lunch. Told our waitress it was first time visit and she enthusiastically welcomed us and shared what CJ is known for. We decided on catfish tenders and perch. Food came out in which time and portions seemed proper. Catfish tenders were indeed very tender. Perch was tough in some bites. We did fries, coleslaw and grits for sides. Standard run of the mill flavor. Our hush puppies had a sweetness and we asked waitress about them. She didn't know why we found them sweet but told us about their corn fritters. She even went and got us some to try - as it was the end of our meal, the corn fritters became our dessert (they were yummy!) For some reason we expected to see water from the restaurant (fish restaurant + Lake Panasoffkee). read more

Catfish Johnnys - Catfish Tenders - Seafood Near Me - Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

See all

I found a fav new Florida restaurant! I had the gator bites basket and my hubs had the shrimp. The bites were wonderfully tender and perfectly cooked. The coleslaw was fantastic, tasted like my grandma's. I also loved the atmosphere in general. No frills, just good food. Lisa W was amazing! A perfect waitress -caring, attentive, and warm. My only complaint would be my husband's hush puppies. I think they put them in the oil too soon. He gave them to me to eat bc he didn't care for them and after I took a bite, I could see why. Pure grease and the inside was yellow instead of a bright white like the rest of ours. It was a very gross bite, thankfully at the end of my meal. My parents also had baskets, perch and catfish fingers. The catfish fingers were very tender. My hub's shrimp was good, light flash of coating instead of being buried in breading. The breaded onion ring app was also delish. I love that they were battered rings. The price was a little steep around a buck a ring, but good. We had key lime pie for dessert and it was amazing! Tart, homemade, beautiful. Great portions, quality food, good people. read more

See all

10/10 would recommend! Great service & great food everything was awesome. We will be back! read more

Catfish Johnnys - Seafood Near Me - Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

See all

I'd tried Catfish Johnny's some years ago. It was decent, but unremarkable. I decided to give it another visit last week. We met some old friends for lunch. It was okay. The Old Florida Vibe was good though, but it was more for locals. The food was Okay. Service was Okay. In short nothing bad, but nothing stellar. One direct suggestion. The one Handicap spot is about as far as you can get from the front door entrance. Additionally it's a dirt parking lot. Not great for those with walkers. And thirdly IF you drag your walker from the parking spot to the front entrance there is a step down to the sidewalk entrance. I think it's not well thought out. If you are in the area, it's a place to visit. read more

OMG what a great experience! My wife got the steak and it was cooked perfectly I got the catfish fingers and they were great as well But something that has us sure to come back is the hushpuppies and corn fritters. read more

We had a great lunch-dinner. Our server was as helpful and attentive. My 2 guests enjoyed their meals and so did I. I'm not used to grouper being served like this but I'm spoiled after having Frenchy's for so many years. There is an attached tap room but to get a beer, you must walk over there. It is a separate business. Odd. My only minor nit, a card on the table advertising 12 oz pours of Michelob Ultra for $3.50 ended up being a mason jar that didn't look like 12 ounces. I didn't measure it. I will return. read more

Catfish Johnnys - Bar, register. - Seafood Near Me - Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

Went to Catfish Johnnys because I received a gift card. Found this really nice, clean and large place that has been open for 35 years. They must be doing something right for their longevity. The server was really nice and told me there was a special of the day. I ordered the Catfish fingers, fries and hush puppies. All was so good but the hush puppies were so so good. Not something from the freezer, freshly made. The catfish was the shining star of the plate. This is a gem that I will return and recommend. read more

Located just a few miles off Interstate 75 in Central FL, Catfish Johnny's offers a true home cooked fresh seafood experience. I ordered the broiled seafood platter and was not able to finish it there was so much delicious food. Wonderfully seasoned and cooked to perfection, the cheese grits are some of the best I have ever eaten. Hubby had the shrimp dinner and also enjoyed everything about his meal from the fresh side salad ingredients to the lightly breaded shrimp. They were quite busy when we arrived, and the servers worked very well together to ensure all patrons were well taken care of. We enjoyed looking at all the local memorabilia along the walls depicting fishing adventures and alligator encounters. We overheard the group at the table beside us say they had driven 30 miles to eat at Catfish Johnny's tonight! We can see why. We highly recommend Catfish Johnny's restaurant as a true locally-owned delight in beautiful Lake Panasoffkee, FL. read more

Catfish Johnnys - Broiled seafood platter with cheese grits and corn fritters. - Seafood Near Me - Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

See all

The cleanest restaurant ever and always friendliest employees really enjoy going there! They're to go orders are on always right nice and hot you get everything in it that you need for what you ordered! read more

Great atmosphere and delicious food. Our waitress was so sweet and attentive. We plan on going back again.

Good food, great atmosphere and friendly staff. They have been in business for many years, known for their delicious catfish. Their mascot (Amos) was a great draw. Everyone wanted to see Amos the gator. Only the owner, Johnny could present Amos to everyone who visited. Amos and Johnny were the stars and entertained each night they were opened. Johnny passed away in the recent years but the restaurant is still going strong. Come and visit in the quant town of Lake Panasoffkee. read more

Loved everything, the service was as great as the food. It's not a very large menu but, everything we order was delicious and cooked just the way everyone asked for it. I had a Cheeseburger which I couldn't even finish large and cooked perfectly. We arrived early so we could have an adult beverage adjacent to Johnnys called Pat's Tap. The bartender was terrific, even letting us sample a few of the brews . It's a very casual place so no need to dress up . We had a group of six and sat in the back room . Would definitely go back again. Very reasonable priced and the little hush puppies they gave us were a great treat. To full to have dessert , next time I will save some room. read more

Catfish Johnnys - This is Chris the bartender at Pat's Taps , who let us sample some brews before we ordered . Very friendly too - Seafood Near Me - Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

See all

This is an unassuming place that would be easy to pass by. The inside is small but quaint and the also serves outdoor on the deck for lunch. The server was top notch. Just a rarely found nice, happy person, I believe her name was Ashley. Had fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. It was good and 6 big slices. Unfortunately it came out about 2 minutes before the food and was really hot, so brought most of it home. I had the peel and east shrimp special, with fried okra and cole slaw, it also came with hush puppies. Very tasty and more food than I could eat. Pepsi products but I had a sweet tea that was good. They are closed on Sunday. I will back! read more

See all

First time visiting Liked this place - will return Fair price in Nice little ride to get here Friendly staff read more

See all

Atmosphere is everything. Best burgers EVER!!! Try the catfish. Try the wings!! Try all the things! Make sure you let Miss Pat know you had a great time!!! read more

WO! Fried Green Tomato's! The ranch style sauce that goes with them is unbelievably good! Clean place. Nice staff. Good food. Fair prices. Highly recommended. read more

It's really gone down hill in the last couple of years. Food just not as good as it used to be. The quality for the price doesn't match. The service is good but it's definitely not my first choice. read more

Went to Catfish Johnnys for the first time this past weekend with several relatives from out of state for dinner. We saw some of the reviews and thought that this would be a good place to go. Needless to say, we could not have been more disappointed with our meals. The food was cold and some of the meal could not even be eaten. The manager was not very sympathetic concerning our experience with the meals. I felt so bad for our guest and apologized to them. Not something one would want to experience at a Florida Restaurant or any restaurant, I suppose! read more

Welcoming, greeted promptly and warmly. I had to wait a bit cause the servers were dealing with a difficult patron. Once that was settled the servers pitched in to get the waiting orders as quickly as possible. Offering a beverage while we waited. Very pleased with the outcome. Food was plentiful and very good. We had take out, but the restaurant was pretty full and the customers seemed happy and well cared for. read more

The food was great (shrimp, catfish and a burger). Kim was very helpful, kind, and attentive! We had the BEST peanut butter pie I've ever had! read more

Great spot in otherwise food starved Panasoffkee community. Service was informative and helpful. I ordered the hand breaded, fried shrimp - perfectly prepared. The gratis corn fritters were so e of the best I have had. My partner had a broiled perch sandwich which was overcooked. The fried okra appetizer was ok. We will definitely go back for more fried shrimp! read more

Found this gem in our new area and we are elated by the delicious food and excellent service!! Will defensively be back read more

Catfish Johnnys - Loving our lunch!!! - Seafood Near Me - Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

Some of the best catfish I ever eaten Really enjoyed the side dishes and the hush puppies was even good with nice friendly service. Can't wait to go back The place is inviting read more

Just left catfish Johnnys and the food was great! The catfish seemed fresh and our server was great. Me and the husband are doing a food tour in the area to try and find the best local restaurant. We will be going to big bass grill later tonight for dinner. read more

This place is amazing! Servers are friendly and attentive. The food is so delicious. They had a special for back to school and gave the kids free ice cream with sprinkles and let them pick out a school supply from a bucket of supplies to take with them. They also let them play in the yard on the large connect four game. I highly recommend the fried green tomatoes, the seafood platter and the garlic butter shrimp. Also the hush puppies were amazing. read more

We've always passed this place when we are in the area fishing, we decided to stop in today after a short fishing trip to Lake pan, unfortunately the grilled chicken on the salad was extremely tough and dry I had high hopes, but we will try again, everyone deserves a second chance read more

Excellent food, large portions! The staff has always been friendly and atmosphere is like your family! Highly recommend!

Outstanding every time we go. A basic family run, clean, good food eating restaurant. The staff are all outstanding and your food will come out quickly and hot. Prices are reasonable for today's economy and you'll leave full !!! read more

Grouper was good, one piece and potato and salad or soup, up charge for $3.00 , for $18.00 not a big place but good service. The waitress should have told us there was up charge for the soup. It was corn chowder with clams and something else, not sure. Not sure will go back. read more

Food is super wonderful and one of our fav spots now. Our friends are from Massachusetts and said this was the best seafood they've had here in florida! read more

Food was good, service great and a long wait to eat was worth it. Tastefully decorated and very well run front check in and out.

Great place with great food and atmosphere. A Lake Panasoffkee treasure for many years.

Super delicious food always! Family run & homemade desserts!! Great service too!! Watch their Facebook page too for hours & specials.

The food was awesome. It is a very quaint small local restaurant. The service was very quick and the staff were very pleasant. Will definitely go back. read more

Review your bill before you pay server added an expensive item we didn't order. I didn't notice till I came home, called them twice they did not remove it, had to go place fraud charge with bank card company! Food just ok read more

You never know what you're going get when you get off the Interstate in a small town. This locally and family owned restaurant is well worth the stop. We had the catfish (of course) three whole, good sized catfish perfectly fried. Paired with the best cheese grits we've ever had and tender fried okra made the meal perfect. The special was perch and shrimp. The broiled perch was a bit bland but the tartare sauce added dimension. The beer was cold and served in a mason jar. The wine was ok but the glass was cute for Valentine's day. While the service was a bit slow, all staff were friendly and inviting. The decor is hunt and fish club with sweet Valentine decorations. Interesting, intriguing, and worth a visit. read more