Original review: "I've been going to Ezell's for over 20 years, so I have quite a number of experiences to justify this review. Most of the time, Ezell's food is great. Some of the best items they offer are the fried whole catfish, the fried catfish fillet, the grilled catfish fillet, the fried Calabash shrimp, and also the seasoned steamed gulf shrimp. However, sometimes the food is greasy, especially the hushpuppies. But when they're not greasy, a whole basket will probably be eaten. But half the time, Ezell's service is not up to par, especially the takeout service. Whenever my family and I order takeout from Ezell's, the order is messed up half of the time. It's not easy to ask the waitress to correct the order once I arrive home, and it's not worth it to drive all the way back. With that being said, I do recommend Ezell's Catfish Cabin for great fish and shrimp if you are dining in. Don't forget to ask for pickles and onions as they go great with everything!" Update: Since an actual Ezell is now running the show, the quality of food and service has gone up another star. read more

Fried Fish Heaven!! Good Stuff all the way around. Had all you care to eat hush puppies. I really enjoyed the cole slaw. Order up a large plate of wanngs! Good stuff!!! read more

Yum yum yum! Rose Hill is my childhood place for catfish, but Ezell's is, dare I say better! Staff is always pleasant and helpful, catfish is super fresh and delish, a true pleasure to eat at when I am in Columbus! read more

This will be short. We love this restaurant so much, we are driving from Houston just to eat here again in early April. It's that good!! Any questions?? LOL read more

Once upon a time, years and years and years ago (15+) I worked here - and that was very short lived, because at the time it just wasn't exactly my sort of work environment. But honestly? The food here is and always was wonderful. The hush puppies are done right, the fish is fried to perfection, and there's no failing with the iced tea. The atmosphere could then and now do with an update, but enjoy it for what it is: a local's favorite, a spot where you go for the food and not for the ambiance. I still stop in whenever I visit! Side note: I do see that some of the other reviews feature Brian's rather colorful language and manners, and... yeah, that's all true. I still don't recommend anyone work here. But the food is good! read more

The South? Sure, I've been to Florida and New Orleans, but that's not the South. Columbus is the South ---so during my first trip to true Dixie I wanted a taste of the real deal and that's what I found at Ezell's. We had the catfish, both the fried and blackened, and it was outstanding. The hush puppies, collared greens, and cole slaw were other big highlights. I think I made a mistake by not ordering the grits. Damn Yankee! Don't let the name fool you. I was expecting a funky and ramshackle experience, but Ezell's is as neat as a pin and well put together. Truthfully, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't a dive. The service was amazing. Our waitress was one of the top five friendliest and efficient I've ever had, counting those at fancy restaurants. Now to complete my Southern experience I need to find me a Waffle House. read more

Yum yum yum! Went here last night with my coworker for our 2nd night down in Columbus. As soon as I sat down - hushpuppies and coleslaw was placed on the table. OMG one of best hushpuppies I've ever had! I usually hate hushpuppies, but the ones they had here were just addicting. Best part of it all was that it was FREE!! Ordered the blacken catfish w/ collard green, peel and eat shrimp, georgia ice cream (cheesy grits), and baked potato. Everything was absolutely delicious besides the grits - probably bc i was never a fan of grits in the first place. The texture and consistency of it just doesnt agree with me. The service was exceptional! Our waitress has got to be one of the best i've ever had. She was so attentive and did everything possible to make our experience there great. If I lived down here, I would definitely frequent this place. read more

Aside from barbecue and scrambled dogs, the thing to eat in Columbus is the fried catfish, and there's few better places in town to get it than Ezell's. The bustling family restaurants succeeds by focusing their menu and knowing the proper qualities to look for in a fried fish. The menu is so focused, in fact, they don't even ask you if you want the hushpuppies and coleslaw. You just get them, and you get as much as you want. Coleslaw was pretty standard, but the jalapenos in the hushpuppies gave it a little extra something that was welcome. We were on our second basket by the time the food arrived. Fried catfish, of course. Simple cornmeal breading, not at all greasy, and a tender flaky filet contained within. With that and some collard greens, it was everything a catfish meal should be, and set the standard for the rest of my fried fish adventures in Columbus. read more

Best catfish I have ever had. I could eat a meal of just hush puppies and slaw and take the catfish home! Here's my tip...when you get the hush puppies and slaw, cut the hush puppy in half and put slaw on it and eat it. It's amazing. I also love that it's local and not a chain. Great food and great people at a reasonable price. read more

I'm a Columbus native who lives in Atlanta and NOTHING in Atlanta comes close the Ezell's catfish! It's so good. I've made trips back to Columbus just to eat at Ezell's. I'm never disappointed. The service and food are some of my favorites and I definitely see another trip there in the near future! read more

This restaurant serves the best whole catfish in Columbus, Ga. They have all you can eat great his puppies. The atmosphere fits the cuisine. The service is good and prices are reasonable! read more

They start off on the right note here - the other reviews mention that the free-as-soon-as-you-sit-down hushpuppies and coleslaw, and I agree that they're fantastic. Some of the best hushpuppies we've ever had - nicely seasoned, and the coleslaw's not too sweet. We got two combos, one with catfish filets and fantail shrimp, the other with peel & eat and popcorn shrimp. The cocktail sauce is good, and the popcorn shrimp are nice, but if we ever go back, we're gonna skip the shrimp and load up on catfish. Yum yum yum - tastes like *fish*, yay! I really want to try their whole fried catfish next time. "Georgia Ice Cream" is a must-order if you like cheese grits at all. I'd never been impressed cheese grits anywhere else, but Ezell's does a version that I imagine is as close to perfect as you can get. Fried okra was good, too. Their sweet tea is SWEEEEEET, and so I prefer getting an Arnold Palmer, here. No desserts, although they bring around a crazy box shaped like a shark, with a hinged jaw, full of lollipops for the kids. Check out the vintage outboard collection. It's impressive. read more

Such a great little place to eat. The fried catfish is SO good. Definitely the best you'll find in Columbus. They serve coleslaw and hush puppies (both of which are to die for) and the best sweet tea around. Sides include Georgia Ice Cream (cheese grits), fries, and other standard side items. The decor is really cute, and the waitstaff is super friendly. Be careful during peak hours though, you could be there a while. read more

Checked this place out last night, it was packed, we went here to avoid going to one if the endless chain restaurants in the area , the dining area was large and PACKED, I can see why...the food was fresh, flavorful and cooked to order....large portions, nothing was bland, we started off with the fried dill pickles and shared the seafood platter, the portions were large and so were the drinks...they bring hush puppies & coleslaw out after you're seated....everything was YUM....we will be back soon, really wanted to try the fried crab claws but I heard they've been sold out for 3 weeks (THEY'RE THAT POPULAR) definitely give this place a try if your in the area or passing through. read more

Ezell's Catfish Cabin - Fried dill pickle appetizer - Southern Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

See all

Love this place! I drive down from Atlanta often. Can't find this tasty catfish anywhere in the ATL.

Wish I could score zero stars. Didn't even get seated. First time I've ever walked out because of blatant rudeness. My group of 6 were asked to step aside for a VIP. Then when we were being seated, I inquired if there was room for a wheelchair and the same man barked "calm down!" Anyone who knows me, knows I am not easily riled. Don't waste your time unless you enjoy being treated rudely. read more

I have never been to the south before, but this place is pretty much everything I expected in southern cooking. This place is pretty low budget both in ambiance and cost. I had the fried shrimp which was good and everyone else had the obligatory catfish and they were happy with it. The cheesy grits were great as were the hush puppies I'm told this place can get crowded so you might want to get there early. Seems to me this is a pretty good place for traditional basic southern cooking. read more

Awesome! Hate that I have to 10 to order a kids meal. I didn't want that much! I did take my leftovers home the food and waitress was awesome will return when I come back home to visit!!! read more

To be absolutely fair, I would not rate this place a 4 star (more like 3 stars) but Ezell's is the local people's favorite place. Ezell's has been satisfying many people in Columbus for many years. They are the favorite when it comes to fried catfish, chicken, & shrimp. Sure, over the years they have had their ups and downs but they have maintained the good flavors through the years. From the exterior - looks like a fishing cabin, it is inviting and interior reflects the cabin feel. Plenty of parking spaces. Can't miss the place with that big Ezell's catfish sign outside! Service - you are always greeted with a warmth, the servers I have had were very friendly and pleasant. Food - Yes, their signature hot hushpuppies with the cold sweet coleslaw are the perfect duo to start off your meal~ what's even better is that those are complimentary! I'm not too fond of catfish so I usually get the chicken or shrimp with fries or cheddar grits. Their food is not the greatest yet they always satisfy my urges for southern style fried foods. So, if you are in the area and wondering what to eat (if you don't mind eating away the entire week's worth of cardio workout :p), go ahead and pay them a visit! read more

Ezell's Catfish Cabin - Fantastic duo = hushpuppies with coleslaw! - Southern Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

See all

This restaurant is my wife and my favorite place to eat in Columbus so far. The catfish was amazing, which is something coming from my wife who grew up in the south and has eaten a lot of catfish in her life. The homemade cole slaw and hushpuppies served while you wait for your entree is really good. Finally, and most importantly, the service was outstanding. Our waitress was so nice and was really good on making sure we were doing good while not pestering us like some places/people do. read more

Location: Ezell's is on Warm Springs Rd, which is a frontage Rd. for Manchester Expwy. The easiest way to get on Warm Springs Rd is from I-185 go east to the intersection of Warm Springs Rd and Reese Rd, turn left, follow the rd to Ezell's on the north side. Plenty of parking, but does fill up during peak times. Atmosphere/Ambiance: Casual family dinning, but you can bring the dress clothes if you feel so incline. Service: Hostess will warmly greet and seat you. During peak times you might have a short wait. Once seated you can expect to be serviced very quickly. Quality: Well for me the only thing to have here is one of the catfish dinners. You don't get catfish on the west coast like you do here. Large portions of catfish with two sides. Cost: Is what you would expect. Summary: 4 Stars. A place to impress that special someone, but only if they love catfish. If your not a fish person this one is not for you. read more

I come here to enjoy their hush puppies and cole slaw. They have the best, and it's complimentary and best eaten together. As far as catfish goes, they're not the best in town. The batter is hard instead of flaky, and it over powers the taste of the fish. Their peel and eat shrimp from the lunch combo is pretty good too. read more

Though I've lived in the San Francisco area for the last thirty years, I'm a native of Columbus, GA and I never visit my mother without a meal at Ezell's. Out here, catfish is fixed all kinds of fancy ways so I can't wait for fried catfish, bones and all, with Ezell's terrific hush puppies, cheese grits, and the best cole slaw I've ever eaten. I even have a few glasses of sweetened tea, foregoing my herbal teas and green tea of recent years. I don't think it's the healthiest meal on the planet but it brings back wonderful memories of my youth and it certainly tastes wonderful. read more

This is a review of the Ezell's in Phenix City on Highway 280. Please keep reading, but it must be said that the tartar sauce was on the table in a squeeze bottle--it should be refrigerated. Very dangerous. I was happy to find that this location was as good as the original. The atmosphere was very inviting and we were seated promptly. The waitress brought the complimentary hush puppies and cole slaw. If you've never had Ezell's hush puppies, they are to die for. I ordered the classic fried catfish filet with steamed shrimp. I asked the waitress to suggest a side dish. She thoughtfully answered that I should get the cheese grits because the kitchen just made a fresh batch. (A+ to her!) My husband got the blackened catfish, but it wasn't very firm and lacked pizazz. Overall it was a good experience, but I suggest sticking to their signature fried catfish. read more

See all

Perfectly cooked catfish filets, law that is soooo good. The hushpuppies were a bit off this visit. Service was spot on, the restaurant clean. read more

My family and I enjoy supporting local businesses and trying new things. We heard lots of good reviews so we had to give this mom and pop establishment a chance. We arrive and there is several of us (total of 8). The hostess tells us parties of 8 a gratuity will be added. That is perfectly understandable. But....none of the waitresses wanted our table. When the hostess mentioned our table the waitresses made "ugh" remarks. And did not want our table. She came over and tried her best. She did not do a good job. But did get a $25 tip from us and then an additional $10tip in cash. We had to leave unexpectedly and took our food and then three plates was left out. The food was ok. We've had better. Good luck guys. And God Bless read more

I had the Fried Catfish and Fantail Shrimp and enjoyed them both, but the highlight of the meal was definitely the hush-puppies and coleslaw. Breaking a hush-puppy in half and putting some coleslaw on it made for an amazing treat. read more

See all

We visited from Colorado and wanted some good southern food. The blackened catfish was deliciously seasoned, tender, and not fishy at all. The fried green tomatoes were good, the hush puppies (like everyone says) are yummy, and the coleslaw goes well with it all. I loved the collard greens! I could come just for a big bowl of them! The service was awesome, we had Caitlyn who made it memorable for us. I just moved down the street and I'll be going back! read more

Great hush puppies done right. The catfish was flavorful and not greasy. The coleslaw was done Georgia-style with chopped pickle. This is one of the better fried seafood joints. read more

Ezell's Catfish Cabin - Catfish and shrimp lunch special. Collards were cooked just right. - Southern Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

I would expect fried catfish perfection at a place called a catfish cabin. Unfortunately, this was not the case last night. My wife and I ordered the catfish filets. They arrived looking awesome but after biting into the meat, we discovered almost raw, uncooked fish in the center of the filets. They took the raw stuff away and did more would be cooked. It was and brought to the table but it took way to long and unfortunately, the damage had already been done. We went to pay and not even a discount for the inconvenience was offered. We won't be going back to this location. read more

Love this place!! So every time my family and friends visit from California I have to take them here! They absolutely love the food, atmosphere and of course hospitality!! read more

Decent food but they charge for picking up the food. A charge for picking up the food is ridiculous. I won't go back to pick up food. This is also covid period and most people without the vaccine do not go in. Taking advantage? read more

This is a solid 4. I'm a tough grader. :) I tried the hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, catfish and shrimp. The food was great. The price was reasonable and the service was super. Nice friendly casual atmosphere. read more

I have been here 2 times recently. The decor is like a fishing cabin. Decorated nicely to fit the theme. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. I really liked the hush puppies. The cold slaw was below average my first visit and pretty good my second visit. The catfish was good. A decent casual place. One of the few places in town where I can get catfish. read more

Don't know what happened. This place has really fell off. It seems they have lost their recipes. Once had great fried fish coleslaw and hush puppies. Now the fish is soggy and some parts don't even hold the breading, coleslaw is terrible now and hush puppies are soggy and tasteless and don't have the corn and pepper's in them anymore. Chicken fingers are hard and tasteless also. What in the World happened to this place? read more

I'm a catfish lover and theirs is very good. Excellent hush puppies. Excellent slaw. Ordered unsweetened iced tea and got sweet but no biggie. Large serving of catfish but my overall impression was the place was a little bit too expensive. Would certainly go back. read more

The best catfish, coleslaw and hush puppies there is! I enjoy my visit everytime I'm there which is mostly twice a month!

Hush puppies and cole slaw for starters that could quite possibly be a meal in itself. Catfish is great hamburger steak is really good. The cheese grits are awesome. The shrimp was very generous. Everything was prepared nicely and tasted good. Will definitely return. read more

One of my most favorite places. I literally could eat their fried pickles every single day. Service is always great and all of the food is absolutely delicious. read more

Do;t get Gumbo here...not enough seasoning. I don't know what s so special about their hush puppies,...I had better. Coleslaw was ok. over all wasn't crazy about it but from what friends told us this is the place to visit... cat fish and boat decor was very local. read more