Aunt Catfish's On The River

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#4 of 146 Restaurants in Port OrangeAmerican, Seafood, $$ - $$$

What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Aunt Catfish's On The River

Review

At a glance

Closes in 48 min

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Website

+1 386-767-4768Improve this listing

About

Travelers' Choice

2024

Features

CUISINES

American, Seafood

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Buffet

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Live Music

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Playgrounds

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Takeout

Waterfront

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

4009 Halifax Dr, Port Orange, FL 32127-4541

Parking Available

Does this restaurant primarily serve Healthy cuisine?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Closes in 48 min

Sunday

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Monday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

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4.4

3,767 reviews

Excellent

2,410

Very good

852

Average

321

Poor

115

Terrible

Rambler

Newcastle upon Tyne906 contributions

The ‘real’ America. Go!

Oct 2024 • couples

Just in case you don’t read the rest of this review - I’ll summarise - fabulous place! Go! We’re from the UK and were driving up the Atlantic coast. Based on geography and a very quick search through TA, we stopped at Aunt Catfish’s for lunch. For us, this place was exactly what we’d hoped to find in the US. It’s located right on the waterfront. The staff are so polite and friendly I thought we were in a movie. For a midweek lunchtime, the restaurant was busy. They have booth seating, window tables and some outside seating too. One big attraction is the ‘fixings’ bar which is included in the price. It’s not extensive but it is all homemade and so tasty. Baked beans, a couple of salads, fabulous homemade ‘biscuit’ etc. Many diners had these as starters but you can just have them a sides too. Many drinks have free refills. The lunch menu was a breath of fresh air on this trip. Very reasonably priced (I think it was $9.99 - don’t quote me). We had fish (good portion) and had the cinnamon roll for dessert. The rolls, btw, are also made on site and included in the price. So good, we wanted to take some with us to eat the next day. They are nominally $1 each but they didn’t even charge us. The other customers were also lovely and we enjoyed chatting with some people originally from the UK too but now living in the US. This is the perfect antidote to never ending chain restaurants. The ‘real’ America. Make sure you stop off.

Written November 11, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carol A

Bowling Green38 contributions

Go early. Gets busy

Dec 2024 • couples

Enjoyed dinning there 2 days in a row on this trip. Enjoyed the senior portion of salmon the first night fixed both ways then ribs with shrimp and 1/2 lb hamburger (huge). Could have been better off with 1/4 lb. Not everyone is told by the staff your fork is in a brown sack in a quart jar on the table. First night our quart jar was empty. Food was great however the hush puppies were too much for me but my husband enjoyed

Written December 1, 2024

austin_autumn

Springfield174 contributions

Great for families with kids

Nov 2023 • family

We enjoyed a dinner here during our visit to Daytona beach. We had two kids, ages 8 and 3, and three adults. We had a 20 min wait but they have a playground and a pier that we could explore so the wait wasn’t a problem. There was also live music, which I believe they have every Friday and Saturday. The food was great and I loved the fixins that they had available. My kids liked the cornbread and it was enough to hold them over until their meal arrived. Service was fast and friendly. The adults had coconut shrimp, scallops, and salmon. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Overall, a solid choice for families!

Written November 19, 2023

Jim A

Rochester11 contributions

What Happened! Use to be the best in Daytona Beach.

Apr 2024 • family

Over the years we always enjoyed our trips to Aunt Catfish's. They had a wonderful atmosphere, food was authenticate, seafood and salad bar were unique and special. And the sweet rolls were always warm and wonderful. What happened? Our first attempt to visit Aunt Catfish a couple months, we stopped by about 4:30PM and were told there would be about a 30min wait. Walked around the dock, talked to a few patrons and got a couple drinks at the bar. We saw other people getting seated ahead of us that had arrived after us. Theses “groups” were friends or relatives of the staff. When I inquired after waiting over an hour, I was told Aunt Catfish now has a phone in (preferential) seating option. After a 90 min wait we left and went to another restaurant. Last Thursday, we tried again. We used the phone in option (still had a 40 min wait). Once we got seated, we noticed the salad bar was gone. The menu has changed, but there was not any crab legs, grouper or flounder. I had crab cakes , which were more filler than crab. Two family members had the signature catfish dinners, and both were served cool to the touch. They did have the sweet rolls, which the grandkids loved. Over all, It was extremely disappointing. When asked about the changes, our server mentioned the owners were making some changes, minimizing the menu and working through some staffing storages. I suspect the pandemic was tough on Aunt Catfish’s businesses. But but it definitely isn't the caliber of experience we have experienced in the past. It was kind of upsetting...like the end of an era. Sad to say we probably won't be back. If you are looking for authentic Florida seafood, I suggest passing on Aunt Catfish's for now.

Written April 14, 2024

Andrew W

Coral Springs216 contributions

A Disappointing Twist on Southern Hospitality at Aunt Catfish's on the River

May 2024 • family

We ventured to Aunt Catfish's on the River with high hopes, lured by the promise of heartwarming Southern hospitality and a scrumptious seafood feast. Regrettably, our experience was a far cry from the charming riverside dining we anticipated, leaving a bitter taste and a fervent wish that we had cast our net elsewhere. Upon arrival, we were greeted not with the warmth of 'cousins' as advertised, but with the disinterest of strangers at a bus terminal. The service was as sluggish as a river on a still day. We sat parched and parched and neglected, our calls for assistance evaporating into the old Florida atmosphere they pride themselves on. When our food did arrive, as if swept in by a slow-moving tide, it was apparent that 'Down South River Cookin'' had taken a detour. The seafood, which should have been the star of the show, floundered miserably on the plate. The catch of the day was, I’m convinced, an artifact from a bygone era, and the ribs could have been a handy substitute for the riverbank's driftwood. Even the libations, which one might hope would salvage the meal, were as uninspired as the dreary decor. The 'Unique Old Florida Atmosphere' felt more like a timeworn tourist trap that had seen better days. The only thing fresh was our disappointment, which was served up in abundance. To those considering Aunt Catfish's for a taste of southern seafood tradition, I say navigate your ship to calmer and more palatable waters. This is one family-style experience where the only tradition you'll encounter is the tradition of regret. Try as they might to reel you in with charming descriptions, the reality is a dining misadventure that is best left uncharted.

Written May 16, 2024

Kathy P

Warren31 contributions

Don't get the scallops on the special

Oct 2023 • family

Hadn't been here since 2020 and decided to give them another try(2020 was bad). We got the lobster special. Plain broiled that mother in law got was best. I had garlic crusted w/shrimp, too much topping on the lobster, took away from the flavor rather than adding to it. Shrimp were fine. Husband had the scallops part of the special. He did ask when ordering what size serving and was told about 8 oz. What she should have said was scallops on special are bay scallops and about the size of a dime. She did not and they were TINY. While he said it did taste good, he actually left there hungry. I think tell people up front you are getting bay scallops and not sea scallops and let them make a more informed decision. I could do without the fixings bar, all I had were the apples. Would prefer a regular salad bar as they used to have. Cinnamon rolls were fine. As we were paying I nicely said that a seafood restaurant should be embarrassed to have scallops that small. That was the point she apologized and said that the scallops on special are bay not sea and about dime size. Would have been nice to know in the first place. Sadly, it will be a while before we think about going back.

Written October 7, 2023

Michele W

Columbus27 contributions

Don't waste your time & money here! Run Forrest, Run!

Aug 2023 • family

Over priced for subpar seafood, the seafood is not local, comes from overseas! I ordered the sea scallops they were $30.00, I was told they were from Maine or Mass. (which should have been the size of a half dollar, these were the quarter- sized bay scallops! Sweet potato didn't have any flavor, french fries were those battered trashy things! yuck! Ate the scallops and that was it! Left eveything else on the plate. Salad bar was not appetizing, could not eat anything from it! WILL never go there again! Way over-priced for low quaility seafood, I bet the marine animals at Sea World get better seafood than this place!

Written August 25, 2023

Janmac77

Vancouver293 contributions

Yummy in my tummy

Apr 2023 • couples

Casual but good down home food. Be sure to have the fixin's bar. You will get to try a lot of yummy sides. No need for dessert...they serve warm homemade cinnamon rolls all day. The early bird special saves about 10.00 per plate, and it works all day for seniord.

Written April 12, 2023

abcjjl

Easley1521 contributions

Nothing special - which is sad......

Jul 2022 • none

We have been dining here for years. I mean years on our vacations to the area. We will most likely not return next year on our vacation. The lack of the salad bar is one of the primary reasons. And by the looks of the cinnamon roll set-up in the former location of the salad bar.....it is not returning. Another reason is the prices keep soaring (and yes I know inflation is crushing us all) and we feel that the quality has fallen. It was over $31 dollars each for the 6 of us. None of our other dining out stops on this vacation approached that. My fired oysters were dried out. Not juicy at all. We all believe that the portions of the fish dishes, even with the price increases, were reduced. I hate to say it but, as others have said on this site, I am afraid that our beloved Aunt Catfish's has just become a tourist trap. We did take advantage of calling the week before our trip and making a priority seating request. We were seated in less than 10 minutes when the wait for smaller parties was well over an hour. If you do choose to dine here, call ahead a week or so out and find out how they are handling call ahead or whatever the term they are using. It has changed over the years. Sorry for the poor review but the truth is the truth.

Written July 27, 2022

Tammy S

Columbus31 contributions

Great service and delicious food!

Aug 2023 • couples

We went on a Monday and were immediately seated. The hostess seated us and told us her cousin would be with us shortly. All of the staff were referred to as cousin, followed by their name. Very cute. We sat outside and the fans made it very pleasant. We started our meal with cocktails, I ordered the frozen rock lobster, made with Malibu Coconut Rum, banana liqueurs, pineapple and orange juice, crème of coconut and grenadine. It was so good, but filling. My husband had the cranberry gimlet. For dinner, I ordered the scallops, sautéed in garlic butter and they were DIVINE! I had a side of sweet potato fries and they were very good too. My husband had the Unicom fish which was served fried. All orders come with endless sides from their self service buffet, so he declined his side. From the buffet, I had the broccoli salad and cinnamon stewed apples and cornbread. The sides were nothing spectacular to speak of,except for the cornbread, it had the perfect amount of sweetness. My husband had the cheese grits and baked beans. He did say they were really good. At the end of the meal, we had one of the cinnamon rolls and they were too good! If I could eat those without gaining weight, I would have one daily!!

Written August 16, 2023

Janie W

4 contributions

TASTELESS EXPERIENCE FROM LOCAL

Mar 2024 • family

Very disappointing from someone who has been going since the age of 10. Alot has changed from removing the salad bar and installing a small camp bar that only has baked beans, grits, cornbread, potato & brocoli salad not to mention the menu selection. We were seated in a table for two but couldn't even enjoy ourselves due to the half glass that separated us from the party next to us that was in line with our table and just no privacy at all. it was almost like two tables with a glass separating two seats. If you want quantity & taste please think twice ! ( example 8 fried oysters & fries and Hubby ordered surf & turf ( steak & two Lobster tails) absolutely tasteless and small portions for $100.00 meal. The only thing they had plenty of was the cinnamon rolls for unlimited quantities but they couldn't make them fast enough so those were under cooked. if you cook at all and eat locally , it's just not worth the money.

Written March 24, 2024

gubefa

Lyon20 contributions

A less than pleasant experience

May 2023 • couples

The restaurant, locate on the river next to a busy highway offers a good menu at a reasonable price. However, though it was not crowded at the time, the server took his time to both take and deliver our order. As he didn't return with the bill, I looked for him and paid the bill, adding a 12% tip, which the didn't even acknowledged.

Written June 1, 2023

David M

Ocala66 contributions

Long waits for dinner but we love it here.

Jun 2023 • couples

We've eaten here twice. Dinner time can be exceedingly busy with long waits, (which is an indication of how good everything is) so we went for lunch our last trip in early June and it was great. We go to Daytona often and will eat lunch rather than dinner here going forward as getting seated is much quicker and easier. The food is wonderful and the semi-buffet bar is a nice bonus. The servers all seem very helpful and friendly. We will make Aunt Catfish a fixture for our future trips to Daytona and would not hesitate to recommend it to our friends.

Written July 6, 2023

DjDan48

Port Orange592 contributions

Busy But Worth It!

Sep 2023 • couples

Before I forget it, let me tell you to get your cinnamon buns right up front so you don't have to wait for them later! I have always enjoyed a breakfast/brunch at Aunt Catfish's. The staff are very friendly and the food is great! After the buns, take a look at the offerings on the salad bar. You'll find some interesting things to select. Their cornbread is a favorite of mine. The menu is pretty standard with eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, etc. being a staple choice. I do not believe they take any reservations, so plan on spending a bit of time before getting seated (our wait for two persons was about 40 minutes). We sat in the bar area, had a couple of beers and relaxed. Wait areas are available outside also, But, it was too warm for us.

Written September 24, 2023

dolphindan2313

Sunrise38 contributions

Excellent seafood with a great view on the water.

Jun 2023 • family

The staff are very friendly and accommodating! I had the fish special sandwich blackened and it was excellent. The fish was moist and had great flavor. My kids had the clam strips and thought they were pretty good. My wife had the shrimp which was very good as well. But the best part of the evening was the all you care to eat camp fixings. You have to order a meal to get it or you can also just pay to have it by itself. You had unlimited cheese grits, broccoli salad, potato salad, baked beans, and corn bread. But the best was the home made cinnamon Rolls. Best cinnamon rolls I ever had. They were the star of the show! They had a nice little playhouse for kids on property and you can take some nice pictures on the pier. We had a great experience and we will be back.

Written June 17, 2023