Unearth The Voyage
Tucked away in the heart of southwestern Oklahoma, Simon’s Catch in Elk City serves up one of the best-kept secrets in the state: an all-you-can-eat catfish fry that draws locals and travelers alike. This family-friendly restaurant has built a loyal following with its generous portions, friendly atmosphere, and commitment to quality seafood.
Whether you’re passing through on Route 66 or looking for a weekend dining adventure, Simon’s Catch offers an experience that goes beyond just a meal—it’s a taste of true Oklahoma hospitality.
The All-You-Can-Eat Experience
Forget counting pieces or worrying about portion sizes. Simon’s Catch delivers exactly what it promises: unlimited helpings of crispy, golden catfish that keep coming until you wave the white flag.
The restaurant’s signature all-you-can-eat option has become legendary among regulars who know that one plate is never enough.
Each fillet arrives hot from the fryer, coated in a perfectly seasoned cornmeal breading that crunches with every bite. The fish inside stays moist and flaky, never greasy or overdone.
Servers keep a close eye on tables, ready to bring fresh batches the moment you’re ready for more.
What makes this deal truly special is the quality never drops, no matter how many rounds you order. Some restaurants cut corners on unlimited offerings, but Simon’s Catch maintains the same high standards from your first plate to your last.
The price point makes it accessible for families, date nights, or solo diners looking for serious value.
Regulars have their strategies—some pace themselves with breaks between servings, while others dive straight in. Either way works just fine here.
Location Off the Beaten Path
Finding Simon’s Catch requires a bit of adventure, sitting as it does along East 1140 Road outside Elk City proper. The rural setting might seem unusual for a seafood spot, but that’s precisely what gives this place its charm.
Rolling Oklahoma plains surround the restaurant, creating an unexpectedly peaceful backdrop for a catfish feast.
GPS coordinates point you to 35.3644603, -99.49370019999999, but locals can give you better directions involving landmarks and turns. The drive itself becomes part of the experience, taking you away from highway traffic and into quieter territory.
Once you spot the building, ample parking awaits—no circling blocks or fighting for spaces here.
Elk City serves as a natural stopping point for Route 66 travelers, making Simon’s Catch a worthy detour from the Mother Road. The location also means the restaurant draws from surrounding communities, creating a genuine cross-section of western Oklahoma diners.
Weekend evenings see the parking lot fill up as word spreads about dinner specials.
Don’t let the rural address fool you into thinking this place lacks polish or professionalism.
Fresh-Caught Quality Standards
Quality starts with sourcing, and Simon’s Catch takes its fish seriously. The restaurant’s commitment to freshness shows in every bite, with catfish that tastes like it came straight from the water.
No fishy smell or questionable texture here—just clean, mild-flavored fillets that win over even skeptical seafood eaters.
Behind the scenes, strict standards govern what makes it to your plate. The kitchen team inspects each delivery, accepting only fish that meets their specifications.
This attention to detail costs more and requires extra effort, but regulars notice the difference immediately.
Many catfish operations rely on frozen products shipped from distant suppliers, but Simon’s Catch prioritizes fresher options whenever possible. The result is fish with better texture, improved flavor, and that satisfying bite that keeps people coming back.
Preparation methods enhance rather than mask the natural taste, letting the quality speak for itself.
Staff members can answer questions about sourcing and preparation, happy to discuss what makes their catfish special. The restaurant’s reputation rests on maintaining these standards consistently, meal after meal, year after year.
When you’re serving unlimited portions, cutting corners might seem tempting, but Simon’s Catch refuses to compromise.
The Perfect Cornmeal Coating
Some restaurants treat breading as an afterthought, but Simon’s Catch has perfected their cornmeal coating into an art form. That signature crunch when you bite through the exterior has been fine-tuned through years of trial and refinement.
The seasoning blend remains a closely guarded secret, though regulars swear they detect hints of paprika, garlic, and black pepper.
Texture matters as much as flavor when it comes to fried fish. Too thick and the breading overwhelms the catfish; too thin and it falls off or turns soggy.
Simon’s Catch strikes the ideal balance, creating a coating that adheres beautifully while staying light enough to let the fish shine through.
The frying process itself requires skill and timing. Oil temperature must stay consistent to achieve that golden-brown color without burning or undercooking.
Each batch gets pulled at exactly the right moment, then drained properly to eliminate excess grease. The result arrives at your table crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and never heavy or oily.
Even after sitting for a few minutes, the coating maintains its crunch better than most fried foods. That durability comes from proper technique and quality ingredients working together.
Family-Style Side Dishes
Catfish might be the star, but the supporting cast of sides deserves serious recognition. Simon’s Catch serves accompaniments family-style, meaning large portions arrive at your table for sharing and passing around.
This communal approach encourages conversation and creates a more relaxed, home-style dining atmosphere.
Hush puppies come out piping hot, their sweet cornmeal interiors contrasting with crispy exteriors. French fries arrive golden and properly salted, while coleslaw provides cool, creamy relief between bites of hot fish.
Baked beans add a touch of sweetness and heartiness to round out the plate.
The sides aren’t just fillers—they’re prepared with the same care as the main attraction. Recipes have been refined over time based on customer feedback and kitchen experimentation.
Portions are generous enough that most tables end up with leftovers, which the staff happily boxes up for home.
Some diners build custom bites, stacking catfish with coleslaw on top or pairing hush puppies with beans. The restaurant encourages this kind of playful eating, understanding that part of the fun comes from mixing and matching flavors.
Kids especially enjoy having multiple options to choose from, making family dinners easier for parents.
Welcoming Atmosphere for All Ages
Walking into Simon’s Catch feels like visiting a neighbor’s place rather than a formal restaurant. The casual atmosphere puts everyone at ease, from toddlers in high chairs to grandparents celebrating anniversaries.
Decor leans toward simple and functional, with comfortable seating and enough space between tables for privacy without feeling isolated.
Staff members greet regulars by name and treat newcomers like old friends. This genuine hospitality can’t be faked or trained—it comes from a culture that values people over profits.
Servers remember preferences, dietary restrictions, and special occasions, adding personal touches that make visits memorable.
Families appreciate the relaxed vibe where kids can be kids without judgment. No one’s rushing you through your meal or giving side-eye when children get a little loud.
The restaurant understands that part of the all-you-can-eat experience involves taking your time and enjoying the company around your table.
Solo diners also find welcome here, often chatting with staff or neighboring tables. The communal feeling extends beyond family units to create a broader sense of community.
Weekend crowds bring energy and buzz, while weeknight visits offer quieter, more intimate experiences. Either way, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve been somewhere special.
Value That Can’t Be Beat
Budget-conscious diners rejoice—Simon’s Catch delivers exceptional value without sacrificing quality. The all-you-can-eat pricing structure means big appetites get satisfied without breaking the bank.
Compare what you’d spend at chain restaurants for a single entree, and the deal here becomes even more impressive.
Families with teenagers particularly appreciate the flat-rate pricing. Growing kids can eat their fill without parents nervously calculating the mounting bill.
Groups splitting checks find the math refreshingly simple, and everyone leaves satisfied rather than still hungry.
Beyond the catfish itself, remember that sides come included and refills flow freely. Hidden fees and upcharges don’t exist here—what you see on the menu is what you pay.
This transparency builds trust and keeps customers returning month after month.
Special occasions become more affordable when you can feed a crowd without mortgaging your house. Birthday celebrations, team dinners, and family reunions all work well within the restaurant’s pricing structure.
The value extends beyond dollars to include the experience, atmosphere, and memories created around the table.
Regulars often mention the price-to-quality ratio as a primary reason they keep coming back. In an era of shrinking portions and rising costs, Simon’s Catch stands firm on delivering abundance.
Route 66 Connection
Elk City sits proudly along America’s Mother Road, and Simon’s Catch benefits from its proximity to this iconic highway. Route 66 travelers seeking authentic experiences rather than tourist traps find exactly what they’re looking for here.
The restaurant embodies the spirit of the historic route—genuine, unpretentious, and rooted in local culture.
Many road-trippers build their itineraries around meals, and Simon’s Catch has earned a spot on numerous Route 66 bucket lists. Travel bloggers and guidebooks increasingly mention the restaurant as a must-stop destination.
The catfish fry offers something more memorable than fast food or chain restaurants that line modern interstates.
Historical Route 66 enthusiasts appreciate how the restaurant serves as a living example of roadside dining culture. While many vintage stops have closed or been converted into museums, Simon’s Catch continues operating as an active business.
This connection to highway history adds depth to the dining experience for those who care about such things.
Even if you’re not specifically following Route 66, the highway’s influence shapes the region’s character. The restaurant draws from this heritage while remaining firmly planted in the present.
Old-timers share stories of the road’s heyday, while newcomers create their own memories.
Consistent Quality and Service
Anyone can serve a great meal once, but maintaining consistency separates good restaurants from great ones. Simon’s Catch has built its reputation on delivering the same high-quality experience visit after visit.
Regulars know exactly what to expect, while first-timers discover why people keep coming back.
Behind this consistency lies solid training, clear standards, and a management team that cares about details. Kitchen staff follow established procedures that ensure each batch of catfish meets specifications.
Front-of-house employees understand that their role extends beyond taking orders—they’re ambassadors for the entire experience.
The restaurant’s 4.6-star rating reflects this commitment to excellence. Reviews consistently mention friendly service, hot food, and clean facilities.
When issues arise, staff addresses them quickly and professionally, turning potential negatives into opportunities to demonstrate good customer service.
Long-term employees contribute significantly to this consistency, bringing institutional knowledge and genuine care to their work. They remember faces, anticipate needs, and maintain the standards that made Simon’s Catch successful in the first place.
New hires learn from veterans, perpetuating a culture of quality.
Consistency extends to operating hours, menu availability, and overall reliability. When you plan a visit, you can count on the restaurant being open and ready to serve.
Local Favorite Worth Discovering
Hidden gems earn that designation by flying under the radar while delivering exceptional experiences. Simon’s Catch fits this description perfectly—beloved by locals but still relatively unknown to the wider world.
This balance keeps the restaurant authentic while slowly building a reputation that extends beyond Elk City.
Local residents treat Simon’s Catch as their own special secret, though they’re happy to share it with visitors who make the effort to find it. The restaurant appears in conversations about where to eat, where to take out-of-town guests, and where to celebrate special occasions.
This word-of-mouth marketing proves more valuable than any advertising campaign.
Discovering a place like this feels rewarding in ways that chain restaurants never match. You’re not just eating dinner—you’re connecting with a community and supporting a local business that adds character to its region.
The stories you take home become part of your travel narrative, the kind of experiences that stick in memory long after typical tourist activities fade.
As more people discover Simon’s Catch through online reviews and social media, the restaurant faces the challenge of growing without losing what makes it special. So far, they’re managing that balance beautifully, welcoming new faces while maintaining the quality that earned their reputation.
