Riverside Catfish House is entering the summer season with a new owner and a kitchen full to the brim with catfish filets and fingerlings fried using a breading recipe more than half a century old.
“The quality of our food and recipes stand out on their own. It’s just different,” says Cynthia Massengale, who recently took over ownership of the popular Lookout Valley restaurant.
The Catfish House has been in Massengale’s extended family for nearly 60 years. Along with her sister brother-in-law, niece and daughter, she is continuing her family’s tradition of serving up delicious Southern recipes with large helpings of hospitality.
“It’s a family atmosphere for dining and it’s a relaxed place,”says Massengale. “You can sit and look at the Tennessee River. You may occasionally see an eagle and can always see the pretty mountains. It’s a nice scenic drive and not far from downtown.
Riverside Catfish House is located off Cummings Highway. Perched on a hill overlooking the river, guests can dine in the main room, where every seat offers a view out the windows and into the mountains. There is also an outdoor deck that guests can walk on before or after their meal to better appreciate the scenery.