Why is the Catfish Hole...

[(notOM)Rebel123]

We've all heard tales of what a great recruiting tool we have in The Catfish Hole. It's a regular looking fish house, like many that can be found all over the state. But evidently it turns into something special when recruits walk through the doors. I'd like to get your thoughts on what makes such an impression on recruits. Is it the food, the presentation, the fans? Just curious.

[Tim Harris]

Its the hushpuppies!

[West Coast Hog Fan]

Best hushpuppies I have ever had.  But to answer your question it's the fans that show up.

[ADAM_713]

Frank's red onions.

[LRHawg]

They truly put on a show when the recruits come. That place gets loud, and the food is what I would consider "comfort food", which helps to present an atmosphere where the recruits feel welcomed and at home. If you've never been I highly recommend it.

[Hogtied]

It's not the hushpuppies for sue. It's the fish.  They are fried in a special lighter oil that gives them a very different and better taste than other catfish places.  Another reason may be that CBP just likes the place. lord knows it didn't neeed the extra buisness as one had to wait for a seat there for a long time before CBP got here.

[Tim Harris]

Where did the previous staff take recruits for dinner?  Has it always been the Catfish Hole?

[Hogtied]

Where did the previous staff take recruits for dinner?  Has it always been the Catfish Hole?

Different places, it was coaches sports bar at one time. At least until Nutt an d his brother were asked not to come back. Seems he came in one time and jumped management that he and his pack did not have the seats they wanted, of course also free food they expected. 

[shawn_563]

Hooter and the staff took em to Sonic, gotta love them supersonic breakfast burritos

[kristiandbilly]

 All about the $$$ and pups!! Pat & Janie are avid hog fans, and would do whatever it takes to make coaches, players & recruites happy... Some of the nicest folks I know. It was Coach Petrino that approached Pat about doing the show there on Wednesday nights, and Pat got the big head and said he would shut down half the restaurant for recruiting nights. (not actually shut down, just reserved)... Pat was and is there for the University, Nutt wanted catfish hole on the road with them during bowl games, so Pat would send their catering truck with the team to bowl games... It was also good advertisement.

[ADAM_713]

All about the $$$ and pups!! Pat & Janie are avid hog fans, and would do whatever it takes to make coaches, players & recruites happy... Some of the nicest folks I know. It was Coach Petrino that approached Pat about doing the show there on Wednesday nights, and Pat got the big head and said he would shut down half the restaurant for recruiting nights. (not actually shut down, just reserved)... Pat was and is there for the University, Nutt wanted catfish hole on the road with them during bowl games, so Pat would send their catering truck with the team to bowl games... It was also good advertisement.

So if Nutt wanted the truck on the road during bowl games, I guess that means Pat didn't have to take the truck out much.

[Ray Piggers]

I wouldn't think its the food. The hush puppies there are maybe a little bit better than the hush puppies at Long John Silvers. I would say its the fans, and the atmosphere.  Always a big turnout..

[Sow’sEar]

I wouldn't think its the food. The hush puppies there are maybe a little bit better than the hush puppies at Long John Silvers. I would say its the fans, and the atmosphere.  Always a big turnout..

I'll have to agree to disagree.  I frequent the one in Alma more than the one in Fayetteville because its closer to home.  Their fried catfish and hushpuppies are just about the best around. 

[Ray Piggers]

I'll have to agree to disagree.  I frequent the one in Alma more than the one in Fayetteville because its closer to home.  Their fried catfish and hushpuppies are just about the best around. 

Well, ill have to disagree.

[ADAM_713]

I wouldn't think its the food. The hush puppies there are maybe a little bit better than the hush puppies at Long John Silvers. I would say its the fans, and the atmosphere.  Always a big turnout..

Come on bro, Long Johns?  They are a bit better than Long Johns.

[Ray Piggers]

Come on bro, Long Johns?  They are a bit better than Long Johns.

Ha. I did say "a little bit better". It's just run of  the mill "ok" food to me.  It's definitely not legendary.  The atmosphere is great. Which is half the reason  most go there.

[LRHawg]

The hush puppies at the Fish Net by Degray Lake are the best. Catfish hole a close second.

[TexHog188]

It's the atmosphere created by raucous fans and fried food with sweet tea.  It screams, your in the south where we love our football and football players. It helps that the fish and hushpuppies are darn good.

You just don't get that at some chain restaurant that you can visit in any city in America.  It could probably be duplicated at any number of places in Fayetteville like AQ Chicken House for example, but it just happens to be Catfish Hole.

[Break & Run]

It HAS to be the fans and the atmosphere.  Vin Ascoleces (sp?) was all pumped up on Twitter about the visit to the Catfish Hole.  He said they were chanting his name and what not.  That is what makes recruits think they're special, when they have a whole crowd of racous fans chanting their name and making them feel like they can be a part of something special on the Razorback football team.

[hogfan98]

While the Catfish Hole is very good and the hushpuppies are one of a kind, I think a lot of the allure is because a lot of people either don't know what it's like to eat catfish that they caught just a couple of hours before and prepared themselves, or they've forgotten.  I'm a part of the latter group.  When I first moved to Fayetteville to go to school, I was told that I had to go to the Catfish Hole.  So I did.  While it was good, it was nothing like what I had grew up on.  So I would go occasionally, but it never made my regular circuit of restaurants.  However, I found that after being away from home for several years, it got a lot better.  I attribute that to me just forgetting what it's like to have home raised fish.

I don't mean this as a knock on the Catfish Hole or the Gazzolas.  It's a great place and they are fine people.  It's just not as good as home.  But it's a good second place.

[pedrothelion]

It has nothing to do with the food.  Kid's don't commit because of fried fish and hush puppies no matter how good they are.  It's because they taken out to some innocuous sounding restaurant and they find themselves in a place full of rabid fans screaming their names.  It's all about the atmosphere.

[LRHawg]

While it was good, it was nothing like what I had grew up on.

My feelings exactly. My Grandfather's fried catfish was top notch.

[heatmiser]

It is the fanfare, not the food, that makes it a recruiting hotspot. The food is nothing special in my opinion, however the hush puppies are really good.

[razorbackcaller]

While the Catfish Hole is very good and the hushpuppies are one of a kind, I think a lot of the allure is because a lot of people either don't know what it's like to eat catfish that they caught just a couple of hours before and prepared themselves, or they've forgotten.  I'm a part of the latter group.  When I first moved to Fayetteville to go to school, I was told that I had to go to the Catfish Hole.  So I did.  While it was good, it was nothing like what I had grew up on.  So I would go occasionally, but it never made my regular circuit of restaurants.  However, I found that after being away from home for several years, it got a lot better.  I attribute that to me just forgetting what it's like to have home raised fish.

I don't mean this as a knock on the Catfish Hole or the Gazzolas.  It's a great place and they are fine people.  It's just not as good as home.  But it's a good second place.

This, I grew up eating catfish. we ate it almost every meal. We caught it and it was free food. When I say we ate it almost every meal I mean every meal. I didn't have my first taste of beef til I was about 6 years old. The catfish hole cannot touch my mothers fish,hush puppies, or fried potato's. But that being said it is good food. Oh yeah and we only ate flat head not channel cat, big difference.

[Kilgor]

This, I grew up eating catfish. we ate it almost every meal. We caught it and it was free food. When I say we ate it almost every meal I mean every meal. I didn't have my first taste of beef til I was about 6 years old. The catfish hole cannot touch my mothers fish,hush puppies, or fried potato's. But that being said it is good food. Oh yeah and we only ate flat head not channel cat, big difference.

Just an FYI:  Flatheads have 5-7 time more mercury than channel cats due to their diet.  Flatheads aren't safe to eat out of the Saline river, Ouachita river, or Shepherd Springs Lake.  Channel cats are safe to eat throughout the state.

[razorbackcaller]

Just an FYI:  Flatheads have 5-7 time more mercury than channel cats due to their diet.  Flatheads aren't safe to eat out of the Saline river, Ouachita river, or Shepherd Springs Lake.  Channel cats are safe to eat throughout the state.

Myabe thats why I lack concentration and can't remember anything. LOL

[(notOM)Rebel123]

Thanks for the responses. I've never had the chance to go on a night when the recruits are there. Sounds like a great time for both fans and recruits!

[Oklahawg]

Years ago Nutt took the recruits to Doe's. "Fancier" but not as comfortable for recruits. The CH is relaxed, laid back and provides really good food (but not anything we'd confuse with 4-star cuisine). Players can graze as they choose vs ordering from a fancy menu.

Just a thought.

[Seebs]

The hush puppies at the Fish Net by Degray Lake are the best. Catfish hole a close second.

You sir - are correct!

[booogaga]

Years ago Nutt took the recruits to Doe's. "Fancier" but not as comfortable for recruits. The CH is relaxed, laid back and provides really good food (but not anything we'd confuse with 4-star cuisine). Players can graze as they choose vs ordering from a fancy menu.

Just a thought.

Dude just imagine a 6'6 315 lb OT recruit going to Doe's. I imagine he would eat the porterhouse for two. LOL

[uncle bubs]

The Catfish Hole is one of my all time favorites, even with growing up eating catfish. The hushpuppies are brilliant, the food is good but more than that, the atmosphere is just great. It's a down home joint with down home folks. I can't wait to get back there when I travel home from Tennessee.

[woodhog14]

Where did the previous staff take recruits for dinner?  Has it always been the Catfish Hole?

They used to go to Powerhouse and use the party room in the back by the patio.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

So if Nutt wanted the truck on the road during bowl games, I guess that means Pat didn't have to take the truck out much.

If you're gonna slam him, at least use a real argument.. The dumbazz did get us to 8 bowls in 10 years... Now if they had asked The Catfish Hole to cater the after party for all the bowl wins you could have had something going there... Go back and try again. I have faith that you can do it..!

+1 for inspiration...

[Flatline]

Holding up signs, calling the hogs, and the fact that our fan base is rabid and knows a lot about the recruits.  I have noticed how the kids talk about how much the fans know about them. 

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

Dude just imagine a 6'6 315 lb OT recruit going to Doe's. I imagine he would eat the porterhouse for two. LOL

If they took me to Doe's I'd hurt their(Both UA and Doe's) feelings...

[Michael Porkleone]

Years ago Nutt took the recruits to Doe's. "Fancier" but not as comfortable for recruits. The CH is relaxed, laid back and provides really good food (but not anything we'd confuse with 4-star cuisine). Players can graze as they choose vs ordering from a fancy menu.

Just a thought.

Have you ever been to Doe's?

Not quite sure i'd call it fancy.

[razorbackcaller]

If they took me to Doe's I'd hurt their(Both UA and Doe's) feelings...

What is wrong with Doe's?

[Michael Porkleone]

What is wrong with Doe's?

Nothing at all - really, really good stuff. 

[nwahogs]

Dude just imagine a 6'6 315 lb OT recruit going to Doe's. I imagine he would eat the porterhouse for two. LOL

I love the 2 1/2 lb porterhouse. I'll finish it up and whatever my girlfriend leaves of hers.

[tomahawkhog]

I wouldn't think its the food. The hush puppies there are maybe a little bit better than the hush puppies at Long John Silvers. I would say its the fans, and the atmosphere.  Always a big turnout..

Wow, what LJS's are you eating at?? 

[hogbandwagon]

What is wrong with Doe's?

been there twice and both times it was nowhere near worth it , imo

[razorbackcaller]

been there twice and both times it was nowhere near worth it , imo

I have never been, but was thinking about taking my wife so just wondering.

[Hogtied]

Years ago Nutt took the recruits to Doe's. "Fancier" but not as comfortable for recruits. The CH is relaxed, laid back and provides really good food (but not anything we'd confuse with 4-star cuisine). Players can graze as they choose vs ordering from a fancy menu.

Just a thought.

You are right, Doe's also has limited seating and doesn't open until 5. 

[JenksHawg]

Catfish Hole before the South Carolina game this year....recruits coming through the door.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS_m458YkKc&list=UUZBprQD_ZpefgcDyLXnYn_w&index=5&feature=plcp

[Hogtied]

been there twice and both times it was nowhere near worth it , imo

Really/ I was watching the travel channel and Doe's eat place was the number 4 best steak house in the whole country.  When two people can eat a great steak for $60 or less I call that pretty darn good.

[hawgsmellgud]

Really/ I was watching the travel channel and Doe's eat place was the number 4 best steak house in the whole country.  When two people can eat a great steak for $60 or less I call that pretty darn good.

the does in Little Rock is the best steak I have had. And it is super affordable.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

What is wrong with Doe's?

Nothing.. They would run out of food...

[DeepFreeze]

Holding up signs, calling the hogs, and the fact that our fan base is rabid and knows a lot about the recruits.  I have noticed how the kids talk about how much the fans know about them. 

Yeah its more of the atmosphere than anything.  When I was up there, Catfish Hole was one of the places to go, especially when you got the all you could eat thing at the time.  Course what I really miss more is AQ Chicken House more than the Hole, their chicken over the coals is to die for.

[Cresthog]

It's not the hushpuppies for sue. It's the fish.  They are fried in a special lighter oil that gives them a very different and better taste than other catfish places.  Another reason may be that CBP just likes the place. lord knows it didn't neeed the extra buisness as one had to wait for a seat there for a long time before CBP got here.

A special lighter oil?

This is simply not true. Its freaking fried fish people. You can pretty much make it taste like whatever you want. It's white fish, may as well be white chicken breasts or tofu. It takes on whatever flavor it is seasoned with. Has absolutely nothing to do about a lighter oil. I'm sure he uses the same crap everyone else throws in their commercial fryers across the country, vegetable, peanut...whatever. I'm sure he isn't using the highest quality american farm raised catfish either. The man can straight up just fry good catfish. Seriously, its not like he's preparing souffle or foi gras stuffed terrines.