Fried seafood with no frills: 20 fish camps to visit in the Charlotte area
If you’re looking for generous portions of fried fish and tea sweet enough to spike your blood sugar, you’ll find both at a local fish camp.
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Southern Living defines fish camps as “casual restaurants that specialize in perfectly fried seafood.”
Fish camps in North Carolina date back to before World War II, where fishermen could cook what they caught along riverbanks or coastal sounds, Southern Living says. They have since evolved into no-frills eateries where customers can order platters of fried seafood that won’t break the bank.
Many of these spots have been around for decades, featuring daily specials, all-you-can-eat buffets and discounts for seniors.
Here are 20 fish camps to visit in the Charlotte area:
Location: 4253 S New Hope Rd, Cramerton, NC 28032
The menu at AmberJack includes all the classic seafood favorites, such as tilapia, flounder and catfish, but the real pull is the all-you-can-eat buffet that runs every Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: 1218 NC-16 Bus, Denver, NC 28037
Location: 3140 Linwood Rd, Gastonia, NC 28052
Inspired by Pat and Mick’s in New London, NC, The Captain’s Cap has been serving fried, grilled, broiled and boiled seafood options for nearly four decades. The menu also features 15 discounted entrees for seniors.
Location: 1855 N Aspen St, Lincolnton, NC 28092
Jumbo shrimp, scallops, oysters and flounder are among the seafood options at Captain Pete’s, along with “Off The Grill” specials like chopped sirloin, beef tips and charbroiled chicken.
Location: 5645 State Hwy 49, Harrisburg, NC 28075
Location: 1975 US-21, Fort Mill, SC 29715
You can get any two seafood items, including clam strips, stuffed deviled crab, and whole catfish for just $13 at Captain Steve’s. And you can pair them with sides like onion rings, potato salad and hush puppies.
Location: 1401 State Rd 2519, Belmont, NC 28012
Catfish Cove is known for “great fried fish, chicken and their “country cookin’ Sunday lunch buffet.” The “super delicious” menu includes flounder, perch, mahi mahi and salmon.
Location: 1942 Gastonia Hwy, Lincolnton, NC 28092
With seafood platters and flounder filets served on paper plates, and plastic pitchers filled to the brim with sweet tea, Cotton’s is the place to go for a true no-frills experience.
Location: 8805 University E Dr, Charlotte, NC 28213
Harbor Inn’s menu includes an extensive selection of appetizers (get the crab dip), oysters, broiled seafood and steaks just a few miles away from UNC Charlotte.
Location: 5269 NC-16, Maiden, NC 28650
Go for the stuffed crab, fried oysters and frog legs at Jones Fish Camp, but don’t forget to start with an appetizer. Seafood plus jalapeno poppers, cheese sticks or boneless wings is a great combo.
Location: 5905 Alexander Rd, Concord, NC 28027
Going strong for more than six decades, Lake Todd Fish Camp occupies a former speakeasy that, according to the restaurant’s website, may be haunted. And it’s cash-only, so make sure to stop by an ATM first.
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Location: 1031 Lower Dallas Hwy, Dallas, NC 28034
Long Creek Fish Fry does one thing, and it does it right, according to its website: “real Carolina comfort food fried fresh to order.” Choose from catfish filet, perch, green shrimp and more.
Location: 1104 Shelby Rd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
When Love’s Fish Box first opened in 1968, it served catfish, perch and flounder entrees for $1.75 each. While the prices have changed over the years, the restaurant assures customers that the quality hasn’t.
Location: 2399 W Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110
Mac’s is the only spot on this list where you can get a seafood plate and an entire sheet cake. The Bakery @ Mac’s includes more than 30 flavors of cakes and pies, along with specialty desserts like banana pudding and Oreo Delight.
Location: 1493 US-29, Concord, NC 28025
Mayflower has been serving appetizers, soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches, broiled seafood, fried seafood and steaks near downtown Concord for nearly half a century. Menu specials run daily, with all entrees under $14.
Location: 1880 Old York Rd, York, SC 29745
Old York is complete with appetizers, seafood platters, steak and chicken and nearly 20 specials just for those 62 and older. Daily specials include $13 grouper filet on Wednesdays and $15 catfish filets on Sundays.
Location: 2910 SC-161, York, SC 29745
Popular dishes at Palmetto Seafood include frog legs, served for $13 on Saturdays with french fries, hush puppies and handmade slaw, and the filet flounder dinner with the same sides for the same price on Wednesdays.
Location: 3022 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
Po Boy’s Low Country Seafood specializes in po boy sandwiches served on a fresh hoagie roll with lettuce, tomato and your choice of sauce on the side. Selections at the restaurant include po boys with fried catfish, fried whiting, fried shrimp and fried alligator.
Location: 1341 Dallas Stanley Hwy, Dallas, NC 28034
Riverside’s $27 dinner for two includes catfish filet, flounder filet, green shrimp and your choice of chicken or perch, potatoes, hush puppies and two slaws. If you finish all of that, grab the $4 strawberry cheesecake.
Location: 120 S Broad St, Gastonia, NC 28054
The secret to Shrimp Boat’s seafood comes from “top-shelf ingredients of natural herbs and spices.” Get a seafood plate with fish, fantail shrimp and deviled crab and pair it with cocktail sauce sold by the pint.
Location: 4574 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056
Twin Tops is a place “where friends meet to eat,” according to the website, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Dig into catfish, perch, croaker and Alaskan whitefish, plus “Land Lubber” options like hamburger steak and pork chops.
Location: 808 N 14th St, Bessemer City, NC 28016
You’ll find “real home cooking” at the Surf & Turf Lodge, including flaky fried flounder, hand-cut tenders and ribeyes off the grill. Plus, you can choose any two seafood entrees for $28 on Thursdays.
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