If you will be visiting Daytona Beach for this year’s Daytona Beach 500 or simply getting some sun on their world famous beach, then make sure that you also visit:

Aunt Catfish’s on the River

4009 Halifax Drive, Port Orange, FL

386.767.4768

This family owned and operated restaurant not only has catfish (fried, grilled, Cajun style) and other seafood (lobster, shrimp, oysters, scallops, shark), but also has a variety of other entrees including prime rib, roasted chicken and Kansas city pork ribs.

On my visit I went with the Catfish sampler which includes the salad buffet.  While the selection on the salad buffet was typical, I did find the items to be very well prepared and fresh with selections like cheese, eggs, cucumber, carrots, chick peas and some not so typical items such as bread and butter pickles and corn relish.  In addition, most entrees include what Aunt Catfish calls the relish bar.   This bar has slaw as well as baked beans, grits and cornbread.

The catfish was excellent and the portions plenty.   I spoke with a few other diners and their experience was excellent as well.   This was confirmed by my short wait for a table on a Monday night which is usually one of the slower nights for any restaurant in early February.

I’ve visited a few other places in the area, but this one will be the only one that I make sure that I return to on each visit to the Daytona Beach area.

Roger’s Tip:  Try the Key Lime Pie.