Our Story

Catfish Cabin began in the early 70's as Catfish Kitchen, owned by Judge Barrett Holmes. In the mid-70's, it was bought by the current owner, Tara Herrin's parents. Back then, it was a cafeteria-style restaurant with only two kitchen workers, Velma and Ethel. Over the years, it changed hands and names several times, becoming The Pagoda and then Katfish Korral until January 2005, when Tara Herrin took full ownership and renamed it Catfish Cabin. This name and model have remained to this day.

Catfish Cabin has always been a family-oriented business. Many of the antique signs and decorations on the walls came from Tara's grandfather, Preston Riley, who was the mayor of Boyle, MS, from 1972-1990. The “Welcome to Boyle, Miss” sign hanging in the buffet area is the actual sign that hung on the highway during her grandfather’s time as Mayor of Boyle. Other decorations came from Sky King's Lounge, a legendary after-hours honkytonk next door to the original Catfish Cabin location, owned by Tara's father, Jimmy Utz.

During the night on August 1, 2024, Catfish Cabin was set on fire by an arsonist and remained closed until April 2025. While trying to navigate through the devastation of the fire, Catfish Cabin operated out its mobile catering trailer. One Friday over lunch, Murry Roark mentioned that Darry Davis, owner of Darry’s Food-n-Drink wanted to focus on revitalizing downtown Boyle which is now “The Peavine District.” After a brief meeting with Darry that afternoon, it was decided that Catfish Cabin’s new home would be located at 122 TM Jones Hwy right across the street from the office where her grandfather worked when he served as Mayor of Boyle. Tara took possession of the building the next week and with lots of help from friends and work-family the new Catfish Cabin opened in April 2025.

Since 2005, Catfish Cabin has been known for quality service in a family-friendly environment. Everything in the restaurant is handmade with the same care established in the 70's. Central to the Catfish Cabin theme is the belief that "You can't beat Mississippi farm-raised catfish!"