Catfish lovers flock to all three Rich’s locations on Friday nights for their popular all-you-can-eat catfish dinners. It’s the biggest day of the week with each restaurant selling approximately 250 pounds of catfish every Friday.
Each order starts with catfish fillets that are covered in a cornmeal breading with a few of Jason’s secret spices and deep-fried. Four pieces of the perfectly cooked catfish are served with jalapeno hush puppies and your choice of coleslaw or fries. Jason says those four fillets fill up most of his customers, but some want a few more. “It’s clean, flaky white fish,” Jason says. “The taste is just phenomenal.”
If you think the Big Cheesey isn’t going to be enough, pick up an order of cheese curds for an appetizer. Jason serves up four varieties of the fried Wisconsin classic: white cheddar, pepper jack, spicy Wisconsin and garlic. Other appetizers include a nod to Jason’s St. Louis roots with toasted ravioli and Rich’s Hot Wings featuring housemade wing sauce. “It starts off sweet and right at the end gives you a little bit of kick,” he says.
Save room for dessert and you’ll be in for a homemade sweet treat. Jason’s mother makes the gooey butter cake and Texas sheet cake that his diners have come to love.
Rich’s serves up breakfast every morning in all three restaurants as well. The menu is full of breakfast staples. However the biscuits and gravy are Jason’s favorite. The gravy is made fresh every morning using both regular and spicy sausage along with bacon grease. “It’s not a spice that’s going to bother you,” he says. “It gives it a little bit of a peppery taste and steps the flavor up to another level.”
Wake up with an appetite? Try the stuffed hash browns featuring a layer of hash browns topped with two slices of bacon, two sausage patties and two eggs. Another layer of hash browns with cheese goes on next and the whole plate is smothered with sausage gravy.
Whether you stop in Rich’s for as much catfish as you can handle, an over-the-top burger or a buttercream pancake, you’re sure to leave with plans to return soon.
“Because of the care we put into how we prepare our food and the service we try to provide, it’s more than worth your time to come by and experience that even if you’ll have to drive a little extra,” Jason says. “I think you’ll be surprised at the quality of food you’re going to get.”
Rich’s Famous Burgers
Specialties: Burgers including the Jam Burger, Western Burger and Big Cheesey. Sandwiches including the Hot Mess Chicken, Italian Beef and BLT. Appetizers including spicy pickle fries, cheese curds and Rich’s Hot Wings. All-you-can-eat catfish on Friday nights. Homemade desserts.
Price: Appetizers from $4.99 to $10.99. Burgers from $8.99 to $11.49. Sandwiches and salads from $6.99 to $11.99.
Details: In Sullivan and St. James, open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Steelville, open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cash and credit cards accepted. Nonsmoking. For current address and contact information visit www.richsfamousburgers.com.
