Gatlin's Fins & Feathers

Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers in Garden Oaks—the sister restaurant to Gatlin’s BBQ—serves seafood and Southern comfort food that rivals anything that came from your auntie, all in a classic, downhome retro diner space. It’s all very charming 1960s vibes, with diner booths, funky tiled floors, and Motown’s greatest hits playing in the background. Everything here is like a “saved you a plate” meal, including crackling golden, seasoned fried chicken, crispy fried catfish, and fluffy buttermilk biscuits. Save room at the end of your meal for the giant orange dreamsicle donut, served with vanilla ice cream and candied orange that makes you feel like you’re going to the ice cream truck, but fancier. Between the food and the laid-back service, Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers is the type of place you should stay awhile. Come here when you want to have a casual meal with your friends, family, or anytime you want a mean bowl of gumbo in a charming diner.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Food Rundown

photo credit: Richard Casteel

H-Town Hot Sandwich

The H-Town Hot Sandwich has the option of being fish or fried chicken, and you should get the chicken because it’s expertly crisped, loaded with Viet-Cajun hot sauce, and topped with fresh herbs and briney pickles.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

F&F Fried Chicken

Juicy pieces of golden, seasoned fried chicken hit the table with a side of your choice. Our favorite companion for the fried chicken is the creamy, decadent macaroni and cheese that has a little bit of crunch thanks to the breadcrumbs on top.

Everything Gumbo

Whatever you do, don’t just just order a cup of the everything gumbo. Everything but the kitchen sink gets thrown into the spicy gumbo with a roux that is as dark as the bayou and out of this world. Have smoked sausage, spicy shrimp, chicken, crab, and okra by the spoonful, and scoop up any of the remaining roux with the white rice in the center of the bowl.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Not My Momma’s Biscuits

Regardless of your own mother’s biscuit-making abilities, the ones at Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers must make it to your table. The fluffy buttermilk biscuits come served with seasonal jam (ask for a side of bacon jam, too).

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Fried Catfish & Fried Shrimp Combo

When it comes to Southern-style seafood, catfish and jumbo shrimp go together like peanut butter and jelly (in our book, anyway). At Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers, massive pieces of catfish, and briny shrimp, and both are coated in cornmeal and deep-fried. Each bite is crispier than the last and packed with Creole seasoning— we expect nothing less from our favorite dynamic duo.