In Jan. 17-23, 2008 issue
By Derek Aaron, Times Journal Reporter
derek@tjrcn.com


Tyler Cundiff cooks a burger at the newly opened Catfish Shack on U.S. 127 in north Jamestown. The business is now being operated by manager Ben Johnson (visible at the rear). Wanda Brown (right) and Nelda Dunbar (at counter) are part of the staff.

JAMESTOWN - A restaurant aimed at serving the best catfish in the county has re-opened in Jamestown, and its management is sure you'll agree with them.

Catfish Shack, located on U.S. 127 just inside the northern city limits, opened in mid-December with hopes of providing customers with a lot of food for a reasonable price, according to the restaurant's manager, Ben Johnson.

Owned by Gibson Foley, Catfish Shack has more to offer than just fish.
Johnson said Catfish Shack has also introduced a new half pound Angus hamburger and hot dogs, a move that drew in even more customers to the young business.

"Everybody seems to really like that," Johnson said. "You know before (as Catfish Plus), this was just a fish place.

Johnson said business is going good. "We're getting a few more every day."

"Everybody wants a good fish place, so we're going to try and make the best fish we can," he said. "That's the biggest thing."

Johnson said his goal was to provide his customers with more food at a "better price and fill you up."

"We don't want anyone leaving here and wanting to go somewhere else," Johnson said.

Johnson's mother, Linda, was the owner of Linda's Diner for 13 years. He got his start in the food business there several years ago.

"We're trying to create some competition in the area," he said. "As the business goes along we're going to be offering different deals and try to get more people in here."

And the location of the restaurant is great, according to Johnson.
"We get people coming in off of the bypass and it's just a lot handier," he said.