Sixty-two feet of buffet line, and it’s loaded with catfish, frog legs, and peel-and-eat shrimp. That’s longer than a typical city bus, which feels like the right size for lunch.
The catfish shows up three ways: fried, Cajun-style, and baked, in both fillets and steaks.
Color me impressed, because that’s a whole lot of commitment to one very lucky fish around here.
This Arkansas dining room seats around 370 people, and drinks and dessert come included with the buffet. My inner kid is doing cartwheels over a dessert stop waiting at the end of a 62-foot food parade.
Stuffed crab and fried chicken also show up, which makes any careful game plan even harder to stick to.
Pace yourself wisely, because this buffet is built for marathon runners, not hungry sprinters.
Sixty-Two Feet Of Food Means You Need A Game Plan
Ron’s Catfish Buffet in Jonesboro advertises 62 feet of all-you-can-eat buffet. That’s roughly the length of four parked cars lined up bumper to bumper.
A line that long changes how you eat. Rushing to fill your plate at the first tray is a rookie move.
A smarter approach is to take a slow lap first. Look at everything before you commit a single spoonful.
The spread covers seafood, chicken, vegetables, salads, and desserts. Drinks and dessert come included, so there’s no surprise add-on waiting at the end.
Small portions work best on a first pass. That way you can sample the catfish, frog legs, and shrimp without hitting a wall too early.
The restaurant also asks diners to take only what they can eat. That’s fair, and honestly it’s good strategy anyway.
Second trips are part of the fun here. Treat the first plate like a scouting report and the second one like your victory lap.
Wear something comfortable. Nobody needs a tight belt standing between them and a full tour of a 62-foot buffet in Arkansas.
Catfish Gets Top Billing, And It Earns Every Bit Of It
Fried, Cajun-style, or baked. The catfish at Ron’s comes in three styles, and the restaurant calls it the headliner for a reason.
The fish is farm-raised. You’ll find both fillets and steaks on the line, which gives you real choices instead of one lonely tray.
Fillets are the classic pick for many catfish fans. Steaks offer a different cut with bone-in character and a heartier bite.
Not sure which style to try first? Grab a small piece of each and run your own taste test.
The fried version is the traditional Southern favorite. Cajun-style brings extra seasoning for folks who like a little kick.
Baked catfish is there for anyone wanting a lighter option. It’s nice to see a buffet think about different appetites.
This focus on catfish has paid off locally. The Jonesboro Sun’s Reader’s Choice Awards named Ron’s Catfish Buffet the Best of the Best in the catfish division.
That’s a big deal in Arkansas, where catfish isn’t just a menu item. It’s practically a family tradition at Friday supper tables across the state.
Frog Legs Are Waiting For The Brave And The Curious
Plenty of people have never tried frog legs. At Ron’s, they sit right on the dinner buffet, which makes this the easiest possible place to give them a shot.
That’s the beauty of a buffet. You can take one small piece without ordering a whole plate and wondering if you made a mistake.
Frog legs are a long-standing Southern specialty. They often show up at fish houses alongside catfish and hush puppies.
Kids might squeal at the idea. Then again, a dare at the dinner table can turn into a brand-new favorite food.
Here’s a tip for timing. Frog legs are listed on the dinner buffet menu, so plan an evening visit if they’re the main reason you’re going.
Lunch runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner picks up after that until closing at 8 p.m.
Pair a frog leg or two with some catfish for the full fish-house experience. It’s a combo that feels very Arkansas.
Who knows? You might leave with a fun story and a new answer to the question, what’s the wildest thing you’ve eaten?
Peeling Your Own Shrimp Is Half The Fun
Messy hands are part of the deal with peel-and-eat shrimp. At Ron’s Catfish Buffet, this hands-on favorite ranks as a highlight of the dinner buffet.
Peeling shrimp slows you down in the best way. Conversation flows while everyone at the table works through their pile.
Grab extra napkins before you sit down. A little planning saves a few trips back to the counter.
Shrimp fans have another reason to smile. Fried shrimp also appears on the buffet, so you can switch between crunchy and peel-it-yourself styles.
Love the peel-and-eat kind so much that one meal isn’t enough? Ron’s also sells it by the pound.
That’s handy for a family gathering, a game night, or a backyard get-together. You get the flavor without boiling a big pot at home.
A good move is setting aside a small dish for the shells. Your table stays tidier, and nobody has to play shell hide-and-seek under a plate.
Shrimp makes a nice break between heavier fried bites. It keeps your appetite fresh for that long walk down the line.
Stuffed Crab And Fried Chicken Keep Everybody Happy
Every family has that one person who doesn’t love seafood. Good news, because the buffet at Ron’s goes well beyond fish.
Fried chicken and baked chicken both appear on the line. Picky eaters suddenly have plenty of reasons to join the trip.
Seafood lovers get extra treats too. Stuffed crab and crab salad round out the ocean side of the spread.
Stuffed crab is a fun one to try if you’ve never had it. It’s a classic Southern seafood dish that pairs nicely with catfish.
Crab salad adds something cool to balance all the hot, crispy food. A small scoop makes a nice palate refresher.
One friendly warning, though. Chicken tenders and fried fish can look a lot alike on a busy buffet.
Take a quick look at the labels before you load up. Otherwise you might bite into chicken when your heart was set on catfish.
This mix makes Ron’s Catfish Buffet a smart pick for big groups. Grandma, toddlers, and the friend who only eats chicken can all leave full and happy.
Thursday Brings Pork Chops To The Party
Mark your calendar for Thursday. That’s the day pork chops join the lineup at Ron’s Catfish Buffet.
A weekly special gives regular diners something new to look forward to. It also gives first-timers a reason to pick a certain day.
Pork chops alongside catfish feels like a true Southern supper. It’s the kind of plate that reminds many folks of Sunday dinner at a relative’s house.
Don’t skip the vegetables either. The buffet features home-style vegetables and salad to round out all that protein.
Balancing your plate helps you last longer at a buffet. A few greens between fried bites can make round two feel easier.
Plan your visit around the hours. Ron’s opens Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The restaurant stays closed on Sundays and Mondays. Showing up hungry on a Monday would be a sad surprise.
Thursday makes a great midweek treat for families. Nobody has to cook, nobody has to wash dishes, and the pork chops are already waiting.
Save Room, Because Dessert Is Already Covered
Dessert is included with the buffet at Ron’s. That might be the sweetest sentence in this whole article.
Too many buffets make you pay extra for the good stuff. Here, the sweet ending is part of the package along with your drink.
The trick is leaving room. After 62 feet of catfish, shrimp, and frog legs, that takes real discipline.
Consider eating a slightly smaller second plate. Your future self will thank you when the dessert section comes into view.
A Southern fish house and a sweet finish just belong together. It’s like ending a road trip with your favorite song on the radio.
Families with kids will appreciate this setup. Little ones who power through their dinner have an easy reward waiting.
Grab a small taste of a few options rather than one big helping. Sampling keeps the experience fun and spreads the joy around the table.
Then take a minute to relax before heading out. A full meal at Ron’s Catfish Buffet deserves a slow, happy finish.
Room For 370 Makes Big Gatherings A Breeze
Around 370 guests can dine inside Ron’s at once. That’s a serious amount of seating for a homey fish house.
Big numbers matter when you’re planning a family reunion or birthday dinner. Finding one spot that fits everyone can be the hardest part.
The atmosphere leans modest and homey. Think comfort over fancy, which suits a catfish buffet perfectly.
Several practical touches help too. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and offers parking, so getting inside is simple.
Credit cards are accepted, which saves a scramble for cash. TVs are also part of the setup inside.
You’ll find Ron’s Catfish Buffet at 3213 Dan Avenue, Jonesboro, AR 72401. It sits in Northeast Arkansas, an easy stop for anyone passing through the region.
Outdoor seating isn’t offered, and reservations aren’t available. Showing up with a little patience is part of the buffet routine.
For large groups, arriving a bit early can help. That gives everyone time to find seats together before the plates start piling up.