This barbecue joint slow-smokes its meats over hickory. It burns around the clock, every single day, so the hickory is always ready for the next batch of meat.
Then there’s the catfish. Each fillet gets breaded by hand and fried in peanut oil.
Some of the recipes reportedly trace back to a grandmother’s silver chest, and they haven’t changed in decades.
I like how this Oklahoma spot keeps things simple. Nobody here chases fancy plating or trendy food mashups.
The focus stays on doing the same good things the same good way, year after year.
That’s why the catfish sandwich deserves real attention. It comes from a family kitchen with deep roots and a stubborn love of tradition.
So what happens when old recipes, hickory smoke, and crispy fish all land on one bun?
The Catfish Sandwich Earns Its Spotlight Without Any Gimmicks
Crispy fish on a bun sounds simple, and at Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ Company, simple is the point. The hand-breaded catfish sandwich shows off the same fish that built this family’s reputation.
Every fillet gets breaded by hand before it hits the fryer. The kitchen fries its catfish in peanut oil, which is a choice you don’t see everywhere.
That hand-breading matters more than you might think. Machine-coated fish can taste the same from one place to the next.
Hand-breaded fish carries the care of whoever is standing at the station that day.
The sandwich also makes a smart pick if you’re not ready for a full plate. You still get the star of the show without committing to a mountain of fillets.
It’s catfish in its most portable form.
I believe a sandwich tells you a lot about a kitchen. There’s nowhere to hide a soggy coating or a bland bite.
When the fish has to carry the whole thing, the cooking has to be right.
If you’re new to catfish, this is a friendly starting point. And if you already love it, well, you probably stopped reading to go order one.
A Family Story That Started Back In 1984
Billy Ray Cooper opened the original Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ in Tulsa back in 1984. That’s more than four decades of frying fish and smoking meat in Oklahoma.
The family kept the flame going after Billy Ray passed in 2018. His wife, Sherry Cooper, continues to run the original Tulsa location today.
The Broken Arrow restaurant came along in 2011. His daughter, Teresa Roberts, runs it with her husband, Tyler Roberts.
So the place you’re visiting is truly a second-generation operation.
Then comes the best detail of all. Some of the recipes are believed to come from Grandma Minnie’s silver chest.
That’s the kind of origin story you can’t fake.
Those recipes haven’t changed over the years either. In a world where menus get remade every season, that steady approach feels almost rebellious.
The family seems happy to let good food stay good.
I can’t imagine a better reason to visit a barbecue joint. You’re not just getting lunch.
You’re tasting something one family has protected for decades, and that makes every bite feel a little more meaningful.
Follow Your Nose To The Corner Of 91st And Elm
Your nose might find this place before your GPS does. The parking lot often carries the scent of hickory smoke and charred wood.
You’ll find Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ Company at 1904 South Elm Place, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012. It sits near the intersection of 91st Street and Elm, an easy landmark for anyone in the area.
Keep an eye out for the red paint on the building. It helps the restaurant stand out as you drive along Elm.
Broken Arrow sits just southeast of Tulsa, so the trip is simple for anyone in the metro. That makes it a handy stop for a weekday lunch or an easy dinner plan.
Parking is available on site, which saves you from circling the block with a growling stomach. The restaurant also offers accessibility features for guests who need them.
Here’s a small travel tip. Plan your visit around the schedule, since the doors are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Sundays and Mondays are off days, so don’t show up with catfish dreams on a Monday.
A Western Vibe That Keeps Things Easygoing
Cowboy boots would fit right in here. The dining room has a western vibe that feels relaxed instead of costumed.
Tables aren’t crammed together, so you won’t be bumping elbows with strangers. The lighting sits in that just-right zone, bright enough to see your food but soft enough to unwind.
The space itself is on the smaller side. That cozy size gives the room a neighborhood feel, the kind where conversations carry a little warmth.
Friendly, casual service fits the whole mood. This is a place where staff may recognize returning faces, and that sense of community adds a lot to the experience.
Nobody here is trying to impress you with fancy plates or trendy design. The restaurant puts its energy into the cooking process and quality.
Honestly, that’s a refreshing change of pace.
If you like your meals without fuss, this setting will suit you well. Sit down, relax, and let the food do the talking.
It’s the kind of room where a quick lunch can easily stretch into a long chat over the last hushpuppy.
The Smokehouse Fire Never Takes A Day Off
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the fire keeps burning. Even on the days the dining room is closed, the smokehouse stays lit.
That steady fire feeds the barbecue side of the business. The meats slow-roast all day over hickory wood, which gives them that deep, smoky character Oklahoma barbecue fans love.
The lineup is bigger than you might expect from a catfish place. You’ll find baby back ribs, spare ribs, chopped and sliced brisket, pulled pork, and smoked turkey.
It keeps going from there. Smoked bologna, sausage links, hot links, smoked chicken, and burnt ends all show up on the menu too.
That’s a lot of choices for one smoker.
Smoked bologna deserves a special shout-out because it’s such an Oklahoma thing. The Big Budro sandwich puts it front and center, if you want to try it the local way.
A catfish lover and a rib fan can sit at the same table and both leave happy. That’s a big win for families who never agree on dinner.
One fire, endless arguments settled.
All-You-Can-Eat Catfish Comes With A Couple Of House Rules
Bottomless fried catfish is offered during regular hours. That alone might be enough to clear your afternoon schedule.
There are two simple rules to remember. No to-go boxes and no sharing, so this one’s a solo mission for each hungry diner.
If you’d rather keep things measured, catfish dinners come in full or half sizes. Each dinner arrives with hushpuppies, which are little cornmeal fritters made for dipping and snacking.
Then there are the fish tacos. They’re made with crispy catfish, house-made slaw, chives, tomatoes, and cilantro.
Those tacos have been named a best pick in past local polls.
The Dinner for Two works well for couples who can’t decide. It brings ribs, chicken, catfish, and five sides together on one order.
You can even swap everything for catfish if fish is the whole plan.
My advice is simple. Pace yourself if you go the all-you-can-eat route.
The goal is to enjoy each crispy fillet, not to race the clock. Your stomach will thank you on the drive home.
Sides Here Range From Fried Okra To Tabouli
Tabouli at a catfish joint? It’s true, and it sits right next to the fried okra like they’ve been friends for years.
That mix makes the side menu one of the more fun parts of the visit. Creamy mac and cheese, baked beans, brown beans, potato salad, and coleslaw cover the classics.
Fried okra is a strong Oklahoma pick, and it’s breaded in house. Green tomato relish adds a tangy option that pairs nicely with smoky meat.
Want something bigger? The Big Spud is an extra-large baked potato topped with your choice of meat.
Pile brisket on top, and you’ve basically built a meal and tomorrow’s lunch.
Corn on the cob, a baked sweet potato, a side salad, and potato chips round things out. There’s also a loaded baked potato for anyone who wants extra comfort on the plate.
Save room for the cobbler of the day. The flavor rotates, so dessert brings a small surprise every visit.
I like that a meal here can end with a little mystery and a lot of fruit filling.
Bring The Kids Because Little Ray Has A Menu Too
Little Ray gets his own burger here. The kids’ menu includes the Little Ray Burger, a cute nod to the bigger Big Ray Burger for grown-ups.
Young eaters have plenty of options beyond that. Fried shrimp, grilled cheese, chicken strips, rib dinners, BBQ sandwiches, and a catfish filet all appear on the kids’ list.
That catfish filet option is a smart move. It gives children an easy way to try the restaurant’s most famous dish without a giant plate.
High chairs are available for the littlest guests. That small detail makes a big difference for parents juggling toddlers and trays.
The relaxed dining room helps too. Nobody expects hushed silence at a casual barbecue spot, so a giggle or two won’t turn heads.
Family Packs make life easier for bigger households. They include meats by the pound, sides, and Texas toast, so you can feed everyone at home without cooking.
That’s a weeknight win in any Oklahoma kitchen. Honestly, Texas toast alone has calmed down more cranky kids than most parenting books.
Skip The Dining Room And Still Get Your Catfish Fix
Sometimes the couch wins. Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ Company makes that decision easy with several ways to eat without staying.
The restaurant has a drive-thru window, which is handy when you’re short on time. Online ordering runs from 11 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. on open days.
Delivery is covered too. The restaurant partners with DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Postmates to bring food straight to your door.
One quick reminder works here. The all-you-can-eat catfish deal is dine-in only, with no to-go boxes allowed.
Plan to sit down if that’s your goal.
Hosting a party? Catering covers everything from small drop-off orders to full-service events.
Smoked meats and fried catfish make a crowd-pleasing spread for graduations, reunions, or office lunches.
There’s also a sprawling outdoor patio for nice-weather days. It gives you a middle ground between the dining room and the car.
However you order, the food comes from the same family recipes and the same ever-burning fire. That steady quality is what keeps this Broken Arrow favorite worth the trip, or the delivery fee.
