From Pond to Plate to Generations: The Heart of McGehee’s Catfish

For more than half a century, McGehee’s Catfish Restaurant has been more than a place to eat — it has been a place where stories are shared, families gather, and traditions are passed down one meal at a time.

What began in the mid-1960s as a search for a more dependable way of life grew into something far greater. From a single seven-acre pond and a handful of breeder ponds, to building a restaurant by hand and serving the first customer on July 1, 1972, McGehee’s was never just about catfish — it was about care, perseverance, and community.

Through floods that washed away hundreds of thousands of fish, through rebuilding and starting over, and through generations stepping forward to carry the torch, McGehee’s endured. Secret family recipes, created from scratch and never changed, became part of countless family memories. Tables filled, laughter echoed, and a simple farm-to-table dream became a cornerstone of Oklahoma tradition.

In this film, we sit down with Wanda, daughter, mother, and steward of this legacy, to capture the heart, values, and wisdom behind McGehee’s Catfish Restaurant — in her own words. This is not just a history lesson. This is a living memory, preserved for all who have loved this place and all who have yet to discover it.

Whether you’ve been coming here for decades or are visiting for the first time, this story belongs to you too.

Welcome to McGehee’s Catfish.
We’re honored to serve you.

🔗 Learn more and visit us at: www.mcgeheescatfish.com

Edited by Noah Nothrop
Filmed by Jay Stover