Jackson's Catfish Corner

{{Short description|Defunct restaurant in Seattle, Washington, U.S.}}

{{Infobox restaurant

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| established = {{Start date|1985}}

| closed = {{End date|2025|01|03}}

| current-owner = Terrell and Rachel Jackson

| previous-owner = Woodrow (Woody) and Rosemary (Rosie) Jackson

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| street-address = 2218 South Jackson Street

| city = Seattle

| county = King

| state = Washington

| zip = 98144

| country = United States

| coordinates = {{coord|47.5994|-122.3025|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

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| website = {{URL|jacksonscatfishcorner.com}}

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Jackson's Catfish Corner (originally Catfish Corner) was a family-owned Southern restaurant in Seattle's Central District, in the U.S. state of Washington. Woodrow (Woody) and Rosemary (Rosie) Jackson opened Catfish Corner in the Central District in 1985. After selling the business to friends in 2009, the restaurant closed in 2014.

The Jacksons' grandson Terrell and his wife Rachel reopened and rebranded the restaurant in 2015. Jackson's Catfish corner had a brick and mortar in Rainier Valley, before relocating and operating in the Central District again from 2016 to 2018. Jackson's Catfish Corner reopened at 23rd and South Jackson Street in 2021. It closed permanently on January 3, 2025.

The Black-owned business had a catfish-dominant menu that has included gumbo, hushpuppies, prawns, and other seafood and soul food options such as fish and chips, coleslaw, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and rice and beans. Jackson's Catfish Corner garnered a positive reception.

Description

The Southern restaurant Jackson's Catfish Corner was located in Central District, Seattle. The Black-owned, family-operated{{Cite web |date=2023-06-19 |title=Jackson's Catfish Corner features Southern cuisine in Seattle, Washington |url=https://blackrestaurantweeks.com/brw-campaigns/jacksons-catfish-corner/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321141534/https://blackrestaurantweeks.com/brw-campaigns/jacksons-catfish-corner/ |url-status=live }} fast casual restaurant's menu was catfish-heavy but also included gumbo, the Ohbama burger,{{Cite web |title=Black-Owned Restaurants in Seattle: A Diner's Guide |url=https://www.seattlemet.com/eat-and-drink/black-owned-restaurants-seattle |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Seattle Metropolitan |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125225428/https://www.seattlemet.com/eat-and-drink/black-owned-restaurants-seattle |url-status=live }} hushpuppies, prawns, snapper and other seafood and soul food{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fYKzEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Jackson's+Catfish+Corner%22&pg=PT243 |title=Fodor's Seattle |date=2023-04-25 |publisher=Fodor's Travel |isbn=978-1-64097-594-1 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Simpson |first=Jordie |title=Black Restaurant Weeks |url=https://seattlespectator.com/2023/03/01/black-restaurant-weeks/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=The Spectator |archive-date=2023-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331033027/https://seattlespectator.com/2023/03/01/black-restaurant-weeks/ |url-status=live }} items such as fish and chips,{{Cite web |date=2022-02-15 |title=The 13 Best Fish & Chips In Seattle - Seattle |url=https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/best-fish-and-chips-seattle |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=The Infatuation |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325150408/https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/best-fish-and-chips-seattle |url-status=live }} coleslaw, collard greens, candied sweet potatoes, and rice and beans.{{Cite web |title=Catfish Corner in Seattle's Central District serves southern food with soul |url=https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/evening/catfish-corner-in-seattles-central-district-serves-southern-food-with-soul/281-603461516 |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=king5.com |date=11 October 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=2018-10-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012133214/https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/evening/catfish-corner-in-seattles-central-district-serves-southern-food-with-soul/281-603461516 |url-status=live }} The Captain's Platter included seven strips of catfish, seven prawns, four hushpuppies, and French fries.{{Cite web |last1=Keimig |first1=Jas |last2=Seling |first2=Megan |last3=Smith |first3=Rich |title=Stranger Suggests: Jackson's Catfish Corner, Linda From Work, 'Giselle,' 'Punch-Drunk Love,' Silent Film Mondays |url=https://www.thestranger.com/stranger-suggests/2023/02/08/78851137/stranger-suggests-jacksons-catfish-corner-linda-from-work-giselle-punch-drunk-love-silent-film-mondays |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=The Stranger |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322132645/https://www.thestranger.com/stranger-suggests/2023/02/08/78851137/stranger-suggests-jacksons-catfish-corner-linda-from-work-giselle-punch-drunk-love-silent-film-mondays |url-status=live }} Jackson's Catfish Corner made its own tartar sauce.{{Cite web |date=2012-09-24 |title=In this week's issue, editors and reporters highlighted their 50 favorite restaurants |url=https://www.seattleweekly.com/food/in-this-weeks-issue-editors-and-reporters-highlighted-their-50-favorite-restaurants/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Seattle Weekly |language=en-US}} The dessert menu included banana pudding, German chocolate cake with caramel, and red velvet cupcakes.

History

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Spouses Woodrow (Woody) and Rosemary (Rosie) Jackson opened Catfish Corner on East Cherry Street at Martin Luther King Jr., in the Central District, in 1985. In 2009, the couple sold the business to friends. The restaurant closed in August 2014.{{Cite web |last=Garbes |first=Angela |title=Jackson's Catfish Corner Comes Full Circle |url=https://www.thestranger.com/food-and-drink/2015/08/12/22680903/jacksons-catfish-corner-comes-full-circle |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=The Stranger |language=en |archive-date=2022-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129104836/https://www.thestranger.com/food-and-drink/2015/08/12/22680903/jacksons-catfish-corner-comes-full-circle |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Billups |first=Sara |date=2014-08-27 |title=Catfish Corner Shutters After Almost Three Decades |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2014/8/27/6165285/catfish-corner-shutters-after-almost-three-decades |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323153340/https://seattle.eater.com/2014/8/27/6165285/catfish-corner-shutters-after-almost-three-decades |url-status=live }}

Terrell Jackson and his wife Rachel restarted and rebranded the restaurant as Jackson's Catfish Corner in 2015. Initially, the couple sold food from a tent before securing a permanent location in Rainier Beach.{{Cite web |last=Radil |first=Amy |date=2018-10-24 |title=Feeling Displaced In Southeast Seattle, District 2 |url=https://kuow.org/stories/feeling-displaced-southeast-seattle-district-2/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=kuow.org |language=en |archive-date=2022-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124054450/https://kuow.org/stories/feeling-displaced-southeast-seattle-district-2/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Megan |date=2015-07-07 |title=Jackson's Catfish Corner Finds Permanent Home in Rainier Beach |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2015/7/7/8907127/jacksons-catfish-corner-finds-permanent-home-in-rainier-beach |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205013321/https://seattle.eater.com/2015/7/7/8907127/jacksons-catfish-corner-finds-permanent-home-in-rainier-beach |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2015-08-05 |title=Catfish Corner: a new location, still a family fish-fry affair |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/catfish-corner-a-new-location-still-a-family-fish-fry-affair/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025220148/https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/catfish-corner-a-new-location-still-a-family-fish-fry-affair/ |url-status=live }} The couple announced plans to open a second location at 21st in the Central District.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Sara |date=2015-08-17 |title=Jackson's Catfish Corner to Return to Jackson Street |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2015/8/17/9166961/jacksons-catfish-corner-to-return-to-jackson-street |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2022-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126232335/https://seattle.eater.com/2015/8/17/9166961/jacksons-catfish-corner-to-return-to-jackson-street |url-status=live }} Some funds for the project were raised via GoFundMe.{{Cite web |last= |date=2016-08-08 |title=Catfish Corner Plans to Reopen Next Week |url=http://southseattleemerald.com/2016/08/08/catfish-corner-plans-to-reopen-next-week/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=South Seattle Emerald |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205143430/https://southseattleemerald.com/2016/08/08/catfish-corner-plans-to-reopen-next-week/ |url-status=live }} The restaurant operated from 2016 to 2018.{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Megan |date=2016-10-18 |title=Whoa: Jackson's Catfish Corner Returns to Central District Roots |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2016/10/18/12586848/jacksons-catfish-corner-open-central-district |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322055859/https://seattle.eater.com/2016/10/18/12586848/jacksons-catfish-corner-open-central-district |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Callaghan |first=Adam H. |date=2018-02-27 |title=Central District Classic Jackson's Catfish Corner Closes Yet Again |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2018/2/27/17058474/jodees-desserts-closed-starbucks-latte-tax-maneki-video-frankie-and-jos-ballard-opening |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321232717/https://seattle.eater.com/2018/2/27/17058474/jodees-desserts-closed-starbucks-latte-tax-maneki-video-frankie-and-jos-ballard-opening |url-status=live }}

Jackson's Catfish Corner reopened at 23rd and South Jackson Street in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Burnstead |first=Brandon |date=2021-10-13 |title=Jackson's Catfish Corner: The continuation of an incredible Seattle legacy |url=https://seattlerefined.com/eat-drink/jacksons-catfish-corner-mlk-seattle-central-district |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Seattle Refined |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119033628/https://seattlerefined.com/eat-drink/jacksons-catfish-corner-mlk-seattle-central-district |url-status=live }} The 4,500-square-foot space is in the Community House Mental Health Agency's Patricia K Apartments development.{{Cite web |last=Guarente |first=Gabe |date=2021-05-10 |title=Beloved Jackson's Catfish Corner Plans Another Return to the Central District |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2021/5/10/22429079/jacksons-catfish-corner-plans-new-central-district-restaurant-patricia-k-apartments |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209032151/https://seattle.eater.com/2021/5/10/22429079/jacksons-catfish-corner-plans-new-central-district-restaurant-patricia-k-apartments |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-06-18 |title=Coming Home: Jackson's Catfish Corner Reopens in the Central District On Juneteenth |url=https://southseattleemerald.com/2021/06/18/coming-home-jacksons-catfish-corner-reopens-in-the-central-district-on-juneteenth/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=South Seattle Emerald |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129153447/https://southseattleemerald.com/2021/06/18/coming-home-jacksons-catfish-corner-reopens-in-the-central-district-on-juneteenth/ |url-status=live }} A grand opening was held on Juneteenth.{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-06-21 |title=PHOTO ESSAY: South End Marks First Federal Juneteenth With Celebration and Joy |url=https://southseattleemerald.com/2021/06/21/photo-essay-south-end-marks-first-federal-juneteenth-with-celebration-and-joy/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=South Seattle Emerald |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204024409/https://southseattleemerald.com/2021/06/21/photo-essay-south-end-marks-first-federal-juneteenth-with-celebration-and-joy/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Guarente |first=Gabe |date=2021-06-21 |title=Iconic Jackson's Catfish Corner Makes Celebratory Return to Central District |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2021/6/21/22543802/jacksons-catfish-corner-returns-to-central-district-juneteenth |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116084818/https://seattle.eater.com/2021/6/21/22543802/jacksons-catfish-corner-returns-to-central-district-juneteenth |url-status=live }} The Infatuation's Carlo Mantuano wrote: "Catfish Corner's return to the Central District after a 12-year hiatus is a huge deal. Talk to anybody who lived or worked in the area in the '90s and you'll likely hear stories of post-workday fried seafood or lunchtime Southern sides."{{Cite web |date=2022-08-22 |title=Jackson's Catfish Corner Review - Central District - Seattle |url=https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/reviews/jacksons-catfish-corner |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=The Infatuation |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325150413/https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/reviews/jacksons-catfish-corner |url-status=live }} The Jacksons had a 25-year lease.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Brian |date=2023-03-08 |title=Soul of the CD: Family business, Jackson's Catfish Corner, comes back home to Central District |url=https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/soul-of-the-cd-family-business-jacksons-catfish-corner-comes-back-home-to-central-district |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=FOX 13 Seattle |language=en-US}} The restaurant closed permanently on January 3, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Cheadle |first=Harry |date=2025-01-07 |title=Central District Icon Jackson’s Catfish Corner Is Closed Permanently, Again |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2025/1/7/24337482/central-district-soul-food-jacksons-catfish-corner-is-closed-permanently |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en}}

The restaurant was featured on season 1, episode 2 ("Winner Winner Free Dinner") of the Food Network series Big Bargain Eats.{{Cite web |title=Winner Winner FREE Dinner |url=https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/big-bargain-eats/episodes/winner-winner-free-dinner |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Food Network |language=en |archive-date=2020-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023113759/https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/big-bargain-eats/episodes/winner-winner-free-dinner |url-status=live }} Jackson's Catfish Corner participated in Seattle's Black Restaurant Week.{{Cite web |last=Briscoe |first=Kienan |date=2023-02-25 |title=Black Restaurant Week kicks off in Seattle for Black History Month |url=https://lynnwoodtimes.com/2023/02/25/black-restaurant-week-230225/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Lynnwood Times |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326122118/https://lynnwoodtimes.com/2023/02/25/black-restaurant-week-230225/ |url-status=live }}

Reception

When David Brewster was writing anonymous restaurant reviews for the newsletter A Gourmet's Notebook, he said Catfish Corner had "very fine fast food".{{Cite web |last=Tomky |first=Naomi |date=2021-08-24 |title=Dive into Seattle restaurant history starting from the beginning |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/food/article/restaurants-of-seattle-1853-1960-history-book-16406363.php |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618051614/https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/food/article/restaurants-of-seattle-1853-1960-history-book-16406363.php |url-status=live }} In The Food and Drink of Seattle: From Wild Salmon to Craft Beer (2018), Judith Dern said the business "[expands] the tradition of African American food in Seattle".{{Cite book |last=Dern |first=Judith |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tJZcDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Jackson's+Catfish+Corner%22&pg=PA80 |title=The Food and Drink of Seattle: From Wild Salmon to Craft Beer |date=2018-08-10 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-5977-5 |language=en}} Naomi Tomky included the restaurant in Thrillist's 2022 overview of "where to eat in Seattle right now".{{Cite web |last=Tomky |first=Naomi |date=2020-08-12 |title=Where to Eat in Seattle Right Now |url=https://www.thrillist.com/eat/seattle/best-restaurants-seattle |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Thrillist |language=en |archive-date=2022-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125191709/https://www.thrillist.com/eat/seattle/best-restaurants-seattle |url-status=live }} Nate Hall included Jackson's Catfish Corner in Eater Seattle's 2022 list of "fabulous" fish and chips destinations in the Seattle metropolitan area.{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Nate |date=2022-09-19 |title=Where to Get Fabulous Fish and Chips in the Seattle Area |url=https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-fish-and-chips-seattle |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330112552/https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-fish-and-chips-seattle |url-status=live }} The restaurant was also included in the website's 2022 list of Seattle's "most sensational" sandwiches and 2023 list of the city's "essential" seafood restaurants.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2015-10-22 |title=Where to Order Some of Seattle's Most Sensational Sandwiches |url=https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-seattle-sandwich-shops |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205080333/https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-seattle-sandwich-shops |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-01-12 |title=Essential Seattle Seafood Restaurants |url=https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-seafood-seattle-restaurants |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201043237/https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-seafood-seattle-restaurants |url-status=live }} Aimee Rizzo included Jackson's Catfish Corner in The Infatuation's 2022 overview of Seattle's best fish and chips.

References

External links

{{Official website|https://www.jacksonscatfishcorner.com}}
{{YouTube|id=bSpBdlm9by4|title=Jackson's Catfish Corner: The continuation of an incredible Seattle legacy}}, Seattle Refined
{{YouTube|id=SlMsnn4RknE|title=Iconic southern-inspired restaurant RETURNS HOME 😋 Seattle's Catfish Corner}}

Category:1985 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:2025 disestablishments in Washington (state)

Category:African-American history in Seattle

Category:Black-owned restaurants in Washington (state)

Category:Defunct restaurants in Seattle

Category:Defunct seafood restaurants in the United States

Category:Defunct soul food restaurants in the United States

Category:Defunct Southern restaurants in the United States

Category:Fish and chip restaurants

Category:Restaurants disestablished in 2025

Category:Restaurants established in 1985

Category:Restaurants in Central District, Seattle