Our Story

Direct From New Orleans!

Buras Family-Owners of Paw Paw's Catfish Kitchen-Sevierville, Tennessee

Growing up in Louisiana Bayou Country, Chris and Rebecca Buras are no strangers to the other side of seafood. They know very well the hard work, strength, and fortitude it takes to bring fresh seafood to the table because each grew up in families of seafood fishermen where fathers and grandfathers headed out to sea each morning to bring in what would be delivered to markets around the world.

Working on boats themselves, Chris and Rebecca grew up catching shrimp, crab, crawfish, catfish and know very well the energy it takes to bring in the catch of the day. It is hard work but well worth it.

Rebecca Buras' Father and his Shrimp Boat

With no formal culinary schooling, Chris honed his Chef skills on tug boats where his deck hand responsibilities also include preparing nourishing meals for the crew. Having a fresh supply of seafood at his disposal, Chris developed his own recipes and delicious seafood dishes over many years of sailing and working on the water.

Life changed when the Buras family left their beloved New Orleans and chose to live in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. The only thing missing in their new location, besides family, was good Cajun food like home. The answer was to open their own authentic Cajun and Creole restaurant serving New Orleans Cuisine and bring freshly cooked seafood, Po Boys, Gumbo, Etouffee, Jambalaya, Barbeque, Red Beans and Rice, and more to the quaint, picturesque area of Wears Valley just minutes from Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and Townsend, Tennessee.

The restaurant is purposely situated away from the tourist mecca so as to bring customers a unique personal experience of good food, friendly hospitality, and beautiful scenery well worth the drive.

Rebecca Buras in the Kitchen at Paw Paw's Catfish Kitchen Restaurant-Sevierville, Tennessee

Chris, Rebecca, and an efficient staff of cooks and servers see to it that Paw Paw's Catfish Kitchen delivers fresh, made-from-scratch New Orleans Cuisine. But, they aren't the only family members to be found mixing, grilling, prepping, and frying in the kitchen. While daughter, Sabrina, raises grandson, Hayden Lee, their son, Josh, is often on staff assisting with the responsibilities of the restaurant and hustling throughout the kitchen.

For thirty days, Chris lives on his tugboat and continues to cook and haul loads up and down Louisiana waterways then, jumps into the kitchen at Paw Paw's for the next fifteen days to do his part in the kitchen as the Master Chef he has become. A trip back to New Orleans and the cycle repeats itself but, next trip, he might bring a large haul of fresh seafood with him, whatever might be in season, to add to the Paw Paw's Catfish Kitchen Menu. Fresh seafood right off the boat!

"It took us six months to perfect our own fish fry recipe. We wanted something unique and I think we nailed it!", says Rebecca.

Fried Catfish from Paw Paw's Catfish Kitchen-Sevierville, Tennessee

Order the fried catfish for yourself or read our Google Reviews to see what our customers are raving about!"

"We love good food and we love to meet people from all over," declares Rebecca. "And, if you know Cajuns, we love to talk!" Any day at Paw Paw's Catfish Kitchen could be a party!!

Mardi Gras Party Time at Paw Paw's Catfish Kitchen Restaurant-Sevierville, Tennessee

Chris and Rebecca Buras are New Orleans Saints Fans

Looking forward to serving you soon.

- Rebecca, Chris and the entire Paw Paw's Catfish Kitchen Family

Casual, family owned and operated restaurant serving New Orleans style Seafood Platters and Po Boys.

Our Story

Direct From New Orleans!

"It took us six months to perfect our own fish fry recipe. We wanted something unique and I think we nailed it!", says Rebecca.

Looking forward to serving you soon.