Every night it opens, this fish camp serves all-you-can-eat seafood specials.
Golden fried flounder, Calabash shrimp, and deviled crab all show up on that list.
Kids under six eat free, too.
The kitchen only fires up three nights a week, Thursday through Saturday.
Right now, every order leaves as takeout.
That means your car becomes the dining room, and honestly, I can’t imagine a better excuse for a tailgate.
I like how the same family has kept this place running since 1968.
That’s decades of hushpuppies, creamy slaw, and crunchy fried perch.
Few restaurants in North Carolina can claim that kind of staying power.
So what keeps people steering toward one modest building for a box of fried fish? The answer starts with a very old Southern tradition.
It ends with a very full stomach.
A Southern Tradition Is Still Frying Strong Here
Fish camps began as humble riverbank sheds where fishermen fried their fresh catch. Over time, those shacks grew into real restaurants across North Carolina and northern South Carolina.
Twin Tops Fish Camp carries that history proudly in Gaston County. It’s often called an old-school North Carolina fish camp, and that label fits like a well-worn apron.
The family behind it has owned and operated the place since 1968. That’s longer than most of us have been eating hushpuppies.
Think about that for a second.
Plenty of restaurants chase trends and change menus every season. This one sticks with what fish camps have always done best, which is fried seafood served without fuss.
I believe that kind of steady focus is rare. It shows a family that knows exactly what it wants to be.
The place is also known as a spot where friends meet to eat. That simple idea says a lot about its role in the community.
So if you want a taste of a true Southern food tradition, start right here. History rarely smells this good, and it definitely doesn’t usually come with tartar sauce on the side.
Crunchy Flounder And Perch Steal The Whole Show
Crunch is the headline at this fish camp. The place has earned a reputation for some of the crunchiest fried fish around, and that’s a bold title to hold in North Carolina.
Flounder and perch lead the fried fish lineup. Both come out golden, which is exactly the color you want to see when you pop open that box.
Not in the mood for anything fried? Many seafood choices can be broiled or grilled instead.
That’s a nice option for anyone trying to go a little lighter.
I like that the menu gives you room to choose. Your friend can order crispy perch while you go grilled, and nobody has to argue in the parking lot.
The kitchen also serves meat and poultry dishes. So the one person in your group who doesn’t love seafood won’t go home hungry.
Still, let’s be honest about why people make the drive. It’s the fish, plain and simple.
My advice is easy. Order the fried fish first, then decide how adventurous you want to be next time.
Flounder makes a pretty convincing opening argument.
All-You-Can-Eat Nights Are The Real Main Event
Here’s a sentence that should make any seafood lover sit up straight. Twin Tops Fish Camp serves all-you-can-eat seafood specials every night it’s open.
The specials usually feature golden fried flounder or perch. Calabash shrimp and deviled crab often join the party too.
Sides come along for the ride. You get hushpuppies, creamy slaw, and your pick of fries or a baked potato.
The special also traditionally includes the salad bar. Since the restaurant is takeout only right now, that part works a little differently than it once did.
Calabash shrimp deserves its own shout-out. This style comes from a North Carolina fishing town and features small shrimp lightly battered and fried.
It’s a coastal classic that tastes right at home inland.
Deviled crab adds a rich, savory twist to the plate. It’s a smart way to break up all that crunch.
Planning tip time. Pick the special when you want variety and plenty of it, then loosen your belt before you get back in the car.
Your future self will thank you for that small act of kindness.
Hushpuppies And Slaw Deserve Way More Credit
Sides at a fish camp aren’t just filler. They’re part of the whole deal, and skipping them would feel like leaving a concert before the encore.
Hushpuppies come with the seafood specials here. These little fried cornmeal bites are a Southern must-have next to fried fish.
Creamy slaw rounds out the plate. Its cool texture balances all that hot, crunchy seafood in a really satisfying way.
You’ll also choose between fries and a baked potato. Fries keep things classic, while a baked potato feels a bit more like a full dinner.
I believe the best fish camp meals depend on these supporting players. A great fillet needs good company, after all.
Hushpuppies also travel pretty well in a takeout box. That matters a lot right now, since every meal at Twin Tops Fish Camp heads out the door.
Here’s a friendly suggestion. Eat a hushpuppy or two while they’re still warm, even if that means sneaking one at a red light.
Nobody has to know, and the slaw will patiently wait until you get home.
Your Car Is The Dining Room For Now
Takeout only. That’s the current setup at Twin Tops Fish Camp, so plan on carrying your feast somewhere else to enjoy it.
Dine-in service isn’t available right now. Your seafood comes boxed and ready to go.
Honestly, that opens up some fun options. Eat at home on the couch, spread out at a picnic table, or turn your front seat into a booth.
Parking makes the pickup easier. The lot is convenient, and there’s an overflow lot when things get busy.
Credit cards are accepted too. That’s handy if you forgot to hit the ATM on the way over.
A smart move is calling ahead with your order. You’ll spend less time waiting and more time eating, which is the whole point.
Bring a few napkins of your own as backup. Fried seafood and steering wheels aren’t the best of friends.
I can’t imagine a more North Carolina way to eat dinner than fried fish on a warm evening. Roll the windows down, grab a hushpuppy, and let the weekend officially begin.
Only Three Nights A Week, So Mark Your Calendar
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Those are the only days this kitchen fries up seafood, so timing really matters.
Thursday hours run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday stretches a bit later, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday opens earliest of all, at 3 p.m. It stays open until 9 p.m., which gives you the biggest window of the week.
Sunday through Wednesday, the doors stay closed. Showing up on a Tuesday with a craving would be a sad little road trip.
That short schedule actually adds some charm. Fried fish becomes a weekend reward instead of just another dinner.
Driving in from farther away? Saturday is probably your friend, since that earlier start gives you more breathing room.
I like how a limited schedule builds a little anticipation. All week long, you know Thursday is coming, and Thursday means flounder.
One more tip worth keeping. Hours can shift, so double-check before heading out on a long drive.
A quick look ahead beats staring at a locked door with a growling stomach and a full tank of gas.
Grandparents And Little Kids Both Get A Sweet Deal
Kids under six eat for free here. Parents everywhere just breathed a happy sigh of relief.
Twin Tops Fish Camp keeps families in mind in a few practical ways. Smaller portion plates are available for lighter appetites.
Seniors get a discount too. So Grandma and Grandpa can enjoy their flounder with a little extra cheer.
That mix makes it easy to feed a whole crew. Toddlers, teens, and grandparents can all find something that fits.
Picky eaters have options as well. The menu includes meat and poultry along with seafood, so the kid who swears fish is gross still gets dinner.
I believe family places last because they welcome every generation. A restaurant running since 1968 clearly understands that.
Smaller plates also help anyone who doesn’t want a mountain of food. Not everyone needs an all-you-can-eat challenge on a Thursday night.
Here’s a fun idea. Make it a family tradition, maybe the first Friday of every month.
Kids grow up fast, and memories built around hushpuppies tend to stick around a lot longer than you’d think.
Bring An Old-Fashioned Fish Fry To Your Next Party
Weddings, church suppers, and office parties all have one thing in common. Everybody shows up hungry.
Twin Tops Fish Camp offers mobile catering for exactly those moments. The idea is an old-fashioned fish fry brought right to your event.
Church gatherings are a natural fit. Fish fries and Southern congregations have gone hand in hand for generations.
Weddings work too. Swapping fancy finger food for fried fish might be the boldest move a couple can make, and guests may love it.
Businesses and private parties are also on the list. A fish fry could turn a boring company picnic into the event people actually talk about.
I like how catering takes the fish camp experience beyond one building. It brings that classic feel to backyards and fellowship halls.
Planning tip number one is to reach out early. Popular dates fill up, especially during wedding season.
Planning tip number two is simple. Have plenty of napkins and a few extra tables ready.
Nobody remembers a party where the food ran out, but everybody remembers a great fish fry.
Plot Your Route Straight To South New Hope Road
Gastonia sits in Gaston County, just west of Charlotte. That puts it within an easy drive for a big chunk of the Piedmont.
You’ll find Twin Tops Fish Camp at 4574 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056. Plug it into your phone and let the GPS do the work.
The location is close to the Belmont area too. Folks from nearby towns can make a quick evening run for dinner.
Coming from farther across North Carolina? Turn it into a full outing and leave early on Saturday, since the kitchen opens at 3 p.m. that day.
Call your order in before you arrive. Then you can grab your boxes and get moving while everything’s still hot.
I believe the best road trips end with something fried and golden. This one checks that box pretty nicely.
Pack a cooler bag if you’re driving a long way home. It helps keep things tidy, and it makes the backseat smell absolutely wonderful.
Some people drive hours for a concert or a ball game. Driving for crunchy flounder and hushpuppies sounds like an equally worthy mission to me.
