A lake restaurant serves catfish and shrimp. But don’t miss the chicken-fried steak
The biggest, best lakefront restaurant in Tarrant County serves more than fish.
Sure, The Oasis at Joe Pool Lake is known for 25 years of catfish, oysters and jumbo shrimp cocktail.
But it also serves a genuine West Texas version of chicken-fried steak or chicken.
I realize that in all your trips to The Oasis, just off Texas 360 and one of the busiest restaurants in the Mansfield or south Arlington area, you may never have thought of ordering beef.
After all, scenic Joe Pool Lake is shimmering outside the window. The next table is having that shrimp cocktail or some drink with a parasol.
But a reader with extensive knowledge of chicken-fried steak recommended The Oasis’, and for good reason.
The Oasis’ chicken-fried steak is pounded and lightly floured and seaoned, not encased in heavy batter or fried beyond recognition.
The result is a chicken-fried steak (or chicken) that’s more steak than crust, along the same line as Mac’s in Arlington (though not as tender).
The cream gravy tastes seasoned and housemade.
Order a loaded baked potato and the new sauteed spinach. and you’ve got a giant dinner that two can split for less than $20.
The Oasis also serves a New York strip ($19.95-$29.95).
The restaurant is popular for its appetizers and lakeront bar food, including everything from seafood stuffed avocados with sriracha ($12.95) to coconut shrimp with chili-lime sauce ($14.95), wings, pickle chips, quesadillas and nachos.
The best time to come is for a quiet weekday lunch.
The grilled chicken Caesar or fish baskets are $11.95 until 3 p.m., or there’’s sandwich combos with gumbo. A fajitas lunch is $12.95, and there’s a burger with blackened shrimp ($12.95).
The Oasis at Joe Pool Lake is open for lunch and dinner daily at 5700 Lake Ridge Parkway, 1½ miles east of Texas 360; 817-640-7676, theoasisrestaurant.com.
This story was originally published June 26, 2019 at 5:45 AM.
