WaWa's Seafood Shack
About This Spot
Stepping into WaWa's Seafood Shack is like slipping into a well-loved corner of East Texas where the casual hum of conversation blends with the enticing aroma of seafood frying fresh to order. The space carries the warmth of a neighborhood staple—unpretentious and inviting, with a steady, easygoing rhythm that matches the pace of a day spent savoring good company and generous plates.
The atmosphere strikes a balance between lively and laid-back, a place where families, longtime locals, and first-time visitors gather to share moments over hearty servings of coastal favorites. It’s the kind of spot where the menu isn’t overwhelming, but thoughtfully curated to spotlight the freshest catches and classic preparations that reflect both tradition and a touch of local flair.
Here, the experience extends beyond just the food. Plates arrive with a satisfying crunch or a delicate char, often accompanied by sides that complement rather than compete. Whether it’s the casual clink of glasses over a bright margarita or the satisfying mess of a crawfish boil, each visit feels personal — the kind of place where meals stretch out into conversation, and staff’s friendly, familiar presence adds to the easygoing vibe.
The dining room itself feels lived-in and welcoming rather than polished, encouraging patrons to settle in and soak up the spirited but unhurried pace. While busy nights can bring a bit of a wait, that only seems to enhance the anticipation, as regulars and newcomers alike share stories and laughter amidst the wood-paneled walls and simple decor.
WaWa's is less about fuss and more about authenticity — an honest-to-its-roots seafood shack that offers a genuine taste of local flavor, where ingredient quality meets down-home preparation, and the little human moments at the table become part of the story. It invites you to slow down, enjoy the bounty of the region, and maybe even discover a new favorite sampler of seafood treasures each time you visit.
What’s Available Here
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Identifies as veteran-owned
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Curbside pickup
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Takeout
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Sports
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Wheelchair accessible entrance
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Wheelchair accessible parking lot
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Wheelchair accessible restroom
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Wheelchair accessible seating
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Comfort food
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Hard liquor
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Small plates
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Wine
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Bar onsite
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Restroom
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Family-friendly
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Clyde H (Habanero) 12 Jan 2026
Stand alone restaurant with barely adequate parking. Restaurant and restrooms were in good repair and clean. Menu selections were small but adequate. Wait staff was very friendly but inattentive. Wait times for the food was fairly long. Fish, shrimp and french fries or excellent. Meals are served with plasticware. Price point for the food was right on spot. Highly recommend, just hope you don't get the waitress we had.
Christie Taylor 02 Jan 2026
Crawfish season makes me happy. I have only been in Mabank area for a little over a year and have been looking for a restaurant that has crawfish! Finally, I found this little gem. Great place and good food! My only complaint is I think they are understaffed. Had a 30 min wait for a table of 7 and they forgot about us. Little cramped for 7 in a booth! We made the best of it, just wanted to share!!!
A Phelps 29 Dec 2025
Interesting inside the building. The food was delivered quickly. Drinks in a large size. I forgot to take a photo of the meal before I started eating so you will see what was left. LOL. I had the Fried seafood platter with oysters, shrimp, fish, fries and slaw. It was all very good tasted like they didn't cook it until we ordered it. We had fried pickles for an appetizer which were excellent. They have a very light batter.
willie godinez 04 Nov 2025
Went here for mine and my partner’s 20th anniversary and was not disappointed. Ordered the fried pickles and they were on point. We both got the fish platter with fries and for me I had coleslaw and he had the grilled potato salad. Slaw was a bit dry but I’d say that’s the only negative I can give. Fish and hush puppies were amazing and fresh!! Will definitely be back to try other things on the menu. Thank you to the staff for being so friendly
Debbie Herriage 22 Oct 2025
This was our first time to eat here and it was delicious!! We got some Mozzarella Cheese Bites and they were the best that we have ever had. We both got the 4 piece catfish basket and we each got 5 pieces. The catfish, fries and hush puppies were delicious too. The next time we go through Athens we will definitely stop here again. The service was real good too and the restaurant was really neat and very clean.
Scott C 13 Oct 2025
Good classic seafood. Grilled fish tacos good. Only criticism is plate needs a slice of lime and be nice to have a couple of thin sliced jalapenos on each taco. Update. Came back for lunch. Busy. Lots of servers. Good service on that side. But kitchen a little slow on delivery and putting out for customers. The Surf & Turf burger was really good. I added grilled jalapenos. The crawfish tacos....ehhhh. needed something more. Limes on side and a roulade sauce. Dry. Kids fish basket was nice. French fries excellent!