6 Atlanta spots to feed your po’boy obsession

Laissez bon temps rouler, y’all.

The food in New Orleans is rightly celebrated, and nothing quite encompasses the spirit of the city like the humble po’boy. Whether you want one with plump fried shrimp or gravy-laden roast beef, there are plenty of spots in Atlanta doing the dish justice.

Here are a few of the best:

The Po’ Boy Shop & Basement Bar

The Po’ Boy Shop & Basement Bar bleeds bayou. For three decades they have specialized and perfected the Cajun cuisine. With fresh ingredients, original recipes and Leidenheimer bread straight from New Orleans, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Bourbon Street.

Customers have the choice of 20 versions, which include alligator, shrimp and roast beef. But a can’t-miss option is the ham and Swiss, with thinly sliced meat and melted cheese, served hot or cold.

Location: Decatur - 1369 Clairmont Rd; Website: thepoboyshopatl.com; Contact: 678-974-8725

AJ’s Famous Seafood and Po’Boys

If a restaurant is going to proclaim it’s po’boys famous right there in name, it better live up. East Cobb’s AJ’s Famous Seafood and Po’Boys does. The seafood options include shrimp, oyster, crawfish, soft shell crab and fish, all fresh and fried crisp. But the real winner here is the roast beef po’boy, dripping with gravy.

So messy that you’ll need two handfuls of napkins. But so good that you won’t care.

Location: Marietta - 2100 Roswell Road #2148; Website: ajsoysterbar.net; Contact: 678-999-0767

Crawfish Shack Seafood

Real Cajun food on Buford Highway? Oh yes. It’s real, and it’s spectacular. Crawfish Shack Seafood is making one of the best sandwiches in Atlanta. Fresh, sweet shrimp tossed in a light cornmeal batter and fried just enough. And that remoulade? More, please. They have an extensive po’ boy list that goes far beyond just shrimp. With options like Andouille sausage, fried oyster, fried crawfish and six different types of fried fish to choose from, you can try something new each time you come.

If you’re there at the right time of year, you can snag a real treat in the form of the soft shell crab po’boy.

Location: Dekalb County - 4337 Buford Highway NE #170; Website: crawfishshackseafood.com; Contact: 404-329-1610

The Corner Grille

Nestled on Main Street in College Park, Corner Grille exudes a homey atmosphere that is irresistible. That hominess, and more than a twinge of Cajun influence, is threaded throughout the menu. The shrimp for the po’boy is fried and nestled into French bread with fried eggs, bacon, lettuce, tomato and remoulade. It’s salty and rich and will satisfy the deepest cravings for a taste of the bayou. It is only served on the Saturday brunch menu and it is well worth the wait.

Location: College Park - 3823 Main St; Website: tcgrestaurants.com; Contact: 404-767-1135

Fred’s Meat and Bread

This Krog Street eatery is serving up some truly impressive sandwiches. The burger is juicy and the grinder unforgettable. But it’s the oyster po’boy that can’t be overlooked.

At Fred’s Meat and Bread, fresh and plump fried oysters are joined by spicy cucumbers, lettuce, tomato and jalapeno tartar. It’s all tucked into some of the best made bread in town, with just the right chew and crumble. There won’t be any sharing with this one.

Location: East Atlanta - 99 Krog St NE; Website: fredsmeatandbread.com; Contact: 404-688-3733

Star Provisions

The fried shrimp po’boy at Star Provisions has been praised since the moment it hit the menu. Sweet Georgia white shrimp are fried with a touch of spice. They sit on a soft French roll with fresh lettuce, tomato and house-made pickles, with a spicy mayo that brings it all together.

Location: Buckhead/Northeast Atlanta - 1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd; Website: starprovisions.com; Contact: 404-365-0410

This story was originally published by Krista Miller in 2016 and has since been updated.