Dining in the ATL: Crawfish Shack

I rushed straight home from dinner to write this post because tomorrow the NY Times is writing about this place and I wanted to be ahead of the curve by getting there first.  True, I did not eat there first since someone had to fly here and back to get their story, but at least I can say that I ate at the Crawfish Shack before I heard about it in the NY Times.  It's all a matter of perspective, and at the moment mine is thrilled to be beating the NY Times to this.  Of course, everyone else in Atlanta has already written about this place, so in truth I'm not really ahead of anyone.  At all. 

I already had a blog post all ready to go for this evening, but that's going to have to wait until tomorrow.  The irony (well, not irony, but something) is that in the pre-prepared post I briefly discussed my love of fried mollusks, oysters and clams to be specific. Tonight's meal added another layer to that love, as I just finished some of the most delicious fried oysters of my entire life.  For $12, a dozen fried oysters, served with Cajun fries.  When I arrived at the restaurant the very same oysters that were on my plate were in the fish case; upon my order a dozen oysters were carefully selected and rushed to the back where they were shucked and fried.  That's made-to-order fresh. 

My dining companion, who is famous for her ability to find good eats all around Atlanta, had a fish and shrimp basket.  For $6.99, two catfish fillets, four jumbo shrimp, and two sides (red potatoes, corn).  I might have helped myself to bites of most of her meal, everything was great, and the catfish was fantastic, tender, fried to a crisp cornmeal batter perfection.  I'm a bit late for something at the moment or would go into my feelings on catfish, but let it suffice to say that I love catfish and have high expectations for this fish.  In addition to being a great meal, who can argue with the price?  We also shared hushpuppies ($1).  Usually I have a one-limit on hushpuppies--good in concept but rather boring, but I ate three.  They were crispy and the batter was made with onions and some spices that made them very interesting and tasty.

Lastly, since I really am running late to something at the moment [and hence this post is probably full of errors], can I just say how cute and adorable the owner is?  We happened to be served by him, and his enthusiasm for his food and his business is contagious.  He is clearly proud of the business he's built, he's proud to be a 'Grady Baby', and he's committed to serving fresh, high quality food.  I hope everyone I know in Atlanta will check this place out, with such a wonderful attitude I really hope the business is a success!

I wonder what the Times is going to say....?