SIX FEET UNDER (Grant Park)

She says:
When I think of Atlanta, Six Feet Under absolutely matches my image of this city (or at least one distinct corner of it). The menu is packed with Southern specialties, from hush puppies to fried okra, and is known and loved for its excellent catfish. And unlike Mary Mac’s and other similarly staid restaurants, Six Feet Under has a gritty character that attracts hillbillies and hipsters alike. Waiting for a table outside with us were parties of various ages, sizes, colors, and tattooedness.

A seat on the patio of the original Grant Park location, which overlooks the Oakland Cemetery, is a coveted spot on a warm Atlanta evening. Unluckily for us, the night we visited was downright chilly, and we were forced to zip up our sweatshirts and huddle over our citronella candle just to stay warm. The service was quick and friendly though, making up for the 45 minute wait and less-than-friendly hostess.

We started out with fried green tomatoes, lump crab cakes, and alligator bites (because where else will you ever get to order alligator bites?). The tomatoes were lightly fried and not too oily, and came with a zingy horseradish sauce. The crab cakes didn’t hold together, crumbling at the touch of a fork, but I attributed this to a lot of crab meat and not much filler, as attested to by the vivid crab flavor. And the alligator bites? Tastes like chicken. (Chicken nuggets, to be exact.)

He says:
According to the menu, the Georgia Fried Catfish I ordered was “cornmeal breaded & fried to perfection.” You know what? It’s right on. The catfish was the best item of the night. Incredibly fresh, the silky texture of the catfish fillet came through with every bite, contrasting beautifully with the definitive crunch of the fried exterior. The side of corn on the cob isn’t anything special though, and the hush puppies are downright lousy, so my recommendation is to load up on the fried green tomatoes and alligator bites beforehand.

She says:
DB, you should have said something earlier, because I would have eaten your entire ear of sweet corn, rather than just stealing bites when you weren’t looking!

I went for the shrimp and grits. The dish wasn’t bad… the grits were creamy, the blackened shrimp large and juicy and not overly seasoned… It was just one of those meals where after a few bites, I was tired of eating. The dish would have benefited from more of the asparagus, red pepper, and fried leeks and onions to enhance its complexity.

We say:
Six Feet Under is a great spot to bring out-of-towners to enjoy some real Southern cooking. But line up early and order carefully – the menu is definitely hit or miss.




Six Feet Under (Grant Park)
415 Memorial Drive S.E., Atlanta, GA 30312
http://www.sixfeetunderatlanta.com