Bites Nearby: Cajun's Best Po-Boys

Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out.

Here is this week's choice:
Cajun's Best Po-Boys

Cajun's Best Po-Boys may not be the first establishment you notice when you're tooling down S. Indian Creek Drive or Redan Road in Stone Mountain, but for the sake of your tastebuds, it's worth finding.

The restaurant is located at one end of a Chevron gas station plaza.

The smell of spices and fresh-made food greets visitors as soon as they walk through the door. As far as seating, there is a counter with a few bar stools, and two seats for folks to play chess. Carry-out might be your best bet, especially if you've got several folks with you.

Now, back to the aroma. It makes such a great impression, you just might be tempted to order whatever is cooking at that moment.

As the restaurant's name suggests, the po-boys are a specialty, and they don't disappoint. The six-inch shrimp po-boy ($6.99) was very satisfying and an extra sprinkling of hot sauce (optional), bumped up the flavor a few notches. It came with seasoned fries. If you don't eat a lot of fried shrimp, this sandwich will give you a good reason to indulge occassionally.

The Down South Gumbo ($7.50 for small, $9.50 for large) with its the sausage, shrimp, crab, rice and other ingredients, packed a nice punch without being overbearing; no need to have a glass of water at hand to douse the fire in your mouth.

Speaking of beverages, Cajun's Best Po-Boys sells cold drinks, including Coca-Cola products and D&G sodas. The Jamaican Pineapple was especially refreshing.

While you're waiting for your food, there are oppprtunities to chat with other customers or the friendly owners, play chess with someone, or check out what's on TV. On this particular evening, customers were paying close attention to the TV news, which provided constant coverage on Hurricane Irene. Strangers engaged in lively conversation about the storm and shared their memories of past hurricanes. In another life, owner Tammy Boss Lee might have been a food stylist, judging by the way she takes the time to present the food.

Cajun's Best Po-Boys is a great place to stop in for lunch or dinner. The food is hearty and filling , the people are welcoming, and the prices are competitive. Next time you're in their neighborhood, treat yourself to their tasty, cooked-to-order fare.

Cajun's Best Po-Boys is at 4091 Redan Rd., on the corner of Redan and S. Indian Creek Dr. It is open Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m.-9 p.m. It is usually closed on Sunday, except during football season, when it is closed on Mondays instead. Pricing: Po-boys, depending on the kind, range from $3.99 to $8.99. Soul food fare starts at $5.99. The restaurant delivers for orders of $20 or more, within a five-mile radius. Phone: 404-296-1661.