One Way Seafood in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re searching for fresh seafood in Atlanta, you’ll quickly come across the name “One Way Seafood.” Because Atlanta isn’t a coastal city, many locals and visitors want to know how seafood spots like this work, what to expect from them, and how they fit into the city’s broader seafood scene.

Below is a practical guide to One Way–style seafood markets and restaurants in Atlanta, what they usually offer, and how to get the most out of a visit if you’re craving fish, shrimp, crab, or other favorites.

What “One Way Seafood” Typically Means in Atlanta

In the Atlanta area, a business with a name like One Way Seafood usually falls into one of two categories:

1. Seafood restaurant – Fry, boil, or grill focused, often casual and takeout-friendly.
2. Seafood market – Selling fresh or live seafood by the pound, sometimes with a cooked-to-order option.

For Atlanta consumers, that usually means:

• Counter service rather than full table service
• A focus on fried seafood baskets, low-country boil–style plates, or Cajun-inspired seafood bags
• A rotating selection of fish, shellfish, and sometimes live crab or lobster, influenced by what distributors bring into metro Atlanta

Because seafood supply in Atlanta depends heavily on shipment from the Gulf Coast, Atlantic coast, and beyond, these businesses typically emphasize value and freshness over fine dining formality.

Typical Menu: What You’re Likely to Find

While exact menus differ from place to place, restaurants or markets with a name like One Way Seafood around Atlanta usually offer a core set of items.

Common Fried Seafood Options

You’ll usually see:

• Fried shrimp (regular or jumbo)
• Fried catfish or whiting
• Fried oysters (occasionally)
• Fried tilapia or flounder
• Combo baskets with 2–3 seafood items, plus sides

These are often served with:

• French fries
• Hush puppies
• Coleslaw
• White or fried rice
• A slice of bread or Texas toast

Boiled, Steamed, and Cajun-Style Seafood

In many Atlanta neighborhoods, especially on the south and west sides, seafood spots with similar names also lean into Cajun or low-country boil–style dishes:

• Snow crab legs
• Shrimp (head-on or peeled)
• Crawfish (when in season)
• Green mussels or clams
• Corn, potatoes, sausage, and boiled eggs as add-ons

These often come in a seasoned bag with sauce choices like:

• Garlic butter
• Lemon pepper
• Cajun
• “House special” blends

Spice levels typically range from mild to extra hot, and staff can usually explain what’s suitable if you prefer less heat.

Market-Style Offerings: Buying by the Pound

If One Way Seafood in your area functions more as a seafood market, you might see:

• Fresh fish on ice (whole or fillets)
• Shrimp in various sizes
• Live or freshly cooked crab
• Seasonal items like blue crab or crawfish

Many Atlanta seafood markets also offer:

• Cleaning and filleting for whole fish
• Basic steaming or frying to order for an additional fee

This is especially handy if you’re planning to cook at home in Atlanta but don’t want to handle cleaning fish yourself.

Price and Value: What Atlanta Diners Can Expect

Seafood pricing in Atlanta is closely tied to wholesale market prices and shipping costs. For a One Way–style seafood restaurant or market, you’ll typically see:

Because prices can change quickly, many Atlanta seafood spots post daily prices on in-store boards or at the counter. It’s very common and completely acceptable to ask for prices before ordering, especially for crab legs and specialty items.

How Seafood Spots Like This Fit into Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta has a wide range of seafood options, from high-end Buckhead restaurants to casual storefronts off major corridors like Metropolitan Parkway, Memorial Drive, or Buford Highway. A One Way–style seafood business usually appeals to:

• Neighborhood locals looking for quick fried fish or shrimp
• Families wanting a weekend seafood boil without cooking everything at home
• Visitors staying nearby who want no-frills, hearty seafood rather than a sit-down, white-tablecloth meal

These places often emphasize:

• Takeout and call-ahead orders
• Large portions of heavily seasoned seafood
• A casual, sometimes crowded atmosphere during peak weekend hours

Tips for Ordering Smart in Atlanta

If you’re trying a One Way–style seafood restaurant or market in Atlanta, these practical tips can help:

1. Call Ahead for Busy Hours 📞

On Friday evenings, Saturdays, and game days, seafood spots can get slammed. You can:

• Call ahead to place a pickup order
• Ask for current wait times and sold-out items
• Confirm payment methods (some smaller places are card-only or cash-preferred)

2. Ask About Freshness and Origin

Seafood in Atlanta typically comes from:

• The Gulf of Mexico
• The Atlantic coast
• Occasionally from international suppliers

If you care about where your seafood is coming from, you can ask:

• “Is this fresh or previously frozen?”
• “Do you know where the shrimp or fish are sourced from?”

Staff at established Atlanta seafood spots are used to these questions.

3. Check Spice Levels Before You Commit

Atlanta’s Cajun-inspired seafood can be very spicy, especially at smaller, locally oriented spots. If you’re sensitive to heat:

• Order sauce on the side
• Start with mild or medium
• Share a bag or platter with someone to test flavors first

4. Consider Cooking at Home with Market Purchases

If you enjoy cooking, buying from a seafood market side of a One Way–style business can be:

• More budget-friendly for groups
• Customizable in flavor and spice
• Convenient if you have access to a kitchen (for locals or extended-stay visitors)

Many Atlanta residents buy:

• Shrimp, crab, and fish by the pound
• Corn, potatoes, and sausage separately from a grocery store
• Then make a home seafood boil for gatherings.

Health and Safety Basics for Seafood in Atlanta

Atlanta’s restaurant and seafood markets are generally overseen by local and state health departments. Consumers often look at:

• Health inspection scores displayed near the entrance or counter
• Cleanliness of the display area, floors, and restrooms
• How staff handle raw seafood and gloves

If something looks off—strong unpleasant odor, messy cases, or unclear labeling—you can simply choose not to buy and look for another nearby option.

Finding One Way–Style Seafood in Your Part of Atlanta

Seafood restaurants and markets similar to One Way Seafood are commonly found in or near:

• South Atlanta – Areas off Cleveland Avenue, Old National Highway, and Jonesboro Road
• Westside – Along streets like MLK Jr. Drive and parts of Cascade area
• East and Southeast – Some stretches of Memorial Drive, Moreland Avenue, and Candler Road
• Buford Highway corridor – Known more for global seafood options and Asian-style seafood markets

If you’re new to the city or visiting:

• Look for “seafood market,” “fish & shrimp,” “crab & shrimp,” or “Cajun seafood” on storefront signs.
• When in doubt, it’s reasonable to call ahead and ask:
  • “Do you have dine-in or takeout only?”
  • “Do you sell raw seafood by the pound?”
  • “Do you fry or steam to order?”

Practical Next Steps for Seafood Lovers in Atlanta

If you’re considering a place like One Way Seafood in Atlanta, you can:

• Decide your priority: quick fried seafood, Cajun boil, or raw seafood to cook at home.
• Check hours and payment methods before you go. Many seafood spots don’t keep late-night hours on non-weekend days.
• Ask about daily specials or combo deals—these can be the best way to sample a variety of items.
• Keep backup options in mind in case your first-choice spot is crowded or sold out of certain items, which is common during peak crab and crawfish seasons.

By understanding how One Way–style seafood businesses typically operate in Atlanta—menu, pricing, service style, and local norms—you’ll be better prepared to get a satisfying seafood meal that fits your schedule, budget, and taste.