With locations in Grant Park and on Cheshire Bridge Road, Six Feet Under Pub and Fish House is an Atlanta staple that has been serving classic seafood dishes for the past 23 years.

Six Feet Under owner Nancy Mitchell said what started as a passion for the restaurant industry turned into a long-term business for her and husband Tad Mitchell.

“We have been open 23 years,” Nancy Mitchell said. “My husband and I both worked in restaurants our whole entire lives when we were in high school and in college, and we always knew we wanted to open a restaurant together. We looked at a couple different places and when we found the place on Memorial Drive, it felt like a fish house. So, we built a menu around a fish house. I did not realize 23 years later, we’d still be doing it.”

Nancy Mitchell said the name Six Feet Under was inspired by the original Grant Park location, which is situated across the street from the historic Oakland Cemetery. 

“Everybody’s always curious about the name Six Feet Under,” Mitchell said. “We had the idea of the fishhouse concept, and then the location we chose was right across the street from the Oakland Cemetery. We had a bunch of different ideas, and that was the line that got a rise out of everyone the most. It just kind of worked for us, so we decided to go with that name.”

Since the opening of the Grant Park location, Six Feet Under has remained a dedicated part of the community.Vice President and Director of Operations Leah Gossmann, vice president and operations director, said even after facing challenges when opening another location, the restaurant has continued to offer consistent food and service.

“Our biggest changes were moving from 415 Memorial Dr. to 437 Memorial Dr., opening our 11th Street location,” Gossman said. “The one thing that has been constant is Tad and Nancy Mitchell’s commitment to providing restaurants in their community with a focus on a great menu with great service to back it up. I am happy to have been a part of it for all of these years.”

Six Feet Under sticks to classic seafood items while also offering alternative options. Mitchell said tacos, fried seafood baskets and cheeseburgers are fan favorites, along with some healthier options.

“We’re known for our catfish tacos,” Mitchell said. “We are known for any of our baskets, like shrimp basket, fish and chip basket and combo baskets. And then we have healthier items, too, like baked shrimp and scallops so that you can be healthy or you could not be healthy. You can do either one. We also have a great cheeseburger.” 

Gossmann said the restaurant’s quality service starts with a strong staff that’s committed to customers and coworkers.

“We have a great team dynamic at Six Feet Under,” Gossman said. “Our team is composed of long-time veterans, those newer to the industry and everything in between. This mix creates a great vibe because we are able to connect with all of our guests. Our team works hard to provide quality service to our guests, and they also work hard for each other, which makes for smooth shifts. I always tell the staff to aim to be the best part of someone’s day, and you really can’t go wrong.”

April Herbert, a customer, said  the restaurant’s energy is easygoing on a daily basis, which makes it welcoming for anyone, no matter the occasion.

“The crowd on a typical night is comfortable and laid back,” Herbert said. “What I love about both locations is that they are neighborhood-centric, so you may run into an existing friend or meet a new one. Also, trivia night is always a fun time.”

Gossman said Six Feet Under works to build its place in the community by taking part in neighborhood events near both locations and interacting with local businesses.

“We partner with the local community whenever we can, and we love to do so,” Gossman said. “We are very involved with Oakland Cemetery, the Grant Park Conservancy and several schools in our Grant Park neighborhood. Since we are newer to the Piedmont Heights area, we are still establishing our roots, but our Cheshire Bridge location has partnered with Morningside Elementary and the Piedmont Heights Alliance on several events.”

Mitchell the city’s camaraderie allows her to feel at home.

“It keeps us young,” Mitchell said. “We’re around young people; we’re around young customers, young employees, all different kinds of walks of life come through the restaurant, and everybody is different. I think that’s what Atlanta is to me. Just a melting pot of everybody.”