Photo above by Brian Benefield

[This is the latest installment of “Cobb Cuisine, Culture and Community” by Brian Benefield. Photo above by Brian Benefield] 

On any afternoon in Marietta Square, when the Georgia sun feels like a warm hug and somebody’s dog judges passersby with great seriousness, Willie Rae’s Social House sits like the unofficial living room of the neighborhood. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s where hunger meets gossip, brunch meets ambition, and strangers meet over shrimp po’ boys and accidentally become friends.​

Inside, the air smells of Cajun spices, laughter, and maybe one person (probably me) who insisted on ordering “just one more round.” The menu reads like a love letter from someone who believes cayenne pepper is a personality trait. There are burgers that look like they could settle family feuds, tacos that arrive with the confidence of a marching band, and cocktails that wink at you as if they know exactly how your day went.​

Morning at Willie Rae’s is a theatrical performance disguised as brunch. Everest-sized Mimosa towers sparkle like diamonds in liquid form, and tables fill with people retelling last night’s adventures with increasingly heroic edits. I always order the Bayou Shrimp and eggs for brunch (served daily), and it never disappoints. Jumbo blackened shrimp with Creole tomato sauce, two over medium (get over easy for egg porn), served atop two fluffy homemade buscuits to sop up all that goodness. And the white cheddar grits are life-changing. As a judge at Taste of Marietta a few years ago, I voted for their award-winning slow-smoked Chicken/Andouille Gumbo, and it won for good reason. It has just the right amount of spice, and the mocha colored roux shows the kitchen is doing magical things.​

Outside on the Square, the world strolls by with strollers, joggers, and couples arguing about where to eat until they give up and wander inside. Afternoons feel like a casual family reunion where nobody is related, but everyone acts like they are. The servers glide between tables with the calm authority of seasoned diplomats, recommending oysters or blackened catfish tacos like they’re guiding you through a culinary treasure hunt. Whether Nohemi or Gino is behind the bar, you’ll be well taken care of with friendly service and a smile every time.​

By evening, Willie Rae’s transforms into a social symphony. Craft beers clink, stories grow taller, and the bar becomes a confessional booth for life’s great questions, like whether to order dessert or another round. The space hums with music, and this Friday the 13th, they’re doing Masquerade Karaoke. I should give it a go while incognito, so I can’t be blamed for my awful singing. It’s a place where birthdays happen spontaneously, first dates become second dates, and regulars are greeted like returning heroes.

Also on 2/13, WR is part of a collaboration between Two Birds Taphouse and 7 Tequilas Mexican restaurant for a Mardi Gras Pub Crawl with exclusive food and drink specials. Bingo cards will guide your way, and costumes are encouraged. My wife, Cecilie, likes girls’ night on Wednesdays for ½-price wine, and something fun happens every day of the week. Check their Socials for details.​

The magic of Willie Rae’s isn’t just in the food, though the Cajun-inspired dishes earn their applause. It’s in the way the place gathers people together. Neighbors, friends, travelers, and the occasional lost soul who wandered in looking for directions and left with a new favorite hangout. As a locally owned gathering spot, it exists to do one simple thing well: bring people together to eat, drink, and be social.​

If Marietta Square is the heart of the town, Willie Rae’s Social House is its soul. Spicy, a little loud, and impossible to ignore. Somewhere between the first bite and the last story told, you realize you didn’t just go out to eat. You showed up for community, stayed for the charm, and left already planning your return.​

For more information visit https://wrsocialhouse.com