Celebrities have to eat too. And, just like you, they can’t get enough of what Atlanta is cooking. It’s not all frou frou either.

Can you say Chez Waffle House ? Before Jay-Z’s and Beyonce’s romance was paparazzi public, the two were spotted sort of together in 2002 at a Waffle House on Piedmont after her star-studded 21^st birthday skating party.

Romance wasn’t on the menu when Kid Rock got arrested after a fight at the Waffle House on Buford Highway just last year but jail time didn’t keep him from partaking in a charity event at another Waffle House on Old Peachtree Road in Duluth. 

On the airport end of town, things are a tad bit calmer as Spondivits is a big favorite, especially among the hip-hop set. Even when Atlanta sightings of Andre 3000 of OutKast fame almost became Sotheby’s worthy, he managed to show up at this hometown seafood spot from time to time.

Young Jeezy is so fond of Spondivits that, on “Trap Star,” his 2005 hit, he rhymed about eating there four times a week where he favors the bucket of crab legs. Maybe he eats at Chanterelle’s, the West End soul food eatery, the other three days since it pops up on “Trap or Die”.

Usher, who features Jeezy on his smash hit, “Love in This Club,” has been spotted in Thumbs Up getting his breakfast in but, then again, who, in Atlanta, hasn’t been? Another Atlanta institution, The Buckhead Diner, is so well-known it prompted a 2002 question on Jeopardy highlighting its veal meatloaf and peach bread pudding. Former president Bill Clinton, Kathy Bates, Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Spacey and Shaquille O’Neal just might know about that. 

When it comes to high rollers, Chops Lobster Bar certainly reels them in. Arthur Blank, Floyd “Pretty Boy/Money” Mayweather, Ted Turner, Denzel Washington and even 50 Cent have been spotted among the many patrons it has served since opening its doors in 1989.

Chef Kevin Rathbun is a celebrity in his own right so it’s no surprise that Hollywood mogul Jerry Bruckheimer and Tyler Perry, also a movie magician of sorts, have enjoyed Rathbun’s.

On separate occasions, Midtown’s swanky Trois has attracted Jane Fonda, who dined on the striped bass, and Deepak Chopra who ordered the beef oxtail. 

The Georgia mountain trout and scallops at Canoe revs up NASCAR favorite Richard Petty.

Former NBA great/TNT host Charles Barkley gets his game in at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Buckhead so often, he keeps a wine locker.

STATS, where the mammoth nachos are a huge hit, is of course a natural with athletes, including neighboring Atlanta Hawk Josh Smith, Atlanta Dream Ivory Latta, Atlanta Thrashers Eric Bolton, Eric Perrin, Jim Slater and Chris Thorburn as well as Atlanta Braves’ slugger Chipper Jones.

Two Urban Licks seems to attract NFL players, including running back Jamal Lewis, who has been known to savor the salmon chips and lamb lollipops. Bruising linebacker Takeo Spikes, and his beautiful companion Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins of TLC fame, have also popped in on occasion to feast on the braised pork with New York baked cheddar macaroni for him and the shrimp with andouille sausage for her.

Star-studded Atlanta eateries are as plentiful as the stars dotting the sky so don’t be surprised if grabbing a bite to eat puts you table to table with one of your favorite celebrities.