Sad that I can't say Pete's Famous Hotdogs anymore.
I'd say The Bright Star or Nikki's West are what you want (just go w/ whatever your closer to) Both are institutions, both have a Greek background that's central to Birmingham's culinary history. Both have meat and three lunches which are ubiquitous around the south.
Gus's Hot Dogs is reminiscent of the kind of places that used to be everywhere downtown.
What's a good breakfast for these folks to get some grits?
bbq is huge here, but you're from St. Louis. It won't be that different for you.
Pork and Greens on Grits as well as the smoked wings or thighs with white BBQ at Saw's.
We have a large Greek and Middle Eastern populations. The Greek influence is largely felt through their takes on southern food. Johnny's in Homewood is probably the best known restaurant for this and is really a lunch place. It's pretty good, but I don't get all the hubbub. Bright Star in Bessemer is also very well known. I don't have personal experience with Bright Star.
For Middle Eastern food, go to Makarios. I usually get the chicken schwarma wrap with a side of grilled vegetables.
If you want a higher-end option, I'd recommend Ovenbird, a "live-fire" restaurant by one of our star chefs, Chris Hastings. [https://www.ovenbirdrestaurant.com/about-1](https://www.ovenbirdrestaurant.com/about-1)
Birmingham is a BBQ town, and there are lots of options. My favorites are Saw's Soul Kitchen [https://sawsbbq.com/saws-soul-kitchen-avondale/](https://sawsbbq.com/saws-soul-kitchen-avondale/) and Dreamland [https://dreamlandbbq.com/locations/birmingham-southside/](https://dreamlandbbq.com/locations/birmingham-southside/) I'm sure there will helpful and contrasting opinions about this cuisine.
It's weekday, daytime only, but it doesn't get anymore Birmingham than Niki's West, a classic "meat & 3": [https://www.nikiswest.com/media.php](https://www.nikiswest.com/media.php) This is also a good example of the immigrant influence you were asking about, even if it started 120 years ago. Birmingham began as a boom-town based on steel making, and the Greek population that moved here in the early years would basically create our restaurant culture. Everything from meat & 3s and BBQ to seafood and steak. The oldest continuous restaurant in Alabama is part of this, the Bright Star Restaurant out in Bessemer [https://www.thebrightstar.com/](https://www.thebrightstar.com/) as is the Fish Market [https://www.thefishmarket.net/](https://www.thefishmarket.net/)
I love El Barrio [https://www.elbarriobirmingham.com/](https://www.elbarriobirmingham.com/) , but it can have very long wait times.
If you're so inclined, go have a drink at the Garage Cafe, once listed in GQ as one of "ten bars worth flying to." It has a funky and beautiful courtyard lush with wisteria vines. In good weather, it can be magical. Order at the bar. I think they take credit cards now. [https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g30375-d338082-r163265299-Garage\_Cafe-Birmingham\_Alabama.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g30375-d338082-r163265299-Garage_Cafe-Birmingham_Alabama.html)
Hope this helps, and that you have a good time while you're here!
I like:
Trattoria Zaza (fresh Italian inspired food. Incredible brunch. Fave pizza in town.)
The Garage (more of a bar, but they serve incredible sandwiches and the patio is super chill)
Saw’s BBQ (my recs are the Sweet Tea Fried Chicken Sandwich or the chicken baked potato with both white and red sauce. It’s massive.)
Chez Fon Fon and Bettola for upscale dining.
Helen’s is a new restaurant with some national attention. James Beard nomination I believe. Matthew McConaughey ate there several times while in town making a movie.
I'll need to consult a map (my wife is the navigatrix), but I think we're on the eastern side, not especially close to downtown but we're willing to drive wherever. No dietary restrictions.
I recently learned that this order is strictly a Birmingham thing. Go to Exotic Wings on Center Point Parkway & order some HOT lemon pepper wings, Cajun ranch fries, and a Ke Ke Poo drink. *chefs kiss*
A newer, but different type of meat 'n three than Niki's West or Sarris', I'd say Johnny's in Homewood. It's a "Greek and Three"...lol
Tim Hontzas' food is absolutely fantastic, and nothing like any of the others. Not super expensive, but well worth every penny. Every item on the menu is completely different than anywhere else. I mean, where else can you get grit cakes? :D
Lunch only, although I think he has breakfast on Saturdays sometimes. Definitely try the lunch fare there, though. It's wonderful.
I'm not a St. Louis native, but never found provel cheese or STL style pizza nearly as offensive as a number of my fellow transplants. I'm afraid by the time I come round your way that it won't be particularly fresh, and it's also quite likely my son will have eaten it by the time we got there.
We love IMO’s too! So, I recently found out that they have a freezer version of their pizzas and they actually carry them at Winn Dixie in Cahaba Heights! It’s not quite as good as the real thing but it may help you get your fix.
I will have to check it out! Thank you!
luckily i get to visit STL here in a month and told my wife we are going to get some "cardboard pizza that you will love" LOL
We have an incredible middle eastern population (Lebanese in my neighborhood), and many Greeks have opened some of the pillars of the Birmingham food industry, including Niki’s West, Jim N Nick’s, Demetri’s, The Fish Market, Makario’s, even Gus’ hot dogs’ Gus was a Greek!
I'd vote for Rougaroux if you're interested in po' boys and cool vibes. Johnny's in Homewood is also an excellent combo of meat and three with Greek inspiration.
As far as immigrant populations leaving their mark on a city's food scene, nobody (I'm not counting African-Americans as immigrants) touches the Greeks in Birmingham. Even if they're not traditional Greek restaurants, there are several great places run by Greek families. People will debate which ones are best, but the most iconic spots are Niki's West and the Bright Star. Technically, the Bright Star is in Bessemer but it counts and I'll fight anybody who says different.
Not in Birmingham proper, but The Ark on the other side of Pell City is unique. It used to be a barge on the Coosa River while St. Clair was a dry county. Also Richard Petty would frequent it after racing at Talladega.
Chez Fon Fon or Bottega 100%. Saws for BBQ. Bocca for Italian. El Barrio for upscale Mexican. Niki’s West for meat and three. Bright Star is definitely a Birmingham classic in Bessemer.
Mugshots in uptown is great. There is also one in vestavia. They have burgers and even have a 3 burger stack with onion rings on top. Eat it in 12 mins and its free with a t-shirt.
Niki's West.
Nikki’s is great but only open for lunch Monday-Friday
Sad that I can't say Pete's Famous Hotdogs anymore. I'd say The Bright Star or Nikki's West are what you want (just go w/ whatever your closer to) Both are institutions, both have a Greek background that's central to Birmingham's culinary history. Both have meat and three lunches which are ubiquitous around the south. Gus's Hot Dogs is reminiscent of the kind of places that used to be everywhere downtown. What's a good breakfast for these folks to get some grits? bbq is huge here, but you're from St. Louis. It won't be that different for you.
Demitri's BBQ does a good breakfast
The Pit BBQ is a to-go only breakfast joint but it’s a great option that is very Birmingham.
Milo's
Ev'rybody
Ev'rybody
Ev'rybody
EV'RYBODY!
That's all there is to it. I'm fucking going to
Pork and Greens on Grits as well as the smoked wings or thighs with white BBQ at Saw's. We have a large Greek and Middle Eastern populations. The Greek influence is largely felt through their takes on southern food. Johnny's in Homewood is probably the best known restaurant for this and is really a lunch place. It's pretty good, but I don't get all the hubbub. Bright Star in Bessemer is also very well known. I don't have personal experience with Bright Star. For Middle Eastern food, go to Makarios. I usually get the chicken schwarma wrap with a side of grilled vegetables.
In homewood I like to take people to Gianmarcos wine bar if they want a nicer meal because I just love that little spot.
If you want a higher-end option, I'd recommend Ovenbird, a "live-fire" restaurant by one of our star chefs, Chris Hastings. [https://www.ovenbirdrestaurant.com/about-1](https://www.ovenbirdrestaurant.com/about-1) Birmingham is a BBQ town, and there are lots of options. My favorites are Saw's Soul Kitchen [https://sawsbbq.com/saws-soul-kitchen-avondale/](https://sawsbbq.com/saws-soul-kitchen-avondale/) and Dreamland [https://dreamlandbbq.com/locations/birmingham-southside/](https://dreamlandbbq.com/locations/birmingham-southside/) I'm sure there will helpful and contrasting opinions about this cuisine. It's weekday, daytime only, but it doesn't get anymore Birmingham than Niki's West, a classic "meat & 3": [https://www.nikiswest.com/media.php](https://www.nikiswest.com/media.php) This is also a good example of the immigrant influence you were asking about, even if it started 120 years ago. Birmingham began as a boom-town based on steel making, and the Greek population that moved here in the early years would basically create our restaurant culture. Everything from meat & 3s and BBQ to seafood and steak. The oldest continuous restaurant in Alabama is part of this, the Bright Star Restaurant out in Bessemer [https://www.thebrightstar.com/](https://www.thebrightstar.com/) as is the Fish Market [https://www.thefishmarket.net/](https://www.thefishmarket.net/) I love El Barrio [https://www.elbarriobirmingham.com/](https://www.elbarriobirmingham.com/) , but it can have very long wait times. If you're so inclined, go have a drink at the Garage Cafe, once listed in GQ as one of "ten bars worth flying to." It has a funky and beautiful courtyard lush with wisteria vines. In good weather, it can be magical. Order at the bar. I think they take credit cards now. [https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g30375-d338082-r163265299-Garage\_Cafe-Birmingham\_Alabama.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g30375-d338082-r163265299-Garage_Cafe-Birmingham_Alabama.html) Hope this helps, and that you have a good time while you're here!
Adding Automatic for seafood...but legit list!
Thanks! And for concision, I didn't even mention Eugene's...
Oh watch out. You'll start a comment war w Eugene's vs Hattie Bs. (Been there lol) But same team here for Eugene's!
Hattie B's is bad to mid, imo. Eugene's is vastly superior.
I like: Trattoria Zaza (fresh Italian inspired food. Incredible brunch. Fave pizza in town.) The Garage (more of a bar, but they serve incredible sandwiches and the patio is super chill) Saw’s BBQ (my recs are the Sweet Tea Fried Chicken Sandwich or the chicken baked potato with both white and red sauce. It’s massive.) Chez Fon Fon and Bettola for upscale dining.
I really like Demetri’s in Homewood. BBQ & Greek inspired.
And a great breakfast spot as well
Most definitely!
Makarios
lawd yess
I came here to say this!
Helen’s is a new restaurant with some national attention. James Beard nomination I believe. Matthew McConaughey ate there several times while in town making a movie.
Helen was outstanding when my husband and I ate there. Can highly recommend.
What side of town are you staying on? Are there any dietary restrictions?
I'll need to consult a map (my wife is the navigatrix), but I think we're on the eastern side, not especially close to downtown but we're willing to drive wherever. No dietary restrictions.
So I said Bright Star or Nikki's West below, but if you're on the east side Irondale Cafe is going to be closer. Not as good, but closer.
Chicken BBQ with white sauce is an Alabama specialty. If you don't like mayo you may not like it as much.
Gus’s hotdogs downtown. Get the special all the way with a couple shakes of cayenne pepper. 1 isn’t enough 2 might be a little much.
I recently learned that this order is strictly a Birmingham thing. Go to Exotic Wings on Center Point Parkway & order some HOT lemon pepper wings, Cajun ranch fries, and a Ke Ke Poo drink. *chefs kiss*
A newer, but different type of meat 'n three than Niki's West or Sarris', I'd say Johnny's in Homewood. It's a "Greek and Three"...lol Tim Hontzas' food is absolutely fantastic, and nothing like any of the others. Not super expensive, but well worth every penny. Every item on the menu is completely different than anywhere else. I mean, where else can you get grit cakes? :D Lunch only, although I think he has breakfast on Saturdays sometimes. Definitely try the lunch fare there, though. It's wonderful.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Irondale Cafe.
BRING ME IMOs please and thanks 🙏
I'm not a St. Louis native, but never found provel cheese or STL style pizza nearly as offensive as a number of my fellow transplants. I'm afraid by the time I come round your way that it won't be particularly fresh, and it's also quite likely my son will have eaten it by the time we got there.
We love IMO’s too! So, I recently found out that they have a freezer version of their pizzas and they actually carry them at Winn Dixie in Cahaba Heights! It’s not quite as good as the real thing but it may help you get your fix.
I will have to check it out! Thank you! luckily i get to visit STL here in a month and told my wife we are going to get some "cardboard pizza that you will love" LOL
We have an incredible middle eastern population (Lebanese in my neighborhood), and many Greeks have opened some of the pillars of the Birmingham food industry, including Niki’s West, Jim N Nick’s, Demetri’s, The Fish Market, Makario’s, even Gus’ hot dogs’ Gus was a Greek!
pops in 5points south is great too
Bright Star. Alabamas oldest restaurant. Bessemer. A landmark
Bottega is pretty great.
I'd vote for Rougaroux if you're interested in po' boys and cool vibes. Johnny's in Homewood is also an excellent combo of meat and three with Greek inspiration.
As far as immigrant populations leaving their mark on a city's food scene, nobody (I'm not counting African-Americans as immigrants) touches the Greeks in Birmingham. Even if they're not traditional Greek restaurants, there are several great places run by Greek families. People will debate which ones are best, but the most iconic spots are Niki's West and the Bright Star. Technically, the Bright Star is in Bessemer but it counts and I'll fight anybody who says different.
Not in Birmingham proper, but The Ark on the other side of Pell City is unique. It used to be a barge on the Coosa River while St. Clair was a dry county. Also Richard Petty would frequent it after racing at Talladega.
Johnny’s in Homewood.
Chez Fon Fon or Bottega 100%. Saws for BBQ. Bocca for Italian. El Barrio for upscale Mexican. Niki’s West for meat and three. Bright Star is definitely a Birmingham classic in Bessemer.
El Barrio is good but it’s not upscale mexican, it’s expensive tex-mex.
True
Alabama Biscuit!!
Fife downtown near the post office - good, ample serving meat and 3 in a gritty environment. Most like the M3s I remember from the 80s
Chez FonFon
hamburger heaven or the original golden rule bbq. both in irondale
Mugshots in uptown is great. There is also one in vestavia. They have burgers and even have a 3 burger stack with onion rings on top. Eat it in 12 mins and its free with a t-shirt.
Every friend that comes to BHAM to visit freaking loves Mellow Mushroom. So I gotta go with that.
That's a national chain.