Birmingham by Kim
Traveler's Guide to
Birmingham, Alabama
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Birmingham by Kim |
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Birmingham has a lot of GREAT restaurants but unfortunately it lacks anything like a distinct culinary style that visitors would want to try when visiting (i.e. New Orleans: Cajun-Creole or San Antonio: Tex-Mex). The recommendations I make below are based on experiences I or my friends have had. I have tried to organize them by area and have limited the choices to either local restaurants/chains or small regional or national chains since you surely know what you will get if you eat at Chili's, Applebees, or Wendy's!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you make reservations since eating out is very popular in Birmingham and the waits can be long if you just show up. Also, I think the service in Birmingham's restaurants can be pretty bad sometimes, so if you get good service please tip generously and compliment the waitress to the restaurant manager. At the bottom of this page are restaurants where I or my friends have had bad service twice and will not return-- this ain't baseball!
City-wide you will find the following local restaurant chains that have a good reputation: the Purple Onion (open 24 hours), On Tap Sports Cafe (with 200 beers), and Sykes Bar-B-Que.
Downtown
More Info Coming Soon
Hoover/ Riverchase Area
Costa's Mediterranean Cafe- One of my favorite restaurant's in this area. Greek cuisine. Expect to spend about $10 to $15 per entree.Iguana Grill- Interesting Mexican place on Lorna Road. It is in a shopping center that caters to Birmingham's Hispanic community. To look at it from the outside you would think it is just a regular Mexican restaurant but when inside you realize that you are in for a treat. About $8 to $12 per adult entree.
Bonefish Grill- Great seafood restaurant! A small Florida based chain that started in 2000, this is one of my favorite restaurants in Birmingham. Expect to spend about $20 per entree.
Johnny Carino's Italian- a small national chain that is local favorite, it is like Olive Garden in selection and price but with a lot more food for the money. $12 to $20 per adult entree and with a children's menu.
Hwy 280 Collonade/ Summit Area
Superior Grill - One of the best Tex-Mex places in Birmingham. Their daily Happy Hour includes a complimentary Mexican buffet.P.F. Chang's - Upscale Asian restaurant located on the Summit. Outstanding food but a little pricy.
Bessemer/ Alabama Adventure Area
Santa Fe Cattle Company- Only 14 locations in 6 states so far. The food is great and the service is about the best in Birmingham but WHAT IS UP with throwing the peanut shells on the floor?! Total ticket equals about $15 to $20 per adultMuffaletta's Italian Cafe- a real dive that locals love! About five tables in the whole place and a tiny kitchen, but what a great little buffet! Under $10 per plate
Homewood/ Mountain Brook Area
Cocina Superior Grill - Modern Tex-Mex at its finest. A real treat! I love eating here! Located in the Colonial Brookwood Village shopping district.
Fultondale / Gardendale (NW) Area
More Info Coming Soon
Airport / EWTN (NE) Area Shopping - Zilch! Take my word for it! No restuarants in this area that really stand out.
Up the Creek Fish Camp and Grill (no I am not kidding- that is it's name) near the Galleria in Hoover
Golden Rule BarB-Que in Bessemer near Academy Drive.