Suggestions for Birmingham, AL

Leaving in a few minutes (sorry for the short notice) for the Birmingham, Al area & will be there a few days. If anyone has any suggestions on good Roadfood joints in the area, I would appreciate it.
 
Best............John

What a missed opportunity for me.  I lived there for 5 years and could put a great list together for you, but it sounds like you've already split.

MellowRoast


What a missed opportunity for me.  I lived there for 5 years and could put a great list together for you, but it sounds like you've already split.

Why don't you go ahead and post them, he may check the board later. His post was date stamped only 2 hours before yours. Besides, some of the rest of us might find value in your suggestions!

OK, let me put something together.

I know I'm forgetting some restaurants other locals will think of, but at least this is a start.  Also, I don't know what type food Relentless likes or dislikes.  But I'll tell you this.  Birmingham is LOADED with great places to eat if you just take the time to ask and explore.  I ga-ron-tee. 
 
Bogue’s (Breakfast, Plate Lunches)
3028 Clairmont Ave. S
Birmingham, AL 35205
205-254-9780
 
Mr. P’s Butcher Shop & Deli
813 Shades Crest Rd
Birmingham, AL 35226-1901
205-823-6136
 
Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q
3278 Cahaba Heights Rd
Vestavia, AL 35243-1653
205-967-6004
(Check out their white barbecue sauce; have the recipe if you want it.)
 
Gus’s Hot Dogs
1915 4th Ave N
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-251-4540
 
Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs (not Sneaky Pete’s)
1925 2nd Ave N
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-252-2905
 
Milo’s Hamburgers
5887 Trussville Crossing Parkway
Trussville, AL 35173
205-661-2100
Note: 16 locations (I still consider them Roadfood), but this is my favorite one, and it’s right off I-59 before you get to Birmingham.  The sauce is killer. I’ve been trying to duplicate it for 30 years, and still no luck. Help!
 
Demetri’s BBQ
1901 28th Ave S
Homewood, AL 35209-2682
205-871-1581
 
Bob Sykes Barbecue
1724 9th Ave N
Bessemer, AL 35020-3418
205-426-1400
 

Here is a trip report from last year, where I visited several of the places MellowRoast mentioned.
 
  http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=552436&high=bogue's

You're right on top of it, BuffetBuster.  The B'ham stops you mentioned are legendary.  In fact, I think Birmingham's food scene is one of the world's best kept secrets (and it's a GREAT hot dog town).  Just a few miles to the south, Durbin's is a MUST.  I could eat peach ice cream until it comes out my ears.

We just visited B'ham this weekend and sampled Saw's, Dreamcakes, Pete's and Kool Korner, which was probably the best meal of the day.  On earlier trips, we have also done (from MellowRoast's list) Milo's, Gus's and Miss Myra's, which is probably my favorite of all them.  You can read all our reports here:
http://marieletseat.blogs.../label/birmingham%20al

MellowRoast


You're right on top of it, BuffetBuster.  The B'ham stops you mentioned are legendary.  In fact, I think Birmingham's food scene is one of the world's best kept secrets (and it's a GREAT hot dog town).  Just a few miles to the south, Durbin's is a MUST.  I could eat peach ice cream until it comes out my ears.

Durbin Farms Peach Ice Cream is AWESOME!!!! THat is always a stop for me when I head to the southlands. (I-65 South to x 205)
 

Heartbreaksoup-
Thanks for the link to your blog.  It looks interesting and I'm going to enjoy perusing it.

Dang guys...wasn't expecting that much help I rode the bike down here with a couple of buds this morning. We are here for Barber Motorsports Vintage Festival for a couple of days...and I knew I could get some good advice on this board.
 
We were pretty whacked this evening at dinner time so just went up the street for a burger at Logan's Roadhouse. Have to say it was pretty decent. Will try and do better tomorrow! Thanks for the help.

Relentless: I totally endorse all of the Birmingham area suggestions on Buffetbuster's link.  Lots of great food in that city.  Good luck and have a safe, fun trip.

Here's an old report I wrote:
 
Best Fried Chicken-Best Fried Green Tomatoes.Birmingham Al I'm on the tail end of a three state Fried Chicken Wing eating frenzy and I'm circling through Northside Birmingham Alabama looking for the original Green Acres Cafe on 29th Ave North,the others are unaffiliated.
Riding through the old neighborhoods north of downtown proper I'm amazed at how beautiful Birmingham is.The houses are enormous 3-4000 sf Craftsman style homes built in the 1900-1925 range.The lawns are neatly manicured and towering American Hardwoods are everywhere.If I lived in Bham this would be my neighborhood.
I amble along until like magic Green Acres just sort of appears.It's changed considerably but is in the same location.A new brick facade provides the portal to the deliciousness I used to know and love.
Walking in everything is new and different.New walls,new tables and new chairs.I say a silent prayer that the Gratton Family is still in charge.YES.I spot a familiar face and then another.I'm in the right spot.
The joint is flat packed at 2 in the afternoon.Everybody's kicked back watching "Tougher than Leather"on the teevees and the sweet smell of frying chicken fills the air.I join the queue and a few minutes later here comes the chow.
I ate lunch at Princes Hot Chicken yesterday so my bar is REALLY high right now for fried chicken.
Green Acres does not disappoint.
The 5 wings appear with a side of hand cut fries and two discs of FRIED GREEN TOMATOES.They're not even on the menu and instead serve as a sort of fried lagniappe.
These are the best fried green tomatoes I've ever eaten.Ever.
The wings are beautiful.Golden hued,juicy but crisp on the outside.I requested them salt and pepper style and that is the only seasoning they have or need.
The crowd begins to clear out so I make my way to the jukebox,punch in some Whodini,Latimore,R Kelley and Earth Wind and Fire and rear back with an ice cold Miller Lite....yes,here comes the glow.The good food,the cold beer the friendly environment...it's all coming together for me once more in this old haven of goodness.I miss the $4 pitchers of Michelob from when Mr.Gratton himself ran the joint but I can't worry about that when Soulville Records and Tapes,the great old vinyl shop around the way is now a beauty supplies store!
The humanity.

Thanks, buffetbuster!
 
A reader suggested my blog would be easier to navigate if I rearranged the labels/tags somewhat, so that link above no longer works.  This one does:
http://marieletseat.blogs...abama%20-%20birmingham

MellowRoast


You're right on top of it, BuffetBuster.  The B'ham stops you mentioned are legendary.  In fact, I think Birmingham's food scene is one of the world's best kept secrets (and it's a GREAT hot dog town).  Just a few miles to the south, Durbin's is a MUST.  I could eat peach ice cream until it comes out my ears.

Durbin's in Clanton, AL- www.durbinfarms.com is more than a "few miles" South. Birmingham is 40 miles North of Clanton and Montgomery is 30 miles South on I-65. Been there many times on trips between Pensacola and Nashville. You're right about the Ice Cream. They're right in the Heart of a Major Peach Growing Region. Ate many peaches, corn on the cob and other veggies from there.
http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-central/best-peaches-in-alabama-00400000009614/ 

Certainly everyone has an opinion, but I’d say it's relative to which Birmingham neighborhood you start from.  From our perspective, Durbin Farms was just a few miles to the south.  We had a Birmingham address, though technically in Shelby County, and Clanton was the next county over (Chilton). We could hop I-65 for a quick trip to Clanton, enjoy our ice cream, and return in no time.  On the other hand, it has taken us longer to get to some of Birmingham's suburbs.