Central Alabama

Next week, I will be flying in and out of Birmingham and will spend several days running around central Alabama.  For 100% sure, Niki's West, Bogue's, Bob Sykes BBQ and Pete's Famous Hot Dogs will be on the agenda. 
 
I have a list of some other places I am considering.  Anyone have opinions of the following:
 
Capers Comfort Foods in Alabaster
Toomer's Drug in Auburn
Bright Star in Bessemer
Courtney's in Birmingham
Eagles Restaurant in Birmingham
Full Moon BBQ in Birmingham
Green Acres Cafe in Birmingham
Harry's Place in Birmingham
Wright's Dairy in Birmingham
Miss Myra's Pit BBQ in Cahaba Heights
Green Top Cafe & BBQ in Dora
Porky's Pride BBQ in Fultondale
Demitri's BBQ in Homewood
Milo's Hamburgers in Homewood
Heart of the South Tea Room in Lanett
Ma Reatha's in Midfield 
Hamburger King in Montgomery
Martha's Place in Montgomery
City Cafe in Northport
Chuck's BBQ in Opelika
13th Street BBQ in Phenix City
 
and Burt's Butcher Shop & Eatery in Columbus, GA 
 
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated as would suggestions for places I don't have on my list!  I am mostly looking for places in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Montgomery, Phenix City and anywhere in between.  Thanks for your help!
 
One more thing.....  Does anyone know if Fuller's Char House in Waugh is still in business? 

Buffetbuster

If you haven't been, a stop at the original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa is in order.

I can tell you NOT to go to the Irondale Cafe, unless you like lukewarm, greasy food.

I enjoyed this place when I visited 4 1/2 years ago.

http://www.birminghammenus.com/thefishmarket/

WJ-
I have been to the Dreamland in Tuscaloosa (loved it) and Mobile (not so much).  There is also one in Birmingham, so that is a possibility.  Visited Irondale Cafe about a decade ago and while my experience was better than yours, it wasn't good enough to warrant a repeat visit.

Should I be shocked that our WJ suggested a seafood restaurant so far away from the Gulf?  I know, it is Greek owned.  Wasn't able to bring the menu up.  Do they have West Indies Salad?  If so, it sounds like it would be worth the visit.  If not, I will probably go ahead with my plans for the Hot & Hot Fish Club.

BB

I have a feeling if you go to the Birmingham location of Dreamland your experiences probably won't be any different than the Mobile location. I understand the original location is the only one that's worthy.

The Fish Market might surprise you, not only did they have West Indies Salad, it was there that I actually first experienced it . If you decide to try other seafood, I suggest the grilled versus fried.

WJ-
Well, I sure do love me some West Indies Salad, so that is an excellent tip.  Thanks!

I stopped in at Green Top BBQ in Dora last year.  Good stuff.  The folks were real nice...I asked for extra bark, and they give me lots of it in my bbq order.  I don't care much for bbq sauce in general, but thiers was pretty good.
 
My favorite meal overall during my 3 day stay in the B-ham area was my breakfast at the Cedar Post in Centerpoint, about 10 miles NE of B-ham.  Great southern breakfast.

I'd say try Archibald's BBQ in Northport and see if that doesn't become your go-to BBQ in the Tuscaloosa area.It has for me.
                     Archibald's BBQ
                     1211 M.L.K. Blvd.
                     Northport,AL
                     (205) 345-6861

BB, have fun in Tuscaloosa!  I love visiting my aunt and uncle there, so say "hey"!

I haven't been to City Cafe, but there are good reviews online and my uncle and aunt love it.  Call ahead and check for hours; when I was visiting my relatives back in March, we had great intentions of eating there only to find it was the UA spring break...and they were on spring break, too!  Looks like they do the good old "meat and three."  Nice shopping in Northport, where City Cafe is located; if you have time, check out the hardware store across the street from the cafe!  Everything you didn't realize you needed to fix just about anything.

Another possibility is Buddy's Ribs and Steaks, also with a Northport address, 2701 Lurleen B Wallace Blvd (what a great name for a boulevard!)  Our big Southern group of hungry relatives wound up there after we saw that City Cafe was closed.  Just a great Roadfood place with very good burgers and REAL fries (by that, I mean the actual hand-cut ones from fresh potatoes.)  I don't think this Buddy is any relation to BuddyRoadhouse, but I can tell you the scent of the enclosed barbecue cooker outside was incredibly tempting!

Actually, Central AL gets good fresh Seafood. They're only a couple hours North of the Gulf

buffetbuster


WJ-
Well, I sure do love me some West Indies Salad, so that is an excellent tip.  Thanks!

This is from their menu:
 
West Indies salad                                   $10.49
Fresh lump crabmeat and bits of onion marinated
in apple-cider vinegar, select spices and light salad oil

Any Omelet House.

Dinglewood Pharmacy in Columbus,Ga. Home of the scrambled dog.

Well good heavens!  Give me a call and I'll meet you at just about any of those places!  I am in Bham and often in Montgomery.  Of course, Niki's is always good.  I like Demitri's too, but I know of a little-known gem that has much better bbq than many places......esp the others of the same name in the same chain....that is the Golden Rule in Hoover - nope not the original in Irondale.  The Hoover location is better.  Has been there forever AND it's located next to a doughnut place!  How convenient!  The Bright Star is a bit pricy but very tasty.  Their PIES are outstanding.  It's an institution, really, so try to go.  Save your burger cravings for Montgomery's Hamburger King - the best burger anywhere but not open on weekends.  And as long as you are around the Montgomery-Auburn area, why not stop at the Hotel Talisi in Tallassee, AL halfway between - Sunday buffet is good.  For the best catfish in Bham, Lloyd's is the place.  They have good PIE too!  As well as bbq and many other delights.  Really, your list is a great one.....try to go to as many as you can!  And seriously, I will meet you if you'd like a roodfood dining companion during your Alabama adventure.

Lots of really good responses.  Thank you!
 
planojim-
I appreciate the response about Green Top BBQ and will move that to the top of the list.  And since I will most likely be staying north of the city in Fultondale, Cedar Post looks real convenient.
 
mudbug-
I visited Archibald's on my last visit to the area in 2007 and really enjoyed it.  But I will most likely want to try as many new places as I can, so I probably won't make it back this trip.
 
mrclean-
Dinglewood Pharmacy is on my radar and if I do make it as far east as Columbus, GA, the scrambled dog will be mine.  Sure sounds like an interesting dish and rather unique.
 
zeebaneighba-
Thanks for the response about City Cafe.  I have also read some really good things and if your uncle and aunt love it, that has to be a good sign.  I sure hope I can fit it in!
 
will_work_for_bbq-
I would very much enjoy meeting you for a meal.  Thanks for the offer.  Lots of great info in your response and you know how to catch my eye with mentioning that Bright Star has great pies.  That just might become a must eat!  Let me figure out what my itinerary will be and I will send you a private message and we can go from there.
 

Give me a shout when you know your plans.  I would be honored to meet and eat with one of my roadfood heroes!

will_work_4_bbq-
I sent you a private message this morning to set up a time and place. 
 
Looked at the menu for Bright Star and it looks like a great place.  Can't wait to try it!

There's another hot dog place downtown, not too far away from Pete's called Gus's Hot Dogs.  It's an easy 5 minute or so walk from Pete's, and I actually prefered it.
 
Pete's is still a must stop, but if you want a comparison, I'd stop at Gus's as well.
 
http://www.bhamdining.com/gus-hot-dogs/

I would like to second the Golden Rule in Hoover. They have very good BBQ. They have sliced and chopped pork but I prefer the sliced. Their sauce is great.
Also Bright Star is very good.
I would give Milo's a try for a local chain. It is a different taste because of their sauce and toasted bun. Good seasoned fries and they are known for their sweet tea, too.

Thanks for chiming in Lizzieslulu.  On my drive from Birmingham to Montgomery, should I stop in at Durbin Farms Market in Clanton for some peach pie?
 
planojim-
Looks like I am doing a hot dog doubleheader.  Thanks! 

Durbin Farms is a great place although I haven't been over there in a while. I heard that they added to their menu with new soups and sandwiches. But the peach pie and peach ice cream are a treat.

I also forgot about Heaton Farms. If you are headed south on I-65, it is the exit before Durbin Farms. (Lake Mitchell Road)They are a pecan farm store. Great pecan pie, ice cream, and chicken salad.

I have to throw in a pitch here for Toomer's Drugs in Auburn. It's a little deli -- sandwiches and stuff -- but folks don't go there for the food. They go for the lemonade, which is sooooo yummy.

Plus, it's homecoming this weekend ... so you can have your legendary lemonade with thousands of others. :)

If you want to take in some college atmosphere in a postcard-perfect-beautiful Southern town, Toomer's in Auburn is for you.

I like Durbin's AND Peach Park - so many flavors of homemade ice cream to enjoy at Peach Park!  Try the blueberry or the coconut AND the peach!

jefoster-
Welcome to Roadfood and I'm glad you decided to dive on in!  If I do make it to Auburn (and I really want to hit the AU bookstore for some Tiger merchandise), Toomer's Drugs for one of those famous lemonades will be a must.  I have seen them talk about it on tv during so many football games.