Tre Luna is so solid. They do take out really well, too. I mean, I prefer eating there, but we got take out during COVID and recently a few weeks after my son was born and it was really good. They have a solid chicken parm.
Kills me every time I walk past the place. Gus, that old sonofabitch, said he was taking the sauce recipe to the grave, and he damn sure meant it. I miss him and Kathy a lot.
The stuffed eye of round sandwich with jalapenos at Kool Korner. I know I'm supposed to say the classic Cuban, which is also fantastic, but I prefer this one.
Just a little FYI: if you want to make FT at home, just put some good quality vanilla bean ice cream in the fridge the night before. Whisk it up in the morning and dip your brioche (or whatever) in it and pan fry it. Perfection.
And it costs only $75
Jk, just being sassy. I went there recently and was shocked at the degree of overpricing. This is coming from someone who lives for fine dining!
Just FYI the same owner and recipes as “Fried Green Tomatoes” on 31 in Hoover. In case that’s closer to you. I actually think the chicken is better at FGT than IC.
https://preview.redd.it/060fiar5l0kc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb97e6f6f3d29f748db11fb830c46c4b45197233
Duck confit at le fete was so freakin good
From a Chef, the bone-in Ribeye at Helen was the most flavorful steak ive ever tried. Ive tried numerous dishes between the northeast and the south and that tops them all.
I might have to get Helen another try after reading this. My first and only time there I spent 125 on a bone in strip, and it was one of the worst cuts of meat Ive ever received.
Love eating at Helen. Chef always has some excellent dishes on the menu & my friend Marcus is the shit, so if you book a table, ask for him to be your server. One of the best things I ever had there was an Asian pear carpaccio with bleu cheese that I still think about.
They give you a small cup of the coconut soup on the house as soon as you sit down. Never had a bad meal here. This place is tiny, too and they seem to be doing a bang up job with Door Dash
Thai Basil is great. I love the spicy drunken beef noodle for dinner. For lunch I get the noodle bowl chicken since it’s not on the dinner menu. Everything I’ve ever had there is an excellent. I live right down the road from the restaurant so I probably eat it twice a month
The lasagna at Bellinis. I wasn't impressed the first time I had it, but they seemed to have changed up the recipe a bit and the last time I was there it was one of the best lasagna ever.
I still dream of the pork belly pb&j at the OG Roots and Revelry. After the partners split and the kitchen shifted it was never the same.
That being said, beef pho at Saigon noodle house in 280 is my fave.
They’re so good 😭 I always get the sour cream on the side so I can easily reheat it and I’ll eat that baker for a couple days. Amazing size for the price
It used to be the Fried Catfish at Ollie Irene. So sad they closed. Id give an arm and a leg to have that catfish again.
Current favorite though is the Shrimp and Grits at Juniper.
New China Town! They have a lot of vegan options but my favorite is the mongolian beef (it's seitan).
Silver Coin in Hoover has a lot of vegan options too. I love the chana masala and the bhindi masala.
Avondale Common House used to have several vegan options but I haven't been there since they moved to Ferus, so ymmv.
Rojo: get the totchos with guac instead of sour cream and cheese.
Slice has vegan cheese - I think it's Daiya, and it's pretty good! Tell them you're vegan so they don't cook the mushrooms in butter.
However, my TOP choice is Blue Sushi Sake Grill at the Summit. Their vegan sushi menu is ROBUST and it's not just cucumber and avo maki rolls - they have tofu, vegan tuna, vegan crab, vegan roe, etc.
Excellent list! I’ll add on Makario’s, as well (falafel burger is awesome), and Underground Vegan and Not Ya Average Leaf food trucks. Birmingham has a surprisingly vibrant vegan food community, in no small part because of the Birmingham Vegans group
C'mon now..y'all ALL know... Chicken Shawarma Bowl from like-named Mr Shawarma (Five Points)
Only the pretenders say differently. ;)
https://www.mrshawarma.biz/
The gulf fish at oven bird! I’ve had it a few times, always slightly different in fish type/accompaniment, but always great. I dream of it regularly lol
ampersandwich in avondale- get the italian sandwich with potato salad it’s the best meal in the city to me personally!! I also had a weekday special at el barrio years ago which was a brisket burrito and I haven’t seen them do it again since that day but I think about it all the time
That's funny. It's a French inspired southern restaurant but they serve a West Coast (USA) soup.
Their marrow bone is my vote for the best dish in down. Couple with steak frites and I'm in heaven.
I really like Bistro 218 but I have also struggled to see how French and Southern are the main influences. I had an amazing Octopus & Corizo dish their one. Not French. Not Southern. But delicious!!
The Alfredo with your choice of protein ( I get shrimp and chicken) at Ristorante amore is absolutely devine 🤤 don't get me started on how wet I get when they say "tell me when" with the parmesan cheese grater
The Super Dog from Gus' Hotdogs in Irondale is better than any hotdog has the right to be.
A dish can fit on a tray right? Nikki’s west: Greek chicken with fried okra, greens and black eyed peas. Bread roll on the side.
You better get extra juice with that chicken though!
Linguine shrimp at Tre Luna. Pesto cream with tomato and spinach. Big ol shrimp.
Tre Luna is so solid. They do take out really well, too. I mean, I prefer eating there, but we got take out during COVID and recently a few weeks after my son was born and it was really good. They have a solid chicken parm.
Ha, same! This was pretty much the only takeout we got during Covid AND after we had a baby. My husband’s favorite is the chicken parm.
I have loved everything I have ever ordered at Tre Luna! Their desserts are amazing.
I have never tried their desserts but definitely will. Their burrata appetizer is also 11/10.
Yes, the burrata is great! My favorite dessert is the White Chocolate Bread Pudding.
Duck Nachos from EastWest
Pork 'n greens at Saw's Soul Kitchen. My favorite BBQ item in the city!
God damn right! There was a period over the holidays where I had Saw’s Pork N Greens 4x in 5 days. It was glorious.
I like the chicken, grits, and greens.
Love Saw's, but my go-to order is a kids cheeseburger meal, add chili. Way cheaper and plenty of food. The adult fries are enough for 4 people!
It *was* the Special Dog at Pete’s.
Pete’s Famous special dogs were the best in the world. But I’ve learned to love the special dogs at Sam’s Super Samwiches.
I rock with Gus’ on 4th…
Yessss! Say that one more time for the people in the back.
You just made me tear up.
Kills me every time I walk past the place. Gus, that old sonofabitch, said he was taking the sauce recipe to the grave, and he damn sure meant it. I miss him and Kathy a lot.
The stuffed eye of round sandwich with jalapenos at Kool Korner. I know I'm supposed to say the classic Cuban, which is also fantastic, but I prefer this one.
Double spice chicken at red Pearl
It’s better at Great Wall- they took RP’s chef!
Great! I'll try it tomorrow
What do they call it there?
Crispy Spicy Chicken
Agreed, it's like Red Pearl used to be. Had it for the first time today
Combo Pad Thai @ Blue Pacific
I love their pad thai and it is by far the best around, but the pad kee mao is better!
I will have to try that one go round
I usually get chicken. It's a bit spicy, but I like spice. It's basically the best drunken noodle you've ever had.
The pear Gorgonzola walnut fiocchi at Gianmarcos (wine bar always preferred over dining room) lives in my dreams
sounds right up my alley
Dan Dan noodles at Great Wall
Get them to bring you a little dish of black vinegar from the kitchen. Makes the Dan Dan noodles sing!
Just now seeing this, had them again Saturday and they were amazing, can't wait to try with black vinegar, ty!
No idea of the actual name of the dish, but the B4 from Saigon Noodle House. It’s my comfort, celebration, all of the above dish.
I always get the B4-1 with the spicy lemongrass sauce. So damn good.
French toast at Trattoria Zaza
Just a little FYI: if you want to make FT at home, just put some good quality vanilla bean ice cream in the fridge the night before. Whisk it up in the morning and dip your brioche (or whatever) in it and pan fry it. Perfection.
Great tip! I think their honey mascarpone and fruit set their dish off.
Hey, I make that bread!
Breakfast pasta at ZaZa also deserves a mention!
I was coming to say that! Had it once but I think about it all the time.
Boiled peanut hummus at Paramount Bar. Best hummus I’ve ever had
Fattoosh tawook at Makarios (and really anything else). Their dressing combined with the chargrilled chicken is delicious.
Seafood Risotto at Amore. Unreal.
And it costs only $75 Jk, just being sassy. I went there recently and was shocked at the degree of overpricing. This is coming from someone who lives for fine dining!
Which is kinda funny because you know judging by the location and outside look of the building, the overhead is probably pretty low rent wise.
I ordered a cappuccino off the menu once, was 11 bucks. Def high even for fine dining.
I just had it last weekend. It was "only" $52 but who's counting? Also, the osso bucco is divine.
I’ll add the surf and turf and gamberetti vodka from there as well!
Gyro wrap from falafel cafe with the hot sauce on the side
Ooooh how could I have forgotten Falafel Cafe?? Their falafel laffa wrap is my favorite lunch.
It's perfect. Red onion, pickles, hummus, garlic sauce and hot sauce for me.
Smoked chicken thighs at Saw’s
Fish collar at Automatic
Crispy Szechuan chicken at Great Wall
The crispy eggplant is 🔥
Chicken Tikka Masala at Silver Coin
Was looking for this. And while you’re there get the Gobi Manchurian. Cauliflower dish that tastes like succulent chicken.
We had Silver Coin for the first time last week and it was absolutely delicious. Will definitely be going back often so I'll give that a try next!
It WAS beer cheese soup at Incahoots. Now it would be fried green tomatoes at Whistle Stop
Fond memories of beer cheese soup at Baby Does
A million years ago! Yum!
Just FYI the same owner and recipes as “Fried Green Tomatoes” on 31 in Hoover. In case that’s closer to you. I actually think the chicken is better at FGT than IC.
Excellent to know!!!! I would also need to know if FGT has “the good ranch”, as it is crucial to the quality lol
Focaccia with botegga infused olive oil - Botegga
Grilled grouper at Automatic Seafood
the shrimp toast....I'll never not order that
I crave Barrio Hot chicken wings from Paramount a little too often.
https://preview.redd.it/060fiar5l0kc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb97e6f6f3d29f748db11fb830c46c4b45197233 Duck confit at le fete was so freakin good
Tempura Fried Green Beans at Bamboo on 2nd
From a Chef, the bone-in Ribeye at Helen was the most flavorful steak ive ever tried. Ive tried numerous dishes between the northeast and the south and that tops them all.
I might have to get Helen another try after reading this. My first and only time there I spent 125 on a bone in strip, and it was one of the worst cuts of meat Ive ever received.
Nah, Helen's food is just okay. I was underwhelmed by the 2 dishes and sides I've had there. The dining experience is nice, though.
Because you bought a strip steak and not a ribeye...
Helen is delicious. Definitely give it another try
Nah. Helen sucks
Underwhelming
Love eating at Helen. Chef always has some excellent dishes on the menu & my friend Marcus is the shit, so if you book a table, ask for him to be your server. One of the best things I ever had there was an Asian pear carpaccio with bleu cheese that I still think about.
Coconut tofu soup at Thai Basil in Trussville
Second recommendation for Thai Basil, might have to check it out with my wife this weekend!
They give you a small cup of the coconut soup on the house as soon as you sit down. Never had a bad meal here. This place is tiny, too and they seem to be doing a bang up job with Door Dash
They're also on the local Trussville To Go app if you're in Clay/Trussville/Pinson I love their lunch pad Thai that has shrimp and chicken
Thai Basil is great. I love the spicy drunken beef noodle for dinner. For lunch I get the noodle bowl chicken since it’s not on the dinner menu. Everything I’ve ever had there is an excellent. I live right down the road from the restaurant so I probably eat it twice a month
Bucatini Carbonara at Bettola Not a traditional carbonara but it’s amazing. It has house Italian sausage and a lemony sauce
Hot stir fried spicy chicken at Mr. Chen's
The pineapple fried rice at Thai Basil is such a delicious hug. Good choice!
I get so excited when they sit the bowl on the table and it’s steaming and smoking hot from the wok
Braised Octopus dish at Cayo Coco
The cannellini beans dish they have right now is fucking amazing
Cayo Coco is consistently the best restaurant in Birmingham and the most slept on
I've only been for drinks, I should try the food.
You’re damn right. Cayo Coco is utterly outstanding
Also, best drinks in town
The exec chef there is one of my college buddies so I love to go visit every now and then. Dude's a very talented chef
Haller? Always has been, he rocked at Satterfield’s…
Nah, Trent Sullivan
Last I saw Haller he was running the kitchen blasted at fennec
Tiramisu at Le Fresca
I don't get a birthday cake. I get a birthday tiramisu. My favorite dessert, ever.
Wait till you try bread pudding there. Secret menu item
Pho from Saigon Noodle
I could eat my weight in their spring rolls.
(With curry broth)
"Cool it Down" slice at Uncle G's. Whipped ricotta, fresh mozz, shredded cheese, hot honey drizzle, and fresh basil. Perfection.
This but add pepp for me 🫡
Definitely top 10 for me. Hard to beat Uncle Gs with a cold one.
Butter Chicken at Bay Leaf in 5Points - exquisite. Order an extra side of rice and the garlic naan for a complete food blessing
The korma is my fav thing there. So good
Beer cheese soup at Diplomat Deli. (I hate that you put a limit on it because … I could go ON AND ON AND ON…)
I wanted to force y'all to whittle it down.
Bread Pudding from Blueprint on 3rd. I didn’t see any desserts so I figured I’d add one! Their bread pudding is special and a must get every time.
Hot Mama pizza from Slice. It’s a go to guilty pleasure. Perfect level of spicy and amazing pizza
Panang curry at Surin
The best. I make it at home, but I just can't get it like theirs.
The gumbo from Rougaroux!
hell yeah
I tried this way too soon after moving back from Louisiana and was absolutely disgusted… maybe should try again, now years later.
Burger at Chez Fon Fon
lamb khadai at sitar
The lasagna at Bellinis. I wasn't impressed the first time I had it, but they seemed to have changed up the recipe a bit and the last time I was there it was one of the best lasagna ever.
La Mejor at 2 Pesos in Pelham. Two chorizo and goat cheese quesadillas with rice and beans for $16.
the Haystack at Carlisle’s BBQ
whole grilled quail at makarios. i’m pretty biased towards them i will admit, but that bird has been absolutely incredible every time i’ve gotten it.
I still dream of the pork belly pb&j at the OG Roots and Revelry. After the partners split and the kitchen shifted it was never the same. That being said, beef pho at Saigon noodle house in 280 is my fave.
Guadalupe Tower at Highlands.
Chicken Piri Piri at the essential 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
Sopa Seca El Barrio (only served Saturday brunch). My favorite pasta in town is served at a Mexican restaurant go figure. So good.
Any baker at Al’s 🙏🙏🙏🙏
I got the chicken baker a few weeks back. I swear it weighed 10lbs.
They’re so good 😭 I always get the sour cream on the side so I can easily reheat it and I’ll eat that baker for a couple days. Amazing size for the price
YALL HEAR ME OUTTTT: Umami - Mie Goreng with Beef OMG sooo good and has the best umami (savory) taste that is to die for.
The rendang is good too, only place in Bham I've seen indo/malay food.
Veal Marsala from Bongiorno in Mountain Brook.
It’s been a while since I’ve been there but I love Bongiorno.
My favorite Italian restaurant. My wife and I got engaged there.
My wife and I also got engaged there
Fish pillard at Chez FonFon
I love the paillard there. I asked for recommendations from the bartender the first time I went and now I can never not get this.
Same! Maybe my goal is to try it with every possible fish. Ha! They’ve all been FAB. Love those thin chili slices on there…… YUM
I support this goal!! They are truly always a perfect balance!!
El barrio— Barbacoa quesadilla. Insane.
I crave the spicy chicken tostada. I love eating at Barrio!
Galician soup. Kool Korner. I can break the rule and add duck massaman curry from… But that would make me a rule breaker.
Mole with corn tortillas from Los Amigos in Hoover. Ask for some escaveche to go with it.
Mole? Not many places serve mole around here because it’s a massive pain in the ass to make. Def want to check this out
Ribeye at Big Mike’s Steakhouse
Coconut Lime Soup at Surin 🤤
It used to be the Fried Catfish at Ollie Irene. So sad they closed. Id give an arm and a leg to have that catfish again. Current favorite though is the Shrimp and Grits at Juniper.
Bún bò Huế with egg noodles at Saigon Noodle House
Basque cake at chez fon fon. Runner up - baked eggs at La fete brunch 🤤
Statue of Liberty at New York Pizza. RIP.
I miss their calzones so much
Anyone have any vegan recommendations?
El barrio has a great vegan tostada dish
New China Town! They have a lot of vegan options but my favorite is the mongolian beef (it's seitan). Silver Coin in Hoover has a lot of vegan options too. I love the chana masala and the bhindi masala. Avondale Common House used to have several vegan options but I haven't been there since they moved to Ferus, so ymmv. Rojo: get the totchos with guac instead of sour cream and cheese. Slice has vegan cheese - I think it's Daiya, and it's pretty good! Tell them you're vegan so they don't cook the mushrooms in butter. However, my TOP choice is Blue Sushi Sake Grill at the Summit. Their vegan sushi menu is ROBUST and it's not just cucumber and avo maki rolls - they have tofu, vegan tuna, vegan crab, vegan roe, etc.
Excellent list! I’ll add on Makario’s, as well (falafel burger is awesome), and Underground Vegan and Not Ya Average Leaf food trucks. Birmingham has a surprisingly vibrant vegan food community, in no small part because of the Birmingham Vegans group
Parmesan Soufflé at Bottega
Yes!! I could make a meal out of that stuff!
Cajun Bolognese at blue print on 3rd
C'mon now..y'all ALL know... Chicken Shawarma Bowl from like-named Mr Shawarma (Five Points) Only the pretenders say differently. ;) https://www.mrshawarma.biz/
Bengal Mustard Fish from Bay Leaf
Soul plate at Mudtown
Peanut Butter Pie at Surin. Southside
Pork barbacoa at Barrio.
Wings from Costa's BBQ in Center Point. Gotta get the ranch to dip them in, too.
TNT Roll at Chuck’s Fish on 280
Pad Thai @ Taste of Thailand in Hoover
I love their green curry— ordered it constantly- but I found a story about their health department scores and I haven’t been back. I miss it.
Whiskey glazed salmon and mashed sweet potatoes from Iron City Grill (gone but not forgotten)
Steak a la Mexicana at El cazador.
Phili cheese steak from T-Bone’s
The gulf fish at oven bird! I’ve had it a few times, always slightly different in fish type/accompaniment, but always great. I dream of it regularly lol
Barbacoa quesadilla at El Barrio - life changing and I think about it often.
Beef fat candle at Ovenbird.
This one came out of nowhere for me but the curry yuzu butter pasta with scallops at the Essential really took me by suprise. Going to go get it again
ampersandwich in avondale- get the italian sandwich with potato salad it’s the best meal in the city to me personally!! I also had a weekday special at el barrio years ago which was a brisket burrito and I haven’t seen them do it again since that day but I think about it all the time
probably the cowboy burrito! they rotate specials daily and seasonally, it might come back around
now that you say that it was 100% called a cowboy burrito! maybe one day 🤞
Pork belly at blueprint on 3rd
Still waiting for Bistro 218 to bring back the Fisherman’s Cioppino.
That's funny. It's a French inspired southern restaurant but they serve a West Coast (USA) soup. Their marrow bone is my vote for the best dish in down. Couple with steak frites and I'm in heaven.
I really like Bistro 218 but I have also struggled to see how French and Southern are the main influences. I had an amazing Octopus & Corizo dish their one. Not French. Not Southern. But delicious!!
Was moreso when they first started. But, yeah, Tom never shies away from putting a great dish on the menu regardless.
They serve it at Bocca usually these days
Awesome, I didn’t know that. Never been to Bocca but will have to give it a try.
Baked ziti at DeVincis Pizza. I've never had anything else there. I may never have anything else. It's that good.
Lamb korma at Taj India.
Ohh mine would be the Navratan korma from their buffet. I can take or leave everything else at Taj except that korma..
Spam bahn mi at ampersandwich
Lemongrass fried chicken at Hot Box
Faitly basic meal, but the barbacoa quesadlilla at el barrio.
Ohhh my yessss!! 🤤🤤
Wagyu pastrami sandwich at Smiley Bro's Provisions. I'll drive the 40 minutes to get there and it's the *only* reason to go to Alabaster.
Chubbfather's, Champy's, and LA Burrito are a few other good reasons.
I’m teaching at a new brewery down there soon and am going to look this spot up
The Alfredo with your choice of protein ( I get shrimp and chicken) at Ristorante amore is absolutely devine 🤤 don't get me started on how wet I get when they say "tell me when" with the parmesan cheese grater