birmingham, alabama for one day

[Ed]

Hello, I'm planning to be in birmingham for only one day. Since time is limited i wanted a idea of places to possible go. I am interested in southern food...more comfort food.

[winesmoke]

I just visited Birmingham, ate in town and out of town as well. Best BBQ in the B'ham area is Miss Myra's in Cahaba Heights; stay away from Bob Sykes in Bessemer and Dreamland franchise in B'ham. Don't get me wrong - I think the ribs at Dreamland in Tuscaloosa are the best I ever had (19 1/2 out of 20) and caused me to eat at the B'ham franchise a few days later and the ribs there were terrible. I heard of a place with Southern food called Nikki's - didn't get there though. Good luck. Winesmoke.

[ted]

Ditto on Miss Myra's. Kinda psyched to see someone else besides me recommending it.

Nikki's West (someone else can chime in on the original on 2nd Ave N) is on Finley near the farmer's market. It's a great, cafeteria-style meat + 3. I don't know whether they're open for dinner, mostly b/c I tend not to be out there at night when I'm in town.

[Scott]

Best Ribs in Alabama are at a little cement shack pit bbq in Northport, called Archibald's. Take it over any ribs i've ever had. Northport is just north of Tuscaloosa. It's off Martin Luther King St. behind a house and if you go too fast you miss it. Incredible, but you have to wait until they are done, or come back and pick up your order.

[emarch]

Archibald's are my favorite ribs in the state as well - the woman there remembers my dad from 30 years ago when he was in school at UA, to boot. Also, don't do Johnny Ray's for the bbq - pies, yes. Can't figure out why people recommend it so enthusiastically for the bbq - it tastes like most other bbq joints around here to me.

[ribman]

Best ribs in B'ham can be found at Full Moon. Best Que is at Golden Rule in Irondale. Sit at the counter an d let Bernice serve you. She has been working their 57 years.

[ribman]

Archibald's are the best ribs in America. I have eaten ribs all over the country and the ribs at Archibalds are second to none.

[Chuck]

Winesmoke...I found out the hard way that Dreamland in B'Ham was terrible, too! It's a franchise and the only thing the two places have in common is the name!

I knew we were in for it when I saw this kid literally throwing uncooked ribs directly on a fire (flames surging tiowards the sky) and cooking them within 20-25 minutes.

If there's a worse way to cook ribs, I don't know of one. They were the toughest ribs and the least flavorful I have ever had...And', I've ahd plenty of ribs. They are horrendous. But, their banana pudding is great!

Did you ever get to Johnny Ray's? Supposed to be good.

[KyMikey]

What don't you like about Bob Sykes ? And what about Johnny Ray's?

[winesmoke]

Had the rib/pork combo plate at Bob Sykes - with beans and slaw. Just didn't find anything distinctive or special in the food or the preparation. The pork was dry and flavorless. Couldn't get any smoke flavor in the ribs but they were moist and tender. Think they must come off that open pit too fast. The beans tasted like they were out of can - no character. With the other places available....just didn't think Sykes was worth a trip. Johnny Ray's was on the list to visit (I was reading mostly about their pies - not their que) so we decided to take road trips instead - to Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur (great), Johnny's in Cullman (very good, especially the fried catfish) and Green Top in Dora - disappointed because we couldn't get ribs there - they are Friday only....but pork was good. winesmoke.

[KyMikey]

OK--thanx. Haven't been to Johnny's yet--BBQ and catfish together--OOOhhhh, that would be a sublime meal. We definitely agree on Big Bob Gibson's-always swing by there when driving through AL. Those pies--Oh, Momma, they are to die for. Usually get more to go than I eat there ;-)
Next time it will be Miss Myra's and Big Bob Gibson's. Can't wait.

[kim777]

For BBQ, my vote is Full Moon (Downtown location ONLY!). This is also a throwback to an old southern restraunt, you literally look around and you wonder what year it really is. I live close by this place and although I never feel like dessert after eating a BBQ sandwich and some fries, I urge you to pick up a sleeve of their chocolate chip cookies which are half dipped in choclate - they are divine...better than any bakery around here, and I used to be a baker - so I am way picky. Also, my advice is to order your sandwich chopped and with extra chow chow - yum!

[JefferyHunt]

I'm not even going to get into the BBQ tangent argument going on here. But here are the places you must eat at on your trips to Birmngham. I have lived here all my life except for four years in Louisville for school. Here they are in no particular order

1. Muffaletta's in Bessemer (Italian/Creole/Comfort)
2. Becky's South in Southside or Stadium Grill in Bessemer (Cheese Burgers)- You decide.
3. Pete's Famous Hot Dogs in central downtown (Dogs, Special All the Way)
4. Moe's Original in central downtown (BBQ)
5. Bogue's off Clairmont (Comfort Food/Meat and 3/Breakfast)
6. Rojo (Latin/American)
7. Red Pearl Chinese Market on West Valley (Authentic Chinese food) Hard to find this place.
8. Mr. P's Dell in Bluff Park (Sandwiches)
9. Sol in Downtown (breakfast/lunch/Greek).

Ok I'll weigh in on the BBQ. I grew up with Johnny Ray's and still think its the most meat for you buck (Open Face Pork inside and out). However, I have since been swayed towards Moe's Original (Sandwich Box). Archibald's has best ribs.