Lunch in Birmingham AL

[SCgal]

Passing thru on a road trip near 20 and 65 Hwys. and looking for a good place for a casual lunch. Preferably local place-no chains. Thanks Birmingham!

[birninghamsbestlunch]

I love local and especially family run resturants. I started a blog about my favorites in Birmingham. The blog is Birminghams Best Lunch. I try to list meals I really like not just the resturant.

My very favorite hamburer is at Sammy's Sandwich Shop ( be sure to get the right Sammy's) - Hot Dogs is a longer list, there are many, Tacos I like Camp Taco - cool new food its Urban Cookhouse - odd sandwich's Momma Goldberg (small chain) - for Philly Cheese go to Gus's in Crestline - Bar Food, Otey's in Crestline (blackened chicken sandwich rocks) - Chinese Takeout - Chop Suey Inn - Deli - Chappy's unless you want a Ruben then its Max's.

If you want to read more try birminghamsbestlunch.com

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Chop Suey Inn
813 Green Springs Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35209

Sammy's Sandwich Shop
4921 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35212

[Big Daddy]

Sorry, BBL, but I don't agree on several of your best lunches, especially Chop Suey Inn and Chappy's, and in my opinion there are many better taco places than Camp Taco(although I realize I'll get a fierce argument on that one).
Even if I disagree, however, I do look forward to checking out your blog.

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Chop Suey Inn
813 Green Springs Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35209

[Littleman]

Get off I 20 around Exit 125 and go S to 1st Avenue. Turn N on 21st Street to John's for good comfort food for lunch or dinner. Closed on Sunday.

John's City Diner @ 112 21st Street North, Birmingham, AL 205 - 322 - 6014.
http://www.johnscitydiner.com/

[SCgal]

Thanks! It looks great.

[Jannae]

We haven't been to Johns City Diner, but used to go to John's a few times a year. Do they still have the cornbread sticks to go with the cole-slaw (which I see is now a side dish?) And what about the sweet rolls?

[deepfriedkudzu]

I quit going to John's when they stopped being classic, old-line Birmingham and had their renovation...what, six or seven years ago now? It was such a big change that I think it put a lot of people off, me included. If I'm remembering correctly, their outpost in Trussville closed just this year. I tried it once. Eh.

If you look at the entrees on John's menu now (http://www.johnscitydiner.com/menu.pdf) it's so jumbled:
chicken & waffles
mojo tacos
meatloaf
crispy duck
...but to be honest they have 'diner' in their name so I realize they're trying to find a good mix. I just remember when they were like some sort of downtown cousin to the Bright Star. Good Greek food. Lots of fish. Those fabulous old blue/turquoise booths. Waiters who had literally been there for decades.

Jannae, I think they are still doing the cornpones and sweet rolls but can't be certain.

I would not, though, suggest John's for an out-of-towner looking for one lunch in Birmingham.

SCgal, casual no-chain lunch is easy to come up with -- would you like to be a little more specific? Are you looking for meat & three? Barbecue? There are a couple of places not too far off the interstate and you could eat at a Frank Stitt restaurant for lunch in a casual setting for not too much more money than anything else...

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Bright Star Restaurant
304 19th St N, Bessemer, AL 35020

[haileyjm]

I am looking for the same thing. I am bringing a group to Birmingham in the Spring and want a non-chain restaurant. Suggestions please for groups? Thanks!

[Littleman]

What part of town. I love Highland's Bar and Grill.

[sheilal]

I don't think Highland's is currently serving lunch. Chez FonFon and Bottego Cafe are the only Stitt places that serves lunch.

[mwr0978]

Urban Cookhouse
Brick and Tin
Trattoria Centrale
Chez Fon Fon
Bottege Cafe
26
these are all located a matter of mins from the I-65 I-20 interchange and all have websites w/ menus.

[mwr0978]

Oh, and for a more upscale type lunch Cafe Dupont is a great option!