Large Hamburger steak with onions and gravy, fries and slaw at the Creek Bank Rest. Wagerville Al,,,also bacon cheeseburger

+1 for Top O The River! But actually its Hwy 411/Rainbow Drive.

Interesting that you say this about the casino steak. Among the best steaks I've ever had were at casino hotels in Vegas. I guess they can afford to purchase and, possibly, hang/age good beef.

Excellent! Sounds great. As often as I've been up/down I-65 and stopped at Clanton I never knew of these. Definitely will have to try next time.

In Lincoln, there is a small BBQ place called Steve and Jan's BBQ. They have the best smoked chicken in the world. The trouble is that they are only open Fri and Sat. But they do catering any time, so we bring them in at work a lot. Its always a hit.

This one is not in Alabama, but close by in Trenton, GA. Randys Restaurant has all of the mom and pop country food and a buffet which is good. However, the real reason to go there is the big burgers. They have a 24oz the size of a dinner plate and a 48oz that comes out on a pizza pan. They make thier own sourdough buns fresh daily. you go eat that and it will make you want to go throw rocks at Burger King and all the other fast food burger places. Its also pretty cheap. The 24 oz is $12 or $15 with everything on it.

I doubt anybody goes this far off the beaten path to eat, but in between Hokes Bluff and Centre on hwy 71 is Beans & Greens. That is some good country food right there. They have another restaraunt in Alexandria, thats good, but not as good.

I think this one goes without saying, but Lambert's in Foley is another of my favorite places. I hurt everytime I leave that place. My favorite part of going to Gulf Shores.

Saws's BBQ in homewood has the best ribs you will ever eat. It is on Oxmoor Road.

saw's Juke Joint in Crestline is my favorite place by far to eat. Try the Fried Okra, Smoked Wings, Pork and Greens or just about anything on the menu.

big Mikes in Thomasville. Best steak I have had in years.

The original Ezell's in Lavaca. Fried Catfish and their slaw. Plus, now they serve beer.

Tacos de hermosa, taco truck on First avenue north one block north of Regions Field in Birmingham. The best authentic street tacos I have ever had in the U.S. $6 for 3 tacos. Chicken, beef, pork, marinas pork, cheriso, beef brain, beef tongue, tripe. They have it all.

Connects in Huntsville at bridge street center is very good. Steaks and sea food.

Love the bright star in Bessemer. Snapper Thoats.

Nicki's West is the best southern cooking cafeteria on the planet.

The red pearl Chinese in the back of the Aisian Supermarket on West Valley in Homewood is the best Chinese I have ever eaten. Never had the nerve to try the sautéed bullfrog.

I could seriously hurt myself at Niki's West. Last time I went I had to stop myself from saying "And a bowl of that, and those, and double up on that, and let me have some of those ..." because I would probably need three trays.


Nice toss-in on the Red Pearl in Homewood. Definitely will have to find that one next time I'm down and have time. I love good Chinese.

I don't have them at hand but got two recs for Thai in B'ham. One is on Valley Drive, I think, in a strip mall and the other is somewhere in Hoover or Vestavia (big areas, I know, but I don't recall. Will have to find my notes.)

Probably referring to Taste of Thailand in Hoover; it is good.

Chief Lee's in Autaugaville on 14 at the caution light . country cooking , like eating at mommy's just no fresh cat head biscuits . good cornbread though !

X2 on the Beans and Greens in Ballplay.

Heard good things about M & J in Oxford from reliable sources.

Jubilee Joes in Hoover has some good cajun grub.

If you want a great burger and onion rings, try Bama BBQ & Grill in Northport about 400 yards from the Civic Center off Hwy. 82. They also have terrific smoked wings as well. Pastor's Kitchen in Northport has great Mexican food - the big burrito and retried beans are excellent and he sells boston butts on weekends that are jam-up. They're located near Kentuck Park in the downtown area. Best steak in the area IMO is at Big Al's... between Samantha and the Berry/Fayette stop sign junction on Hwy. 43. Their pizza is also great as well.

It'll take some time but I'm going to organize all these (eventually) to make it easier.

Great suggestions and comments, like the one about Beans & Greens in MiddleofNowhere. Keep 'em coming.

I think most of the ones I know in the Anniston area from when I lived there have been covered except for maybe 2 that we ate a lot and still go back for.

1. Carpenettis- it's a little place in a strip mall on 431 across from Saks High School. They have great pizza and calzones but we always went for their "rolls". It was fresh dough laid out with whatever toppings you pick the rolled up and baked. Almost like a homemade hot pocket but then cut into slices when done. We usually for BBQ and onion or chicken, mushroom, and onion. Then marinara or homemade ranch to dip it in. If you have a sweet tooth when done; ask for dough balls. Balls of dough deep fried and rolled in powder sugar and cinnamon. I quit eating Matas when they opened when I lived there. Pizza maybe not quite as good but I liked the rolls and calzones better than pizza anyway. Always start with an order of Focaccia bread!
Carpenetti's Pizza
1021 US Highway 431 Ste 15, Anniston, AL 36206

The other place is Cooter Browns Rib Shack out in Jacksonville. Can't tell you a lot other than I really like their Ribs. To me they were a little different than everyone else's and really good. i always just got a slab of ribs and a drink!
Cooter Brown's Rib Shack
8464 Alabama Hwy 204, Jacksonville, AL 36265

Maybe someone will chime in and I can learn something about Cullman. In my time here I have not been blown away but there are a few that we eat often.
If you like Italian....Carltons is good. They have a couple of really good Alfredo based pastas and great lasagna.
208 3rd Ave SE
Cullman, AL 35055
United States

Johnnys BBQ in Cullman. They have several good dishes but I almost always go there for the BBQ stuffed potato; much better than anyone else's IMO.
Address
1401 4th Street SW
Cullman, AL 35055
Of course I can't be on a food discussion without saying if you are passing through and don't have time for these places and are forced into fast food. I hear the Chick-Fil-a in Cullman is the best Chick-Fil-a ever . And if you'll let me know ahead of time I'll meet you and feed you!
Great thread by the way!

In Phenix City, Al/Columbus, Ga
1. 13th Street Barbeque that is actually on 7th avenue. Pork chop sandwich is their specialty
2. Mike and Ed's Barbque on 14th street in PC. BarBque is great, turkey salad outstanding. Ribs are okay.
3. El Vaqureo's Mexican on 280 bypass in PC. All good.
4. Minnies in Columbus. Fried Chicken to kill for. Basic meat and three. 104 8th street Columbus, Ga
5. Durango Mexican Interstate 85 at exit 62 in Opelika. All good.
6. Ezell's Catfish Pheinx City US 280 near Walmarts?Brusters Ice cream

Forgot this one; Jubilee Seafood in Old Cloverdale/Montgomery. Best all around seafood joint I've ever been in. He gets it fresh 4 days a week and the pecan crusted grouper is fantastic.

I've been to Minnies. It was good.

Rose Hill Seafood in Columbus is better for Catfish than Ezells, IMO.

If you like Mexican, the Taqueria El Cazador "bus" on the corner of Governor's Drive and 9th is really good. That location is about a block west of Blue Plate (which also is good).

Taqueria El Cazador has tacos, soft tacos burritos, etc., sodas (don't know about beer), and a good selection. You can get standard beef-chicken-pork or also beef cheek, tongue, tripe and asada, and probably more. The cheek and tongue are fantastic.

Two other locations (in buildings) also, including one on South Parkway.

http://elcazadortaqueria.com/

Darlene will hook you up on some of that good stuff right there. Son !!!