Taken about 3pm when most people were outside on the patio

I can’t decide if Holy Taco accidentally violates the Three Laws of Real Estate–1. Location, 2. Location, 3. Location– or if they revel in it.  It’s in a hip, upwardly mobile, redeveloping neighborhood.  But the restaurant is around the corner–and definitely out of sight and out of mind.  And we’ve only been there once–in the middle of a weekday late afternoon for lunch/early dinner.  It’s a fun, slightly funky place with a nice outside patio with a large trellis which was good for a sunny summer afternoon.

Squid Quesadilla

There is some serious cooking going on in that kitchen–enough, I think to make this a place too keep on  the radar.  This is not your standard taco stand.  It wasn’t perfect, but the food was definitely interesting.

Talapia, goat and tongue tacos

We started with a squid quesadilla.  Yummy and the squid had a nice fresh flavor and had a slightly spicy tomato sauce.

Shrimp, Chicken and Skirt Steak Tacos

The tacos are $3 and $3.50.  Vern had beef tongue, goat, and talapia.  He loved them–especially the goat.

I had shrimp, skirt steak, and poached chicken tacos.  I thought the skirt steak was too salty, but the shrimp and chicken were nicely cooked.  The tomatillo sauce for the chicken was especially fresh tasting.  I would have like a little more grilled flavor on the shrimp.

We split an order of churros. They were cinnamony, sugary and a slightly decadent end to an interesting lunch.

Holy Taco

Su-Th: 11am to 10pm (Bar till 11pm)
Fr -Sa: 11am to 11pm (Bar till 12am)
Brunch Saturday & Sunday 11am to 3pm

1314 Glenwood Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 230-6177

www.holy-taco.com

In a way (ok, somewhat roundabout) that’s the appeal of Farm Burger.  Know Your Beef.  Sure, their burgers are excellent.  But mostly,  the restaurant lives by the philosophy:  know what you are eating.  In the ground beef department, I think that’s pretty important.  Industrial scale processing plants are one of the reasons Americans don’t want to think about where their ground beef comes from.  Not so appetizing a thought thinking about that.  The Farm Burger’s grass-fed only, no-hormone, no-grain fed policy is nice.  But the part that appeals to me the most is the dry-aged and ground on-site parts.  Dry-aged for beef flavor.  And ground on-site for food safety.

So all that being said, how are the burgers?  Messy, rich, excellent.  Burgers are $6 with the good quality basic toppings and you can choose from a variety of items for $1 and $2.  (I like that they tell you the mayo is Dukes–and not some generic brand.)  They run an $8 lunch special with fries and drink.  There’s a $10 daily combo special.

Our burgers were cooked medium and had little bit of nice char on the exterior.  Nice and messy–just like a good burger should be.  Once we ordered fried chicken livers for an app.  They were a little overcooked.  On the other hand, Vern’s sweet potato fries were yummy.  Ditto the French fries.  On one trip, I ordered the onion rings which were good.   If you order the slightly pricey rings-fries combo, it comes with smoked paprika mayo–which was maybe gilding the lily.  I could would have preferred something with a little sharpness or tartness to counter the fatty goodness of the fries and rings.  Another visit, another app–fried okra.  This was tempura battered whole okra pods.  Not my favorite–would have preferred more traditional cornmeal batter.  Though we did both like frying the entire pod.

And always a plus in my book–they serve Blue Durango iced tea.

At prime times (no pun intended) expect a line.  You order at the counter and they bring it to you.It’s a combination of community and individual tables.  There’s some outdoor seating.  Farm Burger shares a parking lot with the very popular Watershed, so parking can be a challenge.  You can usually get a spot but you might have to hunt for it.

Farm Burger
410b W. Ponce de Leon
Decatur GA‎
(404) 378-5077‎

Su – Th: 11:30am – 10pm
Fr & Sa: 11:30am – 12 am

www.farmburger.net (Note that it’s .net NOT .com)

Fried Chicken, Butter Peas, Pickled Beets

Oh, Mary Mac’s–I have missed you.    Your pot likker. Your quirky southern-ness.   When I was at Tech, Mary Macs was our go-to place for real food, home cooking.  Margaret Lupo gave students a 10% discount so the place was full of Tech students looking for a bite of home.   But Mrs. Lupo retired and the place was sold and resold.  And the new owners took a hugely popular place and fixed it until no one wanted to go there anymore.  So we quit going.  Then it closed and eventually reopened. But we didn’t come back–those post-Lupo memories were pretty strong.  And not so pleasant.  But that isn’t the end of the story.  The current owner, John Farrell had rescued Mary Macs.  But we didn’t know it because it was off the radar.  You won’t find any of this history on the Mary Mac’s website–they’ve erased the ugly years as if they never existed–which is fine by me.

Pot Likker and Cornbread

Then, our friend Kelly was going to be in town and wanted to go there.  We weren’t so sure about that and didn’t want Kelly to be disappointed, so we checked it out ahead of time.  It was like running into an old friend.  The rooms had been spruced up, but the atmosphere and service was the same. (ok, you can’t come in the back door into the kitchen and pick up a To Go order, but other than that…) And the food was as good as ever.  We’ve been there a half-dozen times or more this year–including a large graduation party.  The food is excellent.  Fried chicken, salmon croquettes, butter beans, pickled beets, collard greens and pot likker, corn bread, yeast rolls, sweet tea, banana pudding…

Sounds like Sunday dinner, doesn’t it?

At our last lunch there, we ended up with extra pot likker (the beneficiary of some kitchen mixup) and Vern was in collard green heaven.

It’s now our go-to place for visiting Tech friends.  It can be crowded–even though it is a large place– and sometimes getting a parking place is tough. But it is totally worth it.

Catfish, Squash Casserole, and more Pot Likker

Mary Mac’s Tea Room
224 Ponce de Leon Ave
Atlanta, GA 3030

7 days a week, 11am – 9pm.
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

www.marymacs.com

Vern’s scone was yummy and my croissant was flaky and buttery.  The other items–breads and pastries–looked very nice.

The chef was formally at Woodfire–an excellent restaurant that we really like and Bakeshop bakes breads and pastries for some of Atlanta’s best restaurants. So, I know this is going to sound terrible, but for all the chef horsepower at Bakeshop, I didn’t see anything that was compelling or unusual or just interesting. It all looked very nice–but kind of predictable.  Apple turnover, blueberry muffins, French Country Sourdough….you get the drift.

Maybe we were just there at the wrong time–kind of that 10:30 time that’s not really breakfast but not really lunch.  I am open to being wrong about this…I’ve recently read that the ownership of Bakeshop has changed and that the chef is now the sole owner.  I’m hoping that will mean good things in the creativity department.  I’d like to see what Chef Hilaire can do when he’s 100% in charge.

The store is pleasant and sunny.  Service was pleasant. It’s in the heart of midtown on Peachtree Street.

Bakeshop
903 Peachtree St NE,
Atlanta, GA
(404) 892-9322

Everyday: 7am – 7pm

www.bakeshopatl.com

The small road-side store is family operated.  It’s an old building with a gravel parking area that is a step back into time–and a slightly wacky combination of sort of city and sort of country.  David’s takes Visa but you have to pay cash for the homemade cakes.

David’s Produce
3561 Lavista Rd
Decatur, GA 30033-1001
(404) 325-0709

Closed Sunday

Mon-Sat  call for hours, but closes around 7pm

no  website

In reality, that increases the chances that there are truly 100 “must try” dishes.  I’m sure there are dishes included for “geographic fairness” reasons.  Or “political” reasons–how else to explain Birmingham’s 1,200,000 residents get 16 recommendations and 15,000 population Scottsboro gets 8 recommendations.  Scottsboro  is a nice town, but do they really have a “100 must” for every 2000 residents when Birmingham has one “must” for every 70,000 residents?  I don’t think so.

So, I’m publishing the list here just for reference.  I doubt I will ever try more than a dozen of these dishes.  But the next time we’re in Alabama, I’ll have a guide so we don’t duplicate our Huntsville experience where our dining experiences didn’t pan out.

Abbeville     (SE; s/Eufaula)

• Homemade “Molly” Fingers at Huggin Molly’s
  334-585-7000
  www.hugginmollys.com
  their wacky website has close-up photos of their food–click on the “order more” portion, lower right corner.

Albertville     (NE of Birmingham)

• Grilled chicken pizza at The Lumpkin House
  256-891-8900
  no website
• White chicken chili at Jessie’s Cafe
  256-894-4565
  no website

Alexander City     (btwn Birmingham and Auburn)

• Blackened catfish at Cecil’s Public House
  256-329-0732
  no website

Alexandria     (btwn Birmingham and Atlanta)

• “Purple Cow” & “Strawberried Alive” ice cream at Wright Dairy
  256-820-1020
  www.wrightdairy.com
  Ice cream, yogurt, milk from their own cows.
  Hwy 431 between Anniston and Gadsden
  Per Website: they have a store in Birmingham/Inverness area

Aliceville      (west of Tuscaloosa)

• Barbecue brisket at Plantation House
  205-373-8121
  no website (Google website listing is incorrect)

Anniston      (btwn Birmingham and Atlanta)

• Barbecue at Goal Post Bar-B-Q
  256-236-9280
  no webiste
• “Shrimp & Grits” at Classic on Noble
  256-237-5388
  www.classiconnoble.com
  The photos of their dining room look nice, I like the owner’s story, and the lunch version of this dish is $11.  Sounds like it’s worth a try.

Arab      (btwn Birmingham and Huntsville)

• Pot roast at 3 Guys Grill
  256-931-4897
  no website

Ashland      (between Birmingham and Atlanta)

• “Melvine’s Chicken Salad” at High Points Coffee & Books
  256-354-2481
  no website

Athens

• Cinnamon Sugar Chips at Tortillas Blanco
  256-230-2330
  www.tortillasblanco.com
  These chips are sold in Athens area stores.  Flour tortillas with cinnamon sugar?  That is so wrong.  And probably delicious.
• Prime Rib at Clark’s Restaurant
  256-771-7700
  www.clarks-restaurant.net
  Only on Th-Fri-Sat while it lasts/$14.95.  I was  thinking “typical steakhouse” until I saw one of their side items was Carrots Vichey. Nice touch.  Also, the website has lots of photos of their menu offerings under “photos” section.

Auburn

• Crab cake & avocado sandwich at Amsterdam Cafe
  334-826-8181
  www.amsterdamcafeauburn.com
  Farm to Table with lots of info about local farms.
• Fresh lemonade at Toomer’s Drugs, (since 1896)
  334-887-3488
  www.toomersdrugs.com
  They call their fresh squeezed lemonade “world famous.”  I don’t know about that, but I know that Toomer’s Drugs is the epicenter of downtown Auburn.
• “Momma’s Love” sandwich at Momma  Goldberg’s
  334-821-0185
  www.mommagoldbergs.com
  The original is in  Auburn, but there are a dozen locations in Alabama and Georgia.

Bessemer          (Birmingham suburb)

• Broiled seafood platter & Greek cuisine at Bright Star (since 1907)
  205-426-1861
  www.thebrightstar.com
  This 103 year old restaurant has been run by the same family for the past 50 years.
• BBQ at Bob Sykes BarB-Q
  205-426-1400
  www.bobsykes.com
  Since 1957.  Family run. Tannehill and Bessemer locations.

Birmingham

• Buttermilk fried chicken with lemon basil sauce at Cafe Dupont
  205-322-1282
  www.cafedupont.net
• Cheese biscuits at Jim ’n Nick’s Bar-B-Q,
  205-320-1060
  www.jimnnicks.com
• Gourmet pizza at Cosmo’s,
  205-930-9971
  no website
• “Half-Moon Cookies” & marinated cole slaw at Full Moon Bar-B-Que,
  205-324-1007 (Original location: 525 25th St. South)
  www.fullmoonbbq.com
• Hamburger & sweet tea at Milo’s,
  205-326-6456 (Multiple locations)
  www.miloshamburgers.com
• Highlands baked grits at Highlands Bar & Grill
  205-939-1400
  www.highlandsbarandgrill.com
  Everything here is fantastic.
• “Honey’s Pies” at Baby Ray’s
  205-945-7437 (actually, located in Homewood)
  no website
• Hot dog at Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs (since 1915)
  205-252-2905
  no website
  Tiny spot of a place but a good dog. http://lanechapman.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=317&action=edit&message=5&revision=1526
• Lobster Pot Pie at Ocean
  205-933-0999
  www.oceanbirmingham.com
• Onion rings at Lloyd’s (since 1937)
  205-991-5530
  no website
• Neopolitan pizzas at Bettola
  205-731-6499
  no website
• Parmesan souffle at Bottega
  205-939-1000
  Have eaten at Bottega Cafe and it’s great.
  www.bottegarestaurant.com
• Pastries at Chez Fonfon
  205-939-3221
  no website (see www.highlandsbarandgrill.com)
  Coconut cake is delicious.
• Tomato salad & pickled okra at Hot and Hot Fish Club
  205-933-5474
  www.hotandhotfishclub.com
  This place is on our “to do” list, but it’s always crowded.
• Vegetable buffet at Niki’s West
  205-252-5751
  www.nikiswest.com
• Vine-ripe tomatoes with Parmesan flan at Fire
  205-802-1410
  www.firebirmingham.com

Blount Springs

• BBQ with tomato sauce at Top Hat
  256-352-9919
  no website

Boaz

• Chicken salad at Mill Street Deli
  256-593-7677
  www.millstreetdeli.com

Brundidge

• Chicken Salad Blossom at Sit N Sip
  334-344-6101
  www.sitnsipcoffeeshop.com

Camden

• Black Bottom pie at Gaines Ridge Dinner Club
  334-682-9707
  www.wilcoxwebworks.com/gr

Cherokee

• BBQ & “Three-n-One” sauce from Bishop’s Barbecue
  800-368-2635
  www.bishopsbbq.com

Childersburg

• Fudge at DeSoto Caverns
  800-933-2283
  www.desotocavernspark.com

Clanton

• Peach ice cream at Durbin Farms Market
  877-818-0202
  www.durbinfarms.com
• Peach pie at Peach Park
  205-755-2065
  www.peachpark.net
• Pecan pie at Heaton Farm
  205-755-8654
  www.heaton.com

Coden

• Soft-shell crab po-boy at Mary’s Place (since 1935)
  251-873-4514
  no website

Cullman

• Hot orange rolls at All Steak (since 1934)
  256-734-4322
  no website

Dadeville

• Catfish fingers at the Circle A Catfish
  256-825-5677
  no website
• Gumbo at Christopher
  334-705-6632
  www.christopherdining.com

Daleville

• “Castle Club” sandwich at the Castle Cafe
  334-598-9005
  no website

Daphne

• Shrimp Po-Boy at Market By The Bay
  251-621-9994
  no  website

Decatur

• BBQ chicken w/white sauce & pies at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q (since 1925)
  256-350-6969
  www.bigbobgibsonbbq.com
• Green beans at Albany Bistro
  256-686-1667
  www.albanybistro.net
• Seafood-filled mushroom caps at Simp McGhee’s
  256-353-6284
  www.simpmcghees.com
• Taco & broccoli salad at Curry’s on Johnston Street
  256-350-6715
  www.currysrestaurant.com
• Toffee at Morgan Price Candy
  256-306-0910
  www.morganpricecandy.com

Demopolis

• “Soul Food” at Kora’s Place
  334-289-4911
  www.korasplace.com

Dora

• BBQ with vinegar/tomato sauce at Green Top BBQ
  205-648-9838
  www.greentopbbq.com

Dothan

• Doughnuts at Loyless Donuts
  334-792-3133
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45271438778
• Fried cornbread at Kathy’s Kountry Kitchen
  334-792-3911 (not the Kathy’s Country Kitchen spelled with a “C”)
  no website
• Grouper fingers at the Old Mill Restaurant
  334-794-8530
  www.oldmilldothan.com
• Homemade soups at Basketcase Cafe
  334-671-1117
  www.basketcasecafeandcatering.com

Elberta

• Cheese from Sweet Home Farm
  251-986-5663
  http://www.southerncheese.com/Pages/sweethome.html

Enterprise

• Chili dog at Cutt’s
  334-347-1110
  no website
• Grouper with pecan sauce at The Rawls
  334-308-9387
  no website

Eufaula

• Bacon, egg & cheese sandwich at Bread Basket
  334-687-5567
  no website

Eutaw

• Drop biscuits & apple jelly at Cotton Patch (since 1937)
  205-372-4235
  no website
• Famous Chef Salad at Mama Leone’s
  205-372-0007
  no website
• “Pecan Praline French Toast” at Oakmont Bed & Breakfast
  205-372-2326
  no website

Fairhope

• Blue Cheese Burger at The Pub
  251-928-2032
  no website
• Big Daddy Burger at Big Daddy’s Grill
  251-990-8555
  www.bigdaddysgrill.net
• Muffaletta at Panini Pete’s
  251-929-0122
  www.paninipetes.com
  My friend David Alan Baker says they are “as good as ever.”
• Royal Red Shrimp at Old Bay Steamer
  251-928-5714
  www.oldbaysteamer.com
• Triple Chocolate Cake at Sandra’s Place
  251-990-3344
  no website

Faunsdale

• Crawfish pie at Ca-John’s
  334-628-3240
  www.ca-johns.net

Fayette

• Strawberry almond Belgian waffles at Columbus Street Inn
  205-932-4411
  www.columbusstreetinn.com

Florence

• Bread, herbs & olive oil at Ricatoni’s
  256-718-1002
  www.ricatonivalentino.com
• Orange-pineapple ice cream at Trowbridge’s (since 1918)
  256-764-1503
  no website
• “Squash Blossoms” at 360 Grille
  256-246-3600
  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/mslmc-marriott-shoals-hotel-and-spa/
• Steak & Dale’s seasoning at Dale’s
  256-766-4961
  no website

Foley

• Apple cheese casserole at The Gift Horse
  251-943-3663
  www.thegifthorserestaurant.com
• Key lime milkshake at the Stacey Old Tyme Soda Fountain
  251-943-7191
  no website
• “Throwed Rolls” at Lambert’s Cafe
  251-943-7655
  www.throwedrolls.com

Fort Deposit

• Pecan Fruit Cake & pralines at Priester’s Pecans
  334-227-4301
  www.priesters.com

Fort Payne

• “JoJo” potatoes at The Bar-B-Q Place
  256-845-6155
  no website

Fyffe

• Buffet & BBQ at Barry’s Backyard Barbecue
  256-623-2102
  no website

Gadsden

• Catfish & greens at Top O the River
  256-547-9817
  www.topotheriverrestaurant.com
• “Sweet Potato Fluff” at Pruett’s Bar-B-Q
  256-547-4118
  no website

Goshen

• Rum bread pudding at Old Barn Restaurant
  334-484-3200
  http://oldbarnhuntingclub.com/OldBarnRestaurantMenu.aspx

Greenville

• Hickory-smoked turkey sandwich at Bates House of Turkey
  334-382-6123
  www.batesturkey.com
  My friend David Alan Baker ate at Bates last month (May 2010) and says they are “as good as ever.”
• Cranberry nut salad with Balsamic dressing at Emily’s Cafe
  334-371-8646
  no website

Guin

• Monster Dog & Monster burger at Mutter’s Diner
  205-468-2027
  Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mutters-Diner/326930918385
• BBQ sandwich and banana pudding at Jimbo’s BBQ
  205-468-2272
  no website

Gulf Shores

• Cheesecake at Hope’s Cheesecake
  251-968-5858
  www.hopescheesecake.com
• “Lower Alabama Caviar” of black-eyed peas & “Cheeseburger in Paradise” at Lulu’s
  251-967-5858
  www.lulusathomeport.com
• Peanut butter pie at the Original Oyster House
  251-948-2445
  www.originaloysterhouse.com
• Royal Red Shrimp at King Neptune’s
  251-968-5464
  www.kingneptuneseafoodrestaurant.com
• Seafood platter & gumbo at Wolf Bay Lodge
  251-987-5129 (website says Foley, not Gulf Shores)
  www.wolf-bay-lodge.com
• The Wipe Out Burger at The Hangout
  251-948-3030
  www.thehangoutal.com
• Farmer’s omelet at Tacky Jack’s
  251-981-4144
  www.tackyjacks.com

Guntersville

• Crawfish at Crawmamma’s
  256-582-0484
  www.crawmamas.com
• Seafood Campoli at Martiniville Grille
  256-582-0930 (website:  Blue Parrott Martiniville Grille)
  http://www.covenantcove.com/blue-parrot.htm
• Spinach salad at La Strada
  256-582-2250
  no website

Haleyville

• Chicken fingers & sauce at Guthrie’s
  205-486-9222
  www.guthrieschicken.com

Hanceville

• Fried cheeseburger at Dodge City Restaurant
  256-287-1299 (listed as Dodge City Travel Center)
  no website

Harpersville

• Wine from Morgan Creek Vineyards
  205-672-2053
  www.morgancreekwinery.com

Hartselle

• “Mercedes Special” skillet at Las Vias
  256-751-1402
  no website

Helena

• Crab cakes at Fox Valley Restaurant
  205-664-8341
  no website

Homewood

• Baby blue salad at Franklin’s Homewood Gourmet
  205-871-1620
  www.homewoodgourmet.com
• “Camel Rider” sandwich & moussaka at Nabeel’s
  205-879-9292
  www.nabeels.com
• Lasagna at GianMarco’s
  205-871-9622
  no website
• Pimiento cheese on sun-dried tomato bread at Savage’s (since 1939)
  205-871-490
  no website
• Ribs at SAW’s BBQ
  205-879-1937
  www.sawsbbq.com
• Kadoma tuna roll at Jinsei
  205-802-1440
  www.jinseisushi.com

Hoover

• Deep-dish stuffed pizza at Tortugas
  205-403-9800
  www.tortugaspizza.com
• Hamburgers at Harry’s Place
  205-733-9544
  no website

Huntsville

• BBQ stuffed potato at Little Paul’s BBQ
  256-536-7227
  no website
• “Big Daddy” chicken plate at Tenders!
  256-533-7599
  www.tenderschicken.com
• Deviled eggs at Mullins Drive In (since 1929)
  256-539-2826
  no website
• Coffee Rub Steak at 801 Franklin
  256-519-8019
  no website
• Chili burger & slaw dog at Big Spring Cafe
  256-539-9994
  no website
• “German Brown Farmer’s Bread” at Ol’ Heidelberg
  256-922-0556
  www.olheidelberg.com
• Hot wings & habanero sauce at Beauregard’s
  256-837-2433
  www.eatbeauregards.com
• Steak at Pauli’s Bar & Grill
  256-722-2080
  www.paulis.cc
• Tea & “sugar water” pitcher at Humphrey’s Bar & Grill
  256-704-5555
  www.washingtonsq.com
• Tex-Mex cuisine at Rosie’s Cantina
  256-382-3232
  Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Huntsville-AL/Rosies-Mexican-Cantina-South-Memorial-Parkway-Huntsville-Alabama/113355342024461?v=info
• Peanut butter & jelly in phyllo at Cotton Row Restaurant
  256-382-9500
  www.cottonrowrestaurant.com

Irondale

• BBQ & baked beans at Golden Rule Bar-B-Q (since 1891)
  205-956-2678
  www.goldenrulebbq.com
• Fried green tomatoes at the Irondale Cafe (since 1928)
  205-956-5258
  www.irondalecafe.com

Jacksonville

• Ribs at Cooter Brown’s, 256-435-1514
  www.cootersribs.com

Jasper

• Catfish Pontchartrain at Black Rock Bistro
  205-387-0282
  no website

Lavaca

• Catfish & cole slaw at Ezell’s Fish Camp (1937)
  205-654-2205
  www.ezellsfishcamp.com

Lineville

• Catfish at Red’s
  256-354-7705
  www.redscatfish.com

Madison

• Catfish & hush puppies at Greenbrier
  256-351-1800 (not Greenbriar BBQ)
  www.catfishinn.com

Magnolia Springs

• Whiskey steak at Jesse’s
  251-965-3827
  www.jessesrestaurant.com

Marion

• Hamburgers at J&R’s
  334-683-4200
  no website

Mentone

• Black-eye pea cake & trout at Mentone Springs Hotel
  256-634-4040
  www.mentonespringshotel.com
• Chili Corn Pone at the Log Cabin Restaurant & Deli
  256-634-4560
  http://www.mentonealabama.org/LogCabinRestaurant.htm
• “Decadent French Toast” at Mountain Laurel Inn
  256-634-4673
  www.mountain-laurel-inn.com

Mobile

• Alabama shrimp & grits at The Blind Mule
  251-694-6853
  www.theblindmule.net
• Bacon cheeseburger at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club
  251-433-9374
  www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com
• Butterbean cake at The Pillars
  251-471-3411
  www.thepillarsmobile.com
• Candied pecans at Tanner Pecans & Candies
  251-473-4560
  www.tannerspecan.com
• Chocolates at Three George’s (since 1917)
  251-433-6725
  www.3georges.com
• Caramelized Day Boat Scallops with wild mushroom risotto at The Battle House Hotel
  251-338-2000
  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mobbr-the-battle-house-renaissance-mobile-hotel-and-spa/
• Coconut cream pie at Tiny Diny
  251-473-9453
  no website
• Eggs Cathedral & Banana Foster’s French toast at Spot of Tea
  251-433-9009
  http://www.spotoftea.net/
• Ginger donut at NoJa
  251-433-0377
  www.nojamobile.com
• Praline Dobash Cake at Pollman’s Bakery (since 1918)
  251-438-1511 (listed as Pollman’s Bake Shop)
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mobile-AL/Pollmans-Bake-Shop/112231562129915#!/pages/Mobile-AL/Pollmans-Bake-Shop/112231562129915?v=info&ajaxpipe=1&__a=3
• Oysters “fried, stewed or nude” at Wintzell’s (since 1938)
  251-432-4605 (Wintzell’s Oyster House)
  www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com
  Pretty good oysters.
• “Pecan Praline French Toast” at Kate Shepard House Bed & Breakfast
  251-479-7048
  www.kateshepardhouse.com
  Delicious.  And the innkeepers are great.  So is the house.
• Ribs at Saucy Q Bar B Q
  251-433-7427
  www.saucyqbbq.com
• Seafood and sausage gumbo at Oysterella’s
  251-621-8881 (closed)
  www.oysterellas.com
• Smoked BBQ at The Brick Pit
  251-343-0001
  www.brickpit.com

Monroeville

• Catfish & cheese grits at David’s Catfish House
  251-575-3460
  www.davidscatfishhouse.com
• BLT Supreme at Radley’s Fountain Grill
  251-743-2345
  www.radleysfountaingrille.com

Montgomery

• Pecan pan-fried snapper at Chophouse
  334-264-8463 (Listed as Chop House at Vintage Year)
  www.chophousevy.com
• Pecan Pie with Jack Daniels Ice Cream at Garrett’s
  334-396-9950
  www.garrettsartoffood.com
• Fresca salad with house dressing at Sinclair’s
  334-834-7462
  www.sinclairsrestaurants.com
• Fried chicken at Martin’s
  334-265-1767
  no website
• Fried green tomato sandwich at La Jolla
  334-356-2600
  www.lajollamontgomery.com
• Lemon catfish & collards at Isaiah’s
  334-265-9000
  no website
• Oyster salad at City Grill
  334-244-0960
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Montgomery-AL/City-Grill/194058765824
• Spring roll with peanut sauce at Lek’s Taste of Thailand
  334-244-8994 (Note: Lek’s Taste of Thailand is on Atlanta Highway; there are other Lek’s restaurants)
  no website
• Vegetables at Martha’s Place
  334-263-9135
  no website
• Veggies on the hot bar at Derk’s Filet & Vine
  334-262-8463
  www.filetandvine.com
• “Wild Rice Waffles” & “Walk-Thru-Fire Pancakes” at Red Bluff Cottage B&B
  334-264-0056
  www.redbluffcottage.com

Moundville

• Lane Cake at Miss Melissa’s Cafe
  205-371-9045
  Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moundville-AL/Miss-Melissas-Cafe/181879370520

Mountain Brook

• Chocolate lava cake at daniel george
  205-871-3266
  www.danielgeorgerestaurant.com
• Fresh-squeezed limeade at Gilchrist Drug (since 1928)
  205-871-2181
  no website

Muscle Shoals

• Fried green tomatoes at Campbell’s
  256-389-8952
  no website

Northport

• Barbecued ribs at Archibald’s
  205-345-6861 (this BBQ place is on MLK)
  no website
• “Meat & three” at City Cafe
  205-758-9171
  no website

Opelika

• Barbecue pork sandwich at Chuck’s
  334-749-4043
  no website
• Crab & Corn Bisque at Warehouse Bistro
  334-745-6353
  www.warehousebistro.com

Orange Beach

• Breakfast buffet with omelet bar at Hazel’s Seafood Restaurant
  251-981-4628
  www.hazelsseafoodrestaurant.com
• Sea bass wrapped in banana leaves at Cosmo’s Restaurant
  251-948-9663
  www.cosmosrestaurantandbar.com
• Shrimp & grits at Ginny Lane Bar & Grill
  251-224-6500
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Orange-Beach-AL/Ginny-Lane-Bar-Grill/159850265732

Perdido

• “Rose Cou Rouge” (redneck rose) wine at Perdido Vineyards
  251-937-9463
  www.perdidovineyards.com

Phenix City

• Pork chop sandwich & mustard sauce at 13th Street Barbecue
  334-291-1833
  no website

Pine Level

• Apple cheese casserole at Red’s Little Schoolhouse
  334-584-7955
  www.redslittleschoolhouse.com

Point Clear

• Lump Crab Scramble at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort (since 1847)
  251-928-9201
  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ptlal-grand-hotel-marriott-resort-golf-club-and-spa/
• Divinity & pecan butter crunch at Punta Clara Kitchen
  251-928-8477
  www.puntaclara.com
• Key lime bread pudding at The Wash House
  251-928-4838
  washhouserestaurant.com

Prattville

• Home cooking at the Jim’s Restaurant
  334-365-7231
  www.jimsrestaurant.net

Rainsville

• Catfish and chicken fingers at Katy’s Katfish
  256-638-7200
  no website

Riverside

• Shrimp & catfish at The Ark
  205-338-7420
  no website

Rogersville

• Homemade chicken salad at Cafe Savanna
  256-247-9788
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rogersville-AL/Cafe-Savanna/222269500496

Russellville

• Caramel cake at Daily Bread
  256-332-9621
  no website

Scottsboro

• Catfish at Mud Creek Fishing Camp
  256-259-2493
  no website
• Chicken salad at Cups Cafe
  256-259-1525 (inside Unclaimed Baggage Center)
  http://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/cups.html
• Hot dog & red slaw at Payne’s (since 1891)
  256-574-2140
  no website
• Shrimp & grits at The Docks at Goose Pond Colony
  256-574-3071
  www.goosepond.org
• Blue Willow sampler at Blue Willow Bistro
  256-259-3462
  no website
• Pulled pork at Triple R BBQ
  256-574-5629
  www.triplerbbq.com
• Strawberry salad at The Veranda Café
  256-259-3855
  no website
• Tomato pie at Carlile’s
  256-574-5629
  www.carliles.net

Selma

• Chicken breast sandwich at Major Grumbles
  334-872-2006
  no website
• New York strip at the Tally-Ho
  334-872-1390
  www.tallyhoselma.com
• Peach cobbler at Downtowner
  334-875-5933
  no website

Sheffield

• Ribeye at George’s Steak Pit
  256-381-1531
  www.georgessteakpit.com

Slocomb

• Cornbread & fried green tomatoes at Zack’s
  334-886-9731
  no website

Spanish Fort

• Crab soup at Felix’s Fish Camp
  251-626-6710
  www.felixsfishcamp.com
• Gumbo & crab claws at Blue Gill Restaurant
  251-625-1998
  www.bluegillrestaurant.com
• Seafood at The Original Oyster House
  251-626-2188 (multiple locations)
  www.originaloysterhouse.com
• “Yo Mama’s Platter” at Ed’s Seafood Shed
  251-625-1947
  www.edsshed.com

Stockton

• Catfish at Stage Coach Cafe
  251-580-0608
  no website

Sylacauga

• Spinach mushroom quesadilla at Marble City Grill
  256-245-8108
  www.marblecitygrill.com

Talladega

• Grilled catfish at Fincher’s
  256-362-2174 (listing:  Fincher’s Catfish Kitchen)
  no website
• Muscadine wine at Bryant Vineyards
  256-268-2638
  no website

Theodore

• Country cooking at Time to Eat
  251-654-0228
  www.timetoeatmobile.com

Thomaston

• Pepper jelly omelet and black belt eggs benedict at Mama Nem’s
  334-627-3388 (listing:  Mana Nem’s Bistro)
  no website

Trinity

• White cream corn at Caddo Cafeteria
  256-974-5535
  www.caddo-cafeteria.com

Troy

• Banana pudding at Sisters
  334-566-0064
  www.sistersrestaurant.biz
• Beans & cornbread at Mossy Grove Schoolhouse
  334-566-4921
  no  website
• Chicken fingers & dipping sauce at Crowe’s
  334-566-6027 (this location: Old Highway 231)
  no  website

Tuscaloosa

• Crab cakes at Evangeline’s
  205-752-0830
  www.evangelinesrestaurant.com
• Fried chicken at Maggie’s Diner
  205-366-0302
  no website
• Smoke Chicken with white BBQ sauce at Cypress Inn
  205-345-6963
  www.cypressinnrestaurant.com
• Ribs & white bread at Dreamland
  205-758-8135
  www.dreamlandbbq.com
  There are other locations, but only the original makes the Top 100 list–and it’s easily Top 10.
• Stuffed mushrooms at Kozy’s
  205-556-0665
  www.kozysrestaurant.com
• Wings at Bob Baumhower’s Wings Sports Grille
  205-556-5658
  www.baumhowers.com

Tuskegee

• Footlongs and burgers at TJ’s Bar & Grill
  334-226-1195
  no website
• Yams at the Kellogg Center Restaurant
  334-226-1195
  www.tuskegeekelloggcenter.com

Tuscumbia

• “Harvey” milkshake at The Palace
  256-386-8210
  no website

Union Springs

• Smoked meat & homemade stew at The Hilltop Grill
  334-738-3000
  no website

Vestavia Hills

• Black Forest Cake at Klingler’s
  205-823-4560
  www.klinglers.com
• Shrimp Etouffee at New Orleans Food & Spirits
  205-823-4560
  no website
• Sandwiches on wheat roll with BBQ sauce at Mr. P’s Butcher Shop & Deli
  205-823-6136
  www.mrpdeli.com

Waverly

• Seasonal gourmet ice cream at Yellow Hammer
  334-887-5800
  www.yellowhammerrestaurant.com

Wetumpka

• Crab cakes & dill sauce at Our Place Cafe
  334-567-8778
  no website

Valley

• Homemade soups at 559 Market Place
  334-756-4959
  www.559marketplace.com

Vestavia Hills            (Birmingham suburb)

• Black Forest Cake at Klinger’s
  205-823-4560
  www.klinglers.com

York

• Baked Turkey Wings at Larkin’s Deli
  205-932-9988
  no website

Apparently, this was a hang out of the Allman Brothers. Capricorn Studios is a block away and the Allman Brothers Big House Museum has just opened so this place is a required stop for the cogniciti.  The walls are covered with photos and memorabilia–mostly Allman Brothers Band, but also wannabes Molly Hatchett, among others.

The menu varies by day and has a choice of 6 vegetables and 4 meats to construct a meat-and-three plate from. Desserts and tea are extra.   I think. There are no prices on the menu, but two dinners with tea and a single dessert was $19.

I had fried chicken which was crispy, well-seasoned and nicely cooked.   Rice came with a tomato gravy, the lima beans were pleasantly seasoned, and the collard greens good.  Vern ordered fried pork chops–and the plate came with two large-sized chops.   Dinner came with cornbread.  We split a banana pudding.  It was a decent southern version.  Plus you have to love a place that keeps a jar of syrup on the table.   Not for pancakes,mind you. For biscuits.

Service was friendly and efficient.  The restaurant is located on a corner near the Medical Center with a handy parking lot to the side.

H&H Restaurant

807 Forsyth Street
Macon, GA 31201-2138
(478) 742-9810

http://mamalouise.com/

Mon-Sat: 6:30-4:00

The BBQ sandwich was delicious.  Nicely smoky, tender, with just a little tangy sauce.  Service is friendly. There’s a picnic shed to the side of the main building.   There are other items on the menu but we followed our noses (and the smoke) and ordered BBQ sandwiches.

If I was a regular traveler on I-59 I would make this a regular BBQ stop.  Note, however, this is a To Go place and I didn’t see a public restroom.

Picnic Basket BBQ
77 7th Avenue
Ashville, AL 35953

205-594-3798

no web page

call for hours

Cafe Entrance Detail

Bottega Cafe was how we first discovered Frank Stitt some 20 years ago.  We’ve only ever eaten at the cafe side–it’s more casual and open for lunch.  And while popular, you don’t need a reservation.  It’s a chance to get Highlands Bar and Grille quality at much more modest prices.  They have sandwiches, pizza, and salads.  A number of the items are in the $10-15 range.  We spent $50 on lunch but you could easily spend less and still have a number of menu selections.

Roast Pork Loin

We started with Bruschetta with sweet peas, ricotta, radishes and mint ($7.25) which was refreshing.  Vern had the pork loin.  The menu described it as “Roast pork loin with polenta, Alecia’s tomato chutney aïoli and Venetian spinach”, but it was closer to a large bone-in pork loin (more like a pork chop) and the chutney was more like a baked-on glaze.   And it was served with spinach, potato and baked onion.  And it was perfectly cooked and delicious.  ($17.95)  I had the  Chicken scaloppine with crisp breadcrumbs and capers.  It was served on a bed of grits (or polenta) and came with a delicious salad.  It was also perfectly cooked and excellent.

Chicken Scaloppine

Bottega Restaurant & Bottega Cafe

2240 Highland Avenue South
Birmingham, AL  35205
205-939-1000

Restaurant hours:
Mon-Thurs: 5:30 – 10:00
Fri & Sat: 5:30 – 10:30

Cafe hours:
Mon-Thur:  11:00 -10:30
Fri & Sat:  11:00 -11:00

http://www.bottegarestaurant.com/

The date on the entrance arch says the cemetery was founded in 1866.  The cemetery was established as a final resting place for the 10,000 Union troops killed in William Tecumseh Sherman’s “March to the Sea”–which started with Marietta being burned to the ground in November 1864 and ended five weeks later in Savannah on December 21, 1864.

As a national cemetery, Marietta has a formal ceremony on Memorial Day.  Pomp and TV crews.  And a proper observation.  We like to go after the ceremony is over and the crowds have left.  When there are a few old guys are walking around looking at graves and remembering their service and their friends.   It’s quieter then.  There’s time to look at the names of the soldiers.  And read the names of their wives on the reverse of the markers.  Some have uncommon names which have gone out of fashion.  Occasionally, the name belongs to a woman. We saw markers from those who served in the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.  Marietta National Cemetery is mostly closed to new internments so we didn’t see any Gulf War veteran graves. In a few cases, the marker has been replaced with a larger monument by a grieving family.  In this historic cemetery, there are graves neatly tucked in every square inch–next to shade trees and along stone walls.  The rolling topography and stone walls help hide the nearby road. We’ve seen this cemetery at other times of year, but I especially like it around Memorial Day. The neatly placed flags are beautiful against the white marble headstones.  The grass is green from Spring but not yet tired from summer heat.

The cemetery is located just east of downtown Marietts.

Marietta National Cemetery
500 Washington Avenue
Marietta, Georgia 30060

open every day, sunrise to sunset