The food was not bad, but the service is some of the worst I’ve ever experienced. The man working was nice, but both older women behind the counter were abhorrently rude. One became snarky at the fact that I had to look over the menu because I’d never eaten here before. After ordering, she rolled her eyes when we said thank you. When checking out, the other woman had an attitude when we didn’t understand the question about “paying or charging”. The hospitality was so bad I felt like I was ordering from a yankee deli back up north, lol. My boyfriend is a local and has eaten here for years, but after this he does not even want to return. Very unwelcoming.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Leslie Terek
The sandwiches are really good but the girl that runs the cash register is not approachable or friendly. Also, if you plan on eating food you better put your order in by 4 PM not 430 when they actually close they will not serve any food to you after four.never heard of a restaurant doing this if you’re open till 430 you should serve everything on your menu until 430.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Landers Sevier
Authentic ruebens and many other delicious sammiches and eats! The best (and only) real deal, fresh made limeades in the city. One of the few remaining true soda fountains / sandwich shops around. Bustling and hustling during the lunchtime feedings. Fun and busy atmosphere for sure. Great folks at Gilchrests too - always the same dedicated, and super friendly staff at the helm. Must be how they have maintained such consistency and earned their loyal patrons!It's been a regular stop for me and my family for at least the past 40 years. We've all been raised together on Gilchrests limeades for multiple generations!! Yumsville indeed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gary Tilkin
I have lived in Birmingham, AL for over 30 years. I LOVE to eat as is clear by my many posts on dining. Eating is a passion for me and my family. You would think, after 30 years I would have tried every place in Birmingham, and you would be wrong.To set this up, I love fine dining, steakhouses, Oyster bars, Sandwich shops, and McDonalds. What I really love is great food, comfort food and a feeling of warmth. It does NOT have to have a white tablecloth, but it does have to strike a cord usually of a past memory. That is my setup.Gilchrist has been where it sits in Birmingham, AL for a very long time. When my daughter wanted to take me there, I fought her because we were downtown at the time. All I asked her for was a GREAT BREAKFAST sandwich. I get to the place, and I instantly feel in LOVE. Everything was old, potato chips lined up on the side wall with lots of candy by the cash register. Two table of men sitting just talking, all about my age (I am old) or older. The bathroom was through the kitchen up a slight step. On the side counter where they prepared the food, was two huge stainless-steel bowls with the remnants of Egg salad and Tuna Salad just made for lunch. I knew I was IN THE RIGHT PLACE. I rated the Atmosphere as 5. Understand, it is a "Hole In A Wall" kind of place and nothing is fancy about it. That is full disclosure.I ordered a comfort food breakfast Sandwich. Toasted Whole Wheat Toast, Egg, Cheese, Bacon and Mayo. I love that kind of sandwich. I was NOT disappointed. Now I want to go back for lunch for egg salad, tuna Salad or chicken salad. How did I miss the cultural gem all these decades. Want fancy, go somewhere else. Want history and taste, come to Gilchrist. I found my new place.Eat well, drink well and enjoy life.Parking: All around the place was parking and in the morning it was empty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Gary T.
I have lived in Birmingham, AL for over 30 years. I LOVE to eat as is clear by my many posts on Yelp. Eating is a passion for me and my family. You would think, after 30 years I would have tried every place in Birmingham, and you would be wrong. To set this up, I love fine dining, steakhouses, Oyster bars, Sandwich shops, and McDonalds. What I really love is great food, comfort food and a feeling of warmth. It does NOT have to have a white tablecloth, but it does have to strike a cord usually of a past memory. That is my setup. Gilchrist has been where it sits in Birmingham, AL for a very long time. When my daughter wanted to take me there, I fought her because we were downtown at the time. All I asked her for was a GREAT BREAKFAST sandwich. I get to the place, and I instantly feel in love. Everything was old, potato chips lined up on the side wall with lots of candy by the cash register. Two table of men sitting just talking all about my age (I am old) or older. The bathroom was through the kitchen. On the side counter was two huge stainless-steel bowls with the remnants of Egg salad and Tuna Salad. I knew I was IN THE RIGHT PLACE. I ordered a comfort food breakfast Sandwich. Toasted Whole Wheat Toast, Egg, Cheese, Bacon and Mayo. I love that kind of sandwich. I was NOT disappointed. Now I want to go back for lunch for egg salad, tuna Salad or chicken salad. How did I miss the cultural gem all these decades. Want fancy, go somewhere else. Want history and taste, come to Gilchrist. I found my new place. Eat well, drink well and enjoy life.
Max Tew
Solid as a rock - this place never disappoints. I get the pimento cheese BLT on toasted white bread, and it always satisfies. Great environment, friendly staff, delicious sweet tea. I'll be back over and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Sandwich
stan kapustka
Great diner experience for my wife, daughter and I who were visiting from out of town!I would definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Sandwich
Matt J
We love coming to Gilchrist for their limeade’s, but I’ve never come during lunch before today. From what we’ve heard from other is an experience today, Gilchrist is extremely busy during lunchtime. Expect the staff to be stressed, direct, and a little rude, and for your food to take time to make. Since seating is scarce and in high demand, I would not recommend coming in groups of more than 4.Kid-friendliness: During lunch, it is very crowded. If you can get a table and contain your kids, then it is kid friendly. If you can't, then it's not.Wheelchair accessibility: While it is flat with no steps, I would not say it is wheelchair accessible. There doesn't appear to be room to maneuver to the counter or register.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Sandwich
Tiffany Mondragon
Freshed squeezed limeade ?! Not just a summertime favorite! All time! Blt are always spot on with ripe tomatoes. Great atmosphere!
It's been a hot minute since I've been to Gilchrist. My wife grew up in Florence & had actually never been. Gilchrist has been servicing the Mountain Brook area for ever 80 years. They serve delicious sandwiches, salad plates, milkshakes & their specialty Limeade. I absolutely love Gilchrist's chicken salad. I'd go as far as to say that it's my favorite chicken salad. It's super simple, but oh so appetizing! I really enjoyed the Chicken Salad Plate with perfectly ripe summer tomatoes, sweet & dill pickles. It's served with crackers & is the ideal lunch on a hot summer day. My wife opted for the Chicken Salad Sandwich on toasted white bread. Though this was her 1st time experiencing Gilchrist she became an instant fan. Gilchrist's atmosphere feels like taking a step back in time, but in a good way. A more simple time. Service is welcoming & friendly. I won't wait as long between visits next time. One of the best Soda Fountains in the state.
robert perez
Everytime I'm in Birmingham, I will go there. The service and food are great. Go East Cobb Yankee's!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert H.
Have been going here since I was little. Make sure to get a limeade and bring some friends
Jay Connor
Great service great food and great people. I just wish they were open every day of the year.
Pete Beatty
I don't love mountain brook - it's kind of like if the 1920s version of suburban wealth was being devoured by the 2020s version of same. But it's worth frogger-ing through the parade of enormous SUVs to get to Gilchrist which is a family run lunch counter where you can get a limeade and something good to eat. I'm not saying the BLT with pimento offers any solutions to inequality but it will make you feel alive
The beef on a bun is a must
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Sandwich
The food was not bad, but the service is some of the worst I’ve ever experienced. The man working was nice, but both older women behind the counter were abhorrently rude. One became snarky at the fact that I had to look over the menu because I’d never eaten here before. After ordering, she rolled her eyes when we said thank you. When checking out, the other woman had an attitude when we didn’t understand the question about “paying or charging”. The hospitality was so bad I felt like I was ordering from a yankee deli back up north, lol. My boyfriend is a local and has eaten here for years, but after this he does not even want to return. Very unwelcoming.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
The sandwiches are really good but the girl that runs the cash register is not approachable or friendly. Also, if you plan on eating food you better put your order in by 4 PM not 430 when they actually close they will not serve any food to you after four.never heard of a restaurant doing this if you’re open till 430 you should serve everything on your menu until 430.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Authentic ruebens and many other delicious sammiches and eats! The best (and only) real deal, fresh made limeades in the city. One of the few remaining true soda fountains / sandwich shops around. Bustling and hustling during the lunchtime feedings. Fun and busy atmosphere for sure. Great folks at Gilchrests too - always the same dedicated, and super friendly staff at the helm. Must be how they have maintained such consistency and earned their loyal patrons!It's been a regular stop for me and my family for at least the past 40 years. We've all been raised together on Gilchrests limeades for multiple generations!! Yumsville indeed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have lived in Birmingham, AL for over 30 years. I LOVE to eat as is clear by my many posts on dining. Eating is a passion for me and my family. You would think, after 30 years I would have tried every place in Birmingham, and you would be wrong.To set this up, I love fine dining, steakhouses, Oyster bars, Sandwich shops, and McDonalds. What I really love is great food, comfort food and a feeling of warmth. It does NOT have to have a white tablecloth, but it does have to strike a cord usually of a past memory. That is my setup.Gilchrist has been where it sits in Birmingham, AL for a very long time. When my daughter wanted to take me there, I fought her because we were downtown at the time. All I asked her for was a GREAT BREAKFAST sandwich. I get to the place, and I instantly feel in LOVE. Everything was old, potato chips lined up on the side wall with lots of candy by the cash register. Two table of men sitting just talking, all about my age (I am old) or older. The bathroom was through the kitchen up a slight step. On the side counter where they prepared the food, was two huge stainless-steel bowls with the remnants of Egg salad and Tuna Salad just made for lunch. I knew I was IN THE RIGHT PLACE. I rated the Atmosphere as 5. Understand, it is a "Hole In A Wall" kind of place and nothing is fancy about it. That is full disclosure.I ordered a comfort food breakfast Sandwich. Toasted Whole Wheat Toast, Egg, Cheese, Bacon and Mayo. I love that kind of sandwich. I was NOT disappointed. Now I want to go back for lunch for egg salad, tuna Salad or chicken salad. How did I miss the cultural gem all these decades. Want fancy, go somewhere else. Want history and taste, come to Gilchrist. I found my new place.Eat well, drink well and enjoy life.Parking: All around the place was parking and in the morning it was empty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
I have lived in Birmingham, AL for over 30 years. I LOVE to eat as is clear by my many posts on Yelp. Eating is a passion for me and my family. You would think, after 30 years I would have tried every place in Birmingham, and you would be wrong. To set this up, I love fine dining, steakhouses, Oyster bars, Sandwich shops, and McDonalds. What I really love is great food, comfort food and a feeling of warmth. It does NOT have to have a white tablecloth, but it does have to strike a cord usually of a past memory. That is my setup. Gilchrist has been where it sits in Birmingham, AL for a very long time. When my daughter wanted to take me there, I fought her because we were downtown at the time. All I asked her for was a GREAT BREAKFAST sandwich. I get to the place, and I instantly feel in love. Everything was old, potato chips lined up on the side wall with lots of candy by the cash register. Two table of men sitting just talking all about my age (I am old) or older. The bathroom was through the kitchen. On the side counter was two huge stainless-steel bowls with the remnants of Egg salad and Tuna Salad. I knew I was IN THE RIGHT PLACE. I ordered a comfort food breakfast Sandwich. Toasted Whole Wheat Toast, Egg, Cheese, Bacon and Mayo. I love that kind of sandwich. I was NOT disappointed. Now I want to go back for lunch for egg salad, tuna Salad or chicken salad. How did I miss the cultural gem all these decades. Want fancy, go somewhere else. Want history and taste, come to Gilchrist. I found my new place. Eat well, drink well and enjoy life.
Solid as a rock - this place never disappoints. I get the pimento cheese BLT on toasted white bread, and it always satisfies. Great environment, friendly staff, delicious sweet tea. I'll be back over and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Sandwich
Great diner experience for my wife, daughter and I who were visiting from out of town!I would definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Sandwich
We love coming to Gilchrist for their limeade’s, but I’ve never come during lunch before today. From what we’ve heard from other is an experience today, Gilchrist is extremely busy during lunchtime. Expect the staff to be stressed, direct, and a little rude, and for your food to take time to make. Since seating is scarce and in high demand, I would not recommend coming in groups of more than 4.Kid-friendliness: During lunch, it is very crowded. If you can get a table and contain your kids, then it is kid friendly. If you can't, then it's not.Wheelchair accessibility: While it is flat with no steps, I would not say it is wheelchair accessible. There doesn't appear to be room to maneuver to the counter or register.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese, Sandwich
Freshed squeezed limeade ?! Not just a summertime favorite! All time! Blt are always spot on with ripe tomatoes. Great atmosphere!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
It's been a hot minute since I've been to Gilchrist. My wife grew up in Florence & had actually never been. Gilchrist has been servicing the Mountain Brook area for ever 80 years. They serve delicious sandwiches, salad plates, milkshakes & their specialty Limeade. I absolutely love Gilchrist's chicken salad. I'd go as far as to say that it's my favorite chicken salad. It's super simple, but oh so appetizing! I really enjoyed the Chicken Salad Plate with perfectly ripe summer tomatoes, sweet & dill pickles. It's served with crackers & is the ideal lunch on a hot summer day. My wife opted for the Chicken Salad Sandwich on toasted white bread. Though this was her 1st time experiencing Gilchrist she became an instant fan. Gilchrist's atmosphere feels like taking a step back in time, but in a good way. A more simple time. Service is welcoming & friendly. I won't wait as long between visits next time. One of the best Soda Fountains in the state.
Everytime I'm in Birmingham, I will go there. The service and food are great. Go East Cobb Yankee's!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Have been going here since I was little. Make sure to get a limeade and bring some friends
Great service great food and great people. I just wish they were open every day of the year.
I don't love mountain brook - it's kind of like if the 1920s version of suburban wealth was being devoured by the 2020s version of same. But it's worth frogger-ing through the parade of enormous SUVs to get to Gilchrist which is a family run lunch counter where you can get a limeade and something good to eat. I'm not saying the BLT with pimento offers any solutions to inequality but it will make you feel alive
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pimento Cheese