“I recently went to Helen's and it left me thoroughly impressed and actually was looking forward to writing this review. From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted by an amazing staff whose warmth and hospitality set the tone for the evening.One of the standout features of Helen's is its consistency in delivering great food. The steaks, in particular, are among the best I've had in Birmingham, perfectly cooked to my liking and bursting with flavor. I have been here for date night aswell as gathering with a large group, Helen's ambiance and service ensure a memorable dining experience every time.One dish that stole the show for me was the beef ribs, a succulent and tender delight that showcased the kitchen's mastery of meat. The crawfish garganelli, with its flavorful profile complemented by ricotta salata that really tied the dish together for me.The wine selection at Helen's is commendable, with a range of options to suit every palate. They have a very nice whisky and bourbon selection, which if are into that scene, you know how hard it is for a restaurant to keep a consistent whisky and bourbon list due to the ABC, but that is a different story for a different time. I was impressed with staff's knowledge of wine pairings, enhancing the overall dining experience and elevating each dish to new heights.In essence, Helen's is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in top-notch cuisine accompanied by exceptional service. Whether you're a steak aficionado or seeking culinary delights beyond the ordinary, Helen Restaurant delivers on all fronts, making it a true culinary gem in Birmingham. The only issue I experienced was I was, too caught up to take pictures of the dishes. Don't sleep on Helens!“
“Our waitress is super friendly and made us feel at comfort when it was our 1st time in Alabama and at Mudtown.I hardly eat fried pickles but Mudtown's fried pickles is beyond DELICIOUS!!! Fresh, crunchy and seasoned just right--LOVE IT!! The Shrimp and grits is really good. I went all out and got warm chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream drizzle with chocolate fudge syrup-- spectacular!! Definitely wouldn't mind coming back again!“
“If you love high-quality, amazing food and enjoy Southern cuisine, I cannot recommend this place enough. The culinary attention to detail in every dish is truly outstanding. Do not be deceived by the humbleness of the menu; every single dish is deceptive in its simplicity. When you take a bite you experience multiple dimensions of flavor. We had several dishes and all of them were amazing. I also had the best piece of chicken I have ever had in my life… and that is saying a lot. I only wish I was a local, because I would be there at least once a week!“
“Working in Birmingham, AL for an extended period of time and Jim 'N' Nick's was right up the street from both my hotel and my work site so we stopped in for lunch one time. Listen, I enjoyed myself SO MUCH that I returned 2 more times for dinner! Here's why!Atmosphere/Appearance: This place is huge and has a fairly large footprint for being in a downtown setting. No private parking, but there's plenty of street parking. Once inside you're greeted by a wide-open dining room and a big center bar with seating on 3 sides. There are dining booths on both sides and plenty of standard tables. If you walk on the left side of the bar and head toward the back you'll see the to-go section where you can walk right up to the counter and order your food to roll out with.Service: I can't remember the name of our servers, but we sat at the bar each time and everyone was wonderful. As a collective they were funny, sweet, likeable and personable.Food: Like I mentioned, the first time we came, it was for lunch. Then they dropped those complimentary cheesy muffins in front of us, I was befuddled, beside myself and just bewildered. They were AMAZING. I could've eaten JUST THOSE for lunch and been so happy. However, for lunch I wanted something light and went with their Chopped Southern Salad which consists of smoked chicken, smoked onions, sweet corn, cheddar cheese, bacon, cucumber, tomatoes, almonds and homemade croutons then tossed in house-made vinaigrette. It was delightfully fresh, yet filling and savory. I loved it. However, I saw they had smoked wings so on my next visit I came in for those... I was able to try 2 flavors, their Buffalo and Morgan Co. White Sauce (also knows as Alabama BBQ sauce). They were DELIGHTFUL. This may have been the first time I was able to try an Alabama BBQ sauce and I really liked it's savory-ness. It's a mayonnaise-based sauce which gives it its white color and rounded flavor. The Buffalo was thick and hearty, better than a watery traditional Buffalo sauce. On my 3rd visit I tried out their Combo Plate. On it was their smoked turkey, fried catfish and beef brisket. On the side was a salad and a lil' cup of mac & cheese. The food was so delicious it really made me think this place was like a one-off. Much to my surprise there are Jim 'N' Nick's BBQ places ALL OVER THE SOUTH! Nice job guys.Value: It's a BBQ place and usually they aren't cheap. I feel like $30.00 is enough to come here and pig out with!In conclusion, I loved it here... That's why I hit this place up 3 times. Lol. I will certainly pay this place a return visit or check out another one if I'm in the area!“
“i had my birthday dinner here. it was perfect! our food was awesome, the server was great, the management even made me feel special. they all knew it was my special day and i will forever be grateful that they made me feel so special! Thank you Jim N Nick’s Trussville!!!“
“Have been going to this place for so many years. Don't get to go as much as would like but I really enjoy the chicken and dressing , macaroni & cheese, and the green beans. Most of the time the rolls. Unfortunately last time they were hard. My dad got the veggie plate and really liked all his options as well.“
“Fantastic meat and three. I had Greek Chicken (full of flavor), turnip greens (not fresh but tasty), Cajun (?) Beans (very flavorful), and butter beans. My friend had fried shrimp and a salad. The staff was welcoming, warm and efficient. The quality, for what it is, was impressive, and the potions were substantial. I couldn’t finish.“
“We were looking for an authentic Alabama lunch experience and found it with Ted’s. We arrived towards the end of the lunch service and found them friendly and welcoming upon entering the space. Free, ample parking, available seating and staff smiles helped us feel at home from the moment we entered. The vegetables were my favorite and immediately took me back to my great aunt’s cooking. Prices were very reasonable. Highly recommend.“
“I had a birthday dinner there and the vibe was very inviting. This was me and my guests first time ever dining in this establishment. The customer service was excellent, the food was delicious, the drinks were top notch. If you're ever in Hoover, AL. You must check them out! Thank you for making my birthday a success! Kayla E. Thank you for your great customer service!“
“It was our first time for our anniversary. The atmosphere was very nice. The service was the best service I’ve ever had at a restaurant the food was very unique and excellent. We will be making this a tradition to come here for our anniversary from here on out“
“This is a cute little restaurant with great staff and food. Nothing was a disappointment here! We ate at the bar and had a terrific time. I'd recommend it to anyone! My grouper was cooked to perfection as was the complete entrée. My fiancé loved his steak too. Finally we got the sticky toffee pudding to go and the sauce was amazing! The actual dessert muffin was a bit dry without that sauce. Overall, we had a wonderful date night here and certainly would recommend it to anyone! P.S. They have a covered and heated patio out front with water bowls for pets!Parking: The parking is shared for the shipping center. Ample parking for dinner service.“
“The manager Michelle made our experience unforgettable! She was super helpful and knowledgeable of the entire city I feel like! We were just passing through but we will stop back by when we are returning home just to see her! Thank you Michelle!“
“We ordered pancake tacos, biscuit sausage and gravy, an omelet, and French toast kids meal. The food was delicious and filling. The grits were so delicious - the perfect blend of creaminess and cheese. We sat on the patio, which was nice. The mimosa flight was good - it was great to try out different flavors and you can customize the flight with whichever flavors you like. The only bummer was that they were out of fried green tomatoes.Service was good. The staff was very nice and pleasant! If we’re ever in the area again, I’m sure we’ll return!Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly atmosphere.“
“We ate dinner there. I had the meatloaf sandwich and my wife had a shrimp poboy. Both were good.We bought a whole pound cake to take home. At first it seemed dry and stale. After a couple of days it's much more moist and flavorful. Go figure.“
“Is it good BBQ?Let me put it this way.Anytime I'm in Bham, I intentionally book my hotel across the road from this place, so I can utterly over-eat myself every day, and then waddle my little fat happy and content behind back to my room to stare blissfully at the ceiling for the rest of the night.It's not good, it's outstanding.“
“I was in Birmingham this week and was walking around looking for some sort of local place to eat at and came across this place, Crafts. I checked the reviews and to be honest they were mixed. I was feeling like some fried chicken and since I was in the south I thought I'll try to this place. This place is sort of off the beaten path along with some other restaurants. The store front looked nice. I was suprised by how big the inside was. I walked in and this place was huge. Maybe 30 tables? There were a lot and unfortunately it was pretty empty but the place was clean! Maybe I came in an off time. The menu had all sort of stuff on it from salads to sandwiches to fried chicken and chicken tenders and so on. It was a good selection. The person taking the order was extremely nice and patient. I couldn't decide if I wanted the traditional fried chicken or the tenders. I picked the tenders with fries and a sweet tea. They gave me a number and I sat down. It took probably 10 min to get my food which meant they were actually cooking it fresh. My food came and it was a lot of food. I ordered the 6 piece tender and I should have got the 4 piece. These were thick hand breaded tenders. The coating was crispy, and it was very well seasoned. These were not bland at all. The fries now were awesome and something I never had before. These were almost like potato wedges but were spiral. They were thick, with a lot of surface area on them so they got very crispy on the outside but really tender on the inside. It was amazing. To top it all off as well the person taking my order gave me 10% off because it was my 1st time there. Which was nice. Overall this place is a go again. The food was good, the wait staff was amazing and nice, and the restaurant itself was clean.“
“Well, Jim N Nicks has been in Hoover a long time. It is good BBQ. However popular it may be, I have experienced some issues over time that have lessened my enthusiasm for eating there. The menu now changes annually and several items I have enjoyed have subsequently disappeared from the menu, such as catfish and grilled chicken. If you like their brisket, pork and potatoes you should be ok, but don't get too attached to other menu items. No guys, no one wants Pitmaster Nachos, this ain't Little Donkey. They have removed their grill and that has hurt menu options as well. Food portions have been hit by shrinkflation, but a visit will average 30-40 for a party of two. The staff are generally polite, but may be inattentive at times due to diner volume or tending bar/take outs. The music is extremely loud inside, moreso than most places, so people talk louder. This is the place if you want the music to drown out your in laws' conversation, but not if you are catching up with friends you actually like. As time goes on, my affection for Jim N Nicks changes like their menu. There is better BBQ around at better prices without the ongoing menu regenerations from the marketing department and the inside audio decibels making for an unpleasant dining experience. Stick to the drive thru and eat the cheese biscuits at home.“
“This has to be one of the best places to eat that actually reminds you of your grandma's cooking! Love Sherry's Cafe, they even waited on me to pick up my food even though I was only like 1 minute behind it was very nice of them. I will always be grateful!“
“Southern Hospitality in America is real... we took a drive-by to Rodney Scott’s BBQ, here in Homewood, Alabama, to try our luck at 8.30am (service 11am). Looking like a couple of weirdos peering through the windows, the manager, Aaron Shoop, came out to see what we wanted. Explaining that we were from New Zealand and fans of Rodney and BBQ, we were invited in, given the full kitchen tour and then we were offered some menu items for take away (all paid for of course). Great chat with Aaron and Joel Brown about New Zealand BBQ and our trip through the states so far, and a few takeaway tips for hogg cooking and BBQ back home.Setting up a make shift picnic out the back of the SUV in the carpark - we feasted. There's only been 1 other occasion on this trip where my perspective of good BBQ flavor and texture has shifted... this was the second. Pulled whole hogg and ribs. The sauces - WOW!. Oh my! The flavor, the char, and the textures offered were excellent. So good! Mouth watering! Sides of Potato Salad and Slaw were a great addition.With full bellies, we're driving away to our next destination, I feel a sense of satisfaction that only good food can offer. I'll remember this for the rest of my life!Cameron Staples - Auckland, New Zealand -@jointsmokersbbqGlenn Manning - Christchurch, New Zealand - @thesmokinque“
“Had dinner with family and loved the experience so much. I started with a cocktail that was delicious, followed by an appetizer of oysters. The oysters were so tasty and so far Donald, our waiter, was very attentive and knowledgeable. I decided to try the noodle bowl and was not disappointed. The seafood in the bowl was seasoned and prepared perfectly. The broth was so yummy it could have stood on its own. I love the seating choices, (chef's counter, bar, table) the decor, the location, and the service. I love this place!“
“This is a MUST GO!!! My first visit at this restaurant and I have completely bought in! First, we were received with a pleasant greeting and immediately seated. Upon being seated our drink order was quickly taken and brought to our table. Our order was taken a few minutes after drinks were served...where does this happen these day?! The menu was filled with delicious southern cuisine. I ordered the vegetarian meal...it was great! This is such a great place for families and also good for a hangout spot. Good bar and tvs for watching sports. I was so pleased with the food, so I ordered our Christmas dinner with them. All the food was a hit! I will definitely go back.“
“A friend told me about this restaurant. I was told if I wanted a good lunch I should try this place. So I went in and I looked at The steam table. And I decided I would try them for lunch. I am a little critical of soulful restaurants because I cook pretty good myself. If I must say so. Lol. But nevertheless, I ordered my food, and I was very pleased with my meal. As far as takeout soul food goals, this meal was pretty good. I also have to give credit what credit is due. The cornbread muffins were awesome. I would definitely eat here again, and I have shared my experience with at least eight or nine of my friends already and told them they need to go and try .“
Southern • $$
“We went for a birthday event and were very pleased with the service provided. Our waitresses and hostess were very accommodating, and even though our group grew a little bigger, they still provided excellent service. The timing was great because the location was not packed as it normally is. The drinks were really good (if you drink alcoholic beverages), the pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes were really good. I ordered the hot honey chicken dish, and it was really good also. Parking is paid parking depending on the day and timing of your visit, but don't let that stop you from dropping by (parking is from the city of Birmingham, not the restaurant)“
“Where do I start ? I have been eating here about 20 years & they haven't failed me yet I eat here at least 2-3 times a week to get my vegetables in, but the food is always Awesome !! The servers,workers & waiters are magnificent I have a favorite waiter (Akeele)I'm pretty sure I spelled his name wrong so forgive me but he greets you with a smile ask how your day going asks were you satisfied with the food & remembers what you drink if you're a regular or not he stays on top of your drinks he's such a sweet soul This place gets a 100+ with me The hospitality & food is Amazing ?Parking: It's usually crowded but you still will find an available parking space during peak hours they have plenty of parking and they have security present to assist with parking & watch your cars.“
“This place is our second home away from home! Been going for YEARS and it's still feels the same. Great, service, positive attitude, GREAT food. The owner is absolutely amazing.? I just love this place so much. Ahhhh, I think I'll get up and go there now??“
“This is a typical friendly mom and pop establishment,the service is friendly and the food is good.Baked beans is fair the slaw is excellent as is the fries.There hamburger steak may be the best I’ve had and the gravy and onions on top were delicious.Toast is great and the other meats like sliced barbecue pork is great as well.Only issue is when you order half and half tea it comes out tasting like regular sweet tea.If your watching sugar intake just order unsweetened tea.The atmosphere is really good and family friendly.I would definitely recommend trying this place for good barbecue“
“Loved the food and service here. Crab cakes were good. Baked sweet potato, shrimp and grits also delicious. Clean, soft music, nice waitress- we'll be back. ( Love those muffins. Bought dz fresh and also took home a tub of muffin dough.)“
“Crafts Chicken on Church St in Birmingham, AL delivers a mouthwatering experience that's sure to satisfy even the most discerning of chicken lovers. Located on the bustling Church St, this cozy eatery boasts a menu filled with delicious, Southern-inspired dishes that will leave you craving more.From the moment you walk in, the aroma of freshly fried chicken fills the air, setting the stage for a truly indulgent dining experience.The star of the show at Crafts Chicken is undoubtedly the chicken itself. Whether you prefer it fried to crispy perfection or grilled to juicy tenderness, you're in for a treat. Each piece of chicken is seasoned to perfection and cooked to order, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor.But the goodness doesn't stop there. Crafts Chicken also offers a variety of mouthwatering sides and accompaniments to complete your meal. From creamy mac and cheese to buttery biscuits, there's something on the menu to please every palate.“