Surin West, Chris Z’s, Back Forty received 95 and above food service scores in August

IMG 0146 Surin West, Chris Z's, Back Forty received 95 and above food service scores in August
Roadside Bar-B-Que in East Lake on 1st Ave. North and 73rd Street scored a 98 on their latest health department inspection. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Several Birmingham area food service establishments, including Surin West in Five Points, Chris Zs Express in Lakeview and Back Forty Beer Company across from Sloss Furnaces received 95 and above on their health inspection scores in August 2019.

As a public service, Bham Now publishes monthly Jefferson County Department of Health restaurant inspection scores and profiles local establishments that received scores in the past month.

How are the inspections conducted?

Birmingham, Jefferson County Department of Health
Jefferson County Department of Health.

The food service inspection scores are updated regularly on the Jefferson County Department of Health website. In this food service inspection edition, the scores were received after August 1st.

Here are our featured establishments for this month.

Surin West – 96

Surin West
Surin West Birmingham’s Five Points. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

One of Birmingham’s first Thai restaurants, Surin West has been a mainstay in the Five Points South restaurant scene for more than 25 years. Don’t forget to taste Surin’s legendary coconut soup and make sure to review their extensive menu before you visit – which includes Thai & sushi classics.

Roadside Bar-B-Que in East Lake – 97

Screen Shot 2019 09 01 at 5.41.20 PM Surin West, Chris Z's, Back Forty received 95 and above food service scores in August
Roadside Bar-B-Que in East Lake. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Want to see your ribs & bar-b-que cooked out in the fresh air on a busy street corner?  Roadside Bar-B-Que is a Birmingham original that literally cooks their ribs out in the open –  in the middle of the East Lake neighborhood. And BTW – their sides are fantastic too.

 Chris Z’s Express– 98

IMG 0129 Surin West, Chris Z's, Back Forty received 95 and above food service scores in August
Chris Z’S Express on 6th Avenue South. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

A smaller version of the famous Chris Z’s on Clairmont Avenue, Chris Z’s Express on 6th Avenue South is just a smaller version of the original  with the same fast and quality food.

Back Forty Beer Company -95

IMG 9827 Surin West, Chris Z's, Back Forty received 95 and above food service scores in August
Beer Sampler at Back Forty Beer Company. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

If you love their beer, you are going to love the food.  This past year, Back Forty, the brewery from Gadsden opened up a “hopping” restaurant and brewery across from Sloss Furnaces.  The place is fun – and we highly recommend the double burger.

Additional places scoring 95 and above:

IMG 0061 Surin West, Chris Z's, Back Forty received 95 and above food service scores in August
From cakes to Meltaways, Savage’s has been serving Birmingham for 80 years. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Savage’s Bakery -96
Sam’s Deli Grill – 95
Al’s Deli and Grill -95
Halal Supermarket International -96

Visit Jefferson County Department of Health’s Food Service website for the latest scores. These food service inspections are invaluable and help keep us all safe. It is our “right to know.”

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

Articles: 2409