7 new restaurants to know about outside Birmingham’s city center

The Magic City is known for its food scene and continuous flow of new restaurants. But what about all those areas outside of Birmingham’s city center? It’s popping with places to eat, too. Here are seven new restaurants in areas like Hoover, Trussville and Hueytown.

1. EZ Street Wings — Southwest Birmingham

Wings, fries and lots of dessert. I could only be talking about EZ Street Wings in Southwest Birmingham.

This new dive held its grand opening on July 11 and is the ideal spot to grab some tasty grub. On the menu, you’ll find a variety of items like:

• Burgers
• Hot dogs + polish sausages
• Sandwiches
• Seafood
• Wings

Sides include onion rings, fried okra and nachos and cheese. But I suggest the fries. Get them loaded or Cajun, with cheese, ranch or chili.

Unexpected bonus: the desserts. Banana pudding, chocolate covered strawberries and red velvet cake are all on the menu.

Address: 5005 Jefferson Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35221
Facebook

2. Bell Peppers — Hueytown

It was in June that we first told you about the restaurant Bell Peppers coming to Hueytown. Now, after a grand opening on July 13, the eatery is ready to serve you. 

What’s on the menu? I’m glad you asked. And actually, it’s the food that makes this eatery so unique. 

Bell Peppers features some low-carb food. No, that doesn’t mean it’s not filling or lacks taste. Quite the opposite. This restaurant’s low-carb menu is filled with items that taste like they are high carb. Examples: pizza, waffles, biscuits and brownies. 

While these foods are all loaded with carbs (seriously, one slice of plain cheese pizza typically has 35+ carbs in it!), at Bell Peppers, they only have about four carbs. 

Here are some top items to try:

The Alfredo Burger: 93% lean ground beef, Alfredo sauce, shredded Parmesan and American cheeses, red/yellow/green bell peppers, seasoned tomatoes and onions. Total carbs – 7 | Bun – 15 net carbs

The Chicken Philly Pizza: Made-from-scratch Philly Sauce Pizza Base, seasoned lean grilled chicken breast, sautéed bell peppers + onions, fresh herbs + spices and mozarella. Total carbs per slice – 4

The Turkey Polish Sausage: 100% whole wheat bun, turkey polish sausage, Italian-style ground turkey, fresh sautéed bell peppers + onions and low-carb secret sauces. Total carbs – 21

Happy low-caring everyone!

Address: 144 River Square Plaza, Hueytown, AL 35023
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, Noon-7PM | Friday, Noon-8PM | Saturday, 11AM-8PM | Sunday, 1-7PM
Website | Facebook

3. Smoothies-N-Things Cafe — Hoover

From a new entertainment district to restaurants and shops, Hoover’s been trending up over the past year. Get ready for more because a new smoothie shop is coming soon.

Smoothies-N-Things Cafe will move into the new development near the intersection of John Hopkins Parkway and I-459. Behind the storefront is owner Reggie Torbor, former All-SEC star at Auburn University and NFL player.

The shop offers smoothies, blended coffees and even whole dishes like salads, sandwiches and wraps. Basically everything the health-aware, vegetarian or vegan make seek.

For all you smoothie fans out there, here are some that are well worth a sip—or two or three or 12.

• Aviator Crushed Fruit Smoothie: strawberry, raspberry, blueberry + blackberry
• Palm Peach Crushed Fruit Smoothie: lemonade, peach, pear + apricot
• Fountain of Youth Specialty Smoothie: pomegranate, açaí, blueberry + blackberry

There are several blend-in enhancers that can be added to your smoothie, too, like fat burners, energy enhancers and immune boosters.

More on openings in Hoover.

Address: 5190 Medford Drive, Ste 124, Hoover, AL 35244
Website | Facebook

4. The Anvil Pub and Grill

The Anvil Pub and Grill made its debut back in February, just as the pandemic was gearing up. Unfortunate timing, for sure. While curbside pickup has been available, the restaurants outdoor patio is back up and running for food and drinks—social-distanced style, of course.

Luckily, COVID didn’t stop this British-inspired culinary restaurant from wowing foodies around the greater Birmingham area. Here are a few menu items that are on the must-try list:

• Fish and Chips: beer-battered cod, chips, mint peas + tartare sauce.
• Steak and Guinness Pie: mushrooms, spring onions + carrots.
• Bangers and Smash: English sausage, smashed potatoes, poached egg + pea salad.

While food at The Anvil Pub and Grill is international, you can get beers brewed right in Birmingham at breweries like TrimTab, Good People, Cahaba, Avondale and Ghost Train.

Address: 611 Doug Baker Blvd, Unit 103, Birmingham, AL 35242
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

5. Half Shell Oyster House

Love seafood? Then mark your calendar for the grand opening of Half Shell Oyster House, opening in Trussville on Wednesday, August 12.

In addition to HSOH’s famous oysters, here’s what else you can expect to see on the menu:

• Soups + salads
• Seafood
• Steak
• Pasta
• Wine, liquor + specialty drinks

More coming to Trussville.

Address: 218 Main St, Trussville, AL 35173
Website | Facebook | Instagram

6. Ollie’s Seafood Restaurant — Gardendale

So long Shrimp Basket. Hello Ollie’s Seafood. The new restaurant will soon take over the space at Plaza II on Fairfield Road in Gardendale.

Hang tight for the grand opening on October 1.

Address: 550 Fieldstown Rd, Gardendale, AL 35071

7. Buc-ee’s

Restaurant. Convenience store. Potato potata. At least it is when talking about Buc-ee’s. They have lots and lots of food, after all.

So here are some cool things to know about this wildly awaited convenience story—ahem, restaurant—opening in Leeds in 2021.

• It has a coffee shop with pastries and a deli with hand-made sandwiches.
• It sells specialty gifts and food items like Beaver Nuggers (caramel + butter-glazed corn puffs—one of Buc-ee’s most popular items)
• It’s home to tons of gas pumps and a car wash so you can fuel up and make your vehicle shine during your pit stop.

More on Buc-ee’s.

Address: 7000 Coosa Avenue, Leeds, AL 35094
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Know of a restaurant opening outside Birmingham’s city center? Fill us in on what’s to come on social at @BhamNow on Facebook and Instagram, or @Now_Bham on Twitter.