Crestwood Coffee, Eugene’s Hot Chicken earn 95+ food service scores

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Crestwood Coffee
Crestwood Coffee scored 95+ on its Health Department score in 2021. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Several Birmingham area restaurants including Eugene’s Hot Chicken at Birmingham’s Uptown, Crestwood Coffee in the Crestwood Neighborhood and Roadside BBQ in East Lake received 95 and above on their food service scores in June and the first week of July 2021.

As a public service, since 2018, Bham Now has reported monthly Jefferson County Department of Health restaurant scores. In June, over 100 local establishments that handle and serve food were inspected by the health department. These places include: restaurants, schools, nursing homes, daycare centers, hospitals, grocery stores and concession stands.

In this story, we feature local restaurants and food trucks that scored 95 and above.

Where Did We Get the Scores?

Birmingham, Jefferson County Department of Health
Jefferson County Department of Health. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Food service inspection scores are updated regularly on the Jefferson County Department of Health website. The database is easy to access and it goes back several years. We estimate approximately 10-15% of the restaurant inspections score 95 or above, while most local school cafeterias, for example, tend to score 95 or above.

Who made the local restaurant honor roll this month? Here are some notable local establishments: 

Crestwood Coffee – 98

Birmingham, Crestwood, Crestwood Coffee Company
Photo via Crestwood Coffee Company

Before there was a Thank You Books, Sojourns or True Story Brewing, one of the mainstays at the shopping center adjacent to Crestwood Park has been Crestwood Coffee. Serving breakfast and lunch – Crestwood Coffee serves a killer grilled cheese sandwich and the of course the coffee is some of the best in town.

Eugene’s Hot Chicken Food Truck – 98

Birmingham, Eugene's Hot Chicken, Birmingham Restaurant Week
Eugene’s Hot Chicken Photo courtesy of Birmingham Restaurant Week

Featured on the Food Network back in 2017, Eugene’s is one of our favorite places to visit in the Uptown Entertainment District. I also highly recommend seeking out their food trucks. I haven’t summed up the courage to try the “stupid hot” hot chicken yet, but I’ve made it to the “hot damn” category, which is a step-down. Hot tip: Eugene’s serves catfish & pork chops too.

Sanpeggio’s Pizza – 99

Sanpeggios Pizza 165 Crestwood Coffee, Eugene’s Hot Chicken earn 95+ food service scores
Sanpeggio’s Pizza. Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now

Located in Trussville and Hoover – If you are looking for a pizza where the dough and sauces are fresh and made from scratch everyday- Sanpeggio’s is your kind of pizza joint. Along with their gourmet pizzas, they serve calzones, pasta and subs.

Additional 95 and above scores:

IMG 0146 Crestwood Coffee, Eugene’s Hot Chicken earn 95+ food service scores
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

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn – 99

Mr Wang’s – 99

J + R Bar and Grill – 98

Rolls Homewood – 99

Roadside BBQ – 99

Yo Chef Surf and Turf Smokehouse – 98

Alabama Southern Market – 98

JCDH Website

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.

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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.

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