The official guide to meat and threes in Birmingham
ByMiranda Shaffer
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One meat and three sides makes for an iconic Southern meal. Whether you go with creamy Mac and Cheese, collard greens or fried okra, you know you’ll be eating good when you step into a meat and three restaurant. If you’re craving that classic combo, we’ve got you covered with an official guide to all of the meat and threes in Birmingham.
1. Ted’s Restaurant
Serving fresh veggies and meats to the Birmingham area since 1973, Ted’s combines Greek hospitality with hearty Southern dishes to create an experience full of great people and amazing food.
- Location: 328 12th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30AM-2PM I Saturday 8AM-2PM
- Website I Facebook
2. Fife’s Restaurant
You’ll know you’re at Fife’s when you spot this colorful mural gracing the side of the restaurant building. The pop on the outside is a great prep for the big Southern flavors you’ll be met with when you step inside the door.
- Location: 2321 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Hours: Monday-Friday 6AM-6:30PM | Saturday 6AM-6:30PM
- Website I Facebook
3. Irondale Café
Irondale Cafe is famous for being the real-life inspiration behind the Whistlestop Cafe in Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes. This is one of the meat and threes in Birmingham that has been around for ages, and anyone who’s been there will tell you the food doesn’t disappoint.
Try their fried catfish, fried okra and Mac and Cheese combo next time you’re there.
- Location: 1906 1st Ave N, Irondale, AL 35210
- Hours: Tuesday-Friday + Sunday 11AM-2:30PM
- Website I Facebook
4. Niki’s West
Niki’s West is another one of The Magic City’s classic meat and threes having served the area since the 50s. Check their website to view their daily menu that’s filled with items like lemon pepper catfish and Greek chicken.
5. Bogue’s
Bogue’s has been dishing out Southern hospitality and comfort food since 1938. Although they get attention nationwide for their breakfast, we’re here to remind you about the delicious meat and threes served at lunch. They’re a must.
- Location: 3028 Clairmont Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
- Hours: Sun. 7AM-1PM | Monday-Friday 6AM-2PM, 5-9PM | Saturday 6AM-Noon
- Website I Facebook
6. Johnny’s Restaurant
Chef Timothy Hontzas keeps it local, fresh and seasonal at Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood. Opened in 2012, Johnny’s continues a family legacy of meat and threes that originally began with Hontzas’ grandfather (that’s Johnny!) and pays homage to his Greek heritage.
Order Southern faves alongside spanakopita and keftedes (meatballs).
7. Fried Green Tomato’s
Opened in Hoover in 2015, Fried Green Tomato’s is the spinoff of the famed Irondale Cafe. With the same owners and equally yummy menus, how do you choose between the two? I suggest visiting your closest location.
8. The Bright Star
The Bright Star opened its doors in 1907, which makes it one of Birmingham’s oldest meat and threes. Go taste the dishes that have kept this restaurant a staple for over a century.
- Address: 304 19th St N, Bessemer, AL 35020
- Hours: Sunday, Tuesday-Thursday 11AM-3PM, 4:30-8PM I Friday-Saturday 11AM-3PM I 4:30-9PM
- Website
9. Carlile’s BBQ
The Carlisle brothers opened this popular spot in Birmingham in 1945 after returning home from serving in World War II. Why the spelling? They got the idea from the Armed Forces’ misspelling of the family name in one of their records.
- Address: 3511 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30AM-3PM
- Website I Facebook
10. Eagle’s Restaurant
If food guru Andrew Zimmern visits a restaurant twice, it’s got to be good. That’s Eagle’s. Zimmern first featured Eagle’s on his show Bizarre Foods America in 2013, and he returned for a second helping this June.
Only a mile from the Jefferson County Farmers Market (in the same neck of the woods as Niki’s West), the vegetables are always fresh.
Alongside your fave meat and three fare, Eagle’s serves soul food dishes that other establishments tend to shy away from—oxtails, chitterlings and pig feet, ears and neck bones. And they do it so well.
- Address: 2610 16th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35204
- Hours: Sunday-Friday 10:30AM-3:30PM
- Website I Facebook
11. The Paw Paw Patch
Pop quiz! Paw Paw is (1) the tasty fruit of a Native American tree, (2) your grandfather’s nickname, or (3) part of the name of a must-try meat and three serving country cooking on Greensprings Highway?
Answer: 1, 2 and 3.
- Address: 410 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, Alabama 35209
- Hours: Monday-Friday 11AM-8PM
- Website I Facebook
12. Magnolia Cafe
Magnolia Cafe has all the fixings worthy of an amazing meat and three operation, but my favorite menu item has to be the banana pudding. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out.
- Location: 4704 Cahaba River Rd E, Birmingham, AL 35243
- Hours: Wednesday-Friday & Sunday 11AM-2:30PM I Monday-Tuesday 11:30AM-2:30PM
- Website I Facebook
13. Sarris Restaurant
Sarris Restaurant is another spot dishing out Southern home-cooked classics with a Greek background. You’ll be welcomed into a family atmosphere with incredible food.
- Location: 600 31st St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Hours: Monday-Friday 7AM-2:30PM
14. Bluff Park Diner
Bluff Park Diner in Hoover will leave you feeling stuffed and satisfied with hearty menu items like chicken and dumplings and sweet potato casserole.
15. Sherry’s Cafe
Sherry’s Cafe is all the rave in Trussville with amazing Southern eats like chicken fried steak and peach cobbler. If you’re not from the area, this one’s worth the drive for cooking that could definitely pass for grandma’s—or maybe even better. Shh! You may want to keep that part hush hush.
- Location: 5800 Valley Rd Suite 110, Trussville, AL 35173
- Hours: Monday-Friday 11AM-7PM I Saturday 11AM-2PM I Sunday 10:30AM-2:30PM
- Website I Facebook
16. The Back Porch
This spot in Bessemer is home to some serious cooking courtesy of Chef Ron. Black-eyed peas, baked chicken and creamy chicken and dumplings are just a few of the dishes it offers. They also have a food truck you can spot around Bessemer.
- Location: 1924 1st Ave N, Bessemer, AL 35020
- Hours: Monday-Friday + Sunday 11AM-4PM
17. Green Acres Cafe
Green Acres has all the convenience of a quick-serve restaurant with all the flavor and love for food you’d find in a hometown diner. There are four locations around the Birmingham area, including Centerpoint, Irondale, Eastlake and Hueytown. Check their website for various store hours, locations and menus.
18. Ashley Mac’s
Ashley Mac’s is another spot to grab delicious meats and Southern sides at their various café locations around Birmingham. Don’t feel like cooking for your next big event? Many of Ashley Mac’s signature dishes can be found on their catering menu.
Tip: Their strawberry cake is to die for.
Check out their website for various store locations and hours and to see the café and catering menu.
19. Makarios Ranch House
Makarios Ranch House is a mix of Southern home-cooking and Mediterranean fare you can find in Vestavia Hills. They have specialty Meditterranean items like grape leaves and shawarma as well as a meat and three lunch.
Did we miss any of your fave meat and threes in Birmingham? Let us know by tagging us @bhamnow!
