Tip Top Grill, home to one of Birmingham’s most iconic views closes

Tip Top Grill
Note left at Tip Top Grill entrance. Photo via Jessica Broom for Bham Now

Tip Top Grill, the iconic hot dog/burger joint in Bluff Park with one of the best views of Shades Valley, has closed.

According to a sign posted on its front entrance, the establishment lost its lease.

Above is a photo of the sign taken on Monday morning November 29th at 7:30am by Bham Nower Jessica Broom.

Post From Property Owner

This morning, The Bluff Park, Alabama Neighborhood Facebook Page shared a post from the Bluff Park United Facebook page describing the status of property. 

Here is the post:

“As many have heard, Tip Top Grill has closed their doors.

A lot of speculation has been posted as to the reason.  Here is what the owner of the property, Forrest Smith, has posted on Bluff Park United:

Tip Top Grill

Hey Bluff Park,

My family has owned the Tip Top property since 2013. We do not have any intentions of selling it.

About 30 days ago Tip Top Grill sent us a 60 Day Letter of Termination. We did not ask them to leave or take away their current lease agreement. 

We are working on some plans to update the property and clean it up. We are also actively talking to people interested in being in the property.

We are looking forward to getting the spot reopened and continue to provide a place for beautiful views on the Bluff.

I appreciate everyone’s passion for Bluff Park and glad we can be a part of it.”

Tip Top
Tip Top Grill on November 29, 2021. Photo via Jessica Broom for Bham Now

Beloved Place and Views

According to Bhamwiki, Tip Top Grill, the small restaurant which is inside a gas station at the intersection of Shades Crest Road and Park Avenue in the Hoover Bluff Park neighborhood first opened in 2003. 

“The owners were inspired to open the tiny restaurant by Gus KoutroulakisPete’s Famous hot dog stand downtown, which had no seats, and hoped the views would bring customers back”

~ Excerpt from Bhamwiki

The note from the property owner is encouraging news. Stay tuned to Bham Now while we follow this breaking story. 

UPDATE: Tip Top Grill has released a statement on Instagram.

Tell us your favorite Tip Top Grill Story. Tag us on social media @bhamnow

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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