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2022 is bringing a fresh set of 5 Birmingham openings—including a new local taco spot
ByOlivia Moses
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Welcome to 2022, Birmingham—the year of some of our most anticipated openings! Let’s not put the cart before the horse, shall we? We’re sharing just a taste of the fun that January is bringing for these small businesses plus some that have us on pins and needles waiting to open in the Spring.
1. SLIDE: A Panoptic Company
Your favorite Irondale eatery is back! Slide, a Panoptic Company, is making its return the The Magic City with a new name and brand new menu items. You may have once recognized this café as Eat at Panoptic, but award-winning chef, Raquel Ervin, has brought it back and better than ever with SLIDE.
“Back in August we were forced to close due to staffing, but during that time Chef Raquel worked hard by making changes to better the customer experience, expanding our menus and the biggest change REBRANDING! Under the umbrella Panoptic LLC, we will continue to operate our catering company as Panoptic Catering & now our cafés and food truck as SLIDE!”
– SLIDE on Instagram
The branding certainly isn’t the only change—they’ve increased their menu with 15 specialty sliders, two signature salads, five gourmet sides, new beverages options featuring Chef’s house lemonade, a Panoptic Catering favorite. They officially open today, January 3, so be sure and stop in to congratulate Ervin and her team on bringing back an Irondale staple. PS—their Pelham location is set to open Summer 2022, so mark your calendars.
“Not only am I excited about opening Irondale again but looking forward to the addition in Pelham this Summer. I really enjoy creating food smiles and continuing to be known for ‘Flavor In Every Bite’.”
– Raquel Ervin, SLIDE, Owner
- Location: 1819 Crestwood Blvd, Irondale, AL 35210
- Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Tacos Don Tacho #2
There’s a new taco spot in town and it’s about to steal your heart. Welcome to the neighborhood, Tacos Don Tacho #2. You may be wondering what a “tacho” is, but our research tells us that it’s a combination of a taco and a nacho—yum! This local spot specializes in authentic Mexican food and antojitos (snacks), homemade ice cream, pop culés, margaritas and beer. So, basically everything that you could want. We’re also digging the aesthetic of the ice cream bar and drink machines behind the counter—bringing a bit of nostalgia to Homewood.
This Birmingham opening became open for business in late October, so be sure to hit them up for authentic Mexican flavor, tasty treats and a good time.
- Location: 437 Green Springs Hwy #141, Homewood, AL 35209
- Contact: Facebook | Instagram
3. B’s Souf Vegan
If you’ve been around for a bit, you know that we are absolutely enamored with the vegan community in Birmingham. Consistently blown away by the talent that these chefs and entrepreneurs have, we’re always down to try these plant-based options. B’s Souf Kitchen, powered solely by plants, made its way to The Magic City just in time for the Magic City Classic. If you’re debating if this place is right for you, just know that it got Mayor Woodfin’s seal of approval at The Classic—the evidence is below.
Owner Brittany’s mission is to create vegan foods that are more accessible. She’s crafting up some specialties that we’re excited to try including the famous B’s sweet potato chips and special sauce. B’s currently exists as catering and an event vendor, but we’re so excited to see how this Birmingham opening makes a difference for the vegan community in Birmingham.
- Location: TBD—keep up with their Instagram for more details.
- Contact: Instagram
4. The Kelly Hotel
In case you missed it, there’s a new hotel in town that is perfect for those out of town guests that want to be “wow”ed by Birmingham. This luxury hotel sits in the heart of downtown at the former Commerce Center. As the latest hotel by Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, The Kelly Hotel features bold prints and patterns, complete with a restaurant and bar concept, “The Calico”, that will be opening early this year.
Everything in the lobby was designed by New Orleans based artist, Tony Mose, to complete the creative look of the grand entrance. The views aren’t just limited to the lobby, however. Each room features a spectacular view of Birmingham—all in which you can see some of Birmingham’s most iconic buildings. Be sure to check back for an opening date of The Calico—we’re beyond excited to have them in Birmingham.
- Location: 2027 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Coming soon
Real and Rosemary: Mountain Brook
As a popular Birmingham favorite, the team at Real and Rosemary just announced a third location at the former Ollie Irene’s space in Crestline. This news came just before the statement from former Ollie Irene owners about their closing.
“…Unexpectedly, our momentary pause presented a different prospect: it was clearly the right moment for us as entrepreneurs, and as a family to make a change, create a new beginning, ‘take’ the fork in the road.”
– Anna, Chris, Lila Hand & Carter Newsome, Ollie Irene, Owners (as quoted in @mountainbrookmag).
On the bright side, the Real and Rosemary owners, the Carlsons, are veterans to the restaurant industry and are looking forward to taking their concept to the Mountain Brook community. This Birmingham opening is coming soon and should be open as early as Spring 2022. Hooray for wholesome food!
- Location: 75 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
- Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
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