Golden Temple, Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Savage’s Bakery, earn 95+ food service scores in May

Homewood
Savage’s Bakery in Homewood (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Several Birmingham-area restaurants, including Golden Temple, Filter Coffee Parlor and IKKO Japanese Ramen Sushi in the Five Points Neighborhood, Homewood’s Savage’s Bakery and the Cedar House in Tarrant received 95 and above on their food service scores this past May.

Since 2018, Bham Now has reported the Jefferson County Department of Health restaurant food service scores each month. Over 100 local establishments that handle and serve food are inspected monthly by the health department, including: 

  • Restaurants
  • Schools
  • Nursing homes,
  • Daycare centers
  • Hospitals
  • Grocery stores
  • Concession stands

Food service inspection scores are updated regularly on the Jefferson County Department of Health website

Featured Restaurants

Who made the local restaurant honor roll in May? Here are some notable local establishments:

Golden Temple – 95

Golden Temple
Golden Temple, Birmingham’s first exclusive vegetarian restaurant. (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Birmingham’s first and longest running vegetarian restaurant, turns 50 this year. A legendary 5 Points South restaurant, Golden Temple is also a natural foods and clothing store. MUST TRY: Veggie quesadilla and smoothies.

IMG 0062 Golden Temple, Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Savage’s Bakery, earn 95+ food service scores in May
Wide selection of bakery items at Savage’s.( Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Another Birmingham original, Savage’s, first opened on Highland Avenue way back in 1939. They moved to Mountain Brook’s Crestline neighborhood in 1947, finally settling in Homewood in the 1950s. A one-of-a- kind bakery, Savage’s is also a great place to have a sandwich with friends. MUST TRY: Meltaways.

Tarrant
Cedar House Cafeteria in Tarrant. (Pat Byington/ Bham Now)

Looking for a place to pick up an old-fashioned omelets for breakfast or a meat and three for lunch? Try the Cedar House Cafeteria in Tarrant, located on Pinson Valley Highway. Enjoy the food and the atmosphere. I especially enjoy the historical photos on the walls. MUST TRY: Beef tips and rice 

Rest of the Honor Roll

FILTER Coffee Parlor PC + bagel
(Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Taco Mama (Trussville) – 96

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn – 100

Bama Hot Dogs – 95

Red Bike Coffee – 99

Maravillas Mexican Grill – 98

American Deli (Bessemer)- 96

Tasty Jamaica Wings and Things – 95

IKKO Japanese Ramen and Sushi – 95

Biscuit Love (Cahaba Heights) – 95

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – 98

The Standard – 95

Neighbors Pies – 97

Birmingham Wings and Waffles – 98

Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Restaurant – 96

Mr. Chen's Homewood
Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Restaurant. (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Farm and Sea Cajun Grill – 97

Filter Coffee Parlor – 97

Eugene’s Hot Chicken – 96

Robert’s Cuisine – 96

Alpha Charlie Grill  – 97

Munchies on 5th – 95

Full Moon BBQ in Fultondale – 95

Cannella Gelato Cafe – 100

Ashley Mac’s  – 96

Bell Peppers (Hueytown) – 99

River Fish Market and Seafood Shack – 96

Learn More

Birmingham, Jefferson County Department of Health
Jefferson County Department of Health. (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Visit Jefferson County Department of Health’s Food Service website for the latest scores. Food service inspections help keep us all safe. Bookmark the page and stay tuned for our monthly 95+ stories.


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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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