Rojo, Chez Fonfon, Hot and Hot Fish Club earned 95+ food service scores in August

Birmingham restaurant
Hot & Hot Fish Club (Matthew Niblett/ Bham Now)

Several Birmingham-area restaurants, including Rojo in the Highland Park neighborhood, Chez Fonfon in the heart of Five Points South and Chris Hastings’ Hot & Hot Fish Club at Pepper Place received 95 and above on their food service scores this past August.

Since 2018, Bham Now has reported the Jefferson County Department of Health restaurant food service scores each month. On average, 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 – Chez Fonfon, Rojo & Ranelli’s

chez Fonfon
Frank’s Pinot Noir and Coconut Cake at Chez Fonfon (Bham Now)

Chez Fonfon – 98

Chez Fonfon
Chez Fonfon Venison (Bham Now)

With fall finally arriving, now is the time to visit Pardis and Frank Stitt’s patio at Chez Fonfon. Our favorite meal? The nationally recognized burger of course! And when you finish the meal, you’ve got to try their out of this world coconut pecan cake.  

Rojo – 97

At the ripe old age of 21 years old, Rojo continues to not only serve great food, they also give back to the community. Just this spring the American/Latin cuisine restaurant started a movement to grow native plants throughout the Highland Park neighborhood.

Ranelli’s Deli and Cafe—98

Named the best deli in Alabama by the Food Network, Ranelli’s IS a Birmingham original. For 50+ years this venerable deli has been serving subs and having a good time. What do we recommend on the menu? The Richman Po-Boy – another sandwich that has received national recognition.

Rest of the Honor Roll – including Pita Stop, Ovenbird

The Fennec
The Fennec.(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)
Gus's Hot Dogs Birmingham
The Gus’s Hot Dogs- John Lewis Mural in downtown Birmingham on 4th Avenue North. (Nathan Watson/ Bham Now)

Jefferson County Department of Health

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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