Two new popular national fast casual restaurants are moving to Birmingham Southside’s 20th Street near the Kirklin Clinic and UAB.

Tropical Smoothie Café and Qdoba Mexican Eats will take up residence at the 5th & 20th building at 2001 5th Avenue South, joining Chase Bank as tenants according to SRS Birmingham, who made the announcement on Monday.

About Qdoba Mexican Eats & Tropical Smoothie Cafe

The incoming Qdoba Mexican Eats will be its 750th US location and the first in Alabama that is not on a military base (the other 2 locations are at Fort Novosel and Maxwell AFB).

A fun fact about Qdoba: This year, Qdoba Mexican Eats was voted USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards “Best Fast Casual Restaurant” for the third year in a row, beating out local national-brand favorites Culvers and Shake Shack.

The new Tropical Smoothie Café near UAB will be its eighth establishment in the state. Presently there are locations around Birmingham in Inverness off 280, Hoover, Homewood and Hueytown. If you are looking for some healthy eating options to supplement a smoothie – this is the place.

UAB expanding its footprint

UAB’s recent purchase of the 20-story Daniel Building on 21st Street and 2nd Avenue is likely attracting restaurants to locate in the area. Over the past year, Bham Now has announced the opening of several new restaurants including Greenhouse and Craft’s Chicken.

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