After a nearly year-long renovation, the team behind Lag’s Eatery is putting the final touches on the restaurant and aims to welcome their first guests in the coming weeks.

Read on to learn all about the new Lag’s Eatery and when you can visit, including their debut block party on Saturday, November 23.

About Lag’s Eatery

In the 1970s, Anthony “Lag” Gagliano founded the original Lag’s Eatery in Homewood at 903 Broadway Street, which now houses Sorelle Cafe. A popular breakfast and lunch spot, Lag’s Eatery specialized in “solid and simple” items like sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs.

“Lag” Gagliano retired in the 1990s and sold the business to Gerard DeFrank, who ran Lag’s until health problems forced him to retire in 2008. Lag’s Eatery closed shortly after.

Over its original four-decade run, Lag’s Eatery was the first job for countless youngsters growing up in The Magic City—including Justin Shubert and Eric Wallace.

“Reopening Lag’s Eatery has been something Eric and I have dreamt about for a long time. The original Lag’s shaped both of our lives, so we’re excited to show people why this place meant to much to us.

It’s more than just food—its about the community, the regulars and everything that made us love Lag’s to begin with. That’s what we want this space to become.”
Justin Shubert, Co-Owner, Lag’s Eatery

Bringing a beloved Birmingham restaurant back to life

Earlier this year, we learned that Justin and Eric had found a new home for Lag’s Eatery: the former LoLo’s BBQ building at 4350 3rd Ct. South in Avondale. Since January, the duo and their team have:

Gutted and renovated the interior.
Replaced a gravel lot with paved concrete.
Constructed an additional structure for restrooms.
Transformed the property’s landscaping.
And much more.

Inside the redesigned building, guests will be able to dine inside at the counter and booths or in the outdoor dining area.

When it comes to parking, Lag’s Eatery will have seven spaces out front (plus one handicap spot) as well as access to street parking and permission for parking in the Avondale Mills Shopping Center lot.

What’s on the menu + what to expect at Lag’s Eatery

Lag’s Eatery will open bright and early to serve breakfast from 6AM to 11AM with a solid, simple menu of items like:

Homemade buttermilk biscuits and gravy
Pancakes
Egg, meat and cheese on a Martin’s Potato Roll
A one-plate breakfast with eggs, gravy, biscuits, tots and a protein

Protein options will include thick-cut bologna, Conecuh Sausage, Patty Sausage, bacon and fried chicken breast.

For lunch and dinner, Lag’s Eatery will offer updated versions of many of the most popular items from the original restaurant, including the burger, patty melt and chicken sandwich—all perfect for dipping in their original Lag’s Sauce.

“Lag’s Sauce is a ketchup-based sauce, so its zingy and really tasty. When you add it to fatty beef, it really sings.”
Adam Cutchen, Lag’s Eatery

One dish the Lag’s Eatery team is especially excited about is their Reuben sandwich.

“Our Reuben is going to be the kind of sandwich that, when it’s halfway gone, you’re gonna start getting mad.”
Eric Wallace, Co-Owner, Lag’s Eatery

For any vegetarian visitors, Lag’s Eatery will offer Impossible Beef, a Caesar Salad, and a house salad that can be altered for vegan customers.

When it comes to drinks, Lag’s Eatery will have a solid, simple beverage menu with alcohol and alcohol-free options.

“Although we are a restaurant first, we’ll offer beer and simple mixed drinks—plus, we’ll have milkshakes that can be spiced up with a shot.”
Jason Shubert, Beverage Director, Lag’s Eatery

Check out the new Lag’s Eatery on Saturday, November 23

Ready to visit the new Lag’s Eatery? You don’t have to wait long. Lag’s Eatery will be “softly” open starting Wednesday, November 20.

Wednesday | 6AM to 10PM
Thursday—Friday | 6AM to Midnight

Plus, they’ll be hosting a big celebration on Saturday, November 23—you don’t want to miss it.

What: Lag’s Eatery Debut Block Party
When: Saturday, November 23
Where: Lag’s Eatery, 4350 3rd Ct S, Birmingham, AL 35222

Excited to see Lag’s Eatery open in Avondale? Follow Bham Now on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn and sign up for our FREE newsletter to stay up to date on the latest exciting news in The Magic City!