18 popular hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Birmingham you need to check out

Reviewed by: Patience Itson

Reading time: 7 minutes

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Sammys
Sidney Bajjalieh of Sammy’s Sandwich Shop in Woodlawn. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

When you’re looking for great food in a casual, no frills atmosphere, Birmingham has plenty to offer.

Read on for 18 hole-in-the-wall restaurants in The Magic City to add to your must-try list, plus get recommendations on what to order from our audience.

This guide was created by Cecelia Wood in 2022 + updated by Grace Howard in 2025.

Bham Now audience’s top recommendations

We asked for your favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Birmingham, and boy did you deliver. We received nearly 500 comments on our Facebook post, but a few spots were recommended multiple times. In no particular order, here are a few of the most popular suggestions.

1. Giuseppe’s

Giuseppes
Giuseppe's owner Joe Williams
A look at the menu + the person behind it all, Joe Williams. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Giuseppe’s Cafe has been a Birmingham staple for almost 20 years, and our Facebook commenters recommend everything on the menu. For my fellow Glen Iris dwellers, this neighborhood café is the perfect spot to grab a hearty dinner and see some familiar faces.

2. De Vinci’s Pizza

Davinci’s, fried stuffed olives
De Vinci’s stuffed olives—yum. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

De Vinci’s Pizza in Homewood is one of Birmingham’s most popular pizza spots, with a menu full of fantastic pies and hidden gems. The cozy spot makes for the perfect atmosphere to split a pizza with loved ones. It’ll be im-pasta-ble to choose a favorite on the menu.

3. Marty’s GM

Popular for their late-night bar food and drinks, Marty’s GM in Irondale is one of the most popular suggestions for where locals eat and drink in Birmingham.

4. Salem’s Diner

Salem's Diner Homewood Alabama
Salem’s Diner in Homewood. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Another Homewood favorite, Salem’s Diner has topped the list for “best diner in Alabama” multiple times. Beyond having a menu of tasty food, Salem’s Diner is also a welcoming spot, largely thanks to owner Wayne Salem who treats every diner like a friend.

5. Blue Pacific

Blue Pacific
I dream of the fried dumplings. (Cecilia Wood / Bham Now)

You won’t hear someone talk about amazing food in Birmingham without hearing about Blue Pacific located in Hoover Food Mart. If you haven’t thought about gas stations as a great place to get food, it’s time to rethink.

6. The Garage

The Garage 18 popular hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Birmingham you need to check out
You can order any sandwich and you won’t go wrong. (Bham Now)

Hole-in-the-wall, hidden gem, top local recommendation—you name it, someone’s described The Garage this way. Located in Southside, The Garage has a beautiful courtyard in the back full of statues and greenery. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a sandwich and cold beer while catching up with friends.

7. Crazy Cajuns’ Boiling Pot

Locals love Crazy Cajuns for their laid-back atmosphere, but they love it even more for the menu. Crazy Cajuns’ menu includes dishes from their grandmother’s cookbook, like the popular seafood rotini.

8. Eagle’s

Eagle's
Meatloaf, mac and cheese, fried corn and cornbread from Eagle’s Restaurant. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Eagle’s Restaurant is legendary in the Birmingham food scene for the mouthwatering soul food they’ve served since 1951. Check out their menu for daily specials, then order a meat and sides from the spot that Andrew Zimmern has visited twice.

9. Ranelli’s Deli

Ranellis Rick and Sarah Ranelli 18 popular hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Birmingham you need to check out
Ranelli’s Rick and Sarah Ranelli. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

There’s nothing like a good sandwich, except maybe enjoying a good sandwich in a casual, no-frills environment that feels like home. Ranelli’s Deli has been named the best deli in Alabama multiple times, thanks to their family-grown history and menu of mouthwatering sandwiches.

10. T-Bones Cheesesteaks

T Bones 4 18 popular hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Birmingham you need to check out
One Philly style cheesesteak coming right up. (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

You can’t talk sandwiches in Birmingham without mentioning T-Bones. The popular Five Points South spot includes cheesesteaks, hoagies, burgers, loaded fries and more.

11. Taboon Noon O Kabab

Taboon Noon O Kabab is a Persian restaurant in Hoover with high-quality items, including fresh bread made in a clay oven. Order from a menu of dips, soups, salads, sandwiches and kababs.

12. Sammie’s Sandwiches

Sammys
Sammy’s Sandwich Shop in Woodlawn. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Located in Woodlawn along Messer Airport Highway, Sammy’s Sandwich Shop has been a beloved, family-owned & run restaurant for six decades.

Founded in 1962 by the Bajjalieh family, Sammy’s Sandwich Shop is currently run by Sidney Bajjalieh and his parents, Johnny and Susan. They specialize in burgers,

13. Pop’s Neighborhood Grill

Five Points South
Pop’s Neighborhood Grill in Five Points South (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

This family-run restaurant should be your go-to spot in Birmingham for deli sandwiches, burgers, dogs and wings. They serve a killer selection of breakfast sandwiches, too.

14. J&J Grocery & Deli

J&J Grocery in McCalla was highly recommended by our Facebook audience, and for good reason! This neighborhood spot offers sandwiches and sides that taste just like grandma made it.

15. Tony’s Hot Dogs

IMG 1562 18 popular hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Birmingham you need to check out
Tony’s Hot Dogs named best hot dogs in Alabama. Joseph and Misty Toromatsi in the center. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

This family-owned hot dog joint in Pelham was named top 50 best hot dogs in America by Big 7 Travel and best hot dog in the state by Eat This, Not That.

Celebrating nearly 30 years in business, Tony’s Hot Dogs has been at the same location on Montgomery Highway in Pelham since Joseph Tortomasi bought the restaurant when he was 24 years old. Together, Joseph and his wife Misty cook up some of the best dogs in town.

16. Our Place

Our Place in Gardendale has been around since 1997, and they’re not going anywhere. Owned by the Stathakes, this family-operated spot serves Greek and American favorites like gyros, wraps and sandwiches.

17. Green Acres

Green Acres
green acres inside 18 popular hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Birmingham you need to check out
Catch us grabbing a meal here. (Chaise Sanders / Bham Now)

If you haven’t been to Green Acres, where have you been? It’s been a secret gem for wings on Birmingham’s North Side since the 1950s. 

18. Nelson Brothers Café

blackbusinesscensus 11 scaled 1 18 popular hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Birmingham you need to check out
Antrice Nelson, owner of Nelson Brothers Café. (Bham Now)

Nelson Brothers Cafe, owned by Antrice Nelson, was opened in 1943 by Daniel Nelson and his brother George. The café serves breakfast and brunch that tastes like home, featuring grits, pancakes and sausage.

We know there are so many more, so tag @BhamNow with your favorites.

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Grace Howard
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