Food and Wine features beloved Birmingham diner

Fife Restaurant in downtown Birmingham was featured this month in Food and Wine’s mid-year “The Best Diners in America We Ate At This Year” edition.

The  prestigious foodie magazine chose the beloved Birmingham diner alongside six other eateries from:

• Fortuna, California
• Baltimore
• New Orleans
• Stamford, Connecticut
• Boston
• Syracuse, New York 

Fife Restaurant: Fresh vegetables and good people

A Birmingham institution, Fife was first established in1959, according to John Kostakis, Fife’s owner for over 35 years.

“I bought it (restaurant) from Mr. Fife 35 years ago and I’m still here,” Kostakis said with a grin.

“We sell meat and two, breakfast in the morning, and lunch and afternoon dinner, Monday through Friday. We’re also doing breakfast on Saturday morning. We cook fresh vegetables. And you see the same people who have worked with us for a long time. We try not to change it. It’s hard work, but we keep going.”

John Kostakis

If you haven’t been to Fife, we highly recommend the following dishes:

• Breakfast plates with grits, rice or hash browns
• Omelets
• Meat and two – served with heaping portions of vegetables
• Strawberry Shortcake

What makes Fife Restaurant special

Dan Bailey, Food and Wine’s Senior Photo Editor who works here in Birmingham, told Bham Now what makes Fife special.

“In this unhurried community gathering spot, regulars and newcomers alike can slow down and chat over fresh hot coffee, served in tall styrofoam cups, while waiting on their meals. Time moves at a slower pace at this no-frills sanctuary in the city.”

Located at 2321 4th Avenue North, near the downtown post office, Fife Restaurant is genuinely a treat. Whether it is pancakes and coffee in the morning, a veggie plate for lunch or dinner topped off with dessert to go – you can see why Food and Wine are fans.

Do you have a favorite memory of Fife? Tell us on social media in the comment section, by tagging us at @bhamnow