Niki’s West named Alabama’s “Best Southern Comfort Food” by Cheapism

Reviewed by: Pat Byington

Reading time: 2 minutes

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Cafeteria-style serving line with trays holding dishes of mashed potatoes, macaroni, meat with gravy, and pie
From savory plates to sweet treats, Niki’s West has it all. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

If you’re hungry for some of the best Southern comfort food in the country, you don’t have to go far.

According to a recent article by budget-friendly review website Cheapism, Alabama’s best Southern comfort food restaurant is none other than legendary local meat-and-three Niki’s West.

Cheapism names Niki’s West the best Southern comfort food in Alabama

Exterior of Niki's West restaurant with a large covered awning over the parking lot entrance
The entrance to Niki’s West in North Birmingham. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Located at 233 Finley Avenue West in the Acipco-Finley neighborhood of the North Birmingham community, Niki’s West is one of Birmingham’s most beloved and storied meat-and-three restaurants. Known for Greek-inspired spin on home-cooked Southern classics, relaxed atmosphere and its fast, cafeteria-style service, Niki’s West has been ranked among the best restaurants in Birmingham.

Opened in 1957, Niki’s West was the second restaurant under the “Niki’s” name to open in Birmingham. Six years earlier, Greek immigrant Gus Hontzas and his uncle John Hontzas opened Niki’s Downtown at 1101 2nd Avenue North. Although the “original” Niki’s closed in 2019, the larger restaurant on Finley is still running strong.

Man holding a cafeteria tray with fried food, a cornbread patty, and a bowl of beans at a steam table serving line
Niki’s West is known for its cafeteria-style service and home-cooked Southern comfort food. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

In a recent article titled The Best Southern Comfort Food Restaurant in Every State, Cheapism selected Niki’s West as the best Southern comfort food restaurant in Alabama, joined by restaurants in states like:

  • Nashville, Tennessee — The Loveless Cafe
  • Harbinger, North Carolina — Simply Southern Kitchen
  • Charleston, South Carolina — Bertha’s Kitchen
  • Atlanta, Georgia — Mary Mac’s Tea Room
  • New Orleans, Louisiana — Dooky Chase’s Restaurant
  • Indianola, Mississippi — The Crown Restaurant
  • Shelbyville, Kentucky — Claudia Sanders Dinner House

Hungry? Make lunch plans at Niki’s West today

Cafeteria tray with braised meat, a bowl of stewed apples, and cooked cabbage, with a dessert display case in the background
Make yourself a plate like this at Niki’s West today. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

If you’ve made it this far in the article, you’ve likely already got a hankerin’ for Southern comfort food. Niki’s West opens at 10:30AM—click here to view today’s daily menu.

Do you agree that Niki’s West is Alabama’s best Southern comfort food restaurant? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!

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Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson

Senior Content Producer + Photographer at Bham Now | nathan@bhamnow.com

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