Birmingham's Best Lunch

A picture is worth a thousand words – Ill shut up.

I love the Urban Cookhouse – In the past, have complained about the parking and sometimes the wait in line.  Maybe they read my blog because they have added a second location and its bigger with unlimited parking!  When you take something great and improve everything it gets real close to perfect.  I have several favorites on the menu.  Today I had the Urban Cowboy – one of the more masculine items on the menu.  Lime marinated steak, sauteed peppers and onions with pepper-jack cheese.  Its not spicy but it is tasty.  I usually get the broccoli salad, its good, fresh and healthy.  If you don’t care about healthy go with the hot cheddar pasta.

I have decided one of the best things about Urban Cookhouse is the portion size.  It’s perfect for lunch.  You leave there refreshed ready for the afternoon, not too full to work.

Pizza has always been a treat for the kids when we go out somewhere nice.  It’s a great birthday item at Chucky Cheese or a treat at Jim Davenports as you get up to speed on the latest body art. But this is a lunch web site can one eat pizza for lunch?  Yes, by the slice.  Just opened in Lakeview (downtown by St Vincents) is a very nice pizza shop called Slice.

Slice was made for beer and pizza.  It’s so simple yet elegant,  The pizza oven is a work of art and it produces the best stone baked crust I have ever had.  They have 10 local beers on tap and a long list of bottled beer.  The current menu has 16 pizzas.  I would not call them gourmet pizzas although they have gourmet toppings.  These are just good pizzas made to look and taste like pizza.

I suggest bringing a friend and sharing two. Plan to take the left over home for lunch.  Yep, left over pizza.  I can not think of a better lunch.  If that is not your speed they are open for lunch and serve pizza by the slice.

My current favorite is the Very Veggie.  It’s not leading by much, the crust is a big factor in the goodness so all the pizzas have that going for them.  This veggie pizza has 3 types of peppers and one is jalapeno!  It’s a spicy veggie pizza and I love it!

The place is run by three brothers who have lots of pizza and food experience.  You can tell they care about their product.  Every visit we get quizzed for our thoughts on the food.  Last Thursday night they had a little outdoor entertainment, it was nice and relaxing.  I can not wait to go back again.

Most people who know me, understand when I say “I am going to Sammy’s”, that I am going for a cheeseburger.  It’s the best cheeseburger anywhere.  I know, lots of places have good cheeseburgers and some people do very creative things with cheeseburgers, but to me a cheeseburger doesn’t need anything weird – bun, meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato a little onion and maybe some peppers and bacon.

Sammy’s Sandwich Shop in Woodlawn (4921 Messer Airport Hwy Birmingham, AL  35212)  is hands down my favorite place for a cheeseburger.  In fact, I don’t ever try cheeseburgers anymore; I just go back to Sammy’s.  This hidden treasure of a diner is near the airport in Birmingham, AL.  You get off 59/20 at the airport exit and go away from the airport on Messer Airport Highway.  Go thru the second light and look for a little old shopping center on the left.  There is a small Dr Pepper sign that says Sammy’s Sandwich Shop.  They open early for breakfast but close around 3:30pm and they are closed Saturday and Sunday.  In other words – Weekday lunch spot.

The guy at the griddle is Johnny and the hostess is his wife Susan.  They also have a son there helping with the big lunch crowds.  You can sit at Johnny’s counter or enjoy a midcentury booth.  The power company guys will be devouring the daily special but don’t be tempted to order anything but what you came in for, the large cheeseburger, all the way.

If you watch Johnny you will see him fashion each patty from a tub of beef he keeps in the fridge next to the griddle.  He applies a special sauce and spices as it cooks and he also keeps some bacon, onion and peppers diced and ready to griddle up as a topping.  They use a large soft Merita bun and fresh, local and organic lettuce and tomato.   I usually count the napkins I use and seldom can I keep it under a dozen.  It’s the best tasting juiciest burger in the world.  I promise you will come back.  You will be tempted to try a beef rider but remember why you came to Sammy’s and order another cheeseburger.

Sammy’s Sandwich Shop – 4921 Messer Airport Hwy Birmingham, AL  35212 – 205-591-1462

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/45/490957/restaurant/Avondale/Sammys-Sandwich-Shop-Birmingham

http://www.the35212.com/2009/10/16/sammys-sandwich-shop/

http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/sammys-sandwich-shop-birmingham-166698#p86829

It’s fun getting back to wondering what to eat for lunch.  The past month I have been wondering what to do with storm debris, does anyone need a few tree stumps?  Last night someone suggested a place I had never heard of, Fat Sam’s.  The most intriguing thing was the sandwich name, Dragon’s Belly.  That was all I needed to pack up and head to South Side.

Fat Sam’s set up has become my favorite, small shop with a grill and enough space for a few tables.  Run by the owner, Fat Sam.  He has been loosing some weight and his cholseteral is under control.  Sam has that friendly welcoming attitude that makes lunch fun.

The place is old and dingy.  You may even find yourself looking for the health rating, I never found it.  This is just a heads up, if you expect it to be a greasy dive you wont be shocked.  If you come with Clorox wipes you will be well prepared.  If you can handle the atmosphere it is a great lunch spot.

We ordered three of many unique sandwich option on the menu, the Dragon’s Belly, Philly Cheesesteak and an Affair.  The Philly and Belly came with fresh homemade fries.  All three were good, fresh, hot and tasty.  I will say the Dragon’s Belly was right up my alley.  It’s a combination of buffalo chicken, pickle, tomato and other stuff in a pita.  The chicken is chopped so the ingredients are mixed up and easy to enjoy.  Spicy chicken is one of my favorite and this is a unique presentation that I will be back to enjoy again and again.

Another interesting item was the home style fries.  Freshly sliced potatos, fried and seasoned for your taste buds.  They remind me of college and all potatos that went through the fry daddy.  I have not made fires at home since then, these were a treat.

Put it on your list of places to visit with the guys.  This is not a spot for ladies tea.  20+ years  of UAB basketball posters adoren the walls of this south side dive.  Come prepared and enjoy some good food, made for you with the care of the proprietor.

a lot of good years!

1948 – 2011 Pete’s was operated by Gus Koutroulakis.  We will miss the big guy behind the counter.  I am sure his family will miss him a lot but there have to be thousands of hot dog fans who will think of Gus every time they see a hot dog for the rest of their lives!  You can not find a better example of dedication than a man who spent 63 years serving generations of Birmingham.  From Bull Connor to Michael Jordan they all ate at Pete’s Famous.  The world changed dramatically but those Zigler’s dogs, Golden Flake chips and bottles of Grapico wine stayed the same.

RIP Gus, I am sure they now have hot dogs in heaven.

The race started Friday at lunch with Spoonfed Grill off to a quick start. Saturday, Pineda and Guzman were neck and neck while Dreamcake hit pit row for repairs. Stay tuned to see how this collection of kitchens on wheels finish the race.

This blog really started as a self taught website experiment.  Then it became a fun way to promote my favorite places.  Now it is a quest to find a place worthy of a post.  Today I decided to find a good hot dog in Birmingham.  That sent me to Urban Spoon, then Google and I ended up at this post: Hot-Dog-Time-Machine A very impressive run down of some great Birmingham Hot Dog places.  In the post is a link to a video from Southern Foodway Alliance: Hot Dogopolis

 If you read that blog and watch that video I guarantee you will be in Downtown Birmingham with a hot dog in one hand and a Grapico in the other for your next lunch.  Its more than food – it’s culture.  It took us less than 45 mins to pack up and head downtown.  We parked by the McWane Center and had a short walk to see Gus at Pete’s Famous, then over to see Andrew at Lyric and finally, for desert, we stopped in with George at Gus’s.  They were all there working away at their grill selling their hot dogs.  All three dogs were different but I can’t say which one was the best.  Gus’s sauce was a little more sweet and Lyric’s special meat had more flavor.  After 3 hot dogs I did decide the “special” was not for me.  I like the regular dog all the way, I also had rather have a Coke than a Grapico.  All three joints sport Golden Flake chips which are the greatest chips in the world – go dill pickle chips!

My recommendation – Grab your kids, grab your wife and take a walking tour of some of the best hot dog joints in the world.  Right here in Birmingham.

Pete’s Famous – I did the special dog.  I was somewhat puzzled when he asked me if I wanted for here or to go.  I quickly said to go.  The lady behind me asked where the dining room was, he said “you’re in it” with a grin.  This is a true eat while standing place.  The special dog has kraut, onions, mustard sauce and seasoned meat.  It was very tasty, since these were to go they did not photograph as well as the others.

Lyric Hot Dog and Grill – This was our second stop and we at in, they have a dining room, and ordered a sampling of 3 dogs.  One Special (w meat), One Slaw Dog and One regular all the way.  The regular all they was dog allows you to appreciate the sauce uncomplicated with the meat.  Both are good but when comparing the restaurants the sauce is one of the major differences.  Lyric also has enough room to serve fries but who needs fries when you have so many hot dog to try

Gus’s which is run by George.  This was our last stop and we decided to share one hot dog.  The choice was a regular dog all the way.  The sauce at Gus’s is much sweeter than Lyric or Pete’s.  At first it was a surprise but it really added complexity and made Gus’s dog stand out.  I really need to go back by Pete’s and have a dog without the special meat so compare.

My goal with this blog is to share lunch foods that I return to a restaurant to enjoy again and again.  Some restaurants make this task difficult by having too many great items on the menu.  Urban Cookhouse falls into this catagory.  Too many good things to choose.  Its also very busy at lunch and more of a chick place.  Two characteristics which normally would keep me away but I just keep going back. 

Although I classify it as a chick place they have some man style food.  The Chipotle Braised Pork is hearty and the yeast rolls they use to make the sandwiches rock.  This was my first meal at Urban Cookhouse and it is responsible for my many returns.  The Broccoli Salad is a great way to enjoy the nutrient rich veggie. Combine these two and you feel like you ate a healthy meal.  If you don’t care to feel healthy order the Hot Cheddar Pasta instead of the Broccoli Salad.  It’s some great stick to your ribs mac and cheese, delicious.

You already have enough reasons to go but I want to recomend another healthy combo,  the Turkey Crunch w/ Roasted Veggies.  Its unlike anything out there and it feels healthy.  The sandwich has a hot-sweet mustard on it which gives it a kick.  The turkey is jucy and smokey, I love it.  The roasted veggies have a wonderful garlic flavor and are served al dente.  These two locally grown options are awesome together and will have you returning for more.

Urban Cookhouse is cool, very local and sustainable.  I call it a chick joint but that probably is not fair, it’s not a tea room.  They have a great menu of all types of items that will appeal to anyone with taste buds.  They are prepared for a long line and they make it move fast.  This place is well worth the fight for parking and a little time in line to eat.  If those issues turn you off; go eat at 11:15am, just before the rush begins.

I love a good taco.  The task of adding more items to this blog becomes increasingly harder.  I put tacos as a goal and went out to find the one that would call me back.  This took some time but it was fun.

 I have some easy favorites but they are not in Birmingham – Pescados in Highlands, NC and Atlanta’s Taqueria del Sol – both of which are worth an out of the way drive for some healthyish Mexican food.

 As I write this, one of the lead stories in the paper is some lawyer suing Taco Bell for not using “beef” as defined by the USDA in their tacos, lol.

 Any review of tacos in Birmingham would have to include Taqueria Guzman aka “the Taco Truck” at the W Valley Texaco.  Good food, interesting atmosphere and cheap.  My other repeat spot is a Tuscaloosa franchise with a location off Lakeshore called Taco Casa.  Its true fast food, drive thru window, but the quality is very surprising.  Both of these places deserve their own recommendation and maybe I will do that one day.

 Today, however, I am recommending Camp Taco.  It is in 5 Point Southside and its worth the parking hassle.  My favorite is the grilled fish taco, US Farm raised catfish.  It comes on two tortillas with black beans mushed inbetween.  If you don’t like cilantro tell them, otherwise there is a generous amount included as well as sour cream and salsa.  Fish tacos are my favorite but probably just because they are harder to find, or at least had been when I was growing up.  I have had several other type tacos at Camp Taco and they are all good. 

 I tried the flat iron steak taco, ish. It’s probably a good option for anyone who doesn’t like Mexican food – steak and blue cheese?  Nor am I a fan of any taco that comes with BBQ sauce.

 The salsa is thin and runny and the chips suck.  If they had chips like Superior Grill this place would move WAY up on the destination chart.  Chips aside, this place is a great lunch spot – quick and unique.  I’ll keep coming back.