There are a lot of wonderful restaurants to choose from throughout Alabama, and sometimes, that can be a problem.
With so many options, it’s easy for great restaurants to get overlooked. That’s why we asked our AL.com Facebook followers to share which Alabama restaurant they think is the most underrated.
The responses ranged from small town seafood joints, to barbecue spots, meat-and-threes and more, all of which are hidden gems in the eyes of their customers.
You can check out some of the restaurants given a shout-out by readers below, and you can see all of the replies on AL.com’s Facebook page.
Pad Thai with shrimp at Blue Pacific, a restaurant in Hoover, Alabama.(AL.com file photo/Julia Sayers)Blue Pacific
3219 Lorna Road in Birmingham
If we had to guess why Blue Pacific at the Hoover Food Mart is still a hidden gem despite being a local favorite that’s been open for more than a decade, we’d guess it has something to do with the fact its inside a gas station. Still, the no-fuss Thai restaurant has become known by those who don’t mind the unexpected setting as one of the best in Birmingham thanks to its flavorful rice and noodle dishes as well as curries, soups and more.
Big Time Cafe
15726 Highway 176 in Fort Payne
Whether you’re there for breakfast, lunch or dinner, it’s important to come hungry when you head to Big Time Cafe in Fort Payne. That’s because the beloved small town cafe, which has been open for more than three decades, has become known for serving its customers hearty meals with big ole’ portions. If you don’t believe us, just order one of their burgers or a plate of one of their comfort food specials.
Martin’s Restaurant in Montgomery, Ala., is famous for its crispy fried chicken and it crusty cornbread muffins.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)Martin’s Restauarant
1796 Carter Hill Road in Montgomery
While Martin’s Restaurant is an iconic eatery in the capital city, the nearly 100-year-old restaurant doesn’t always get its due, given the number of legendary meat-and-threes there are across Alabama. Of course, if you’ve ever had the crispy fried chicken, perfectly browned cornbread muffins, sweet and fluffy paradise salad, sky-high chocolate meringue pie or just about anything else from Martin’s, you know it’s one of the best in the state.
Chop Suey Inn
813 Green Springs Highway #160 in Homewood
Chop Suey Inn in Homewood may look like your typical, no-fuss Chinese takeout spot, but if you ask its loyal customers, they’ll say it’s a lot more than that. The restaurant serves generous portions of a wide variety of classic Chinese dishes, including crispy eggrolls, fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, Kung Pao beef, General Tso’s, sesame shrimp, Moo Shu pork and more, at prices that are hard to beat.
A rib plate with pulled pork, collard greens, Brunswick stew and jalapeno corn muffins at Rusty’s Bar-B-Q in Leeds, Ala.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)Rusty’s Bar-B-Q
7484 Parkway Drive in Leeds
With so many iconic barbecue joints spread throughout the state, sometimes even great ones, like Rusty’s Bar-B-Q in Leeds, can get overlooked. The family-owned restaurant offers their take on classic barbecue fare, including their popular ribs, which are fall-off-the-bone tender, as well as pulled chicken, brisket, barbecue pork, Conecuh sausage and more, all served with the restaurant’s homemade sauces, sides and desserts.
Mossy Grove Schoolhouse Restaurant
1841 Alabama Highway 87 in Troy
Operating inside a historic building that once was a one-room school in the early 1900s, Mossy Grove Schoolhouse Restaurant in Troy is the kind of place where you can grab a good meal in a one-of-kind setting. Its menu includes everything from fried catfish to stuffed crab, ribeye steaks, oysters and more. Whatever you order though, be sure to save room for a slice (or two) of its ultimate chocolate cake.
The Alabama Rib Shack in Gainesville, Ala.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)Alabama Rib Shack
9316 State Street in Gainesville
Another underrated barbecue spot that often slips under the radar is Alabama Rib Shack in Gainesville. The beloved barbecue spot was opened in 2021 by self-taught pitmaster Jamie Lee Mitchell, but don’t let the name fool you. Alabama Rib Shack offers a lot more than ribs, though it does serve a variety of them, including Texas style, St. Louis style and baby back. The menu also features smoked chicken, sausage, pork and pig tails and more in addition to plenty of homemade sides and sauces.
Ragtime Cafe
2080 Valleydale Road in Birmingham
When we asked readers to share which Alabama restaurants they think are underrated, Ragtime Cafe in Birmingham came up early and often. In business for more than 30 years, Ragtime Cafe is the kind of eatery that offers a little something for everyone, which is a big part of the appeal. Its large menu features everything from soups, salads, seafood and pastas to a variety of one-of-a-kind burgers, sandwiches and more.
Slow-cooked Creole white beans over rice with fried catfish at Market by the Bay in Daphne.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.comMarket by the Bay
29145 U.S. Highway 98 in Daphne
With so many wonderful seafood spots throughout the state, it’s easy to understand that a few could get overlooked. Market by the Bay in Daphne is a good example of that. In business for more than two decades, the no-fuss restaurant is a hidden gem that offers a unique menu, ranging from boudin egg rolls and Creole empanadas as appetizers to homemade gumbo, pot roast and oyster po’ boys, seafood platters and much more.
O‘ Taste & See
7001 Crestwood Blvd, Suite 1012, in Birmingham
Open since 2018, O’ Taste & See in Birmingham has already grown a loyal following of customers thanks to its wide menu, which changes daily, of authentic soul food. From fried chicken to turkey wings, hamburger steak, smothered pork chops, oxtails, beef tips and more as well as all the classic fixins’ and homemade desserts you could want, there’s always plenty to pick from at O’ Taste & See.
The brisket mac and cheese from Boondocks BBQ & Creamery in Wedowee, Ala. (Photo courtesy of Tracy Berry)Tracy Berry/Boondocks BBQ & CreameryBoondocks BBQ and Creamery
20201 Highway 431 in Wedowee
Barbecue and ice cream? It’s hard to imagine a better combination. At Boondocks BBQ and Creamery in Wedowee, customers can enjoy something sweet and something savory, all in one stop. The menu at Boondocks, which opened in 2021, offers barbecue classics like pulled pork, smoked brisket, ribs and more in addition to specialty items like handmade egg rolls. Just be sure to save room for a scoop of their award-winning ice cream.
The Lighthouse Restaurant
12495 Padgett Switch Road in Irvington
Seafood lovers, this one’s for you. Tucked away in the small town of Irvington, The Lighthouse Restaurant combines fresh seafood with Southern charm. On its menu, you’ll find platters, filled with shrimp, oysters, stuffed crab, fish, crab claws and crawfish tails served with the classic homemade sides you’d expect. Plus, if seafood isn’t your thing, there’s also steaks, sandwiches, burgers, salads and more up for grabs too.
Dining and Cooking