Irondale Cafe
1906 1st Ave N, Irondale, AL, 35210
Irondale Cafe Menu
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Address :
1906 1st Ave N
Irondale, AL, 35210 - Phone (205) 956-5258
- Website https://www.irondalecafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Danny H.
Amazing place and amazing food!
(5)Wendy L.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! I felt very much at home here since I'm a girl raised in the south. My grandparents and parents cooked their food JUST like this restaurant. I LOVED the food and the Southern feel this place gave me. I will definitely be back often! This is my new favorite. Chocolate chess pie and dressing were to die for. Dressing tasted just like my mom's.
(5)Deanna J.
It's the queen of 'meat and three' in Birmingham, and rightfully so. Once owned by the aunt of Frannie Flag, the author of "Fried Green Tomatoes," Irondale Cafe bills itself as the 'original Wistlestop Cafe." They serve 600 - 800 slices of the infamous fried green tomatoes every day - and you're likely to find a line out the door of hungry patrons or the curious checking out this landmark cafe. The line is cafeteria style - you're first enticed by the rows of desserts like banana pudding and cookies and cream pie (Gooo ahead, indulge! This meal's gonna cost you 5,000 or so calories, anyway!). Next up are the main dishes. Entrees include Southern favorites like fried chicken (also there's the fried chicken breast or fried chicken tenders option), meatloaf, country fried steak and other daily specials. Aside from the fried green tomatoes, other sides include fried okra, mashed potatoes, sweet potato souffle, field peas . . . ask for a side, and they'll probably have it. Definitely somewhere to seek out if traveling down I-20! Check to make sure they'll be open when you're passing thru - they open for lunch daily but limited hours on weekdays only for supper.
(5)Tasha M.
Disappointing twenty dollar meal for two. No drinks incl in that charge btw. Used to be tastier before new ownership when it used real southern traditional cornmeal breading for the fried green tomatoes. Which is supposed to be their thing. You would think they would do it better. Country fried steak was stringy. I will say the fried okra were still pretty tasty. Probably their best menu item.
(3)Steve L.
A must eat if you are near Irondale. It is a simple good old fashioned meat and three. I love the fried green tomatos!
(4)Staci G.
Southern comfort food at its best! This is the cafe that the book/movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" is based its cafe in the movie on. It is served cafeteria style. The food looks appealing and taste great too! Of course, we sampled the fried green tomatoes and they were AWESOME! I had chicken, fried okra, macaroni, mash potatoes and banana pudding. Everything tasted so fresh and was so good. Everything tasted as though it was made right in your grandma's kitchen. The restaurant had a lot of memorabilia from the "Fried Green Tomatoes" movie, had cute little table clothes, friendly workers and the a great view looking at the railroad tracks. If you're ever in the area, go check it. It's so YUMMY!!
(5)AshKyle C.
Best country cooking in Alabama! Everything we ate was amazingly delicious. Dumplings, gizzards, chicken, okra, sweet potato casserole, corn, mashed potatoes, Mac-n-cheese, cornbread, yeast rolls ohhhh myyyy!!!
(5)Emiri M.
Okay, I admit it. The remoulade here is so good that I started dunking my cornbread in it. If you want to enjoy some reasonably priced Southern fare, Irondale Café is a good option. Prices here are reasonable; I believe a choice of meat and three or four sides will cost you no more than $10 or so. As a note, paying by cash will save you an additional convenience fee. The vibe is casual-- you walk up to a cafeteria style line of food, and a server will help put your tray together. There are areas in other parts of the store to sit down and enjoy your meal. Most, if not all of the meat offerings here are chicken, but if you don't enjoy chicken, there are still plenty of vegetarian options. I personally got the three veggie side combo with the fried green tomatoes, the Greek salad (A feeble attempt on my part to balance out the mountain of fried goods that I enjoyed that day... I owed it to my poor cholesterol levels), and the macaroni and cheese. I really liked the salad and mac & cheese... The tomatoes were good, but honestly nothing to write home about. However, the remoulade was excellent, so I'm going to say that overall, my fried tomato experience was great. My friend ordered the fried okra and it was also delicious! The café gives you a choice of a complimentary sweet roll or cornbread and water. Service was quick and overall good. However, when I asked how much the iced tea cost, the server didn't know. She didn't offer to find out. It honestly wasn't a huge deal, but I wish I could have known so I could have determined whether to purchase a tea versus water (I ended up getting the water just because). I'd come back for their fried green tomatoes, Mac 'n Cheese, and cornbread! Pairing the cornbread was a great balance between sweet and savory flavors.
(4)Carolan D.
Meh. This place is ok - I think they get most of their hype from the Fried Green Tomatoes movie and not their food. In going through the cafeteria-style line I felt strangely childish as if I was at school ordering my lunch. The presentation is lacking and the food mediocre. I had 4 veggies and none of them impressed me. The fried green tomatoes had pretty decent flavor but are greasy (I KNOW they are fried, but I've had f.g.t before that don't leave a coating behind). Drinks are pre-poured which also felt strange - as if we were at potluck and the host was over prepared. Not worth the drive to Irondale.
(2)Garrett I.
I went here years ago and didnt think much of it. I am now working near the Irondale Cafe and decided to give it another try. Glad I did! I have been here twice in the past two weeks and have enjoyed everything I have eaten. All of the fried foods are fried to perfection. Chicken livers, chicken tenders, fried green tomatoes (get the remoulade sauce when you get to your table!), and HOUSE BREADED FRIED OKRA are all of the fried foods I have tried. The sauteed squash and onions, dressing and gravy, cornbread, and chocolate chess pie have all hit the spot too. The line was somewhat long the last time but it moved really fast, the food servers have always been great, and the cashier is super awesome. I love the nostalgic memorabilia on the wall and the dining room is huge! I'm looking forward to going back!
(5)Russ M.
My family went to The Whistlestop Cafe looking for great fried chicken,FOUND IT! We had a great meal. The quality of the food served in a cafeteria line manner was really exceptional. Fried Chicken was very good, crispy crust, moist interior, great flavor a winner winner...you know. The world famous Fried green tomatoes were outstanding. Especially if you consider that there are no really fresh tomatoes available in late December. There was an okra and corn fritter (looked like a big hushpuppy) that was totally one of the best things I have ever eaten. All the veggies were very good. Deserts were also a big hit at our table.
(4)Jim S.
We were in town for the fall Talladega race this year, and looking for some "real Southern" food. I type that into yelp and this place shows up... I can buy into hype just like the next guy, so we drive some 15 miles to see what it's all about. I think that you can drive 40 miles and not be disappointed! She had the meatloaf, while I had the fried chicken. We got a total of 7 sides - okra, fried green tomatoes, carrot salad, cole slaw, mustard greens,creamed corn,sweet potato souffle. Gotta get them all in! You'd be advised to go back a few times to clear your cravings. The food was simple, yet delicious - as Southern cooking should be. The surprising thing was what a value it was. We came on a Friday, when there are slight menu additions for supper, and the place was full of senior couples that were just enjoying themselves. They didn't seem to know each other, but it was apparent that the restaurant staff knew them. Families of all sizes and types came in - they obviously knew a good deal and good food. The dishes are served cafeteria-style, and you grab a tray, pick your "meat" plus 3 or 2 sides, a bread and a drink, and sit down and enjoy. The cashier comes around every ten minutes or so to keep your sweet tea glass filled. Sumptuous. We even purchased the cookbook from there, which by the way has some great info and history in it. If we're in town again, this is a must-stop place!
(5)Robert C.
Looking at the other reviews here, this might be blasphemy, but here goes: Meh. I ended up going with fried catfish (available on Fridays) with hush puppies and tartar sauce, fried green tomatoes, creamed corn, a roll, and a bottle of Coke. The fried green tomatoes were great, and you can't go wrong with creamed corn. But the fried catfish? Meh. It was utterly unspectacular. And the bill? It came out to over $12 for me alone, plus a tip for the incredibly friendly waitstaff. (Yes, it's cafeteria style, but they're eager to make sure you're doing OK.) At that price point, I really wondered if this place was worth it. For fried catfish, probably not. But since this place seems to get such rave reviews, I'll be willing to give this place a second try, if only so I can get a taste of that fabled fried chicken.
(3)Jonathan C.
I love the location (right next to the train tracks!), and liked the ambience and cafeteria line. But the food - all the Southern usuals - was fine/tasty, but not memorable.
(3)Karine F.
As a bit of background, I'm a native Southern Californian who has been to soul food and bbq places in LA. To be honest, I'm not really sure what real Southern cooking is (although I think it involves lots of fried and buttery foods). This week, I am in Birmingham for a work seminar and we went to dinner last night to the Irondale Cafe. From the outside, it's a small, unassuming restaurant in an old, quaint storefront, directly across from Irondale's train stop. Walking in, I saw a busy restaurant, with tables covered in red and white checkered tablecloths. We all lined up and took our turns picking out our 1+3 dinners. I ordered the fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, the fried green tomatoes, a slice of oreo pie and a lemonade. By the time I picked up my food and got to the table, I realized that I only had ordered 2 sides instead of the customary 3. Geez.. I forgot the greens :( First impressions: Looking at the food, * I felt a bit underwhelmed.... that's all? * I would have preferred an option for dark meat instead of one chicken breast. * The fried green tomatoes made me think 'oooooh, tempura!' * I loved how amazingly yummalicious the oreo pie looked As I sat at the table, I ate my dinner, Fried chicken: The batter was lighter than I expected but still had good flavor (not too seasoned or overwhelming) but had a good crunch to it. The breast meat was reasonably tender but didn't excite me. In the end, I felt a bit disappointed by the fried chicken. (B-) Mac 'n cheese: One of my favorite parts of dinner. It was cheesy and creamy with a browned top. My only complaint is that the bowl was pretty small; a bigger bowl would've been nice and helped me to bring up my cholesterol a few extra points. (A-) Fried green tomatoes: The fried green tomatoes were good, but didn't knock my socks off. Since the Irondale Cafe is known for it, I felt the need to try them. The tomatoes had a light colored batter that had a bit of doughiness to it. From my first couple of bites, expecting a bit more crunch, I could tell that the doughiness came from sitting out for awhile. Aside from the crunchiness, I also noticed a subtle tartness to the tomato, which I really liked. (B) Oreo Pie: Pure delicious goodness. I normally will use my fork to knock the whipped cream off of a piece of pie. I couldn't (and wouldn't) do it here since this pie was a wonderful sweet whipped cream, mixed with oreos and in a yummalicious pie crust. When I put that first bite in my mouth, I had to close my eyes and savor it... in fact, my friends were teasing me when I did it! You should definitely consider the desserts as they are truly yummy and home made. (A+) Lemonade: The lemonade was very good and frequently refilled by the wait staff. It was cold, lemony and very sweet... it's probably best not to think about how much sugar was in the three cups I drank since I wouldn't know how to deal with all that guilt. (A) My friends also ordered a few different things and let me sample: Fried Okra: My friends for the South commented how much they liked the fried okra at the Irondale. Evidently, it's pretty easy to mess up okra, but the Whistle Stop had the right combination of crunchiness and a nice texture inside. I tasted one piece and agreed! Country Fried Steak: My friends from Texas and Florida were both disappointed with the country fried steak. Their main complaint was that it was swimming in brown (not white) gravy and not deep fried. They said it was a glorified Salisbury steak and were very disappointed by their meat. Banana Pudding: A few friends ordered the banana pudding for dessert. It looked good, with sliced bananas and nilla wafers along the bowl. Not really being a banana pudding expert, I really can't say too much about it. They liked it and I thought 'oooh, it tastes like bananas and has real bananas in it"... never let it be said that I'm not deep and insightful :) Conclusion: When I travel, I like to see well known restaurants. I'm glad have gone to the Whistlestop Cafe since it was an interesting experience. From waiting in line to eating dinner, sadly, I didn't have a chance to learn about the history of the restaurant. If you want to know more you can always go to their website to read about it... but it just would've been nice to have seen a handout or a little display. I have to say that, aside from the oreo pie, my main feeling about dinner was 'meh.' Perhaps it's my naivete as an LA girl having too high expectations for a Southern restaurant, but I know that my other friends weren't totally impressed totally impressed either. The food is good but nothing to get super excited about... and I really wanted to get excited about it too! I can't say that, next time I'm in the area, that I would go back but I also don't regret going there last night either.
(3)Justin M.
Classic meat and three. Home style dishes like chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, and hamburger steaks. Veggie options like mashed potatoes, green beans, collards/turnip greens, and - of course - fried green tomatoes. Usually crowded, the famous FGT are not actually that good...or at least they are very hit or miss. Good Southern option, but not unmissable.
(3)Michael N.
Irondale Cafe is legendary. It's just one of those places you need to go eat. It's a standard meat and three restaurant. They are famous for being in a movie and having pretty darn good Fried Green Tomatoes. Be sure to ask for their homemade Remoulade sauce. A great companion to the Fried Green Tomatoes. I most recently had their Fried Catfish and it was also pretty darn good. I'll be honest and say you may be able to find better similar restaurants but there is just something about this place that makes it a neat experience. It's always fun after lunch to walk across the road and relax on the benches to watch the train come through. Again just something about it. Go check it out and you'll understand what I mean.
(4)Kate N.
I was only in Birmingham for the weekend, but my ten minutes of research for things to do and places to eat led me here. A short drive from downtown, this spot was perfect for lunch. Clean and homey, with lots of options and friendly, fast service. Plus, you have to respect a spot that is only open for 3.5 hours a day. The collard greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, and coleslaw were all well done comfort food, but the fried green tomatoes were my absolute favorite of the food we tried--tangy and lightly battered. The fried chicken was a little dry, but it was the breast meat, and it was easily fixed with some hot sauce. I just wish I had room for dessert, that chocolate chess pie looked good.
(4)Tandi S.
One of my families very favorites! Fried chicken is our favorites. And you have to try the fried Green tomatoes. Other favorites are the cream corn and Mac and cheese. Haven't been disappointed with any selections yet.
(5)Laura B.
Best meat & 3 in town Omg for the chocolate pie !!!! Everything is old fashion homemade "Slap your Moma" good !!!!!!
(5)Jessica W.
I'm between a 3 and a 4 star rating on this one. This is the kind of place I'd go once for the experience, but not necessarily all the time. It's located in a quaint little area right next to the train tracks. When you walk in, there's a big blackboard on the wall with the different combos and prices. Unfortunately once I was in line, it was hard for me to tell what everything was under all that fried batter! I decided to try the fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and mac and cheese. My meal also came with a sweet roll, which I don't always enjoy but this one was yummy! The fried okra was delicious and definitely my favorite thing on my tray. Second place goes to the remoulade. Third place goes to the mac and cheese. The tomatoes were sweet, but after the first 2 slices they kind of just got cold and soggy. Tip: time your meal so you don't get stuck at the railroad crossing for 30 minutes waiting for a train to pass through!
(4)J F.
Basically all the sides I had were overcooked. The country fried steak was quite stringy. The cornbread was bland. The only thing I enjoyed was the cookie crumbs and cream pie.
(1)Jenna H.
Irondale Cafe is always delicious when we visit. The decor is old school. It's nestled near a nostalgic train track and it's definitely a landmark in Irondale. My daughter loves seeing the "choo choo" go by before we have lunch. Of course, they are known for their fried green tomatoes, but you cannot forget to ask for the remoulade to accompany them! They also have fabulous fried okra and cabbage, but again you must ask for their homemade pepper sauce. It's spicy and delicious. They also sell it! So, you can have your handy pepper sauce at home and just continue to add vinegar! I have had mine for over a year and it's still spicy. It's been refilled probably twenty times! Another thing I have to mention would be the fried chicken. My husband absolutely loves it. It's always crisp and juicy. For the little ones, I recommend chicken tenders. The batter is unbelievable! It's crunchy, seasoned well, and there is just the right amount of batter covering the chicken tenders. They also have deliciously sweet, sweet tea!
(4)Britnie J.
Wow! This place is awesome! Great service, great food, and great location! My grandparents took us there last Friday and just as we pulled up a train was slowly creepin by and the conductor honked and waved and my 13 month old. She was in awe! Perfect timing! Now the food, was delicious! We got baked chicken, stewed squash, cornbread dressing w gravy all was like eating your great grandmothers home cooking! The service was top notch. You can't get that kind of southern hospitality in Pittsburgh! Will Make it a tradition to stop there every time we are in Birmingham from now on.
(5)Shannon T.
Why a 5 you ask? Because I continue to choose to go back over and over. And over and over its solid consistent been around forever yummy recipes. Me: fried chicken, fried green toms, squash, collards. Yummmyyyyyy don't forget the remoulade it's delish. My I also commend the server who is prompt friendly and an overall asset to your establishment. See you soon!
(5)Katie A.
Such awesome southern home cooked meal they serve here EVERY TIME! Their food is consistently great! The walls are covered with awesome pics and the line moves soooo fast. I highly recommend eating here.
(5)Amanda S.
Great down home country cookin. Fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, black eyed peas. All the things that are bad for you but bring you all the comforts of home.
(4)Diosa B.
After spending a week in and around Birmingham, we decided to go "down home" for our last dinner. After perusing TA, we settled on Irondale and we weren't disappointed. The atmosphere is just, well, darned adorable! Very cute, very easy, very fun. The staff was incredible friendly and helpful. And the food? Oh man. So, being a Californian, I had never had fried green tomatoes, but I was not let down. Delicious! Definitely get the remoulade sauce for dipping, as that made them just perfection. The desserts were AMAZING. They have this thing called Fudgescicle Pie. I thought to myself, "how much could this possible taste like a fudgescicle?" Spoiler alert: a lot. It's a bit odd reading other reviews talking about long waits-- we got there at about 630 PM and didn't have any wait.
(5)Jenny S.
It's hard to give 3 stars to a restaurant when the customer service is so good-therefore I give 4 stars. I had the meatloaf, green beans and collard greens, oh and unsweetened iced tea. The tea was wonderful. The meatloaf was a small portion and still, I didn't eat it all. It was mushy. The beans looked liked they came from a can. I understand, this food is suppose to be southern comfort food. Maybe it's just not for me. BUT everyone was so nice!!
(4)Stuart V.
Not bad --the fried green tomatoes were wonderful. The fried catfish, turnip greens, and hush puppies were good too. Sweet tea and peanut butter pie to complete the experience. The remoulade for the tomatoes is a must.
(4)Adam S.
If you looked up "meat and three" in the dictionary, this place would be a strong candidate as the essence of the concept. Cafeteria style with all the classics. I had fried chicken, rice & gravy, fried green tomatoes, a roll, banana pudding, and sweet tea. All the food here was in the 3-3.5 star range to me (slightly above average) except the banana pudding which was fantastic. The dessert and the ambiance bumped it up to a 4th star. You feel like you are in a time warp when you eat here. I wasn't alive 50-60 years ago, but that's what it "feels" like to me. Lots of seniors. Extremely southern feeling. Anyway, I enjoyed it here.
(4)Jacob S.
If somebody asked me to take them somewhere they could eat a good southern home cooked type meal the Irondale Cafe is probably where I would direct them. I've been coming here for years, but only since moving to Crestwood have I really been close enough to go regularly. Even still, I find myself asking, "why don't we come here more often?" There are probably other meat and three's on par with Irondale Cafe, but if so I haven't found them yet. At least not this close to my house. Not in this kind of area. It's just so quaint, really appeals to me. And the history behind it just adds another layer to that. I won't go on and on about the food--if you've ever been to a meat and three in the south then you know what it's like. But I will say their mac-and-cheese, chicken fried steak and the various veggies are some of my favorites. Real comfort food right there. Just found out the other day they are open 5-7 for dinner Monday thru Saturday. Had no idea they did dinner. Check em' out.
(4)Heather B.
Legendary, and for good reason. This is comfort food. The staff is always, always, always friendly and accommodating. They have pepper sauce on the table, but will probably offer you their homemade version if they see greens on your plate. If they do, you should accept. If they don't, you should ask for it. They have fried green tomatoes pretty much every day, and I've tried them (once) because that's just what you do here. Even though FGT is what they are known for, that's not even the best veggie on the board. So don't feel bad if you don't feel obligated to give them a spot on your plate. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced, and they let you know the names of the farms those delicious bites came from. Summer time hosts a small local farmer's market in the front parking lot. Friday is fried catfish day, and in my opinion one of the better days to eat here. Peak lunch hours tend to be pretty packed, but I've never had too much of a problem finding a parking spot or a table to sit at. Watch the trains pass through, listen to the big band music, savor a plate of good Southern cooking, and enjoy being transported to a simpler time.
(5)Nichole K.
The Irondale Cafe will always hold a place in my heart as it's where my boyfriend and I went on our first date when I was down visiting in Alabama. T'was a good choice on his part because if you're going to bring a yankee girl down south you might as well show her some good Southern food. Before we went in we sat outside at the old train station and took in the area; it's so cool! The restaurant inside is quaint and perfect. I was confused at what to do in the cafeteria style line so I just let him take control on get whatever. Man, those fried green tomatoes are delightful. I don't know why i chose to write this review at lunch time before I've eaten, what a horrible mistake. I'm ready to book my ticket back to Alabama just for lunch! ;)
(4)Michelle R.
Casual dress and environment. Food is hot and tasty. You go they the line and they serve you whatever you want. Staff is friendly.
(3)Andrea Q.
What else can be said about the place? Just great, great food.
(5)Matthew D.
Just wonderful comfort food, great desserts and a family-friendly environment. The staff was very helpful and hospitable and we'll be making this a regular stop on drives down south! The Fried Chicken was outstanding and I'd highly recommend it!
(5)Patrick W.
One of the best down home memories of growing up in Alabama. Owners have changed a few times but the food is still great and I still look forward to eating here when I come home. Fried green tomatoes are the real deal.
(5)Ana R.
What a pleasant surprise and friendly people! The FRIED GREEN TOMATOES are incredible. We had the following: Fried Chicken ... good. Country Fried Steak ... GREAT! I loved the Mac n' cheese. Frank not so much. It's homemade and you can see the cheesy goop. Yum! Cole Slaw ... different, good but different. Sweet Creamed Corn ... Frank ate both his and mine. I didn't care too much for it but most of us loved it (we were 10!) The sweet tea and lemonade are incredible! The roll was better than the corn bread. I would kill to have one of those rolls right now. The location is phenomenal. The trains were constantly passing and whistling while doing it... It's been a highlight and if we're ever in this area again, we will stop by for more and more of those fried green tomatoes!
(4)Toxey M.
Tasty enough. Nice people. Limited healthy choices, but it's country style cafeteria eating, so... What do you want?
(4)Dave F.
A solid four, remembering that it is cafeteria style. Still, the fried chcicken was crispy and flavorful, the cornbread dressing could use a few giblets, but ok. Also had a side of sweet potatoes, pureed or mashed but good flavor. A big fan of coleslaw, their's has a little pickle tang and is excellent. FF went with Italian baked chciken, side of Black eyed peas, and grated carrot salad' We did sweet potato pie and buttermilk pie for desert, were out the door for 20 bucks and loved it. Excellent photo ops everywhere, and a very accomodating staff. A large number of locals were coming in for the lunch meal and getting to go orders which speaks well to the place. As for shortened hours, normal winter hours for the place, 11-2:30 lunch
(4)LESLIE C.
Minus the fact that I probably gained AT LEAST 5 lbs when I had lunch here, this place is amazing! I was in Birmingham last week for work and thanks to some Birmingham YELPERS, this place was highly recommended. We went here for lunch on Thursday and I loved it! The restaurant is right across the street from the railroad tracks and tucked into a small strip along side the tracks. It is cafeteria style....walk thru a line and tell the guy what you want, then pay after you eat. I ordered the fried chicken ( some of the best I have ever had ), fried green tomatoes ( the best I have ever had), macaronni, squash and a piece of Oreo Pie. YUM YUM YUM!!! Everything was delicious! The service was good...my drink was never less than half full and everyone was friendly. If you ever find yourself in Birmingham you have to make sure you go here!!
(4)Anna J.
I eat here every time I'm in the Birmingham area for two reasons: one, my Aunt Bess was the original owner and I have fond memories of eating there as a child; and two, the food is still soooo good. So I get to have a little bit of my sweet memories of home when I visit. But I'd still go even without those memories because the food is always very southern and good.
(4)Brad S.
There are so many dishes with which people are familiar when they think of Southern cooking, and then there are others which don't really come up as much. Irondale Cafe seems to have them all, and cooks them so classically delicious that it's a one-stop primer for this regional style of cooking. The problem with cafeteria-style service is that it's left up to me to decide how much I want to eat, and that turned out to be a problem, as my tray was quickly loaded with carrot salad, fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, fried chicken livers, fried green tomatoes, and buttermilk pie. Fried was definitely a continuing theme, and all items were perfectly cooked, with little grease remaining, a flour dredge used for the chicken and tomatoes, and a slightly different crust implemented for the livers. In all, I think it was the macaroni and cheese which I found the most disappointing, but only because it's the item I've had the most around the country, and this version was pretty ordinary. I imagine "traditional" becomes "ordinary" if enough people are making it. Of course, the restaurant has been popularized for being the inspiration for the Whistlestop Cafe in the book (and movie) Fried Green Tomatoes, as Fannie Flagg was the niece of the original owners. It's something that the Cafe is not afraid to advertise, going so far as to devote an entire wall to headshots of Kathy Bates, Mary Louise Parker, and the rest of the gang. With the movie being twenty years old, I don't know how many people are still coming here for the novelty of the movie (and really, I don't know how much I would want to be associated with a cafe that barbecued a guy and served it to their customers) - it would seem to me that Irondale should be much more popular for what's on the opposite wall of that FGT shrine - award after award after award for having some of the best food in town. And obviously, the fried green tomatoes are some of the best in town, too.
(5)Ven B.
When in Birmingham area, you MUST eat here! I was raised in the south and the food here rivals my grandmother's cooking and she was the best! I can't even say what is the best because everything I've tried is so good. For dessert though, you must have the buttermilk pie.
(5)Whitney B.
I love love love love love this place! What I love even more is the background. I love the fact that you can come in here, and stand in line, and get one of everything if you want. I love the okra, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, omg I just love everything. The place is always packed. There's a cool little country store next door, and you can even go and sit and watch the train go by. Cafeteria style alllll the way!
(5)Daniel B.
Good southern food, great fried chicken is def the stand out!
(4)Anthony A.
We were going to Birmingham and we decided to go to the Irondale Cafe. The fried chicken was outstanding. The cornbread was very stale so I didn't eat it. The catfish was very good.the Mac and cheese was very creamy. The mashed potatoes were very good. Very nice find.
(4)Damon R.
Opened in 1928 as a hotdog stand, Bess Fortenberry purchased the "Stand" in 1932 and renamed it the "Irondale Cafe". Although it had become a very popular meat and three with the locals for many years in 1992 the book "Fried Green Tomatoes" was made into a movie and the "Whistle Stop Cafe" was loosely based on the Irondale. Just so happens that Fortenberry's niece is also the author Fannie Flagg. Ever since then the cafe serves around 600-800 slices of the fried tomatoes daily. Not much else to say, great place for home cooking. Fried chicken was killer as well as all the veggies and more pies to choose from than I could eat. Menu changes daily, very close to the Birmingham Airport which for food is about the worst I have seen. pictures on my blog
(4)Claire F.
I am living in Birmingham for the summer, and I had a hankering for some soul food/meat and threes. Once I realized that the Irondale Cafe was the basis for The WhistleStop Cafe and Fried Green Tomatoes, I figured I would give it a shot. If nothing else, I could at least say I've been there! I ordered fried chicken, corn, mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, cookies and cream pie and sweet tea. The fried chicken was cooked perfectly, and I enjoyed the corn and mac and cheese very much. I am not a fan of fried green tomatoes (but how can you not order them there?) but I found the ones at Irondale Cafe to be alright. The cornbread was not my favorite, but it wasn't bad either. For someone with a sweet tooth, I have to say the pie was my favorite. It wasn't too sweet or too heavy, and it's made with Bud's Best Cookies. I got out of the restaurant for about $15, and It was worth the money. There was a man working the register that checked on me a few times and refilled my tea regularly, and the cook also checked with me on how I was enjoying my meal. For a place where you go through a cafeteria line, the service was nice.
(4)Mandy C.
If you want to know how Grandmother's cook in the South, eat lunch or dinner at The Irondale Cafe! It is a meat and three, cafeteria style restaurant...if you like sweets, this is not the place to skip dessert because they are all homemade and freshly made daily. I have only dined here once, because I do not prefer this type of meal. However, it is definitely downhome southern cooking at it's best. And if you are from out of town, especially if you from the West Coast or northern states, stop in here to enjoy food and hospitality- Souther Style! FYI- this is the original cafe included in the book "Fried Green Tomatoes" because the author was from here. And yep, they do serve fried green tomatoes here.
(3)Laura G.
Fried chicken and squash were excellent, but the fried green tomatoes were horrible. Coated with flour, doughy on the inside, and lacking any flavor. No seasoning whatsoever. Please update your recipe and use some cornmeal.
(3)Monica M.
I honestly came here because I love the book fried green tomatoes and have never actually eaten any before and knew I had to stop at the Original Whistle Stop Cafe to get some. This place is a traditional cafeteria style, southern meat and three restaurant. At first I was a little put off that everything is served cafeteria style meaning it is fresh made to order but it was still very good. I got the fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and of course the sweet tea. It also came with a bun that was heavenly. Everything was very good, very heavy and deep fried, but good. However I was actually really disappointed with the fried green tomatoes themselves. They were cold, greasy, and unseasoned. They even lacked the nice acidity of a green tomato. Maybe the ones I was served had been sitting in the cafeteria line up for too long but either way it was disappointing. Everything else though was excellent, they were even nice enough to give me a huge to go cup for some sweet tea for the road.
(3)Marley G.
Yum, yum, yum, yum! Loved this place from the second I walked in. Smelled like...home. The simple restaurant sports several rooms of large tables, enough to spread out with your sides and meat dishes. I had the fried chicken (of course), mac 'n cheese, green beans, squash, and, of course, fried green tomatoes. Everything was tasty, seasoned to perfection, and simply delicious. My fiance had the shrimp creole, fried okra, and rice, and had nothing to complain about as the food nearly disappeared in front of him. While there's no traditional wait services--as you go through a cafeteria-style line to choose your meal--there are people who tend to your every request for condiments, more tea, and quickly clear your plates. The deserts were to die for! I had the peanut butter pie and my fiance had the coconut pie. No complaints on either. The bill was reasonable and we would definitely go there again! Only "complaint" is their hours...11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays? Are you kidding? We saw them turn away at least 8 people as we were leaving. For food like they're serving, they should stay open longer and they're sure to make a few extra bucks!
(5)Chris S.
Why yes I'll have some pumpkin pie, fried okra, and oh whats that you have a special on dead lovers caught in the middle of a lovers triangle yes I will have a large serving of that please! All joking aside the only reason I learned of this place initially was due to its notoriety associated with the film. I was pleasantly surprised however to discover that in this case the food was better than the fame. I had some fried okra, hmm a trend that seems to continue with eating southern food, a slice of pumpkin pie, some fried white meat chicken, a piece of cornbread, and the obligatory glass of sweet tea. Oh and I shared a serving of fried chicken livers. The okra was ok, perhaps a bit of a let down after my experience with Little Savannah, it fried and tasty though kind of enough said. The chicken was very flavorful, tasty, and moist. The chicken was some of the best I have ever had. The pie was about as sweet as the tea, which is to say sweet. Both are tasty, If I ever find myself back in Birmingham and eating here I would like to try the buttermilk pie. The price was also very cheap which was great. For a heavy, unhealthy, and tasty lunch don't miss here. A fine little establishment that is also a piece of Americana, and something that should not be missed on a visit to the city.
(4)Amber M.
Have mercy! The chicken was better than my Grandma's and she knew what she was doing. I had the fried breast and it was as juicy and well-seasoned as the leg or thigh. The fried green tomatoes also rule: crispy, tangy, never greasy. The mac n cheese was good, but a little salty. Big deal, right? Even though you see it first and might think you won't want it, GRAB DESERT!! Oreo pie, chocolate pie, lemon meringue pie, whatever... It's all good.
(5)Amanda R.
I was so excited to go to the original Whistle Stop Cafe and try fried green tomatoes for the first time... I was disappointed, and blown away. I did not like the fried green tomatoes. At all. I couldnt even make it through two slices. But that turned out to be a good thing, since my mom and sister ate their entire helping, and both got sick, while I didnt. MAJOR disappointment. Not liking the tomatoes, that is. I'm thrilled I didnt throw up. On the flip side, however, I think they've got just about the world's best mac n cheese, and sweet potatoes. The fried chicken was terrific, as were the mashed potatoes and gravy. And lemon pie. And peach cobbler. The fried okra was ok while it was still hot, but that didn't last long, and it would never win a throw-down vs Bob Syke's fried okra. Just sayin'. The girl refilling drinks wasn't exactly friendly, and the other lady walking around stopped to check on every table except ours, which was off-putting. I understand the whole "locals" thing, but tourist money is just as green, and it would have been nice to have seen a little of that southern hospitality I've heard so much about, so despite the food being pretty darn tasty, I've got to take one star off for the puking and the not-very-nice-ness.
(4)Caitlin B.
Ehh....I expected great things out of this place but, once again, disappointed. The food was very bland and I'm not a fan of cafeteria style places. Not worth the $$$ either.
(2)Lynn P.
Just good southern food!! Worth the trip. And naturally --- must try the outstanding Fried Green Tomatoes!!!
(4)lauren p.
Oh sweet lord. This was our first stop after arriving in Birmingham. After some confusion caused by our GPS taking us the most backwards way possible, we found the Irondale, and boy oh boy, it was the perfect introduction to Southern cooking. The setup your basic cafeteria- style "meat and three"- grab your tray, head down the line, pick out your meat and three sides, a beverage, and dessert if you like. We actually skipped dessert which was a real shame, but the food itself was delicious so we didn't feel too deprived. The fiance went for the meatloaf, which was good, but nothing compared to my friend chicken. Hoo boy, this was some tasty chicken. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly crispy, not too greasy. . . I was practically sucking the bones by the end. The fried green tomatoes were tangy and sweet at the same time, the mac and cheese was sinfully creamy. . . This is not health food people, so be forewarned. I certainly can't imagine eating there every day, or even every month, but it sure was tasty. If you happen to find yourself in Birmingham, it's worth a trip. It's only about 15 minutes from the airport, so really, you have no excuse not to go.
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