A rerouting of beach traffic led to a redirection of an iconic Alabama family business.

When Interstate 65 became the preferred rout to the Gulf Coast beaches, Bill and Teresa Bates decided to augment the family turkey farm with a new sandwich shop right off the interstate in Greenville.

Bates House of Turkey has since become a landmark must-stop on the way to the beach.

Hickory Smoked Turkey Sandwich one of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Becky Sloane, Bill and Teresa’s daughter, now runs the family business. She said COVID-19 was a jolt to the restaurant’s spring break business. But the restaurant has never had to close and has recovered from that initial shock.

It helps when you have irresistible food like the Hickory Smoked Turkey Sandwich. It’s a sandwich so good it is on the Alabama Tourism Department’s list of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama.

Bates House of Turkey in Greenville is a culinary landmark for beach travelers. (contributed)