5 must-try female-owned restaurants in Alabama
The restaurant business has typically been male dominated, at least as far as ownership goes. But in the past decade or two, we’ve seen many women making a splash in the Alabama food scene.
Take SOCU in Mobile. Owner Erica Barnett, who has been featured on “Shark Tank” and “Good Morning America,” opened the eatery last year but she’s already made her name in the Port City food scene – and is looking to expand. There’s Janett Malpartida, who owns D’Road Cafe, a popular Montgomery restaurant that focuses on Latin food. And there’s Domaine South in Huntsville, where owners Kristian and Mike Denis have turned a funky little wine shop into one of the city’s hottest eateries.
As you can see, there are many female-owned restaurants you need to put on your list right now – and we haven’t even scratched the surface yet. Here are five more places you have to try.
2328 2nd Ave N., Birmingham
Since the moment it opened in 2014, Yo’ Mama’s has been a standout in downtown Birmingham’s trendy dining scene. The casual eatery, owned by mom-and-daughter duo Denise and Crystal Peterson, has garnered a lot of press and attention: Hillary Clinton visited the restaurant during her 2016 presidential bid, and the Cooking Channel promoted Yo’ Mama’s in a 2017 episode of “Cheap Eats.” And, pre-COVID-19, there was always a line outside the door during lunch hours.
Every bit of press is justified. The restaurant serves oh-so-delicious home-cooked meals with a Southern flair. Some of the most popular menu items are chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits, but keep an eye out for the daily specials. Oh, and have we mentioned they have numerous gluten-free options? Yo’ Mama’s is a restaurant that you must visit at least once – and then you’ll probably want to come back for more.
1525 1st Ave S., Birmingham
Bernadine Birdsong doesn’t just keep a classic Alabama steakhouse going – she’s given it new life. In 2016, she bought Michael’s Restaurant from restaurateur Charles Matsos, son of the late Michael Matsos, who owned the original (and iconic) Michael’s Sirloin Room that was a mainstay on Birmingham’s 20th Street South for decades. And last year, the restaurant got brand new, swanky digs right next to Regions Field.
RELATED: Michael’s Restaurant steer butt steak is one of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama
The new restaurant adjoins the Negro Southern League Museum, and it’s distinctively Alabama: Gee’s Bend quilts adorn the stairwells, and the steaks served are from 34 Beef, Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson’s steak line. The menu is full of steakhouse classics, like bone-in ribeye and fried green tomatoes. But make sure to save room for dessert, which includes sweet treats like white chocolate macadamia nut pudding and flourless chocolate torte.
Michael’s Restaurant original Steer Butt Steak makes list of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
109 Lee St., Brewton
In 2018, Lisa Thomas-McMillan and her husband, Freddie, opened Drexell & Honeybee’s, a donations-only restaurant in the small town of Brewton. Pre-pandemic, the Southern fare was served cafeteria-style, and customers would have a choice of an entrée and two sides – but there wasn’t a cash register at the end of that line. Instead, there was a partitioned donation box, so people could give as much as they wanted for their meal – or nothing at all – and no one would know.
Since opening, Drexell & Honeybee’s has been featured in The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, Newsweek and more. And all of the positive press has helped during the pandemic: When Lisa decided to eliminate the donation box during the pandemic because it was impossible for people to anonymously donate, celebrities like original Iron Chef Cat Cora stepped in to help pay for the meals.
511 Jordan Lane N.W., Huntsville
Toybox Bistro is one fun restaurant.
First, you have the decor. Almost every inch of the Huntsville eatery is devoted to geek culture. There are Dragon Ball Z cards shoved under glass tabletops, board games glued to the ceiling and vintage “Star Trek” episodes playing on the TV. It’s the perfect setting for a city full of rocket scientists – or for anyone, really.
“It speaks to everyone’s inner nerd,” co-owner Michelle Tamon told AL.com in 2018, and that explains it best.
RELATED: Alabama restaurant lets you eat, drink and be nerdy
The restaurant isn’t just about the atmosphere, even though that would be enough. The food is unique, too. You’ll find offerings like poutine and the PB&Yay!, which contains – get this – ghost chili cheese, bacon and peanut butter, lettuce, tomato and onion. There’s also a pot roast sundae. Whether you play Dungeons & Dragons or not, you’re going to want to check out this place for the creativity alone.
The toy collection’s a blast, but food comes first at Toybox Bistro from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
151 N. Foster St., Dothan
Dothan may not be a large city, but it has some culinary heavyweights. Among those is Kelsey Barnard Clark. A couple of years ago, Clark made a splash on the 16th season of Top Chef. Not only did she emerge as the season’s winner, she was voted the fan favorite.
RELATED: The Bama at KBC restaurant is one of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama
Clark’s backstory is incredible – she always knew she wanted to be a chef and trained at some of the best restaurants in New York City before deciding to come home to Dothan. But her restaurant is even better. Everything KBC serves is made in house, and the restaurant serves lunch, brunch and supper. For the supper menu, you’ll find everything from street tacos to duck tarte flambe; for brunch, the menu includes a brisket biscuit with fried onions and red-eye gravy, and Clark’s take on steak and eggs.
The Bama at KBC in Dothan is one of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
Throughout March, Alabama NewsCenter is recognizing Alabama women of distinction, past and present, in celebration of Women’s History Month.