Picks by Webbie

So, I am sure that all of you were blown away by Bethany’s articulate, informative post about her favorite foods found around the city. She did a great job describing some of the life-changing eats around town, but there are just a ton more to talk about. Plus, let’s not forget that it isn’t ALL about the food…well, for some people, maybe, but it’s also about the atmosphere and experience! Indulge me for a bit as I give you MY favorites list!

Best Italian: Duh, Joe’s Italian! This casual, affordable Italian  restaurant is totally authentic and absolutely delicious when you’re in the mood for some artery-clogging, real-deal Italian! Catch them on a busy night and add to the authenticity by listening to their in-house accordion player! Tip: the stuffed shells are to die for, and watch out if you order a piece of cake--it’s about 1/4 of a dang cake!

Best Outdoor dining: Tie for Chuy’s and Flip Burger Boutique. Both are right next door to each other at the top of The Summit, and offer outdoor seating with an incredible view of the city!

Best Service: Margarita Grill in Pelham. The service is top-notch, with the owner stopping by often to mingle with guests. Caution: Their service is borderline annoying if you’re an independent gal like me…but chivalry is definitely not dead at Margarita Grill!


Best Appetizer: Sweet Potato Fries at Village Tavern. Uhmm, YES!! Crunchy, not too thin, sprinkled with cinnamon/sugary goodness and dipped in their amazing honey mustard sauce. Perfection!

Best Adult Beverage: Sol Y Luna: This tapas place has some wonderful margaritas and house drinks! Don’t expect “typical Mexican”, but get ready for some interesting dishes and quality cocktails!

Best Sandwich: Hands-down the Newk’s Q from Newk’s (downtown location, preferably). Pair this grilled-chicken with bacon, swiss, and white-BBQ sauce sandwich with their sweet pickles and Tippah County Caviar (a black-eyed pea salsa-type side) and get ready for your world to be rocked.

With a close runner-up, the Club sandwich from Ragtime Cafe. PINEAPPLE on a club? Don't knock it 'til you've tried it!

Hungry Yet? Lay off me, I'm starving!!

Peace,

Erin

Bethany's Bests

I am in no way a “foodie,” but I do love to eat! And, when I eat I like to do it without going bankrupt, thus you will not see Ocean or Satterfield’s on this list. I’m sure they are great, but until Birmingham boys start asking me out and taking me to those fancy places, this gal on a nonprofit salary will enjoy the more budget-friendly restaurants in the area.

1. Burger – Bottletree

Bottletree Café is a quirky restaurant/music venue in Avondale off of 3^rd Avenue South. In addition to a great lunch menu featuring many vegan-friendly options, they also make a great burger. The burger is not standard fare, so you have to catch it as a daily special, but it is by far my favorite in town.

2. Milkshake – FLIP burger boutique and Chick-fil-A

Flip is a little too trendy for my taste, but it certainly offers a unique dining experience with both traditional and gourmet burgers, tasty dipping sauces, and amazing milkshakes. My friends and I differ in opinions on which shake is supreme, but I am sticking to my guns with my ruling that the Nutella and Burnt Marshmallow Milkshake is the best gourmet milkshake, not only at Flip Burger, but in Birmingham.

We can’t always be gourmet, though, and for those days when you’re craving a milkshake but can’t make it to FLIP, I offer to you the Chick-fil-A Cookies & Cream Milkshake. My health-nut sister has even been converted. It’s that good.

3. Cupcake – dreamcakes bakery and Urban Standard

Dreamcakes is my favorite “all-around” cupcake winner. Every flavor they offer is amazing. From the Mint Chocolate Chip (my personal favorite) to the Curious George (a banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting), every cupcake offering is exquisitely beautiful and really, really good. But, the Red Velvet Cupcake at Urban is probably my absolute favorite cupcake in the city. I’ve not always been a Red Velvet girl, mostly because of the cream cheese frosting, but Urban Standard has an almond cream cheese frosting. It is divine. And, most people are aware of the awesomeness that is the Urban Standard Red Velvet Cupcake, which means there have been days when I have gone to pick up a tasty treat only to find they are sold out. Those are not good days. So go early if you want your life to be changed. And it will be. For the better.

So, the official ruling is: best all around cupcake venue – dreamcakes; best cupcake – Red Velvet Cupcake from Urban Standard.

4. Croissant – The Red Cat

Some may wonder why “croissant” is even a category. To that I say, “you obviously have not been to the Red Cat.” Their Almond Croissant is possibly the best pastry I’ve ever eaten. It is fabulous. Words don’t do it justice, so to adequately understand, you should get in your car right now, drive to the Red Cat, and order one. I just might.

5. Coffee Beverage – The Red Cat and Urban Standard (and Starbucks)

I confess, it’s only fitting for Starbucks to be on my coffee list because I get my caffeine-fix from them far too often. I blame the convenience of the drive-thru window off of Hwy 31 on my way into work. And they make my favorite drink really well – a tall sugar-free vanilla soy latte. But, buying locally is better for the Birmingham economy, and honestly the coffee tastes much fresher at the Red Cat and Urban Standard. The Red Cat roasts their coffee beans in house and Urban Standard purchases their beans from local roaster Primavera Coffee. Urban also makes their own syrups, which are delicious.

The Red Cat is my favorite out of the two local places because they have a punch card that earns you a free coffee beverage with the purchase of five drinks. And their iced coffee changed my life last summer during one of many heat waves.

6. Taco – Camp Taco

Located in 5 Points in what used to be a Subway, Camp Taco puts a unique spin on their taco creations. My suggestion – order a side of queso and a taco with white barbeque sauce.

7. Vegan Fare – Bottletree Café

I mentioned earlier that Bottletree has the best burger, when offered, but their vegan offerings are equally delicious. My favorite is the Garden Grill – steamed vegetables with rice or quinoa (choose the quinoa if you have the option) with sweet chili garlic and soy sauces. When I first ordered it I thought it would be boring, but I was told by the fellow taking my order that it was his favorite dish on the entire menu. I soon found out that he was not hyping it up…it really is awesome!

8. Sauce – Chick-fil-A

Okay, I know this is a weird category, but I feel compelled and obligated to share with you the amazingness that is Chick-fil-A sauce. Maybe you’ve tried the honey mustard and Polynesian and thought…”this is awesome!” But seriously, you have not lived until you try the Chick-fil-A sauce.

Other Favorites at Restaurants Listed Above:

Bottletree – Sweet Potato Fries (a little soggy, but amazing seasoning) and Hummus (not only is the hummus delicious, but the accompanying pita bread is really good, too)

The Red Cat – Pimento Cheese Sandwich on toasted 3 Seed Bread from Big Sky

Urban Standard – Grilled Asparagus Salad

Most of these restaurants are located very near my workplace, so I’m sure I have missed out on several awesome eateries in the city. As this is a forum to make Birmingham better, let me know what great places I’ve left off and your favorite dishes at those establishments!

Your food-loving friend,

Bethany

P.S. Also, I have noticed that my favorite go-to adjectives are amazing and awesome. Sorry about that. Maybe someone can buy me a thesaurus for my birthday:)

Hiatus

Your friends at the Anti-Lame Campaign have not turned their back on the mission at hand, rather we've been taking a brief hiatus to take care of some very important things...i.e. weddings of friends and sisters.

We do have a couple of posts in the works that we think you (our ten loyal followers) will find very interesting: Summer Fun in the Ham and Bethany's Best - a list of Bethany's "favorites" in the city, from cupcakes and milkshakes to coffee beverages and burgers.

Please stay tuned and we promise - it will be worth the wait.  We hope.  Maybe.

Sincerely,

Your Anti-Lame Coalition for Fun