What makes an iconic restaurant? Well, great food of course. A unique, distinctive atmosphere helps as well. And then, the individual memories that each customer has made over the years. We took a look at 5 iconic Birmingham restaurants and what made them so beloved.
1. Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs
Kicking off our list is the iconic Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs. This hot dog joint was a true hole-in-the-wall—operating out of a tiny, 7-ft by 20-ft space at 1925 2nd Avenue North. In fact, the line would often stretch out the door and onto the street. Pete’s was as famous for its hot dogs as it was for its last owners, Gus Koutroulakis and his wife Kathy.
Pete’s served hamburgers, chips and drinks—and of course Zeigler hot dogs, available plain or as a “special” with mustard, sauerkraut, and a secret-recipe ground-beef based sauce. After Gus’ death in 2011, Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs closed for good.
2. Hot Diggity Dogs
The second hot dog stand on our list is Hot Diggity Dogs, a beloved hot dog joint in Avondale. Opened in 2016, Hot Diggity Dogs operated out of the second floor of 430 41st Street South, above Fancy’s on Fifth. In addition to their hot dogs, burgers and sandwiches, Hot Diggity Dogs served as the cover for The Marble Ring, a speakeasy bar “hidden” behind a phone booth at the back of the restaurant.
Sadly, Hot Diggity Dogs closed in January 2020—but, their final Instagram post left a glimmer of hope: “As they say, when one door closes, another one opens. Stay tuned for what’s next.”
3. Joy Young Restaurant
In 1919, two Chinese immigrants opened a restaurant in Birmingham by the name of Joy Young. With a Mandarin-style menu featuring “chop suey,” “egg foo young” and “chow mein”— as well as American classics for the less adventurous—Joy Young was an instant hit. In fact, when the Ku Klux Klan tried to run them out of business, the Klan found no support from the public.
Joy Young moved to several locations throughout the years, but its most famous was at 412 20th Street North, opposite the original Tutwiler Hotel. Out-of-town visitors staying at the hotel would often visit Joy Young. However, after the Tutwiler’s closing in 1972, business took a hit. Joy Young closed in the late 1980s.
4. Britling Cafeteria
Before fast food, there was the self-serve cafeteria known as Britling. Boasting a revolutionary “help yourself” food line, Britling’s was a favorite of downtown workers who needed a quick lunch. The original Britling’s, located at 1913-1917 1st Avenue North, opened in 1917. The grand opening of the 280-seat location marked 2,000 meals served on the first day!
Britling offered live performances with electric organs before making the switch to recorded music. The restaurant was wildly popular, with several locations throughout Birmingham and across the Southeast. However, the chain hit hard times in the 1970s, when fast food restaurants became popular. The final Birmingham location closed in the 1980s.
5. Cobb Lane Restaurant
In 1948, Virginia Cobb founded a dress shop on a then-unnamed cobblestone street in Southside. Over the years, Cobb began to host knitting groups in her shop, and noticed that her guests would bring sandwiches as a treat. Inspired, Mrs. Cobb crafted her own cucumber, cream cheese and onion sandwich to serve to guests.
Soon, her meals became so popular that Mrs. Cobb decided to transform the dress shop into a restaurant. Soon, the establishment became known for its stuffed crab and she-crab soup, as well as other signature dishes. In 1982, the street was named Cobb Lane in honor of Mrs. Cobb. After her passing in 1987, the new owner published many of the beloved recipes in a cookbook, A Stroll Down Cobb Lane: In the Kitchen With a Southern Lady.
Although Cobb Lane Restaurant closed in 2009, you can still recreate many of the recipes with the cookbook, available on Amazon here.
These are just a few of the iconic restaurants that called Birmingham home over the years. Which restaurants do you have fond memories of? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!
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