Irondale Cafe
| Address: | 1906 1st Ave N, Irondale, AL 35210, USA |
| Phone: | +1 205-956-5258 |
| Site: | irondalecafe.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
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Brad Seehawer
There are so many dishes with which people are familiar when they think of Southern cooking, and then there are others which dont really come up as much. Irondale Cafe seems to have them all, and cooks them so classically delicious that its a one-stop primer for this regional style of cooking.
The problem with cafeteria-style service is that its 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 its the item Ive 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. Its 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 dont know how many people are still coming here for the novelty of the movie (and really, I dont 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 whats 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.
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A Private User
After driving 2 hours to specifically eat at this restaurant....Walked in, greeted by no one. The gentleman assisting with our order was very nice but seemed hurried, though no one was behind us. The waitress was very pleasant but seemed overwhelmed, though there were hardly any customers there. The food was mediocre. It was supposed to be traditional southern cooking for the most part, but nothing exceptional stood out other than the desserts and the cornbread. The so-called "famous fried green tomatoes" were very bland and way too green. Southern cooking is known for flavor and all meats were bland. When we were finished and ready to leave, we stood at the register counter for well over 15 minutes waiting for someone to take our money. When someone finally did, it was a young man (teenager) who seemed interested more in getting back to whatever it was he was doing. WAYYYYYYYY TOOOOOO EXPENSIVE!!! For my wife and I to eat , the bill came to over $31.00. Ridiculous!!! For that price, I could have bought the ingredients and made a full dinner for my whole family and ate the same thing and had change left over. Overall, I was extremely disappointed. My impression of this experience was that someone from up North moved down south and attempted to poorly impersonate a Southern Dining Establishment. They failed. An true southerner who could experience this, would agree. This was not just like mama made it. I know, because she was with me and very disappointed herself.
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Brenna Terry
You must visit! Service is excellent, restaurant is always clean. There is a spacious dining room that would be perfect for large groups, family gatherings, etc. The railroad tracks that lend this restaurant its famous nickname (Whistle Stop Cafe) are right out front; children especially will delight in watching the trains up close. The food is incredible. The fried green tomatoes are a must! The menu lists specific allergens and dietary concerns for each item. I am a fan of the mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, and okra. Meal options vary from veggies only (under $10, usually) to meat entrees, including catfish, tilapia filets, and baked or fried chicken. Dessert offerings change often but usually include a selection of pie slices (the cookies and cream and coconut cream are to die for) and cobbler (apple, blackberry, cherry, or peach) with ice cream. If you want to immerse yourself in the best southern cuisine, check out Irondale Cafe!
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A Private User
Despite its reputation from the movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes," The Whistle Stop sucks. The only things worth eating there are the fried chicken and peach cobbler. The fried green tomatoes are just terrible, as was everything else. A morgue on Dia de las Muertas has more atmosphere and the service is terrible. Only a misty-eyed, sentimental Southerner, whose other favorite restaurant is Italia Express, would like the Whistle Stop. Go elsewhere for your meat and three.
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Peyton Freeman
Great food and service! Can cost a little more than youd plan on for two people, but the food is amazing. Im just sad they changed their hours in favor of their new restaurant in Fancypantsville, so that they have no dinner now, only lunch until 2 or 2:30 p.m. Dinner was almost always the only time I was ever able to go and I miss it. They always have great oldies music playing and TRY THE PIE. My favorite is the peanut butter pie, but theyre all good.
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Kelly E
Always delicious, been going for years & quality remains the same. Now, for my personal taste, the corn bread is more of a of cake-type cornbread. Mr Hubbs had the chicken livers & said they were "terrific", I will just take his word for it! Lol. The okra is very good - almost like skillet fried, as you would fix at home. Any peas or beans Ive had have been from dried with ham added - delicious! You wont leave hungry when you eat from here!
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Nina Larsrn
Food is good but too expensive for the portion size. I had a meat and three. I asked for a coke and they gave me a really small coke in the original bottle that cost me over $2 and no refill, 2 drinks and your done with the drink. My lunch cost me $17 just for a normal lunch. Love the food but I just dont go often, too expensive for the amount of food u get. Its more a novelty
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A Private User
The Whistle Stop Restaurant is a nice place for breakfast without the large crowds. The chocolate chip pancakes are light while buttery and chocolatey. I think they are better than the pancakes at the Original Pancake house. My husband got the "works" omelette, and said it was very good. The food came out very quickly, and service was great. The prices are reasonable too!
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Ahmed E. Radwan
Took the family to this famous cafe for some southern cooking. Everything from the Greek salad to the catfish, chicken and dumplings, chicken fried steak to the peanut butter pie and cherry cobbler was good eating. Everyone left full and happy! We enjoyed watching the trains too. The kids were so happy with the train! We loved that place!
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Takuji Omura
1991年公開の映画、「フライド・グリーン・トマト」のモデルとなったカフェ。 映画の原作者、ファニー・フラッグはアイアンデール出身で、彼女の大叔母が1932(昭和7)年にこの店を始めた。
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Claude Freeman
Its weird eating in a restaurant you read about in a book. But its real, and its really good. The pies are amazing, and so is the chicken! They also have soft drinks by fountain and the bottle - glass bottle! Its always packed, so be ready to wait a while in line...
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Jack Knight
A.K.A. "The Whistle Stop Cafe", this is a historic site, which inspired Fannie Flaggs best selling novel; FRIED GREEN TOMATOES. This is a local favorite to most all who have dined there. Never had anything they served that wasnt excellent!
