Food & Drink

Browse exclusive SoulGrown stories about the flavors and libations of Alabama's cuisine

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Through handmade momos, freshly roasted spices, and a growing pop-up presence, Prarthana Pandey Upadhyay is introducing Birmingham to the comfort and tradition of Nepali food.

Dalle Momo

Dalle Momo brings the flavors of Nepal to Birmingham

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May 14, 2026

For 40 years, Full Moon BBQ has remained a familiar name across Alabama, known for its slow-smoked barbecue, Southern hospitality, and deeply loyal customer base. What began as a single Southside restaurant in 1986 has grown into a regional staple with 15 locations, all while holding tightly to the traditions that shaped it from the beginning.

Full Moon BBQ rib plate

Full Moon BBQ at 40: how a family-run Alabama staple built its legacy

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May 12, 2026

Fresh Gulf seafood, Alabama pride, and a little friendly competition are headed back to the coast as Sweet Grown Alabama hosts its 11th Annual Seafood Cook-Off on Monday, May 18 at The Wharf in Orange Beach.

Sweet Grown Seafood Cookout

Sweet Grown Alabama hosts 11th annual Seafood Cook-Off at The Wharf

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May 12, 2026

Through local ingredients and longstanding relationships, Chef David Bancroft celebrates the communities shaping Alabama’s foodways.

Acre exterior

Seed to Soul: Chef David Bancroft of Acre in Auburn, Alabama

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May 7, 2026

With her newest cookbook The Flavor of Fire, Clark returns to something foundational: cooking outdoors over an open flame and the gatherings that naturally form around it.

Kelsey Barnard Clark

Kelsey Barnard Clark brings the fire in her new cookbook

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May 5, 2026

Birmingham’s Latino and Latina-owned businesses continue to play a major role in shaping the city’s food and coffee culture. These are family-run concepts and community-driven spaces that reflect heritage, entrepreneurship, and generations of tradition.

Bandido Coffee

Where to eat, sip, and support Latino and Latina-owned businesses in Birmingham

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May 4, 2026

Starting May 17, The Pizitz Food Hall will be open seven days a week, adding Sunday service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Pizitz ground floor

Your lunch break gets an upgrade: The Pizitz expands to seven days a week

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May 1, 2026

It’s not often you get to see what happens when four acclaimed chefs share the same kitchen. To my luck, I experienced that firsthand last month at the Southern Grace dinner hosted at Little Bird by Chef Bill Briand.

Chefs at Little Bird

Four chefs in a kitchen: a study in collaborative storytelling

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April 28, 2026

Fresh tortillas, slow-braised meats, and a strong margarita program set the tone at De Nada, Birmingham’s newest Tex Mex spot, which opens April 29 in the Parkside district. The latest […]

De Nada Birmingham

De Nada brings a fresh take on Tex Mex to Birmingham

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April 27, 2026

For decades, Huntsville’s Tip Top Café was more than a bar—it was a proving ground for bands and a cultural anchor for a town sometimes known better for rockets than rock & roll.

Tip Top Cafe

Tip Top Café: a Huntsville legend comes back to life

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April 22, 2026

Some brands begin in boardrooms and tailored suits—but this one starts in the jungle.

Hatton Smith in the jungle

Off the map: the story behind Campesino Rum

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April 18, 2026

In a town of about 150 people, nearly 1,000 visitors will gather this April for a weekend that turns a quiet place into one of Alabama’s most vibrant cultural gatherings.

Rob McDaniel and Roscoe Hall

Rob McDaniel and Roscoe Hall bring new flavor to Old 280 Boogie

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April 16, 2026

They say that travel shapes you in profound ways, layering experience upon experience until it begins to influence how you think, work, and create. For Chef Luke Joseph, that global perspective has become foundational in shaping his culinary identity.

Current Charcoal Grill

Chef Luke Joseph is building a more curious Birmingham

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April 14, 2026

With turkey season here and warmer days ahead, it’s a fitting time to think more intentionally about how we source and prepare our food—whether it’s caught, harvested, or picked up at the store.

Turkeys

Wild game cooking tips inspired by James Beard

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April 14, 2026

Seed to Soul highlights chefs who are championing local producers and bringing a deeper awareness to the state’s foodways—inviting viewers into both the process and the thought behind each dish.

Harvesting carrots

Introducing Seed to Soul: chefs shaping Alabama’s food story

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April 9, 2026

When this year’s Masters Champions Dinner menu was released, it sparked a question: If Alabama were to host a Champions Dinner, what would be served?

The masters views

What Alabama would serve at the Masters Champions Dinner

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April 8, 2026

The Young Supporters Board (YSB) of the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center is hosting the third annual Palate & Palette, a one-of-a-kind event celebrating the best of Birmingham’s local talent in food, art, and music.

Palate and Palette

Palate & Palette 2026: Birmingham’s top talent supporting cancer research

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April 3, 2026

A Birmingham institution with more than three decades of history is once again in the national spotlight. Bottega has been named a finalist for the 2026 James Beard Awards, earning recognition in the Outstanding Hospitality category—one of the industry’s most meaningful honors.

bottega bar

Birmingham’s Bottega earns 2026 James Beard finalist nomination

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March 31, 2026

The Mustard Club feels, to me, quintessentially Birmingham—which is perhaps one of the highest compliments I can give, considering what a force-of-nature food city Birmingham has become. Tucked into the […]

The Mustard Club

The Mustard Club is Birmingham’s new everyday favorite

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March 23, 2026

In Alabama, there’s no shortage of great barbeque, and just about everyone has their go-to spot. But in Leeds, Rusty’s Bar-B-Q has carved out a loyal following as a beloved […]

BBQ plate at Rusty's

This Leeds restaurant is a beloved spot for authentic Alabama BBQ

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March 19, 2026

On a Sunday morning in Alabama, there are familiar rhythms and routines we’ve grown comfortable with. If you’re out in the country, it’s usually a pot of fresh-brewed coffee, a […]

Jack's in the 1960s

Since 1960: the history of Jack’s and its Alabama legacy

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March 18, 2026