Food & Drink

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

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If you’ve got a big appetite and appreciate the mastery of sandwich arts, these places are for you. From behemoth burgers to super-stuffed sandwiches and other over-the-top creations, you’ll find lots of everything between the bread on our loaded list. As the Meat Boss in Mobile says, “Hope you’re hungry.” 

These are the 7 best local sandwich spots in Alabama

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January 2, 2024

For many, the default drink at year’s end is Champagne, a name limited by law to naturally carbonated wines produced in designated regions of northern France. But while Champagne always […]

How to pick your New Year’s wine according to an Alabama expert

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December 28, 2023

There are many reasons why Champagne, Crémant, and other sparkling wines are the official drink of New Year’s Eve. For starters, they’re a party in a glass, with festive flavors […]

6 top foods to pair with sparkling wine this New Year’s

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December 28, 2023

It’s hard to believe it’s only been 15 years since Alabamians first were able to legally quaff craft beer. Today, the state boasts dozens of breweries and brewpubs, with more […]

Check out these 7 “off-the-beaten-path” breweries in Alabama

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December 28, 2023

One of the many great things about living, cooking, and dining in Alabama is you can eat seasonally and there’s always something tasty growing nearby. The South – and lauded […]

A guide to creating the perfect New Year’s Day meal

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December 27, 2023

There are few places one enters that leave a lasting effect and even fewer that seem to be a step into an alternate state. Whether through over-the-top extravagance (see Birmingham’s […]

Step into a dream state at this Alabama tea room

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December 26, 2023

Alabama craft distilleries, like their microbrewery cousins, are sprouting up across the state. In addition to John Emerald Distilling, which became the first legal whiskey-maker since Prohibition when it barreled […]

alabama's craft distilleries

Meet Alabama’s craft distilleries and find out how they make their spirits

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December 24, 2023

A new beer available in Birmingham has an interesting twist, inspired by an award-winning Indian chef and entrepreneur who collaborated on it with Monday Night Brewing. Chef Series: Meherwan Irani […]

This one-of-a-kind beer is now available at Monday Night Brewing

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December 18, 2023

Big Bob Gibson created a distinct style of barbecue in 1925 when he started combining mayonnaise and vinegar as a sauce for chickens that he pit-cooked whole at his restaurant […]

How “white sauce” became Alabama’s signature barbecue sauce

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December 17, 2023

Do you have a beer nut on your shopping list? Are you down to the wire getting presents? Craft breweries across Alabama have you covered. More than four dozen microbreweries […]

The best Alabama brewery gifts for the enthusiast on your list

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December 16, 2023

Rebecca and Jason Dickey hope to change how people along the busy U.S. 280 corridor pick up sweets for work, school, or home. Their newest location of Crumbl Cookies, in […]

Breaking: New Crumbl Cookie location opens in Greystone

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December 15, 2023

Full Moon Bar-B-Que is an award-winning establishment that has a long, delicious history of excellent Southern-style ‘que and mouth-watering trimmings. Full Moon BBQ has been in operation since 1986 with the […]

How to make Full Moon BBQ’s famous Half Moon Cookies

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December 14, 2023

Imagine an impressive explosion of holiday festivity and celebratory cheer: twinkling lights, classic Christmas carols, and floor to ceiling tinsel. Now imagine even more. And a little more… perfect. This […]

Miracle on 24th Street: Alabama’s most extravagant holiday experience

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December 14, 2023

For decades, the Hontzas family has fed Birmingham. A few branches of the family tree still do. But their numbers are thinning, after Theo Hontzas announced that his Smoke House […]

Breaking: Beloved Birmingham family business, Smoke House, closes after 63 years

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December 12, 2023

Billed as a white-sand “beach in a bottle,” Florida-based Bushwacker Spirits liqueur is building on Alabamians’ love for the frozen cocktail by the same name. The three-year-old company is expanding […]

Southern Spirit: The story behind the beloved Bushwacker liqueur

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December 11, 2023

Along a one-mile stretch of Green Springs Highway in Homewood nearly two dozen restaurants, markets, and food trucks serve food from practically every continent on the planet. You’ll find specialties […]

International Food Passport: Find foods from all cultures on Alabama’s international mile

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December 11, 2023

From the glittering landscapes to the world-renowned cuisine, there’s something uniquely special about France that captivates even the novice traveler. The French are experts in living well—and celebrating well—so when […]

A Taste of France: A guide to experiencing a French Christmas in Alabama

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December 10, 2023

Give a gift that keeps on giving this year with subscriptions for Alabama-grown meats, vegetables, fruit, eggs, and honey. Farmers across Alabama offer shares of their harvest through Community-Supported Agriculture […]

A guide to gifting the best fresh foods from Alabama farmers

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December 8, 2023

With an aptitude for science, a concern for people, the ability to plan and direct programs, and a strong interest in food, nutrition, and health, The University of Alabama’s food […]

Backed by Science: University of Alabama Food & Nutrition Student Shares Soulful Holiday Recipe

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December 7, 2023

Wine may be the most intimidating adult beverage. Ordering a glass or a bottle requires a dizzying array of choices—red, white, or rose; still or sparkling; organic, naturally produced, or conventional wine from more than a dozen countries and representing innumerable styles.

Atmosphere and Appetizers: 6 Alabama wine bars to experience this season

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December 7, 2023

Whether it’s for a celebratory meal or a grand gift, Alabama restaurants, breweries, and cocktail bars offer some unusual opportunities for the holidays. These aren’t your ordinary tacky-sweater events. “Yule” […]

Make Your Reservations: Reserve your spot at these 6 exclusive Alabama holiday events

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December 5, 2023