Food & Drink

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

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We won’t fudge the truth. The Birmingham Candy Company is one of the sweetest startups around.

Hoover native Cassie Bolden and her husband Wayne built their business by working numerous farmers markets and popping up at various locations around metro Birmingham before opening their permanent sweet shop downtown in 2019 at the Pizitz Food Hall.

Behind the Brand: How Birmingham Candy Company makes their famous sweets

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December 3, 2023

Santa is coming to town, and he’s bringing a limited-edition treat to Birmingham! Casey’s Sports Grill at the Westin Birmingham is asking, “Are you naughty and nice?” this holiday season […]

Christmas Cocktails: Birmingham pop-up bar opens for the holidays

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November 27, 2023

Culinary artisans who established and helped mature Birmingham’s award-winning restaurant scene are being honored by another of the city’s culinary artisans, as Big Spoon Creamery introduces a series of special […]

The local creamery featuring custom flavors by Alabama’s culinary icons

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November 25, 2023

Bunkers, Auburn’s first-of-its-kind cocktail bar, restaurant, and indoor golf simulator, has just opened. The concept was developed by Plainsmen Consulting, the team behind many of Alabama’s well-known establishments including Collins […]

Meet Auburn’s new high-end simulated sports experience

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November 20, 2023

Alabamians know a good burger when they taste one. From state-based chains like Milo’s and Jack’s to its diners and dives—even its temples of gastronomy—the magical combination of beef patty, bun, cheese and condiments is a Yellowhammer delight. 

Alabama’s Best: Where to find the best burgers in Alabama

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November 18, 2023

Do you long for turkey and all the trimmings but cooking all that food just isn’t possible? These places have you in mind. While other people feast at their family’s […]

Alabama’s top restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner

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November 17, 2023

Restaurants, caterers, local groceries across South Alabama – even a personal chef – are ready to cook for you this Thanksgiving. To take the muss and fuss out of your […]

Thanksgiving in South Alabama: Where to find the best local meals

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November 13, 2023

An Alabama-grown turkey farm is a mere slice of restaurants and caterers in central Alabama with special menus of Thanksgiving favorites to take home, heat, and feed a crowd. Bates […]

Thanksgiving in Central Alabama: Where to find the best local meals

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November 13, 2023

Remember that year Thanksgiving dinner was a disaster, when the guests were ravenous but the bird was still a dangerous medium-rare? Or perhaps all your pies burned because you forgot […]

Thanksgiving in North Alabama: Where to find the best local meals

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November 12, 2023

The Wright family – Amy, Ben, Lillie, Emma Grace, Bitty, and Beau – want to change your perception of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, one coffee drink at a […]

Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, employing individuals with disabilities, to open tomorrow in Homewood

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November 10, 2023

Modern cocktail culture satisfies the old-school and new-school alike. Bartenders pay homage to the classics and play new riffs on those themes, creating delicious drinks that also happen to sparkle (sometimes literally) on social media. A good drink is mixed with precision and care, the result is refreshing and balanced. The best drink has a good backstory. And it should reflect the atmosphere where it is served.

Bayside Beverages: 5 must-try cocktail bars in Mobile, Alabama

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November 8, 2023

The scent of hickory smoke drifts up to your nose after slicing open a packet of Conecuh Original Sausage.  The pork links, an inch thick, have flecks of bright red […]

Cooking with Conecuh: The story behind Alabama’s favorite sausage and how to cook with it

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November 7, 2023

In a rural area right outside of one of Alabama’s most charming towns, Fairhope, lies a microcosm of its own known as The Fairhope Tea Plantation. In 1979, the Lipton […]

The Fairhope Tea Plantation: The fascinating history of the charming Alabama tea farm

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November 3, 2023

There are many advantages to buying beef in bulk, such as cost savings, meal planning ease, quality, keeping your money in the local community and knowing your producer. Freezer beef […]

Sweet Grown Alabama: The hidden benefits of buying locally sourced beef in bulk

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October 31, 2023

While Jose Medina Camacho was growing up, a prime sign of fall was the ubiquitous pot of Calabaza en Tacha – candied pumpkin – on his mother’s, grandmothers’, or aunts’ […]

The Birmingham bar serving up nostalgia for Dia de los Muertos

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October 30, 2023

“We’re going to stop right? We have to. We always do.” The troubled line of questioning was met with nothing but a stark silence, and I knew the worst was […]

Priester’s Pecans: The full history behind the well-loved Alabama pit stop

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October 29, 2023

Benard Tamburello surveys the ingredients for the tiramisu he is about to prepare, while Giuliana Russo-Skinner animatedly talks about the bawdy origins of the Italian dessert. Her story draws laughs […]

Cooking with Culture: Bringing a taste of Italy to Birmingham

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October 24, 2023

 The following is an excerpt from “Invitation to Notice,” a profile on Scott Peacock, the James Beard Award-winning chef who hails from the Wiregrass and now lives in Alabama’s Black […]

Many Layers of Marion: Biscuiting in the Black Belt with Scott Peacock

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October 23, 2023

A ramen craze is building steam in Alabama, where restaurants specializing in the noodle soup are opening or expanding in several cities. Most have come onto the scene since 2020. […]

Six spots to enjoy the best ramen Alabama has to offer

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October 21, 2023

Next time you have a thirst for bourbon at the 106 Jefferson hotel in Huntsville, ask for the house pick. The main-floor restaurant, Revivalist, and rooftop lounge, Baker and Able, […]

The story behind Huntsville’s 106 Jefferson hotel’s exclusive bourbon

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October 19, 2023

According to Patch.com, “The Northport City Council on Monday unanimously approved an economic development incentive package consisting of a sales tax rebate to lure a popular steakhouse to the city. […]

Northport, Tuscaloosa area to get steak house by owners of Big Mike’s

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October 16, 2023