Taboon Noon o Kebab | Birmingham Food Guide

Taboon Noon o Kebab is tucked away in a shopping center in Hoover, near I-65 and 31. I’ve run across many hidden delicacies in strip malls over the years and Taboon is my most recent find. It’s a gem. If you’re not familiar with Iranian food, let me catch you up. The bread is baked … Read more

The Rougaroux | Birmingham Food Guide

The Rougaroux is cheffed by Ryan Champion, an alumnus of the storied Commander’s Palace in Nola. Commander’s Palace was a springboard for many well-known chefs, Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme most famously. I would argue that putting in at least some time at Commander’s Palace is a rite of passage for Creole/Cajun chefs. Champion also … Read more

Billy’s Sports Grill | Birmingham Food Guide

Billy’s Sports Grill is a standard American bar and grill. Nothing fancy but always reliable. It’s one of my favorite happy hour spots. These sorts of smaller, independent sports bars are a dying breed, which is a shame. Many of these types of restaurant eventually got edged out by national chains like Buffalo Wild Wings … Read more

Ranelli’s Deli | Birmingham Food Guide

Ranelli’s Deli is a time capsule. It hasn’t changed much, if at all, since I first visited in 1990. Ranelli’s is still slinging Italian-American fare and boasts a proper selection of sandwiches and salads. For me, Ranelli’s Deli is a lunch time sandwich and a beer joint. The meatball sub, specifically. Do they make the … Read more