Flip Burger Boutique- Making Burgers Into Fine Art

Flip Burger Boutique in the Summit shopping center has been on my "to-do" list for quite sometime now. I must admit, the name "boutique" added to the end of a restaurant name was a little intimidating. All sorts of thoughts went through my head. Sounded almost as if there would be a dress code. This visit would shatter all of the misconceptions that I had.
Flip Burger puts a modern spin on the art of burger making. This is not your average burger joint. It's chic, trendy and very artsy.
Recently Flip Burger hosted an exclusive media tasting event in which yours truly participated. The chain introduced fall menu creations designed by Chef Richard Blais. They also introduced the new CEO, Rick Tasman. Rick brings with him over 35 years of experience and a positive outlook on the future growth of this restaurant chain. We spoke briefly about how excited he is to join the team.
Chef Blais is a culinary innovator, author and the winner of the Bravo network's Top Chef All Stars.
After reading his bio, I was even more excited to try what Flip Burger Boutique had to offer. My motto, "hype means nothing until I taste it".
My dining, companion, who is the founder of the  Discover Birmingham organization, was also eager to taste the variety of fall menu selections.
Atmosphere: Bright & energetic with an uptown decor. There is also outdoor seating with an amazing view. Not too crowded. Definitely a great place to have a lunch meeting or bring a date.
What I/ We had: I had the warm and creamy tomato bisque, the double stack burger- 2 patties featuring tillamook cheddar, bacon pickles and mustard, crispy Brussels sprouts.... (let me just pause to say OMG!) I also had the sweet potato tots and house-made french fries. My lunch companion had the beet and goat cheese salad. He mentioned that he thought that the flavors of the arugula & beets clashed with the vinaigrette dressing. He also had the "BIGGER" burger-  1/2 lb patty topped with American cheese, lettuce & tomato with onion rings and R1 steak sauce and YES... it is bigger. Also included in his meal was a side sampler of vodka battered onion rings, house made fries and sweet potato tots. Both our meals were extremely filling, seasoned just right and very well prepared.
For dessert I had the pumpkin pie milk shake. This creamy concoction was a shake lovers dream.The pumpkin flavor was not too over the top. This also included a touch of graham cracker crumbles inside of the shake. Sinful, I tell you. Just sinful. My fellow foodie had the apple fried pie with salted caramel. He stated that paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this made for an amazing concept. However, scaling back tremendously on the amount of salt in the  caramel topping would probably catapult this dish into the dessert hall of fame.
Prices: The soups and salads range between $5 to $12 dollars. Very good portions.Burgers start at round $7.50, the sides start at $3.75, but your best value would be to get a 3 side sampler for about $9.00.The hearty dessert shakes and dishes start at $5.00.
Out of ten stars, I give the Flip Burger Boutique 9 stars!
For more information, to book an event or place an order, please visit http://flipburgerboutique.com/
Or call (205) 968-2000.
Follow us on Social Media: https://twitter.com/flipbham
@RestaurantRaidr @DiscoverBham

  

The 2013 Pig Iron Challenge Benefitting the Children's Harbor organization 10/18/13

For the past several years I have attended the Pig Iron BBQ challenge with friends and family.
During this event, there's trash talking, good times and lots of team work but all for a good cause.

The Children's Harbor is a non-profit organization that assists families that have seriously ill children and children with special needs.
Here are their principles:

• Our top priority is to respond to the needs and rights of every client with a sense of urgency, dignity and compassion.
• Children’s Harbor is passionate about family-centered principles and quality-of-life issues.
• Children’s Harbor views counseling as a key to empowering children and families to reach their maximum potential.
• Children’s Harbor is a quality, performance and integrity-driven organization.
• Dedication, honesty, trust, innovation and stakeholder satisfaction are the foundation of Children’s Harbor’s work.
• Children’s Harbor respects the dignity of its team members and assures them empowerment through professional development and personal growth.
• Children’s Harbor is committed to partnering with other organizations that share its vision, mission and values.

The Pig Iron BBQ challenge is just one way that the organization raises funds. This event is held annually next to what is or was known  as the Hoover Met baseball stadium inside of the RV park.
After paying just $10.00 at the gate, the public can go inside and sample award winning barbecue from countless teams of corporate sponsors and competitors. I am a huge advocate of charity. This years attendance was "rumored" to have reached over 10,000 patrons. Hat's off to Birmingham for showing up. For more information about the Children's Harbor, to donate or include your team in next years barbecue challenge, visit http://www.childrensharbor.com/
Everyone seemed to be having a great time except this guy- seems he got side tracked on his way to the market:

The Southern Diner- Where Comfort Food Is King!

 I can't tell you how many time's I've looked for new restaurants with "home-style" cuisine.
 Then I remembered that saying- "you'll never find anything if you look too hard". I found this restaurant via Twitter and boy am I glad. I rounded up the most infamous foodie that I know- someone with over 30 years of cooking and kitchen management experience and took the journey on an overcast Saturday afternoon to get some home cooked grub. When it comes to home cooking, I am partial to my mom's. However, The Southern Diner could surely hold it's own in a race.
Atmosphere: Table & booth seating, a great view of the steam table the minute you hit the door. An array of pies, salads and hot & ready to eat southern comfort foods are lined up & ready for the taking. Very pleasantly decorated. Busy, but not uncomfortably packed. Definitely a place that could accomodate large groups and families.
The Staff: Amazing! We were greeted as soon as we walked in by a couple of friendly faces. The line servers and wait staff were all extremely attentive and friendly. We didn't have to look & search for assistance at all.
What I/ We Had: I had the fried chicken breast, garden salad, cornbread, turnip greens and creamy squash casserole. My dining companion had the Saturday special which is all you can eat fried grouper with sides of delicious pinto beans & turnip greens. The southern style fried chicken was "unbelievably" flavorful & moist right down to the bone. They get a gold star for this chicken. The veggies were awesome- definitely a must when you are looking for comfort food. The buttery, moist cornbread muffins were just as much of a highlight as the entree's. My dining companion was completely fascinated with the obvious care and preparation that went into the making of the fried grouper. The fact that it was on special definitely prompted a second helping of their generous sized fish. The home-made hush puppies enhanced the grouper meal even more.
Prices: The all you can eat grouper meal on Saturdays is currently $11.99. A meat & 2 veggies would run an estimated $8.00.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give the Southern Diner in Trussville a rating of 8.5.
The fried chicken is FIVE STAR!!!!!!
 For catering information or to reserve a spot for your group, call (205) 874-6804 or visit them on line at http://www.thesoutherndiner.com/ , Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thesoutherndiner and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SouthernDiner

KC Finest BBQ in Montevallo- BLAZING A TRAIL!

Via a Twitter invitation to try this site, I journeyed a short distance from Alabaster to try Kansas City's Finest slow smoked barbecue in Montevallo, AL. Growing hungrier & hungrier after each mile, I was ready to try this different style of  barbecue.
Per wikipedia.com, Kansas City barbecue refers to the specific style of slow smoked meat that evolved from the pit of Henry Perry in the early 1900s in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City barbecue is slow smoked over a variety of woods and then covered with a thick tomato- and molasses-based sauce.[1].
Before buying, the owner will let you try a variety of samples before you place your order, and YES... this style is different than your traditional southern style barbecue. Slow smoked for hours and hours, KC Finest, offers you falling-off-the bone tenderness.
Atmosphere: Located across from the Montevallo Fire Department (STATION#1). This is the first restaurant food trailer I have reviewed. There were a couple of encouraging regulars present & raving about the food to this first timer. The traffic stopping, smoky smell is enough to put you in a trans.
The owner mentioned that he wants to expand into a new building. This type of food would be a great addition to any new retail/ entertainment district.
The Staff: Friendly, informative about the Kansas City barbecue method. Eager to make every customer happy no matter what.
What I had: I ordered enough for friends and family, one slab of SLOOOOOOOOOW smoked, falling- off- the- bone ribs (chewing is not even needed), a hearty pile of chopped burnt ends,  baked beans, potato salad and cole slaw with a pint of some of the best BBQ sauce ever. Not only would this sauce be good on ribs, but it can be used with chicken tenders and other snacks as well.I am attaching pictures of several of the menu items.  
Price: A full slab is $20.00, the burnt end plate ... around $7.50
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give KC's Finest BBQ a rating of 8.9!
I look forward to  returning very soon!
KC's Finest BBQ is available for catering, festivals and any special event.
For more information, for catering or to place a pick up order call (205) 354-6109
You can follow KC's Finest on Twitter https://twitter.com/kcfinestchef
and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kcfinestbbq

This is where the magic happens

Slow Smoked Kansas City style ribs

Menu Back

Menu Front

Rib Plate w/ Baked Beans and potato salad

Burnt Ends Sandwich

Crazy Cajuns In Inverness- Making "Loosiana" Proud!

So I'm flipping through my "Enjoy The City" coupon book wondering what I wanted to try. After trying craw fish for the first time at a local craw fish festival, I decided that I would try it again and searched for a nearby Cajun restaurant that I had not already tried. A decision was made and I was off to Crazy Cajuns in Inverness Plaza. The parking lot was in Birmingham, but when I stepped inside of the door, I'd instantly taken the 5 hour drive down I-20 to New Orleans.
Atmosphere: Louisiana, Louisiana! The size of the restaurant is modest, but the statement is big. Everything from LSU flags and colors, to beads draping from the walls definitely gave this place an authentic feel. The place was packed with lots of hungry and seemingly happy customers. Also I was able to watch television.(High five)
The Staff: Friendly, casual, knowledgeable of the menu (Huge plus with me). Southern hospitality was all there. 
What I had: The sampler combo entree; chunky seafood gumbo, creamy craw fish etouffee , smooth cheddar garlic mashed potatoes & baked cheddar smoked Gouda grits w/ a couple of thick slices of french bread. OMG! I love cheese, so I was in cheese heaven.This was a lot of food. I am fully aware of the spiciness that Cajun food has. Thank goodness for the large cup of tea.
Price: My bill was around $11.00.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Crazy Cajuns (Inverness) a rating of 8.9.
Let me know if there is a way to request the spiciness be taken down a notch. Thanks for the great experience.
For your own personal Louisiana experience and fore more information visit http://www.crazycajuns.net/menu/ or call (205) 408- 0630

 

Max's Delicatessen- Go Hungry!

It's been a while since I'd had a good hearty sandwich. My group and I had hefty appetites this day, so we headed to Max's Deli in the Colonnade off of highway 280.  Watching all of the other delicious dishes passing us by tested our will power. Those short, few minutes after placing an order seem like a lifetime as you "starvingly" sit patiently waiting on your food as plates piled high with temptation are delivered to other tables. Max's menu has a wide variety of selections to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. They serve a lot of great selections such as the classic Ruben, bison burgers, fresh salads, soups and pretty much every sandwich known to man.
Atmosphere: Busy, but not uncomfortable. Table seating, lots of beautiful conversation pieces on the wall including a huge painting of Bear Bryant.
The Staff:  Very attentive, fast, friendly, professional and organized.Very knowledgeable of the menu which is a HUGE plus.
What I/WE Had: The signature complimentary appetizer of fresh, crisp carrot & celery sticks, pickles and  creamy ranch dressing for dipping.
 I had a delicious, moist open face tuna melt topped with hot, melted Swiss cheese & a side of potato salad. My lunch mates each had the delicious talapia sandwiches on a bun- one grilled and one blackened with a side of freshly cooked steak fries.
We were all impressed by the mega-portions we received and yes....this food was "plate cleaning" good!
Prices: Our sandwiches ranged from $8.99 to about $10.00.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Max's Deli a 9.
For more information or to place an order for lunch, dinner or a family style dinner package to go, call (205) 968-7600 or visit the website at http://www.maxsdelionline.com/
Follow me on twitter @Restaurantraidr 

Crisp veggie & pickle Appetizer w/ ranch

Blackened Talapia w/ steak fries

Grilled Talapia w/ steak fries

Open face tuna topped/ melted Swiss & potato salad

Moe's Original Bar B Que Lakeview (Birmingham) "Love at First Bite!"

Okay, I'll admit. I've been married to another barbecue joint for many years. Our relationship was great until Moe's came along and stole my heart... and my taste buds. When I took the first bite, I thought "Where have you been all my life?"To answer my own question, Moe's has been right here in the heart of  Alabama for many years. Their locations are scattered all over the USA. You can find a Moe's Original Bar B Que in cities located in Maine, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Colorado & Tennessee. I have attached photos below of of all of the awesome dishes.
Atmosphere: Busy, but very well organized. The ordering process is pretty quick. Order at the counter, take a number and wait on your delicious barbecued goodies. There is ample indoor seating, a bar and plenty of  lighted outdoor seating. The décor is pretty unique as well.
The Staff: The staff was very accommodating. They were all very knowledgeable about the menu as well which helps a great deal on your first visit. Harrison, took the time  to explain the preparation & the cooking process of all of the dishes. He didn't give away the company secrets though (*wink). Give this guy a raise!
What I/We Had: We tasted a variety of dishes on this visit. The first dish was the
 Red Neck nachos,  made with home style fried chips, topped with moist, pulled pork, jalapeno's, garden fresh tomatoes w/ red & white BBQ sauce. Amazing fried catfish: The taste was very light &  succulent w/ a side of creamy tartar sauce. The fish didn't have a heavy, "greasy" taste at all. 
Smoked wings w/ a side of ranch and a side of red ranch. Rubbed & pampered to perfection with just the right amount of seasoning. The spices were just right. Smoked turkey: There was nothing "jive" about this turkey at all. Gasp and swoon! Trust me, you need this turkey in your life.
The ribs are St. Louis style baby backs- not too over sauced,  rubbed and smoked to perfection and might I add MEATY, MEATY, MEATY!!!
Their signature  pulled pork sandwich is bountiful & moist. It is topped with slaw that will knock your socks off. This sandwich will quench the appetite of even the biggest eater.
If I were to put their collard greens in the ring with mom's it would be a TKO! (don't tell mom)
The home style skillet corn was amazing & seasoned just right with a hint of finely diced bell peppers.
Potatoes Au Gratin: This warm and cheesy delight was an amazing addition to the meal!
Banana Pudding: The creamy, whipped ending to this tasters dream was the perfect ending. They put a LOT of care and preparation into the banana pudding. This is a must have!
Prices: each dish named is extremely reasonable! The snacks & appetizers range anywhere from $5.50  to $10.00 but they have special pricing during happy hours. The platters,all served with their infamous cornbread, start at $10.00 or $7.99 for veggies only.
On a scale of 1 to 10: I rate Moe's Original BBQ in the Lakeview District a 10. No one receives a 10, but everything was perfect about the meal. I am already dreaming of what I will order when I return.
For more information or for catering quotes,
 visit http://www.moesoriginalbbq.com/locations/birmlakeview.aspx 

Red Neck Pulled Pork Nachos

Smoked Turkey

Delicious Fried catfish w/ home made tartar sauce

Smoked BBQ Chicken

Smoked Wings

Cornbread

Moe's Smoker- Where the Magic Happens!

Pulled pork, topped w/ slaw

Ribs

Potatoes au gratin, collard greens, skillet corn & banana pudding

The Irondale (Whistle Stop) Cafe'.... Put this on your bucket list!

This place is listed on the "Top 100 Dishes to Eat Before You Die". That's SOME motivation.
So that we'd both get this scratched off of the bucket list, I took my mother. We had a fantastic time being able to experience Irondale, Alabama history.
Top 100 Dishes to Eat

Atmosphere: Down home, back to basics, quaint, comfortable. The outside appearance indicates that the entire strip apparently used to be a train stop. Especially given the train tracks right out front.
This is a place to take your entire family for a great home style sit down meal.
The Staff: Very friendly, fast and ready to make sure that you have every thing you need in order to have an enjoyable meal/ experience.
What I/We Had: We both had the fried chicken, Cabbage, their INFAMOUS, world renown fried green tomatoes, melt in your mouth cornbread (HOLY MOLY!).
 I was bad and had slice of cookie's 'n cream pie.
Price: A meat and 2 without the sinful dessert would run you about $7.39 per person.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate the Irondale (Whistle Stop) Cafe' a rating of 9.

99 more places to eat before I die!
For more information, please visit http://www.irondalecafe.com/

A Little Taste of Heaven at Ashley Mac's

Walking into this place, I immediately thought, "Did I just walk into a storybook?" It certainly seemed entirely too perfect and pristine inside. Everything was neatly in it's place, all of the employees wore great smiles and on this particular day, you could eat off of the floor. If there is a restaurant in heaven, it probably looks just like Ashley Mac's in Inverness. I know you're thinking, what a build up, right?

Atmosphere: Nearly perfect. I could eat here daily and never get tired of the food or service. The pink and brown decor will give you that "strawberry short cake" feel. It's not too large, not to small. The walls were lined with photos of CAKE. A subliminal dare tempting you not to leave without trying one of their sweet creations.

The Staff: Friendly, helpful and accommodating. I felt as if they actually appreciated my business.

What I had: The Signature Chicken Salad sandwich on a croissant, pasta salad, sea salt chips, sweet tea and a couple of mini cupcakes that didn't survive long enough to make it to the photo shoot.

Rating: On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate Ashley Mac's Bakery & Cafe a 9.6
OMG! You must try one of the strawberry cupcakes.... trust me.
For catering information, locations or for more information, go to http://www.ashleymacs.com/

Shane's Rib Shack.... Simply Irresistable!

You've heard the old saying "The food was so good it'll make you wanna slap your mother?" Well, no offense to all the mom's out there, but if your kids come home and give you a slap across the face, don't take it personal. It just means they've been to Shane's Rib Shack on Valleydale Road in Hoover.

Atmosphere: Simple decor, not over done, busy
The Staff: Unbelievable! Helpful from the time you enter until the time you are stuffed to the gills and waddling out the door.
What I/ we had: All of the goodies on the pics below and more!
Prices: Extremely reasonable. The daily special ( M-F) lunch combo's are only $7.00!!!!!
However, dinner will not break the bank. AND you can earn free meals just by signing up to receive text's from Shane's.
Rating: On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate Shane's Rib Shack a 9.5.
***The smothered pork sandwich is 5 Star!***
For more information, menu's or for catering, visit their website:
http://www.myshanes.com/valleydale/home
*Since February, my fellow Raiders and I have had multiple visits to Shane's.
Here are just some of the pictures:


The Smothered pork Sandwich



The 1/2 Chicken Plate




The BBQ Chicken Plate (chopped)

The Rib Sandwich w/ Baked Beans and Slaw

Bravo! For Brava Rotisserie Grill

My lunch was insanely good today. No scratch that..... MAGNIFICENT!

When I walked in the doors of Brava for lunch today, I could smell the beginnings of a beautiful relationship. The menu seemed extremely classy for a casual dining restaurant. However, the prices seemed unbelievable for the quality. This is also a very good alternative to traditional fast food. This will be a regular spot for me and I hope to see you there!

Atmosphere: Quaint and trendy on the inside. There is also ample outdoor seating that is sure to draw a crowd on a warm, sunny day. The smell is indescribable... in a good way. They offer comfortable booth and table seating.
The Staff:  Highly attentive. They showed EVERY patron enormous appreciation for choosing their restaurant. They also checked each table periodically to see if we needed anything. They will recommend something if you are a new customer.
What I had: The Rotisserie Chicken (dark) entree w/ the Brava salad and a side of deliciously seasoned, roasted red potatoes, a side of their specialty white sauce and sweet tea. I highly recommend the scratch made balsamic salad dressing.
Price:  Roughly $10.00 including drink
Rating: On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Brava Rotisserie Grill a rating of 9

For more information and for great catering rates visit their website at:
http://bravagrill.com/
Or Call to order dinner before you go home (205) 995-0003
5184 Caldwell Mill Road Suite #205 Hoover, Alabama 35244

Dreamland BBQ Southside- Not so Dreamy

Well, I knew there would come a day. A review that was not so tasty. I remember years ago going to Dreamland  and there'd be a line of people waiting inside and outside to partake of the infamous ribs. The anticipation would make your mouth water.
This was a disappointing visit. (Visit was 3/26/11)

Atmosphere: Lots of character. There were quite a few people in our section that mentioned that they were from other parts of the country. Not overly crowded, but well populated
Staff: Friendly, but very busy. It took a while for me & my lunch companion to get refills. But we were patient.
What I/ we had: We shared the standard Dreamland appetizer- the stack of white bread slices and bbq sauce for dipping. My meal consisted of the rib sandwich and a side of cole slaw. My companion opted for the bbq wings & banana pudding.
Price: Wings $6.95, Rib Sandwich $7.20, Banana pudding  $2.00
On a scale of 1 to 10 I give Dreamland BBQ Southside a rating of 6
I was disappointed in the portion size for the money we paid. I have had more for less at other restaurants. I wasn't un-happy, just disappointed that Dreamland didn't live up to the reputation they have during this visit. Don't let the picture fool you, the bones were smaller than they look. The sauce was too spicy and took away from the flavor of the ribs. The wings, I am told were very good.
Perhaps you have had a better experience. Please visit the restaurant to see what kind of experience you might have. Please comment below!
http://dreamlandbbq.com/Birmingham.aspx
For more delicious reviews visit http://birminghamrestaurantraider.blogspot.com/

Full Moon BBQ FULTONDALE- Exceptionally good BBQ!!

***CORRECTION! THE FULL MOON IS IN FULTONDALE, AL & NOT GARDENDALEAS PREVIOUSLY POSTED!

The race is on!! The Birmingham Restaurant Raider is on the hunt for the best barbecue in Birmingham.

I was extremely pleased with the first place on my list.
This location is very popular and very busy. Anytime there is a long line at the end is good food.
Atmosphere: The FULTONDALE location is one of the newer locations and is much larger with televisions and more elbow room than the original Southside location.But the food is still equally as good. Lots of families dining thoughout.
Staff: Very well organized, knowledgeable about the menu. Friendly, fast, helpful and did I mention fast?
What I/ we had: I had the 1/4 chicken plate with greens, slaw and cornbread muffin. My dinner mate had 1/4 chicken off the bone, potato salad and mac & cheese. They did an amazing job with the chicken. (I had previously had the ribs on a previous visit and would rate them a 10. But without the BBQ sauce to get the full flavor)
Price: The 1/4 chicken plate is 8.29 and 1.00 extra is you want it off the bone.
One a scale of 1-10 I give Full Moon BBQ FULTONDALE a 9.1.
I recommend the slaw as a side dish!! Thank me later.
For more information you can go to http://www.fullmoonbbq.com/
Next Stop???? Where should I go? Leave your comments below.

The Pita Cafe-"Mediterranean Food Perfected!"

Finally!!!

The Pita Cafe sits in Hoover, AL on highway 150  in a little shopping plaza across the street from
Wal-Mart. To think that I was about to let my dinner date talk me into pizza. HA! Thank goodness for my adventurous taste buds. There were not a lot of cars in the parking lot so we assumed they might be closed. But after going inside and being hypnotized by the aroma, we decided not to leave. Probably one of the best meals of my life.


Atmosphere: very charming, quaint, modest in size restaurant. Not huge, but not tiny  either. Just right.
They have 3 televisions featuring multiple programs at all times. Something for everyone.
Staff: Extremely friendly! Attentive and helpful.
What I/we had: The shrimp special- a plentiful helping of deliciously seasoned, grilled shrimp over a bed of wild rice, a fresh, crisp salad w/ house dressing (vinaigrette),warm pita bread and a side of hummus. My dinner date had the gyro special-sliced gyro meat with an AMAZING taste. This also came with rice and a salad, but with a wonderful gyro sauce instead of hummus. We shared banana pudding for dessert- also divine!
Price: $10.95 for the shrimp and about $9.95 & around $2.50 for the banana pudding.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I give The Pita Cafe a rating of ... drum roll, please........ 10!
#QualityMeal
I highly recommend this place. They put a lot of care and time in preparing their dishes and it shows in the taste. They also have a great kids menu & catering services. Keep them in mind for Super Bowl Sunday!
They do not have a website, but for more information:
The Pita Cafe is located at  2801 John Hawkins Pkwy Ste 137J Birmingham, AL 35244-4006
205-402- 7482