The wife and I are heading into town next week and will be there for 3-4 days. I'm planning on hitting up Blue Pants, Straight to Ale, and The Nook for beer trips. Any advice on retail locations for beer or any local restaurants to visit? Any other places to visit or things to do? We are looking at a move there next year and basically are just scouting out the area.
OT-Hunstville/Madison area
- Thread starter Farley.sixpack
- Start date
The STA tap room is a good place to start. Liquor Express has one of the largest selections for beer. I would suggest www.ourvalleyevents.com for a comprehensive list of things to do. Downtown is getting better, and has a lot of local restaurants at varying price points.
HSV is terrible for restaurants. Best ones are the hole in the walls that you'll never find. Other than that, they have a bunch of over-priced yuppy ****. Speaking of those bars, I must be behind the times in HSV nightlife, never even heard of them. Humphrey's was the place to be back in the day but, as I understand, the whole downtown is really blowing up. They are trying to go all metro around there.
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I usually send out of towners to the Poboy Factory down in the Five Points area. It is great Cajun food. They already have boiled crawfish (Thurs-Sat only I think). In Madison, Crickets is a good spot to get wings. There are a ton of BBQ places all over North Alabama. Everyone claims their favorite is the best, but none of them are bad. Greenbrier BBQ has great pork, chicken, and fried catfish, but are known for their great hushpuppies. Also, if you have never tried white BBQ, give it a shot. It is delicious.
Thomas Pit Barbecue On 72 east of Madison
Thomas Pit Barbecue
23 reviews Rating Details
Category:RestaurantsBarbeque Barbeque [Edit]
<address itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/PostalAddress" itemprop="address">7972 Highway 72 W
Madison, AL 35801
</address>(256) 837-4900
Also like me some CF Penns Burgers
Thomas Pit Barbecue
23 reviews Rating Details
Category:RestaurantsBarbeque Barbeque [Edit]
<address itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/PostalAddress" itemprop="address">7972 Highway 72 W
Madison, AL 35801
</address>(256) 837-4900
Also like me some CF Penns Burgers
Resturants:
1) Cotton Row ($$$$)
2) Po Boy Factory ($$$)
3) Bonefish (I get it, it's a chain) ($$$)
4) I Love Sushi (Jones Valley) ($$$)
5) Below The Radar ($$$)
Just For Lunch:
1) Papa Gyros
2) Tzaikis
3) Lawlers BBQ
4) Another Broken Egg (Jones Valley)
5) Phil Sandoval
Shops:
1) Bridgestreet (outdoor mall)
2) Low Mill (Pretty neat artsy get together every Saturday)
Honestly, not much great shopping around.
1) Cotton Row ($$$$)
2) Po Boy Factory ($$$)
3) Bonefish (I get it, it's a chain) ($$$)
4) I Love Sushi (Jones Valley) ($$$)
5) Below The Radar ($$$)
Just For Lunch:
1) Papa Gyros
2) Tzaikis
3) Lawlers BBQ
4) Another Broken Egg (Jones Valley)
5) Phil Sandoval
Shops:
1) Bridgestreet (outdoor mall)
2) Low Mill (Pretty neat artsy get together every Saturday)
Honestly, not much great shopping around.
A hearty 2nd for PoBoy Factory. They have the bread shipped in from NOLA daily. My #1 place to take guests.
For BBQ, there's a guy from Texas that makes great stuff. Place doesn't look like much, but oh. my. word... My #2 spot.
Chuckwagon BBQ
8982 Madison Blvd
Madison, AL 35758
Crickets' is good, but typicaly crowded. Beauregards (Jordan Ln, just N of I-565) is almost as good for wings, but looks like a dump.
For breakfast/brunch, find the Broken Egg Cafe over in Jones Valley. Typically slow service, but good food/atmosphere
For drinks and decent Mexican, Phil Sandoval's on US-72 off Research Park Blvd. Ask for the Mambo taxi. If they're crowded, Rosie's (right across US-72) is also good.
If the weather's nice, grab some Steak-Out (there are several in town) and head to Big Spring Park or Monte Sano State Park.
Most popular (and pricey) place for the lawyers and six-figure crowd is Cotton Row on the main square. If it's pleasant wx, they have outside seating.
Have a good visit!
For BBQ, there's a guy from Texas that makes great stuff. Place doesn't look like much, but oh. my. word... My #2 spot.
Chuckwagon BBQ
8982 Madison Blvd
Madison, AL 35758
Crickets' is good, but typicaly crowded. Beauregards (Jordan Ln, just N of I-565) is almost as good for wings, but looks like a dump.
For breakfast/brunch, find the Broken Egg Cafe over in Jones Valley. Typically slow service, but good food/atmosphere
For drinks and decent Mexican, Phil Sandoval's on US-72 off Research Park Blvd. Ask for the Mambo taxi. If they're crowded, Rosie's (right across US-72) is also good.
If the weather's nice, grab some Steak-Out (there are several in town) and head to Big Spring Park or Monte Sano State Park.
Most popular (and pricey) place for the lawyers and six-figure crowd is Cotton Row on the main square. If it's pleasant wx, they have outside seating.
Have a good visit!
That's the one. I have to skip the next two meals every time I visit that place. You can substitute the pie for your 2nd veggie w/ no upcharge, too.
Check out Stem & Stein in Madison on County Line Rd for purchasing beer if you're into the fancy gourmet stuff. They have a little bar/restaurant there too, so if you find something on tap that you like, you might be able to find it bottled to take with you. If you want wings in Madison, go to Crickets. If you want wings in Huntsville, drive to Madison and go to Crickets.
The best Mexican food to be had is sold from a truck on Governor's Drive.
Or, if you'd rather sit in a building for lunch, hit Blue Plate Cafe for lunch. Get there at 10:55 and enjoy your meat and three. Good luck finding a table if you get there after 11:15.
I also recommend Viet Huong on Old Monrovia Rd. Lunch or dinner.
The best Mexican food to be had is sold from a truck on Governor's Drive.
Or, if you'd rather sit in a building for lunch, hit Blue Plate Cafe for lunch. Get there at 10:55 and enjoy your meat and three. Good luck finding a table if you get there after 11:15.
I also recommend Viet Huong on Old Monrovia Rd. Lunch or dinner.
The only thing good about The Poboy Factory is the poboy bread...otherwise I think it is a waste of money. The New Orleans Lunchbox in the BP gas station on Jordan & Holmes has much better poboys, pralines, and they do some damn fine smoked chicken, sausage, & wings.
My limited picks for best restaurants in HSV-Madison area:
-Chuck Wagon BBQ - Excellent brisket & spicy sausage. Get the Chuckwagon special sandwich (not on the menu) which includes both brisket & sausage.
-Cricket's - Get the xtra hot or double-x hot wings and ask for them extra crispy.
-Cotton Row - $$$$ - Jack Daniel's Barrel smoked quail & the grilled venison are fantastic.
-Grill 29 - Get the smoked gouda fondue and save room for dessert....get the chocolate souffle.
-Las Trojas, Rosie's, & Cantina Laredo are all decent Mexican options.
-The No Brakes Bistro Food Truck outside of Straight to Ale is pretty good.
-New Orleans Lunchbox for poboys & smoked chicken, sausage, & wings.
-Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur for BBQ pork, ribs, & brisket. I think their stuffed potatoes are solid.
-Commerce Kitchen - $$$ - Get the fried chicken.
-Famous Joe's on County Line Road - Best specialty pizza in the Valley - Get the Carlucci
-Blue Plate - Decent diner breakfast & meat + 3 for lunch. Their coffee sucks.
-Another Broken Egg - specialty breakfast/brunch is really good....service is hit or miss.
-Ol Heidelberg or Hildegard's for german food. Food is better at Heidelberg, service is better at Hildegard's.
My limited picks for best restaurants in HSV-Madison area:
-Chuck Wagon BBQ - Excellent brisket & spicy sausage. Get the Chuckwagon special sandwich (not on the menu) which includes both brisket & sausage.
-Cricket's - Get the xtra hot or double-x hot wings and ask for them extra crispy.
-Cotton Row - $$$$ - Jack Daniel's Barrel smoked quail & the grilled venison are fantastic.
-Grill 29 - Get the smoked gouda fondue and save room for dessert....get the chocolate souffle.
-Las Trojas, Rosie's, & Cantina Laredo are all decent Mexican options.
-The No Brakes Bistro Food Truck outside of Straight to Ale is pretty good.
-New Orleans Lunchbox for poboys & smoked chicken, sausage, & wings.
-Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur for BBQ pork, ribs, & brisket. I think their stuffed potatoes are solid.
-Commerce Kitchen - $$$ - Get the fried chicken.
-Famous Joe's on County Line Road - Best specialty pizza in the Valley - Get the Carlucci
-Blue Plate - Decent diner breakfast & meat + 3 for lunch. Their coffee sucks.
-Another Broken Egg - specialty breakfast/brunch is really good....service is hit or miss.
-Ol Heidelberg or Hildegard's for german food. Food is better at Heidelberg, service is better at Hildegard's.
Thanks guys. I'm using this trip as a way to visit the breweries and get stuff I can't get here. STA is probably my favorite brewery and having a chance to visit the taproom and try some stuff only available there is my main reason for going. The wife is using it to scout out a place to work and live after she graduates from grad school. Besides the Space and Rocket Center, and other touristy type stuff we should see to get a feel for what Huntsville has to offer a family with two smaller kids?
There are 2 very good playgrounds. One at Dublin Park in Madison, the other at Airport Rd in south Huntsville.
SciQuest is a hands on science museum my kids enjoyed when they were younger.
Lots of good easy trails(and some hard ones) to hike on Monte Sano. Used to be at least one on Green Mountain.
Nearly every subdivision in Madison has a playground.
Ol Heidelberg - get the carrot cake. Lunch is a better deal.
Rosie's, Phil Sandoval's, Cantina Laredo are decent "Mexican"
Ding How II - get the hot and sour soup
Chuck Wagon has really good brisket
SciQuest is a hands on science museum my kids enjoyed when they were younger.
Lots of good easy trails(and some hard ones) to hike on Monte Sano. Used to be at least one on Green Mountain.
Nearly every subdivision in Madison has a playground.
Ol Heidelberg - get the carrot cake. Lunch is a better deal.
Rosie's, Phil Sandoval's, Cantina Laredo are decent "Mexican"
Ding How II - get the hot and sour soup
Chuck Wagon has really good brisket
I also highly recommend Poboy Factory (love their shrimp poboys, note: they can be slow!). There are lots of new restaurants and more on the way. We also have Mellow Mushroom and there's a new place called Drakes that looks pretty interesting. For burgers, you can't beat Cheeburger Cheeburger and their fries are amazing. 5 Guys is a close second.
Liquor Express has a great selection of brews, as well as a wall of taps where you can get a growler of some of the local varieties.
We live in the Blossomwood area and absolutely love it for a family with elementary-aged children. We have a new elementary school that opened this year. It's just a great neighborhood where everyone knows everyone, plus it's close to 5-points, downtown, and Jones Valley and convenient to Research Park and the Arsenal.
Liquor Express has a great selection of brews, as well as a wall of taps where you can get a growler of some of the local varieties.
We live in the Blossomwood area and absolutely love it for a family with elementary-aged children. We have a new elementary school that opened this year. It's just a great neighborhood where everyone knows everyone, plus it's close to 5-points, downtown, and Jones Valley and convenient to Research Park and the Arsenal.
For the best combo of good food / good beer....
Be sure to try Below the Radar. Its a relatively new place downtown on Holmes (in the old Huntsville Times building). First time I went was mainly for the beer as they have all the Blue Pants, Straight to Ale, and other craft beers and seasonals on tap. However, the gf and I decided to eat there for my birthday and the food greatly exceeded my expectations. The pork chop and bison burger are both highly recommended. Its not too bad of a place for kids either as long as you go earlier in the evening.
Be sure to try Below the Radar. Its a relatively new place downtown on Holmes (in the old Huntsville Times building). First time I went was mainly for the beer as they have all the Blue Pants, Straight to Ale, and other craft beers and seasonals on tap. However, the gf and I decided to eat there for my birthday and the food greatly exceeded my expectations. The pork chop and bison burger are both highly recommended. Its not too bad of a place for kids either as long as you go earlier in the evening.
Problem with Below the Radar is I get bar food at high quality prices. Does have good beer selectiont though.
3 Skillets downtown is good as well, I haven't seen it mentioned. I love Moe's BBQ.
Bridgestreet has several decent places:
Watercress
The Tavern
Melting Pot
Conner's
Conner's is pretty solid. A bit pricey, but it's pretty well worth it IMO. Fresh seafood/steakhouse.
3 Skillets downtown is good as well, I haven't seen it mentioned. I love Moe's BBQ.
Bridgestreet has several decent places:
Watercress
The Tavern
Melting Pot
Conner's
Conner's is pretty solid. A bit pricey, but it's pretty well worth it IMO. Fresh seafood/steakhouse.
Strat I I agree the food can be a bit pricey at BTR. i guess what I was getting at is that the menu in both quality and quantity is far better than at the other brew pubs around town (The Nook, Stem n Stein). So I still think it's the best bet if you want top notch gourmet beer selection and decent pub fare under the same roof.
I'm also a pizza guy myself, so a few good pie places I can't go without mentioning are Pane Vino in the art museum and Sam and Greg's. I've also heard plenty of good things about Famous Joe's in Madison but haven't made it out there yet.
Gibson's Barbeque on S. Parkway is good
for "down home" cooking and really good barbeque, and has breakfast and other meals. Desserts are excellent.
As for the kids, a couple things to see are Constitution Hall Village downtown H'ville and SciQuest, a hands-on science center. SciQuest is moving, or may have already moved so I'm not sure if it's still across the freeway from the Space and Rocket Center or in its new location in Madison.
No one's mentioned Pauli's restaurant on Slaughter Rd near University Drive. It's somewhat upscale and pricey. I've only been there once and it was decent.
for "down home" cooking and really good barbeque, and has breakfast and other meals. Desserts are excellent.
As for the kids, a couple things to see are Constitution Hall Village downtown H'ville and SciQuest, a hands-on science center. SciQuest is moving, or may have already moved so I'm not sure if it's still across the freeway from the Space and Rocket Center or in its new location in Madison.
No one's mentioned Pauli's restaurant on Slaughter Rd near University Drive. It's somewhat upscale and pricey. I've only been there once and it was decent.
MOJO burger "all the way" or Big Spring Cafe sliders for lunch, if ...
...they still exist and you don't have any underlying heart issues (and you would like to have underlying heart issues). You might regret it later, but it will be worth it.
...they still exist and you don't have any underlying heart issues (and you would like to have underlying heart issues). You might regret it later, but it will be worth it.
Some are pretty good
Depends on what you want I suppose. Nice atmosphere there. You like PF Chang's?
Depends on what you want I suppose. Nice atmosphere there. You like PF Chang's?
You don't have to worry, man. HSV is the perfect town to raise kids....
At least in the South. I don't live there anymore, but I could very easily see myself moving back. I'd probably look out in the Bob Jones and Sparkman school districts if I did move back. Huntsville city schools superintendent is a lib-tard woman who messes up the zoning, so I would stay away from there. Plus, out west you're closer to Starkville and Mississippi. Probably less than 3.5 hours out there. Just steer clear of the north side of the city and the extreme south. Sort of a lawless area full of meth, strippers and moonshine right below the Tennessee River. Unless you're into that type of stuff. Huntsville HS is going to give you a mix of HSV elitists and ghetto, and Grissom is sort of the local HS for HSV lifers. Again, out west you get a mix of people all over the country.
Never been to the STA brewery. Last I saw that building has Olde Towne in it, after they burnt down their brewery on Holmes for the insurance (or so was the rumor). I used to work in the building next to that, ironically which is now Below the Radar.
At least in the South. I don't live there anymore, but I could very easily see myself moving back. I'd probably look out in the Bob Jones and Sparkman school districts if I did move back. Huntsville city schools superintendent is a lib-tard woman who messes up the zoning, so I would stay away from there. Plus, out west you're closer to Starkville and Mississippi. Probably less than 3.5 hours out there. Just steer clear of the north side of the city and the extreme south. Sort of a lawless area full of meth, strippers and moonshine right below the Tennessee River. Unless you're into that type of stuff. Huntsville HS is going to give you a mix of HSV elitists and ghetto, and Grissom is sort of the local HS for HSV lifers. Again, out west you get a mix of people all over the country.
Never been to the STA brewery. Last I saw that building has Olde Towne in it, after they burnt down their brewery on Holmes for the insurance (or so was the rumor). I used to work in the building next to that, ironically which is now Below the Radar.
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I like it, but it's not where I'm going to send somebody who's new to HSV. Maybe if they like malls or something, send them out there to look around or to Monaco.
Conner's is pretty good. Never been to Watercress. I would probably pass on The Tavern and everything else there though.
True, you can go to Chang's or any other upscale chain restaurant in any sizable city. Huntsville doesn't have that many truly local places to eat though. I don't know if the other eateries in Bridge Street are chains or not (Red Robin is but it's just a fancy burger joint).
I've been to Watercress once. I can't remember about the food, I'm sure it was good especially for the price, but I know the portions were small. It was just like all the other over-priced yuppy places in town. One thing about Huntsville, mfers love them some over-priced chain restaurants.
I like Conner's too, but I just don't see any distinguishing characteristics about it.
I like Conner's too, but I just don't see any distinguishing characteristics about it.
My beef with HSV was always the lack of local restaurants. Have to get outside the city limits to find the gems. Some good BBQ joints out on the east hick side of Madison county.
Even with the bars, they are going to great lengths to make it waaaaaay too cosmopolitan for Alabama. I suppose that's a good thing.
Even with the bars, they are going to great lengths to make it waaaaaay too cosmopolitan for Alabama. I suppose that's a good thing.
Yeah, I've had the same issues. I guess it comes back to the fact that Huntsville is a very transient town. Most people move there for a couple of years for work/military and they move on. It's tough for a town to develope much of a local flavor with very high population turnover.
Speaking of downtown beer joints, I heard on the radio this morning that the Crossroads plans to file bankruptcy. Won't affect me, since I've never been there. Amendment XXI is kind of cozy. The owner's wife is from Meridian; a lady I knew when we were students at MSU.
Below the radar's chef is former chef at 801 Franklin. I've had lunch it was very good. No dinner though. I would second the Crickets, pan e vino or any of the other restaurants that chef owns such as commerce kitchen and cotton row and he has a new one just south of Martin road that I haven't tried. Paulo's was fantastic but he has synced closed.
Jones Valley and Blossomwood are both excellent elementary schools that feed the HHS and the Grissom districts are good. Fortunately we have a new superintendent and not the previous lady. However, he has his own set of issues. Madison just opened their second HS and is the largest school in the state.
Again, I would recommend the website www.ourvalleyevents.com to find out what all is happening while you are here. It will be the most comprehensive place to look. It's run by a bulldog as well.
Jones Valley and Blossomwood are both excellent elementary schools that feed the HHS and the Grissom districts are good. Fortunately we have a new superintendent and not the previous lady. However, he has his own set of issues. Madison just opened their second HS and is the largest school in the state.
Again, I would recommend the website www.ourvalleyevents.com to find out what all is happening while you are here. It will be the most comprehensive place to look. It's run by a bulldog as well.
I thought I was the only one who was unimpressed with Amendment XXI. I'd rather go to the bar at Applebees.
No, dude. Trust me......
The owners of that place are teeeeerrible. I guess it's OK though, it gives all the metro-elitist-douches somewhere to go and keeps them out of all the good establishments. If you knew what I knew about that guy you'd never give him your money.
The owners of that place are teeeeerrible. I guess it's OK though, it gives all the metro-elitist-douches somewhere to go and keeps them out of all the good establishments. If you knew what I knew about that guy you'd never give him your money.
Well, I'm not going back anyways, so don't worry. Aside from atmosphere, the drinks sucked and were overpriced. I got a martini, douchebag style. You know, they put a quarter teaspoon of vermouth in, swish it around the glass, and toss it out. Toss some gin in and put about twelve 17ing olives in it. If I wanted that drink, I wouldn't have ordered a martini. I would have asked for cold gin with a jar of olives.
If I want a drink out, I'll go to the Nook or stay in Madison and hit Stem & Stein.
If I want a drink out, I'll go to the Nook or stay in Madison and hit Stem & Stein.
Is the Station still around? It used to be a good place to watch some football on Saturday evenings then pick off some randoms later in the night.
Even later news ... saw on al.com mobile that the landlord wants to evict the Crossroads owner for being in arrears in rent. I suppose bankruptcy would protect him from having to pay the back rent, but I don't see how they could stay open under those circumstances. I've never been to the place so I don't really care.
Had a friend open a restaurant
Had a friend open a restaurant in Huntsville. The Huntsville city laws are not friendly to restaurants, except for maybe the ones downtown where they have incentives to develop the area. The smaller local restaurants struggle to survive, the chains can survive it better.
Had a friend open a restaurant in Huntsville. The Huntsville city laws are not friendly to restaurants, except for maybe the ones downtown where they have incentives to develop the area. The smaller local restaurants struggle to survive, the chains can survive it better.