I must confess that the Our Valley Events team that come up with this list got a little misty eyed and nostalgic!
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We headed down memory lane and it was bittersweet.
These gone but not forgotten restaurants aren’t a complete list, and probably not all that comprehensive either. But what it is filled with is a genuine longing for the return of these places where memories were made and laughter was shared.
Plus, maybe a rowdy night was had or hangover was nursed in one or two as well.
Those were the days….
Favorite Huntsville Restaurants That Are Gone But Not Forgotten
1. The Fogcutter – Didn’t you pronounce it as “Tha Fawgg-cuddah” too? No, then must have just been us.
2. Subzone – Yes, you can get subs at other places, and yes even good baked ones. But there was no place like Subzone in its heyday and it is greatly missed.
3. Any place in Madison Square – Come on!! You knew this was coming. There’s still dust in the air from the building being torn down and we are suddenly nostalgic. Lunch at Madison Square Mall used to mean you sent a search party into the table area to secure an empty before taking turns ordering because it was so crowded.
4. Mikato Japanese Steakhouse & Lounge – During it’s prime, the food was so good! This was the go-to place for many a special occasion. BONUS if you remember banging the gong!
5. The Mill – Good food, fun atmosphere, and live music, The Mill was a Huntsville hot spot on the edge of Downtown Huntsville before the action moved back to the Square. We may have gotten a bit nostalgic over this one!
6. Thomas Pit BBQ – A relatively recent loss to the Madison community, this BBQ joint was truly beloved by many. It is definitely not forgotten.
7. Darryl’s – Who didn’t have an evening out at Darryl’s when it was a glorious spot on University? Places like that don’t much exist anymore
8. Mr. Steak – Steak was in the name, but didn’t everyone go to eat the bread?
9. Mullins Restaurant – We lost an outstanding breakfast option with the closing of Mullins.
10. Mr. Gattis Pizza – It might have been a bit too dark in there, but it was the go-to pizza staple!
11. Zestos – One of those restaurants whose absence changed the neighborhood it left behind. Even though there is still an eclectic and weird vibe in that part of Five Points, Zesto’s was the greasy dip dog that pulled it together!
12. Green Hills Grille – So many memories at this place. From martini’s at the bar to good food to Sunday brunch with roving magicians, this place is not forgotten and definitely missed.
13. The Jazz Factory – Another one that makes us sad. Might have gotten a little misty-eyed typing this one up. The food and atmosphere are missed, but almost just as much are the owner’s and staff that made the whole experience one of the best in town.
14. The Chef’s Table – The place that introduced Huntsville to tapas. The food was good and it was a great place to go and enjoy wine with friends.
15. Duffy’s Deli – Everyone laments the white chicken chili from this dive, but at least one of us thought their hamburgers were the best in town! #sorrynotsorry
What are your gone but not forgotten Huntsville dining treasures?
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Godfather’s Pizza in Haysland Square, Pizza Inn is memorable too, but not for their food
Mister C’s…..Michaels….Twickingham Station
Aunt Eunices Country Kitchen. Best biscuts in town
I miss Seattle South. One of the first places I was introduced to when I started working here in 2005.
That’s a GREAT one Ginger!!! Should have been on the list.
I miss Brittling’s Buffet and the Corner Café on Governor’s Drive.
Amen! I live in Fayetteville and when we I visited my Grandparents after Church, that is where Eric went.
When it went out, Michael’s was another place went.
What was the motel on Memorial parkway that Michaels was located behind?
The Green Bottle!
YES!!!! The Green Bottle was special.
I miss The Mill, worked there from the time I was 16-22. I feel like that’s where I grew up.
801 Franklin
Pauli’s & Vinotinis
Chef Table
Jazz Factory
Terry’s Pizza
Roy Gonzales
Great list!
Greenbriars! Love their chicken and white sause and
their hush puppies!
Missed them before we left but went to the older
one a couple of times. Great place!
You forgot about Eunice’s on Andrew Jackson…practically a Huntsville landmark. You also forgot: Terry’s Pizza, Shoneys (University at Parkway, and at both S Parkway locations),
Villa Fiore and Pho’s. Hands down the best restaurants Huntsville has had in years.
I loved the Fogcutter th atmosphere the people I worked there and ate there. Still have not found another place that servers Steer Butt Steak.
Papou’s serves Steer Butt Steak. Run by the same family that ran Michael’s Steakhouse.
I worked there for about 4 years in the mid 80’s. good people, still have friends from way back then
That was the prom go to place for supper!
I miss Swenson’s
Mullins, meh. The food was bland, as was the service. The service got better with the relaunch but the food was still on par with nursing home faire.
The Boiler
Boots, and The Rib Cellar
I had my first Tom Collins at Boots lol.
Totally agree these two should have been on n the list!
Rib Cellar at the Jetport in the 70’s and 80’s. Also Boots on the Parkway
I’ve never had a better “Ham-n-Cheese fold over” than J-Gregory’s Pizza used to do. I’ve tried to duplicate it and have come close but it must have been in their butter they slopped the crust in or could have been the homemade ranch. .?? Mighty fine, mighty fine.
J Gregry’s was so good!!
J. Gregry’s. No O. Relive the magic here:
https://youtu.be/LMFZlClUAxw
Great video Bo!
Yes!!!! J Greggory’s!!!
I miss Beefy’s. If I have to explain what that was, you just missed out. Little hot dog and burger stand on Governor’s Drive, across from the post office.
Where is Aunt Eunice’s???
An oversight for sure!
Aunt Eunice’s in 5 Points
We loved Boot’s for special occasions. The brick booths were unique. The Elegant was also great for prime rib.
Boot’s Restaurant. Have never found another as good.
So many people have mentioned Boots. It might just warrant it’s own blog post!
Boots had the best prime rib and black bean soup ever!
Roys was great. It was a Mexican joint.
J. Gregory’s was the only real pizzeria we had. It was in the old mall.
Mikawa. Oh, do I miss Mikawa.
It was a hidden gem for sure!!
The Bon Air on Meridian Street. My parents started going there right after my Dad was stationed in Huntsville in the mid 50s. When we returned to Huntsville in the 60s it was a Friday night tradition.
We went on Wednesdays!
Twickenham Station
LA michocana on the corner of university and the parkway was some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had.
Shakie’s Pizza!! Lots of Sunday nights there.
Can’t mention Shoney’s without adding Jerry’s
Carriage Inn
Sheraton
Diplomat
The Islander
Red Carpet
Sno-white
Zesto’s
Central Cafe
Krystal
Ritz Cafe
Chi-Chi’s,
A lot of Good times & laughs here!
Oh yes I loved chi Chis!
Old Chicago Pizzeria
Shortly after I moved to Alabama I was introduced to Mater’s Spaghetti Pizza. Never had anything like it before. Yum.
I do miss Pizza Inn and Mikato… Miss Steak & Ale, Classic Cafe and Britling’s Buffet @ Dunnavant’s Mall as well…. And Church’s Chicken.
No one has mentioned the Jade Pagoda, from S. Parkway to Jordan Ln….
Jade Palace … Best Chinese buffet ever! My family still compares every Chinese restaurant to them! “But are the noodles Jade Palace good?!
As a budding food service entity, I know why restauranrs come and go. Food service is hard work. Using the almost totally predictable chains are understandable, but they dont get the emotions like the ones expressed here. Thank you all who saluted the independents. –Helen and Cathy, A Cup of Everything on North Side Square
We love our independents! Thank you Helen and Cathy for all that YOU do!!
I miss the Veggie burger on Bible bread served in the rear of the “Pearly Gates” on the Parkway next to Mock Electronics (now gone).
Ding Hows on Triana was my favorite lunch spot when we first moved here in the 80’s. I always ordered the almond fried chicken haven’t found their version anywhere else.
El Mexicano was an institution. Some of the best Mexican food around. As some mentioned earlier, Aunt Eunice’s was THE breakfast stop. Thomas BBQ in it’s heyday eases my homesickness with it unique flavor and hometown touch. Times change but these places make me wonder if it is necessarily for the better… As for chains, Burger Chef across from the hospital was a great place to eat since the days of build-your-own burger made one forget the air rarely worked! I am gonna tear up myself now.
Thank you for your comment, Ken! You have a way with words!
Cork n Cleaver
Steak N Ale – loved their salad bar!
Cork and Cleaver
Boots!!! Cook your own steak and the mounds of crab legs!
No one said Ireland’s and their Stake ‘n Biskits and Fudge Pie (I made 2 today).. They have a FB page with most of the popular recipes, direct from the old kitchen manual. https://www.facebook.com/groups/197134673415/
Mando’s
Boots
Terry’s
Fratelli’s
I miss Fogcutter, Mr. Steak, Darryl’s, Swensons and, going way back, Danvers!
My first response: Boots. Then thinking back even further: Bon Air. My father loves telling the story of how we could get “a meat and three” for seventy-five cents (yes, $0.75). My most common memory there is preparing a “doggy bag” of bread to take home… and leaving it on the table, EVERY time!
I also miss the Dairy Queen on Drake!
And El Camino Mexican on University. Looks like something new is going in the empty lot soon…
J Gregory’s Pizza and Seattle South! And, of course (even though it’s already on the list), The Mill!