Eat Local Huntsville June Challenge

Small businesses and locally owned restaurants are what make Huntsville-Huntsville. Challenge your foodie side with this monthly goal list that will increase your knowledge and palate of Huntsville’s local food scene.

The month of JUNE challenge has a Huntsville classic, some new to the scene establishments and a variety of beverages, entrees and snacks with several locations that have Gluten Free and Vegan options available. All foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle and in true Rocket City Dietitian fashion, this list contains a mix of all types of foods from savory to sweet.

When you are looking at where to eat this month, refer to this list, get out and explore Huntsville’s local culinary side.

CONTEST: Complete the challenge grid and win a prize with a FREE t-shirt, stickers, and more!

Turn in your receipts at the end of JUNE to We Are Huntsville and we will send you some prizes! Receipts go to info@wearehuntsville.com. Specific menu items are suggestions. ANY PURCHASE at this establishment during the month of JUNE will count towards your goal. My picks are just suggestions.

Thank you for supporting our local community and #EatLocalHSV

Get out and #EatLocalHSV!

Piper & Leaf

109 Gates Ave Huntsville, AL
2211 Seminole Dr. Huntsville, AL (Lowe Mill)
997 Heart of Dixie Hwy Lacey Springs, AL

This family run business pioneered Huntsville’s local food and beverage scene with its beginnings at local farmers markets selling compost tea. They are now selling their signature tea blends getting nationwide! Stop into three area tea shops and be sure to purchase a P&L refillable glass mason jar for a discount on refills.

Try: Sweet Dixie. This caffeine free blend has local blueberries, peaches, chamomile with pineapple and coconut. Hibiscus, rosehips, apples and mint.

Stop into the Lacey springs location for a tea factory tour!

CHOP n FRESH

931 Bob Wallace Huntsville, AL
Mon-Sat 11am-8pm
Sunday 12pm-6pm

6125 University Drive Huntsville, AL
Mon-Sat 11am-8pm
Sunday CLOSED

Made to order custom salads. Unique combinations and create your own. While Sweet Bowl is my absolute favorite, the Strawberry Bae has caught my attention and its now on the official #eatlocalHSV challenge grid.

TRY: Strawberry Bae. Seasonal salad with spinach and spring mix salad base, local strawberries, goat cheese, bacon, toasted almond slivers, cucumbers, poppy seed dressing, fresh mint.

Head upstairs, order to go or sit outside and grab a selfie at the lettuce wing mural.

Vintage Karma Wine

7540 Memorial Parkway (Rosies shopping center)
Sunday CLOSED
Mon-Tue 11am-7pm
Wed-Thurs 11am-8pm
Fri-Sat 11am-9pm

The new wine shop on the block and a first of its kind in south Huntsville. This wine bar and lounge has live music, wine clubs and bottles and sweet and savory charcuterie boards to enjoy with your wine in the lounge or purchase bottles of wine to take home. Shop for glasses, spreads, crackers and gifts here too.

TRY: Sangria Saturdays. House made Sangria using wine you can buy and take home with fresh orange slices, chopped apples, blueberries and strawberries. Enjoy this on the new patio and order some charcuterie or dessert boards while you sip, savor and have a great time.

La Esquina Cocina

127 Holmes Ave
Sunday 10am-2pm
Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

A summer time must! Fresh, quality chef inspired Mexican cuisine. Patio sitting, bar and indoor seats. Fresh guacamole, house made chips, street tacos, empanadas, sopes. So many great options here, but I tend to crave this menu item:

TRY: Pollo Bowl: rice, lettuce, Peruvian beans, cheese, cilantro, pineapple, onion, crema, guacamole, salsa

Fresko Grille

3414 Governors Drive (stovehouse food garden)
Sunday 11am-8pm
Monday CLOSED
Tue-Thurs 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Fast casual fresh Mediterranean cuisine. Heart healthy and feel good food. Build your own bowls and wraps with your favorite ingredients.

Choose your base, protein, salad, spread, vegetables and sauces. Fresh flavorful ingredients like tabouli, hummus, falafel, shawarma, grilled veggies, pita and more.

TRY: Build your own bowl and pick your favorites. Get this to go or sit on the Stovehouse campus on their airconditioned ‘paint house’, outdoor seats, swings or even on the rooftop bar overlooking the food garden.

Canadian Bakin

501 Church Street
Sunday 8am-2pm
Mon-Tue CLOSED
Wed-Fri 7am-2pm
Saturday 8am-2pm

Freshly baked bagels, breads, coffee and lattes. Come here for amazing house made pretzels, loaves of breads, bagels. The bagel sandwiches vary from sweet to savory options like, a Chocolate chip bagel with bacon and creamcheese and maple syrup or the savory Q-Becco with carmelized onions, bacon and egg.

Other favorites Lox & Loaded-classic bagel with lox and creamcheese

TRY: Notorious BLT. Bagel of choice, bacon, crisp lettuce, mayo & tomato

Mr. Naked Taco

2030 Cecil Ashburn

This restaurant has two sides. The taco and classic Mexican cuisine side and the popsicle and icecream shop side. This month head over to the colorful icecream shop and try and classic favorite: The Mangonada. Aguas frescas with tajin, chamoy, fresh mango

Slightly sweet, refreshing and a hint of heat. Perfect summer refresher!

Co-Op Community Table

800 Monroe St
Sunday 10am- 3pm 5pm-12AM
Mon-Thurs 11am-3pm 5pm-10pm
Fri 11am-3pm 5pm-10pm
Saturday 10am-3pm 5pm-12AM

Located inside the Embassy Suites hotel downtown Huntsville. Parking is validated and free. Serving seasonal and sustainable fare, focusing on local farms and farmers.

Open for brunch, lunch and dinner. Be sure to head to the back patio after you eat for a nice stroll after your meal along the Big Spring park canal that is directly behind the restaurant. The patio also has firetables, fans and a fun mural for selfies.

TRY: Brunch option Egg White omelet with baby spinach, mushrooms, blistered tomatoes, local conecuh turkey sausage and fresh fruit. Pair with their bloody mary for a complete brunch experience.

Get out and #EatLocalHSV !