Indulging Your Way Through A Fall Day in Huntsville

It’s beginning to feel a lot like… FALL!!!  Yay – what we all eagerly anticipate after an oppressive North Alabama summer.  It is hard to beat a house full of friends with Sam Adams Octoberfest in hand, the smell of burnt leaves and apple cider flowing through the air, a fire roaring in the firepit, and Auburn (or Alabama, whichever way you “roll”) blaring on the television.  With the addition of Monte Sano slowly changing from summer green to a wonderful fall palette, Huntsville is not a bad place to enjoy the season. Let us roll the windows down and take a ride around our beautiful city to explore several scrumptious, seasonal comfort food and drink options. 

Coffee is a must to start any morning.  Drive down South Parkway and you’ll stumble upon Angel’s Island Coffee – right before you hit Rosie’s, a Huntsville landmark that everyone recognizes, but we will save that for another blog.  It is a bright orange and teal, small roadside building, like something you might find on a tropical island.  Upon walking in, there are plenty of folks set up shop with their work laptops and friends catching up with mugs in hand, yet it is still quiet and welcoming.  Their seasonal menu changes monthly, and they have plentiful fall options to take advantage of.  The Honeycomb Latte was my choice of the morning – made with honey, vanilla, and oat milk.  Perfect for the folks who do not enjoy sweet drinks, it tastes just like a graham cracker.  What a great way to start the day!  Angel’s Island also sells coffee beans, has a frequent drinker punch card, and utilizes online ordering for those busy mornings. 

Next stop, Mason Dixon Bakery, your hometown bistro filled with all kinds of gluten-free and paleo breads, cupcakes, tortes, bagels – “no preservatives and only ingredients you can grow, hunt, or farm”.  Also, their covered back deck is the ultimate relaxation lunch spot to enjoy a cool autumn breeze.  I grabbed a bag of their new product, Cardamom Maple Granola.  It is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and soy free. The zesty cardamom perfectly balances out the sweet maple, and the almonds and pecans add a nice crunch. I “pear”ed it with organic pears, cottage cheese, and cinnamon. A healthy and filling fall morning breakfast.

Before you open the door to Great Harvest Bakery, the aroma of freshly baked bread is powerful enough to make your mouth water.  Even the décor screams fall here – burnt orange walls, wooden accents, soup mixes/jellies/fresh honey lined up on shelves.  Lots of great food choices here, it is hard to choose one.  An appropriate seasonal option is the Spicy Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese, made with pepper jack cheese, Granny Smith apples, bacon, and pepper jelly.  It is served on your choice of their fresh bread made daily – the jalapeno garlic cheddar is always delish and the perfect match to this particular sandwich.  Lastly, to please that sweet tooth, they have a Harvest Cobbler Bar and Autumn Apple bread.   All you knead is love, am I right?

Hop on over the Parkway for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up at Gold Sprint. This plant and old school trophy filled coffee shop is the ultimate cozy atmosphere to catch up on work.  Shout out to Jacob, the barista behind The West Side Pumpkin Pie.  Seriously, I need the PSL cult to come try this creamy goodness.  It is vegan – water, sugar, pumpkin puree and a spice blend, that’s it.  So, so good.  I also heard a rumor that they will be dropping a Blueberry Mocha on their seasonal menu, too!  Follow their social media to keep track of their fun recreational activities, do yourself a favor and come back for their avocado toast, and make sure to check out their trendy merch (great Christmas gifts!).

Stepping into West End Grill is similar to what I imagine walking into the original Cheers bar is like.  A tad dark, friendly faces lining the bar, draft beer flowing, beautiful fish tanks lining the wall – there is a good reason this is a Huntsville local favorite.  Even though the infamous Zack’s Tot Roast is not a seasonal item, it is the definition of comfort food.  Crispy fried tater tots smothered in Mississippi pot roast, a blend of cheeses, and brown gravy.  If you are feeling zesty, try adding sautéed mushrooms and onions, jalapenos, sour cream, bacon, or a fried egg.  It is everything you need at the end of a crisp, autumn day.  WEG is also known for their amazing Sunday brunch but get there before 10:30 to avoid the long wait.

I hope you have saved room for Commerce Kitchen’s Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie.  Their patio along Franklin Street is covered with beautiful fall foliage, string lights hanging in the trees, and surrounded by the gorgeous historic buildings of downtown Huntsville.  This pie is similar to what your grandmother would bake for Thanksgiving but topped with milk chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, and with a slight aftertaste of good ole whiskey. It is definitely rich; however, that did not stop me from eating the entire piece to myself.  Pair it with a glass of Angel’s Envy Bourbon for the ultimate night cap.

I enjoyed channeling my inner Guy Fieri during this delicious tour – hope it inspired you to get out and enjoy the weather and countless food and drink options our ever-growing city has to offer!