If you’ve opened your Facebook, Instagram, basically any website, and perhaps even your own front door recently, you have probably heard that North Huntsville is having a food boom. The co-located Dark Side Coffee, Betty Mae’s Restaurant, Kim’s Diner and Los 3 Garcia Taqueria decidedly make for a destination dining experience. With this brilliant grouping at the new H.C. Blake Center (intersection of Oakwood and North Memorial Parkway) of heavy hitter go-to good food grinders, the spotlight is bright. This renaissance is undeniably a big move in the right direction and a necessary step in the continued revitalization of the North Parkway corridor. But wait!
Lest you think truly tempting tastes are a shiny new concept in this neck of the woods, I am here to tell you the chow down throw down is real on the northside. Let us discuss!
Island Jerk Restaurant
Longing for the days when you can once again hop on a plane and make your way to faraway destinations with exotic and mouthwatering treats? Yeah…that might be a minute. No worries though; Island Jerk on Sparkman Drive is doling out a great big heaping spoonful of authentic spice and Caribbean flavors. Best of all, you don’t even have to deal with TSA.
The Donut Hole
I do not deny it; I have friends who absolutely swear The Donut Hole has the best Philly Cheese Steak or hoagies or hot dogs in town but, I cannot talk about a place called The Donut Hole without addressing the great big, fluffy and sticky “elephant” in the room…donuts. Y’all! The maple bacon? Ah-mazing! Also, they have a full selection of vegan donut flavors.
I am not even sure you can order it all the time, but I still carry around a photo of the apple strudel donut below like it is one of my children. Isn’t she sweet?!
G’s Country Kitchen
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of sitting down to a nice juicy plate of fried chicken from G’s Country Kitchen, then you will understand why they became “fried chicken famous” a few years back when television’s travel guru extraordinaire, Samantha Brown, made a visit to Huntsville. You can catch the whole episode about the Rocket City (and that chicken), here: Places to Love: Huntsville
Oakwood Farms
Newish to the local food landscape, Oakwood Farms is already making its mark by providing a diversity of fresh and healthy fare including homegrown as well as regionally, nationally and internationally sourced products. I, for one, cannot wait until April 2nd when their Friday Oakwood Farmers Markets begin again and then stretch throughout the summer. During these days, the addition of local organically grown produce, a vegetarian bistro and other vendors from farms to artisans are simply icing on the healthy cake.
Sac’s Kitchen
When the folks in my office are having one of THOSE days and feel the need to practice a little self-care in the form of lemon pepper chicken; Sac’s is where it’s at! With daily specials, sampling delicacies from across their menu board, you are sure to find something that brings you perfectly seasoned joy. Psst! I am told Friday lasagna is worth waiting it out the whole week for.
Believe you me, there are lots of other lesser known and just as delicious stops on any north Huntsville food tour. The mere thought has prompted the undeniable need for some fried plantains, a mac n’ cheese shop and compare, the aforementioned fried chicken and a yummy donut for good measure. Yikes, I have a feeling my next writing assignment might be “great places to shed some pounds in the Rocket City”! They say, “all things in moderation”, right? Consider this your friendly suggestion to include a stop (or three) on the northside when divvying out your “all things” dining budget.
