Best of Bham 2018

‍

## *concert photos at Iron City- courtesy Don Naman

BEST PLACE TO SEE A SHOW

1. ‍IRON CITY - Yes, the actual space is great – a perfect size and set-up. But what makes Iron City is their consistency is booking quality acts. Their concert schedule always seems to have an act coming you want to see.
2. Oak Mountain
3. Lyric
4. Saturn
5. BJCC

BEST PLACE TO EAT WHEN YOU’RE HUNGOVER

1. ‍AL’S - With a name like Al’s, you know what to expect. A UAB/5 PTS institution, Al’s keeps them coming in at all times of the day and night.
2. Red Pearl
3. Jack Brown’s
4. Waffle House
5. Otey’s

BEST PLACE TO BRING A FIRST DATE

1. ‍Bamboo on 2nd - Being on 2nd is a huge draw. The menu includes sushi rolls, noodle bowls, small plates, and a variety of skewered and Asian inspired salads. A great bar with Asian beers on tap, and killer sake.
2. Bottega
3. Carrigan’s
4. Chez FonFon
5. The Collins Bar

BEST PLACE TO BUY WINE‍

1. ‍PIGGLY WIGGLY -Nothing but the good stuff here, and an extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff. The place to get your dinner and holiday party recommendations. They also have the best prices in town.
2. Western
3. Hop City
4. Trader Joe’s
5. Costco

BEST ETHNIC FOOD

1. ‍TAJ INDIA -The best lunch buffet in town. It’s the best way to introduce yourself to the Taj if you’ve never been. A Southside staple for years. They offer traditional straightforward Indian classics. And a personal favorite for a hangover cure.
2. Surin
3. Red Pearl
4. Mr. Chen’s
5. Pita Stop

BEST PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN

1. ‍CARRIGAN’S -You’ll see this name again on here. Carrigan’s is a hit with our readers. A consistent crowd seems to be the norm, both early and late.
2. Highlands
3. Bottega
4. Grand Bohemian
5. Barons games

BEST FINE DINING‍

1. ‍HIGHLANDS -No surprise here. Not much that we can add that you haven’t heard before, but certainly one of the great but forgotten compliments to be given, is Highlands consistency. Year-after-year, meal-after-meal, it’s always remarkable.
2. Bottega
3. Gianmarco’s
4. Perry’s
5. Hot & Hot Fish Club

BEST STEAK

1. ‍PERRY’S -The problem with this category is that Perry’s Pork Chop is just as good as their steak! Located just off the 459/280 intersection, Perry’s is 2 for 2 on our annual readers’ best steak in town.
2. Fleming’s
3. Ruth’s Chris
4. Mister P’s
5. Highlands

BEST DATING APP

Maybe we should have asked, which is the best to find a quality relationship, and which is better for a hook-up? Regardless, here’s what you said.

1. Bumble
2. Tinder
3. Coffee Meets Bagel
4. Match
5. Grindr

BEST BBQ

1. ‍Saw’s - Sorry Ass (Mike) Wilson was once on the test kitchen staff at Cooking Light. He moved into the old Broadway Pizza in Homewood in ‘09, and has owned the Best BBQ category since. With 3 locations in Bham, and a food truck, Saw’s received over 50% of the total vote.
2. Jim ‘N Nicks
3. Full Moon
4. Moe’s
5. Golden Rule

*Best BBQ: Saw’s // Best Margarita: Taco Mama // Best Vacation Spot Within 6 hr. Drive: 30-A // Best Place to Buy Wine: Piggly Wiggly // Best Concert Venue: Iron City*

BEST BURGER

1. ‍CHEZ FONFON -Yet another accolade for Stitt. Ground chuck shoulder from Colorado is dressed with comte cheese, grilled red onion, romaine lettuce, and house-made djionnaise sauce on a brioche bun with cornichons on the side. Recommended temperature- medium/medium rare.
2. Jack Brown’s
3. Saw’s
4. Fancy’s on 5th
5. Five Guys

BEST PIZZA

1. ‍SLICE -You have to respect a pizza place that says, “To Maintain the Quality of Our Pizzas, We Will Not Combine Any of Our Specialty Pizzas.” And why should they? Slice has been a huge hit since launching in Lakeview. We recommend the Margherita.
2. Davenport’s
3. Post Office Pies
4. Dave’s
5. New York Pizza

BEST BREAKFAST

1. ‍BIG BAD BREAKFAST
   Putting a priority on all things local, BBB is the brainchild of James Beard award-winning chef John Currence. Their Alabama-raised, Eva, Alabama cured meats are also available to be taken home and cooked. Our editorial advice: try the Bloody Mary.
2. Over Easy
3. Another Broken Egg
4. Demetri’s
5. First Watch

BEST BAR

1. ‍THE ATOMIC -Maybe it’s the randomly released bubbles? Maybe it’s the costumes? The mid-century modern decor? Or having a really friendly couple (Feizal and Rachel) running the place? Whatever. It’s a great spot right after work, and it’s even better late at night.
2. The Collins Bar
3. Highlands
4. Otey’s
5. Carrigan’s

BEST MARGARITA

1. ‍Taco Mama -There’s a reason Taco Mama’s are popping up all over the place. Their margarita is only part of the reason.
2. El Barrio
3. Cocina Superior
4. Babalu
5. Cantina

BEST SALON

1. ‍Hairfolk -Founded by highly sought-after hairstylist Eric Goss only 6 months ago, Hairfolk’s mission is simple, to cultivate a luxurious and sophisticated environment, free of pretension.
2. Forecast
3. Salon U
4. Owens Hudson
5. Wheelhouse

BEST SPA

1. ‍ROSS BRIDGE -Located at the hotel, the Ross Bridge is an Aveda spa and salon, featuring a wide range of massage and beauty treatments.
2. Halcyon Days
3. Escape
4. Santa Fe Day Spa
5. Grand Bohemian

BEST DESSERT

1. ‍Big Spoon Creamery -Great staff welcomes you to this small batch, artisan ice cream company, who are seriously passionate about their craft. Located in Avondale.
2. Cheesecake Factory
3. Highlands
4. Lucky Cat Rolled Creams
5. Ocean

*Best Burger: Chez FonFon // Best Dessert: Big Spoon Creamery // Best Bar: The Atomic Lounge // Best Seafood: Ocean // Best Workout: Orange Theory*

BEST CATERING

1. ‍HAPPY CATERING -Serving Alabama for over 25 years says something. Specializing in great service and a diverse menu, they’re able to accommodate any kind of event.
2. Shindig’s
3. Majestic
4. Taco Mama
5. Kathy G’s

BEST VACATION SPOT WITHIN A 6 HR. DRIVE

One great thing about Birmingham is its proximity to so many great spots. New Orleans to Savannah to Nashville. The mountains to the coast.

1. 30-A
2. Orange Beach/Perdido
3. Destin
4. Gulf Shores Area
5. New Orleans

BEST HOME DECOR/STORE

1. ‍AT HOME FURNISHINGS -Located in historic Homewood at 2921 18th St S | athome-furnishings.com
2. Home Goods
3. Richard Tubb
4. Stock & Trade
5. Hobby Lobby

BEST WORKOUT

1. ‍ORANGE THEORY - A one-of-a-kind, group personal training workout. Backed by the science of Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption, Orange Theory’s heart rate monitored training is designed to maintain a target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy.
2. Carol Bevil at Lifetime Fitness
3. YMCA
4. Pure Barre
5. The Yoga Circle

BEST SUSHI

1. ‍Jinsei -A great hot and cold menu, Jinsei is known for their Kadoma Tuna, which has been their most popular dish for years.
2. Bamboo on 2nd
3. Surin
4. Rock N Roll Sushi
5. Chuck’s Fish

BEST SEAFOOD

1. ‍OCEAN -Award-winning George Reis adds to the list of Birmingham’s amazing chefs. Fantastic oysters and a great raw bar keep Ocean on just about every Best of Bham list.
2. Fish Market
3. Chuck’s Fish
4. Highlands
5. Hot & Hot Fish Club

BEST VENUE

1. ‍IRON CITY -Great shows are part of the equation, but for charity fundraisers, Iron City always presents a fun atmosphere (never stuffy) and all of the amenities you’d need for your next event.
2. The Club
3. The Florentine
4. Hoover Randle Home
5. B&A Warehouse

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

1. ‍EastWest - A great new addition to the 2nd Ave. North strip. Owner Colby Conklin brings his experience from 5 and Chuck’s Fish to create a fusion of Eastern cuisine from Asia and Western dishes from America.
2. Lucky Cat Rolled Creams
3. Roots & Revelry
4. BarTaco
5. Farm Bowl

BEST PLACE TO MEET NEW PEOPLE

1. ‍Avondale Brewing - If the weather’s nice, this place is packed. Pet and kid friendly, with a very casual atmosphere, Avondale is slammed during the day.
2. Carrigan’s
3. Church
4. The Collins Bar
5. Gym

*Best Dive Bar: The Nick // Best Steak: Perry’s // Best Place to Eat When You’re Hungover: AL’s // Best Place See and Be Seen: Carrigan’s // Best Pizza: Slice // Best Patio: Bottega*

BEST HAPPY HOUR

1. ‍Carrigan’s - Great in every season with a friendly staff, it’s an easy spot for the downtown crowd. And an incredible corn dog doesn’t hurt.
2. Black Market
3. Taco Mama
4. Dram
5. Babalu

BEST PATIO

1. ‍Bottega - Spring is here, and Bottega is a great place to enjoy a late afternoon bottle of champagne with an antipasto.
2. Rojo
3. The Garage
4. Slice
5. Vino

BEST CHARITY EVENT

1. ‍SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK - Winner three years in a row, Schoolhouse Rock benefits Cornerstone Schools in Woodlawn.
2. Chili Cook Off
3. Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil
4. Red Nose Ball
5. Crawfest

BEST DIVE BAR

1. The Nick - A Birmingham institution to say the least. Loud music, dark walls, no windows and open until 6 a.m. on Saturday nights.
2. Marty’s
3. Airport Inn
4. The Garage
5. Red Lion

BEST PLACE TO BUY BEER

1. ‍HOP CITY - Huge selection with just about everything available. They also offer a laid-back bar with a ton on tap.
2. Piggly Wiggly-Crestline
3. Western
4. Highland Package Store
5. Publix

BEST DERMATOLOGIST

1. ‍SKIN WELLNESS CENTER - skinwellness.com    205-561-0236
2. Total Skin and Beauty
3. Inverness Dermatology
4. Village Dermatology
5. Dermatology & Laser of Alabama

BEST LAWYER

1. ‍Kirk Drennen - kirkdrennanlaw.com    205-803-3500
2. Dave Cybak
3. Lisha Graham
4. Brett Holsombeck
5. Alexander Shunnarah

BEST DENTIST/ORTHO.

1. ‍NORMAN GUILLEN - drgdmd.com    205-871-6880
2. Calera Orthodontics
3. David Hufham
4. Robert Connor
5. Birmingham Orthodontics

BEST REALTORS

in alphabetical order

• ‍Robert Russom‍
• Scott Beaudreaux
• DeeDee Bush
• Betsy French
• Kate Giffin
• Wendy Gilmore
• Jamie Goff
• Gusty Gulas
• Kristen McGee
• Stephanie Robinson
• Cathy Rogoff
• Angela Stevens

BEST PLASTIC SURGEON

1. ‍Jason Jack - birminghamspecialists.com  205 298-8660
2. Daniel Rousso
3. Michael Beckenstein
4. Michael Clinton
5. Grady Core

*Best Fine Dining: HIGHLANDS // Best Place to Bring a First Date: Bamboo on 2nd // Best Place to Buy Beer: Hop City // Best Breakfast: Big Bad Breakfast*