30

DINING

Joe s featuring the same fine recipes, passed down from Liguira, Italy. I love Italian food, and Joe s is some of the best I ve ever had this side of the Atlantic. Woody O.

John s City Diner 112 21st St N 205-322-6014 BIRMINGHAM Don't let the name fool you John's is much more than just

your average diner. John s serves signature Southern dishes like home-style meatloaf, fresh sea- food, mac and cheese, incred- ible greens, roasted corn grits, New Orleans-style gumbo, and gargantuan desserts. Located in the heart of the city center. Great food, Great service, Modern and hip and in the middle of it all. This is where I take my out-of-town friends that I actually like. Chris E.

Kelley s Neighborhood Sports Grill 720 29th St S 205-323-9786 BIRMINGHAM

Located in OT s old space, Kelley has kept a lot of OT s favorites (like their incredible fried pickles) on her menu. Most importantly, she still has Mama making the delicious, Southern-style lunch specials. Every Friday, people line up for the crawfish pie, a calzone stuffed with crawfish etouffee. And Mama s home cooking is the best in Birmingham! Greg H.

Klingler s European Bakery & Café 621 Montgomery Hwy 205-823-4560 VESTAVIA

Klingler s is a family-owned- and-operated bakery and café serving authentic German cuisine. The only place in town for schnitzel, sauerkraut, strudel and the best of the wursts.

Don t leave without trying some- thing sweet the Bavarian Cream or the Black Forest Cake! Klingler s is our favorite, so when we got married we got their Bavar- ian Cream wedding cake and a sticky bun grooms cake. Livi T.

Kool Korner Sandwiches 790 Montgomery Hwy 204-822-4406 VESTAVIA

Regulars at Kool Korner agree with the deli s claim that these are the best hot pressed sandwiches in the Southeast. Tucked away at the end of the Publix strip mall in Vestavia, Kool Korner is the real deal in Cuban food. Proprietor Ildefonso Ramirez arrived in the U.S. from Cuba in 1972 in search of the American Dream. He found it in the restaurant business where Ramirez, now in his 90s, still greets customers, roasts the meats and oversees the operation. Get there early for the Saturday Night Special because it always sells out. This is easily the best Cuban food in the state of Alabama. Billy I.

La Dolce Vita 1851 Hwy 31 205-985-2909 HOOVER

Share the sweet life with this cozy family-owned Italian restaurant where the seafood dishes come highly recom-

Try the Not-Your-Mama s Mac and Cheese at John s City Diner.