201 Doug Baker Blvd. (The Village at Lee Branch, Hwy. 280)
980-3300
Lunch and dinner. In a September 2007 City Scene review, Fletcher Harvey called it "a more or less traditional barbecue joint/steak house in the making with an ambitious, basically well-executed menu." He enjoyed smoked chicken quesadilla, crawfish beignets, black angus filet ("as near perfect as it gets"), marinated sirloin steak, baked sweet potato, fried catfish platter, generous side salads, chocolate bread putting. All dressings and sauces made in-house. Thumbs down for cornbread dressing and spicy potato salad. This family-friendly restaurant is owned by former Fleming's partner John Cowan and former Birmingham banking executive Jimmy Taylor Sr.

1810 Montgomery Hwy., Hoover/Riverchase, 733-1300
Hwy. 280 & Hugh Daniels Drive, 280 corridor/Greystone, 991-1306
220 Oxmoor, Homewood, 942-3336
1908 11th Ave. S., Southside/Five Points South, 320-1060
1660 Gadsden Hwy., Trussville, 661-3100
915 Odum Rd., Gardendale, 608-3315
1804 Hwy. 78 East, Jasper, 221-2271
www.birminghammenus.com/jimnnicks
Smoked pork, chicken, ribs, beef, turkey, sausage with all the trimmings, plus non-barbecue appetizers, entrees, sandwiches, soups and salads. We eat at the Riverchase location frequently, and think it's very good, but have heard mixed reviews on other locations.
Click here for Bhamdining.com review

7268 Gadsden Highway Suite 120, Trussville, 655-8228
3431 Colonnade Pkwy, Hwy. 280 corridor, 967-0099
316 Valley Avenue, Homewood, 945-7437
2910 Morgan Road, Bessemer, 424-6639
10569 Old Hwy 280, Chelsea, AL, 678-8418
2252 Pelham Pkwy, 989-7211
1460 Montgomery Hwy., Vestavia, 823-7437
www.johnnyrays.com
We think Johnny Ray's is not as good as it was before they started branching out. The old Valley Ave. location, in an old Sambo's restaurant, is still the best. The barbecue's OK, but Honey's Pies are worth the visit!