591 Shades Crest Road, Hoover
824-4320
Cafeteria-style meat-and-three lunch and dinner. In the space formerly occupied by Bert's on the Bluff. Owned by the same folks at the Tip Top Grill across the street. Homestyle meats and veggies, such as meat loaf, pot roast, baked fish, fried chicken, black-eyed peas, turnip greens, lima beans, creamed corn, fried okra, macaroni and cheese, etc. In an August 2007 review in City Scene, Deeana Crider notes the "cheerful" decor with "fresh, clean appeal" and had high marks for country-fried steak, country ham, fried catfish, mashed potatoes, turnip greens (which were good but too spicy), cornbread, peach cobbler and banana pudding.

218 Main St., Suite 110, Trussville
655-0330
www.cafeonmainfood.com
Lunch served seven days a week. "We add a touch of class to the traditional 'meat and three' restaurant." Vegetables are hand-selected from the Farmer's Market and prepared in the traditional Southern way. Every Thursday the traditional Thanksgiving meal for lunch and dinner is offered. Also known for fried green tomatoes, baked tomatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, fried chicken and banana pudding.

5510 U.S. 280 East (Greystone Centre, just past the Village at Lee Branch)
995-3980
Southern-style home cooking for lunch and dinner, plus Sunday brunch. Tom Gaskin's September 2007 City Scene review says "deliciously prepared fresh vegetables are the stars," giving high marks to sweet fried white corn, fried green tomatoes, steamed summer squash, fried chicken, roast beef, and peach cobbler. There are also sandwiches and salads. Brunch features salmon croquettes, cheese grits, eggs, biscuits, French toast, pancakes, along with meat-and-three options.

151 Industrial Road - County Road #66, Alabaster
(Just across the tracks inside the BP station)
620-3382
This lunch spot inside a BP station, which advertises itself as "Soul food with a flair," won "best inexpensive restaurant" in the Birmingham News' 2004 Reader's Choice awards, and was finalist for best takeout, best fried chicken and best fried green tomatoes.

2330 6th Ave South (Southside)
251-3463 (251-DINE)
www.courtneysrestaurant.com
Breakfast and lunch. Daily specials include items such as chicken fried steak, liver with onions, salmon croquettes, fried chicken, meat loaf, turkey and dressing, baked lasagna, fried catfish, chicken & dumplings, and about a dozen sides daily. Plus sandwiches, soups, salads. Traditional hot breakfast.

1843 Montgomery Hwy., Hoover (Plaza at Riverchase), 987-4757
700 Montgomery Hwy., 1st Floor, Suite 156 (Vestavia City Center), 824-1350
www.dalessoutherngrills.com
With an atmosphere described by City Scene as "comfortable country chic," Dale's offers up a combination of Southern meat-and-three and old-style grill, with everything from chicken fried steak to burgers to fresh fish to grilled liver, plus an array of sides and salads served at your table instead of cafeteria style. Lunch and dinner.

2610 16th St. North (just south of ACIPCO plant)
320-0099
Don't be deterred by the exterior; this is authentic soul food and boy is it good. We enjoyed fried pork chops, baked chicken, dressing, candied yams, pinto beans, collard greens, corn muffins and sweet homemade lemonade. Oxtails and chitterlings on certain days of the week, along with fresh meats and veggies served daily, and homemade banana pudding and peach cobbler. Call menu line at 320-0357 for daily selections.
Read Bhamdining.com review here.

2724 29th Avenue North
328-8099
Founded by William J. Gratton in 1949, after a trip to Chicago influenced the name. Southern fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and more.

1900-1st Avenue North, Irondale, Alabama
956-5258
www.whistlestopcafe.com
This historic lunch spot was the setting for the novel "Fried Green Tomatoes at the WhistleStop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg and the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes." With over 70 years of tradition, it serves up old-fashioned Southern cooking like fried chicken, roast turkey, fried okra, mashed potatoes, butter beans, biscuits, and, of course, fried green tomatoes.

312 Main St., Trussville
655-8248
Serving meat-and-three lunch for more than 20 years, Joel's steam table typically holds four meats and nine to 10 vegetables, such as macaroni and cheese, fried okra, green beans, turnip greens, creamed potatoes, cabbage casserole and pinto beans. Fried green tomatoes are cooked to order.