Irondale Cafe - Irondale, Alabama

Clint F.

Food, service, and friendly atmosphere was top notch! Parking is a little chaotic but to be expected. We live an hour and a half away and will definitely make the drive for lunch again in the future!

Stephen W.

As far as cafeteria style, meat, and three type diners, this one stands out amongst some of the best the food is what you would expect from any country style cooking place very good and cooked like your grandma made it. They also make their own several different types of hot sauces, and rolls that you can either have at your table or by to take home. They are all very good and made the right way!

Deana M.

It was buffet style. You tell them what you want, and they serve you. I loved the fact that everything was in a separate dish. Everything we got was great! The seasoning was perfect for us. The chicken livers were fried to perfection 🥰 The fried green tomatoes were crispy 😋 The restaurant was very clean and well kept. All around, excellent experience 😀

Hunter M.

Iconic & endearing, Irondale Cafe is a must for lunch! I seek to visit whenever I am traveling through the area. They have a great country, soul-food, fresh selection of food via a staff serviced style cafe offering. Meat & 2, Meat and 3 or any combination one may wish for is available. Staff is attentive and friendly. The train station vibe both marvelous and unique.

Melanite G.

Food was excellent. I had the cat fish, it had a nice texture nice and crispy and not soggy, the hush puppies is REAL HUSH PUPPIES!! the collard greens needs a little doctoring but they is great as well. The okra was very tasty and the red beans and rice was a nice finish as well. Overall 9/10.

Ruqayyah A.

Let's talk about the good parts: the staff is extremely helpful, warm and welcoming.

The food: In fairness, I have a restricted diet and they put meat in most of their vegetables, including their creamed corn.

What I ate: Fried Green Tomatoes 🍅 - those were good-needed a little more seasoning. The batter is not overpowering, and you can taste the fresh tomatoes

Macaroni and 🧀: the noodles were overcooked, and the cheese sauce needed a little bit more flavor or seasoning

Rolls - yeast rolls-yummy

Wayne R.

The Irondale Cafe truly lives up to its standard as the inspiration for local writer Fanny Flaggs 1987 novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Today the historic cafe, renamed the Irondale Cafe, continues to serve up the best fried green tomatoes along with fried catfish, cornbread, fried and herb chicken, country fried steak, shrimp creole, chicken pot pie, pork chops and a wide variety of sides and Southern brewed tea, bottled beverages, lemonade and Red Bike Coffee. There is also a variety of desserts from which to choose. I highly recommend their historic fried green tomatoes that put all other attempts to shame. And diners can enjoy watching train activity across the street.

Rosemary S.

This restaurant is the inspiration for the Whistle Stop Cafe in the book and movie "Fried Green Tomatoes."
The food is always the best home cooking around. I usually get roasted chicken, fried green tomatoes, and greens. For a treat, we got chocolate chess pie.
The service here is great, with hostesses coming around frequently to assist. The atmosphere is quaint and feels like you are eating with friends. Irondale Cafe is a stop we always make when visiting the Birmingham area.