Back Road Bites: A Flavor Trail with Alabama Black Belt Adventures as Your Guide Pt. 2
Big Mike's Steakhouse - Thomasville, Alabama
Big Mike’s isn’t just a local favorite — it’s a destination. And in Thomasville, where it all started, they’re doing steak right. The centerpiece of the menu is their Certified Angus Beef 16oz. Ribeye — aged for 28 days, hand-cut in house, marinated in Big Mike’s Seven Spice Blend, and wood-fired to perfection. Just before it hits your table, it’s crowned with a slab of garlic herb butter that takes it completely over the top.
Looking for something a little different? The Sweet Water Stack layers handmade crab cakes over crispy fried green tomatoes, then tops it all with shrimp and a drizzle of homemade remoulade — rich, Southern, and totally unforgettable.
And if you’re in the mood for something seasonal? Their weekly fish specials are always fresh and full of Gulf Coast flavor.
Big Mike’s is the kind of place where folks gather after Friday night football, where out-of-towners become regulars, and where the staff treats you like they’ve known you for years. Come hungry — and leave planning your next trip back.
The Chicken Shack - Luverne, Alabama
In Luverne, The Chicken Shack is more than a restaurant — it’s a destination. Famous for its crispy fried chicken cooked in beef tallow for that deep, old- school flavor, this classic spot also turns heads with its juicy cheeseburgers and surprisingly great ribeye steaks. It’s a meat-and-three kind of place, but every dish on the rotating menu feels like a local legend.
Add a side of tangy coleslaw, finish with the dreamy banana pudding, and don’t skip the signature Shack Sauce — it brings everything together. Whether you're a Luverne local or making a pit stop on the way home from the beach (as many do), this place delivers big flavor with no fuss. And if you're in a hurry? Just roll up to the walk-up window and take that Southern comfort on the go
Jackson's Station - Camden, Alabama
Camden might be a quiet spot on the map, but Jackson’s Station has a claim to fame that’s anything but small town. When Mark Zuckerberg — yes, that Mark Zuckerberg — took his back roads tour of America, this is where he stopped for lunch. And for good reason.
The star of the menu? The World Famous COB (Chicken on Bun) — crispy boneless tenders smothered in a tangy house-made sauce and piled onto a soft, steamed hoagie roll. Add pickled peppers if you like it spicy, and you’ll understand why it landed on the 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama list. Round it out with a side of fries and a slice of homemade butter pecan pie, and you’ve got a meal that’s as iconic as it is indulgent.
The Stable - Greensboro, Alabama
In the heart of downtown Greensboro, The Stable is where good food, great coffee, and community spirit come together. What began as a cozy café has grown into a beloved gathering place — part coffeehouse, part bistro, and 100% small-town gem.
The menu surprises in the best way. The Greensboro Supreme Pizza is a crowd favorite, loaded with pepperoni, salami, ham, chicken, turkey, spinach, tomatoes, black olives, mushrooms, onions, artichokes, and mozzarella — a hand-tossed tribute to the town itself. And if you’ve got room after that? Grab a slice of house-made pie from Greensboro Pie, with rotating flavors like chocolate chess and key lime that never miss.
With live music, trivia nights, and locally roasted coffee from Selma’s Revival Coffee Company, The Stable is more than just a meal — it’s part of the fabric of Greensboro life.
The menu surprises in the best way. The Greensboro Supreme Pizza is a crowd favorite, loaded with pepperoni, salami, ham, chicken, turkey, spinach, tomatoes, black olives, mushrooms, onions, artichokes, and mozzarella — a hand-tossed tribute to the town itself. And if you’ve got room after that? Grab a slice of house-made pie from Greensboro Pie, with rotating flavors like chocolate chess and key lime that never miss.
With live music, trivia nights, and locally roasted coffee from Selma’s Revival Coffee Company, The Stable is more than just a meal — it’s part of the fabric of Greensboro life.
The Square Cup - Grove Hill, Alabama
Some coffee shops serve great drinks. Others become part of the town’s heartbeat. In Grove Hill, The Square Cup is both.
What started as a first job for local teen Lindsey Green has become her full-time passion. In 2021, she bought the shop from its original owner — a woman she still calls a close friend — and transformed it into a family-run café rooted in faith, flavor, and small- town connection. Since then, The Square Cup has grown into a larger space, added a full kitchen, and now boasts a menu of over 100 drinks, plus breakfast, lunch, baked goods, and even catering.
The Spotted Cow has held the title of most popular drink for 11 years straight, while Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies have built a cult following all their own. And the Cajun Grits, created from a family recipe, are a savory reminder that comfort food and community go hand-in-hand.
Whether you're passing through or pulling up a chair with friends, The Square Cup is where Grove Hill gathers.
Go to Part 3.
Back Road Bites: A Flavor Trail with Alabama Black Belt ... Since 1990, The Half Shell has been feeding Troy’s locals, college students, and game-day crowds with fried shrimp, oysters, and Gulf Co...
Back Road Bites: A Flavor Trail with Alabama Black Belt ... Big Mike’s isn’t just a local favorite — it’s a destination. And in Thomasville, where it all started, they’re doing steak right. The ce...
Back Road Bites: A Flavor Trail with Alabama Black Belt ... Winding through Alabama’s Black Belt is a road trip not marked by interstates or neon signs—but by porchlights, gravel driveways, and th...
Eat Like a Local: First Bank of Alabama's Favorite Spots... If there's one thing folks at First Bank of Alabama know—besides banking— it's where to find good food. With 13 branches across East Cen...
