Of course, you all remember that movie, Fried Green Tomatoes?! Until I moved to Birmingham, I had no idea that the original Whistlestop Cafe was right here in this city and is now called the Irondale Cafe. My friend, Sandi, at Whistlestop Cafe Cooking filled me in on that when I met her in blogland and we became friends and I found out her hubby’s family were one the original owners of the Whistlestop and owned it when Fannie Flagg wrote the book, which then became the movie that so many of us enjoyed. Click here for the story of the original Whistlestop and how Sandi’s inlaws came to own it. It’s fascinating! Being from Georgia, I thought that the Whistlestop originated down in Juliette, GA since that town gained fame after the movie came out and that is in fact where the movie was filmed, but the truth is, this cafe is the one and only original version. So, on a recent Friday, my friend, Debbie and I stopped by on our way to The Lovelady Center (which is not far away) and had lunch at the Irondale Cafe. I had heard about the place ever since I moved here and it was a lot of fun to experience it in person. I have a feeling it hasn’t changed a whole lot over the years and you can imagine the movie taking place right here in this little quaint area of Birmingham, called Irondale.
Complete with it’s own train stop right beside the railroad tracks, it’s a throw back to simpler times. Kind of like Mayberry.
So I sat on the bench for a photo op.
And we thoroughly enjoyed our meal at the cafe, where the wall of photos greets you coming in the front door.
Movie posters are everywhere.
Framed and placed in a prominent spot.
And you go through the line cafeteria style ordering up meat, fresh veggies and dessert. This is a typical meat and 3 and the food is very tasty, just like yo’ Mama would make.
Love the green walls in here, it’s a cute place.
And here’s what Debbie and I had that day, fried catfish for me, smothered steak for her and we split dessert and fried green tomatoes. Hard to keep that girlish figure eating like this, but it sure is good. I figure that’s one of the reasons I go to the gym.
Then, while you’re still in Irondale, you must check out this home decor store called Stray Cats. They use old salvaged wood to build things with and they have some very unique home items. 
They make a lot of these vintage beadboard hook boards that I think are just adorable. I’m trying to figure out where I can put one of these.
Lots of old salvage pieces, doors, iron things, mirrors. 
You can see here a large bookcase made out of old shutters and wood molding. 
And this is a long piece that someone had them custom build for a flat screen TV to sit on. I thought this one was really pretty.
More vintage beadboard lines the back of this large bookcase storage piece. If you get a chance, go by and take a look. They are on Hwy. 78 right in Irondale in a small shopping center. The guy that runs the place is really nice too. Check it out and if you go by tell him you read it on my blog. I told him I’d love to get the word out for him since it’s such a unique shop.
Yumm I would love to take a trip to those shops!
I loved that movie and still laugh when I see people taking someone elses parking space…I keep waiting to see someone smash someone elses car
Hi Rhoda,
Love this post! I’ve been there done that and had a great time too!
Stray Cats is a fun place but a bit
pricey for me. Have you checked out the Mission Possible store on Montclair? There’s also a little
antique store up on Crestwood toward the post office that has some great stuff. Keep us posted on the March gathering at the Fairgrounds. Count me in!
Just the sort of wonderful places J and I love to explore on our little trips.
I love repurposed pieces. The shop is wonderful. The little cabinet in our hearth room and the shelf in our laundry are made from salvaged pieces.
The food looks delicious! Fun day!
Rhoda, I will have to make this trip even if I have to do it alone. I loved the book and the movie!
Ok, I have to ask, what does the sign say on the bottom picture on the black bookshelf? My mind is giving me fits about it! 🙂
I so want to go to the Cafe…I just love that move…and what fun shops!!!!! Looks like a fun day!
Looks like a neat shop and a fun place to eat! Love those green walls too. I too want to know what that sign says? I can only guess!
Love the Irondale Cafe!
I didnt know about the shop. Will have to check it out! Thanks!
Hey, Rhoda!
How fun! As a matter of fact, I ate some truly delicious fried green tomatoes last night for supper! My hubby’s boss was in from Arkansas, and we were going to take him out to eat in our small town. The restaurant we had planned to take him to had closed! I quickly remembered that a new one had opened up on the other side of town–which only took 5 minutes to get there! We gave it a try and were very pleased!! It was quite delicious! It’s called Stella’s Bistro, and Stella can make some really tasty southern cuisine!(I was praying the entire meal!!!!)But he was impressed, and we ended the meal with a fancy banana pudding!
One of my close friends has family in Irondale…fun place to visit! I’ll give you a shout out if I am road tripping any time! We like to go junkin’!
Hugs,
Susan
Cute, I didn’t know where the original one was, but now the cafe across from the RR tracks in Kennesaw is called the Whistlestop Cafe. (If you get back here, I hear Trackside Grill across the street is really good, too!)
There should just be one in every little Southern railroad town, don’t you think?!
Thanks Rhoda, I had no idea! Really thought it was somewhere in South Georgia. I will definitely have to visit both places next time we head to our family’s house in B’ham! Can’t wait. You know I’ll be calling you for directions. How far is Ironside from B’ham anyway? It’s my in-laws so I don’t know my way like my husband does. Thanks for the pictures, we may have to make a special trip, the family will think we are actually going to see them…shhhhhh.
~Misti
Looks like a fun day, Rhoda! And I didn’t know that about the Whistlestop Cafe! Thanks for sharing.
XO,
Sheila 🙂
I have eaten at the cafe in Juliette but had no idea about the original. Love that beadboard cabinet.
Love the salvage store you went into to. I love how people can recycle old pieces of wood to make new and cool pieces. I always think I’m going to do that myself one day.
The lunch looked delicious and the little antique shop had so many cute things. Sounds like you and your friend had a fabulous day. Hugs, Marty
When we go down to B’ham, we keep forgetting about this place… We may just have to make a trip just for lunch! We’ve been known to do that. LOL!
Now I’ve got to stop back by there to see just what that little sign says on the shelf. I think I would have noticed if it was really something profane, as it appears to be! Don’t think it was!
Two wonderful finds; a great place to eat and to shop. I’ll have to make sure my Father-In-Law knows about this. He is in B’ham and at 99, still LOVES eating out!
I enjoy your blog so very much.
Would love to go to the place in Atlanta one day too, what awesome things they have!
Try to stay warm. I just talked to my sister in Col, MS and she said it was 27 there this AM…brrrrrrr.
Blessings always,
Kaye
http://www.engravedeuniques.com
My stomach is GROWLING!!!
Hi Rhoda, ahhh, my hometown…isn’t it great? I need to go to the Cafe again soon! And Stray Cats is one of my favorite shops…did you get to talk to Barney? He’s a hoot and an awesome salesman, too! I bought an island there years ago but had to leave it in our former house…it was so cute! I have also bought some great gifts there as well as an iron gate. I love the variety they have!
Just noticed all of the questioning about the sign in the photo…I think the word in question is “Duck” although I’m not sure! Even so, a little too close to profane for me!!