My friend, Sandi from Whistlestop Cafe Cooking, introduced me to a great little Italian restaurant in her neck of the woods, so Peter and I checked it out with Sandi and her hubby one night not too long ago. And we’ve been hooked ever since. If you live in Birmingham, it would definitely be worth your while to check out Joe’s. Joe is originally from Sicily (with the thick accent to prove it!) and owned and operated a restaurant out in Gilroy, CA for many years before moving to Birmingham last year to be near his children. They talked him into opening this small family-owned and run restaurant in a residential area of Pelham/Alabaster and it is truly fantastic.
Not a huge place, if you go on Friday or Saturday night, be prepared to wait for a table. The food is cooked by the mama (homemade pasta and pizza) and Joe will greet you at the door. Their son and daughters are also on hand cooking and taking care of things.
Joe makes homemade tiramisu and it is just to die for and they offer many other homemade desserts made by the mama herself. You will not leave this place hungry or disappointed. They are at 21 Weatherly Club Drive in Alabaster on Hwy. 11.
We’ve told all our friends about Joe’s and I hope you’ll try it too if you live in Birmingham!
Mangia Mangia!
Sounds delicious! Wish I lived close enough to try it. 🙁
We are planning a trip to Birmingham in the future and will certainly try to eat here! I LOVE Lobster Ravioli! Mmmmmmm….
We LOVE Joe’s. The place makes me smile. Actually, one day, I went to get a gift card for a friend and Momma was asleep on the big fluffy couch. I loved it. Their pizza is amazing!
btw, I love the new look of your blog.
First of all…Hello! My name is Kris and I read your blog quite often. I love it! I HAD to comment on this post though! I do not live near Birmingham…I live in Northwest Arkansas, but we have a Joe’s Italian as well! It sounds a whole lot like the one you visited! Ours is really good too! That is so odd! 🙂
mmmm..reading Joes menue board makes my mouth water!!
As an Italian family; it is taboo for us to go out and eat Italian food..
however, Joes sounds like the real thing…good to see that there are still a few “Knock-em Out of the park” Italian restaurants out there.
Enjoy your blog…this restaurant sounds wonderful. I sure wish I knew of a similar one in Houston.
Save a spot at the table for me!!
Rhoda, We ate at Joe’s Saturday night and didn’t realize until I was back at home that I was sitting at the table next to you! I enjoyed the food so much. The dipping sauce for the bread made the trip worth it! I enjoy your blog and am glad that I got to see you, even if I didn’t know it was you at the time!
Hi, Anon! I wish now you would have left your name so I would know who you are. Yes! We were there with our friends & enjoyed it all once again. Isn't it the best? Lots of others feel the same way from the crowds & wait. Now I'm trying to figure out where YOU were sitting! Come back to see me.
I LOVE Joe’s! We live very nearby and eat there regularly. I wish they would expand, however, the food is always worth the wait!