Les 10 meilleurs « Meat ‘N’ Threes » d’Alabama, selon nos lecteurs

Aucun type de restaurant ne fait autant chanter nos cœurs sudistes que le

bien-aimé « meat ‘n’ three »

. Nous les fréquentons le dimanche après l’église, le mardi pour rompre la journée de travail et à peu près chaque fois que nous avons la nostalgie de la cuisine de grand-mère. Dans ces restaurants de type cafétéria, les clients choisissent parmi un menu tournant de protéines, puis accompagnent leur plat principal d’une ménagerie de légumes et d’accompagnements à la mode du Sud. C’est le paradis du « à la carte ». Chacun obtient exactement ce qu’il veut, et tout le monde repart content. Vous voulez du poulet frit avec des macaronis au fromage et des légumes verts ? Vous l’aurez. Vous préférez des pointes de bœuf avec du chou bouilli et du gombo frit ? N’hésitez pas. Il y a une

commande parfaite pour chaque goût

.

While meat ‘n’ threes are ubiquitous across the South, Alabamians have a special place in their hearts (and weekly diets) for this style of eating. And while every town has its favorites, there are a few meat ‘n’ threes that stand out as truly spectacular. Here are the best meat ‘n’ threes in Alabama,

as voted by

Southern Living

readers

.

Niki’s West

Location

: Birmingham

This

Birmingham restaurant

has been rocking and rolling since 1957, with no signs of slowing down. If you go, be prepared to wait in line. Diners are ushered through a maze of velvet ropes until they arrive in front of Niki’s legendary steam table. The spread features around 10 entrees and upwards of 40 vegetables and sides. It’s a lot to take in, but you’ll need to make your selections quickly and wisely. Fried green tomatoes or butter beans? Go ahead and get both. Whatever you do, don’t pass on the pie.

nikiswest.com

; 233 Finley Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204; 205-252-5751

Pannie-George’s Kitchen

Location:

Auburn & Montgomery

Everything on the menu rotates at Pannie-George’s save one item: the fried chicken. Order it, alongside black-eyed peas, candied yams, and creamed corn. Owners Mary Counts and Lorine Askew named the restaurant for their grandparents Pannie and George as a way to carry on their family’s proud food traditions.

Auburn:

2328 S College St UNIT 6, Auburn, AL 36832; 334-821-4142

Montgomery:

450 N Court St, Montgomery, AL 36104; 334-386-9115

Johnny’s Restaurant

Location:

Birmingham

If you see a line of people snaking down a second-story staircase and onto the sidewalk below, you’ll know you made it to Johnny’s. Chef Timothy Hontzas has received plenty of accolades (including several James Beard nods) for his homegrown “Greek ‘n’ Three” where souvlaki and keftedes shine alongside chicken pot pie and 15-hour pot roast. Despite the national attention, the excellent food and no-nonsense atmosphere inside this neighborhood diner remain unchanged.

johnnyshomewood.com

; 2902 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209; 205-802-2711

City Café

Location:

Northport

If a place has been around since 1931, they’ve got to be doing something right. City Café does virtually everything right. Fried catfish fingers, hamburger steak, roast beef—it’s all there. The “three” part of your order can include everything from string beans to cobbler. Early risers (and night owls, too) love the humble café’s hearty breakfast, which they start serving promptly at 4 a.m. The prices may not be exactly the same as they were in the 30s, but this is still a great place for a homecooked meal at a value price. The crowd is made up of equal parts college students from nearby University of Alabama and longtime residents occupying their regular tables.

facebook.com/CityCafeNorthportAL

; 408 Main Ave, Northport, AL 35476; 205-758-9171

Blue Plate Café

Location:

Huntsville

Open six days a week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., you can count on Blue Plate for a hearty meal any time of day. The Blue Plate Special includes one meat and three veggies, plus a roll or cornbread. Blue Plate is famous for its melt-in-your-mouth pot roast, but you should also make sure to order at least one veggie in casserole form. Hashbrown casserole and broccoli casserole are both top picks.

blueplatecafe.com

; 3210 Governors Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805; 256-533-8808

Mary’s Southern Cooking

Location:

Mobile

For authentic soul food, there’s no better spot than Mary’s Southern Cooking. Here, you’ll find Southern delicacies that are hard to find anywhere other than grandma’s house nowadays. Friday specials include oxtail, pig feet, and hog maws. On Sunday, you can order chitterlings, and on Mondays, liver and onion and turkey necks are featured.

maryssoutherncookingmobile.com

; 3011 SpringHill Ave, Mobile, AL 36607; 251-476-2232

Martin’s Restaurant

Location:

Montgomery

Founded in the early 1930s, a lot has changed since Martin’s first began serving hungry Alabamians. One thing that hasn’t? The restaurant’s legendary fried chicken. It’s so beloved that not only is it served in-restaurant six days a week, but you can also order a whole fried bird in a family-style to go order. Martin’s also does two things only a true Southern eatery would. One, they offer the chicken pulley bone in addition to fried breasts, thighs, wings, and drumsticks. And two, they serve

pineapple casserole

.

themartinsrestaurant.com;

1796 Carter Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106; 334-265-1767

Watson’s Southern Table

Location:

Huntsville

For a contemporary take on the classic meat ‘n’ three, head to Walton’s. You’ll still have your choice of nearly every Southern comfort food under the sun, but you’ll also find some not-so-traditional offerings like a small beer and wine menu, plus the option to sip on a mimosa or Bellini with your meal. Whatever you do, make sure to order the

strawberry pretzel salad

for the perfect bite of nostalgia.

waltonssoutherntable.com

; 4901 Whitesburg Dr, Huntsville, AL 35802; 256-203-2979

Zack’s Family Restaurant

Location:

Dothan

You won’t have to make any decisions at Zack’s because everything is served buffet style. Every day offers something a little different, but you can count on classics like country fried steak, rice with gravy, and fried green tomatoes. If you’re in desperate need of some color on your plate, head to the small salad bar. You’ll also find some color in the dessert spread that includes banana pudding, key lime cake, and peach cobbler.

Note: This location is temporarily closed due to construction. A new building is expected to open in 2025.

zacksfamilyrestaurant.com

; 1495 Headland Ave, Dothan, AL 36303: 334-673-9225

Claunch Café

Location:

Tuscumbia

Three generations of Claunches have made this neighborhood restaurant into a northwest Alabama institution. The turnip green soup (a Monday special) and pecan chicken salad have both found themselves on lists of must-eat dishes in Alabama. In addition to classic meat ‘n’ three fare, Claunch Café also serves up dishes like burgers and spaghetti with meat sauce.

facebook.com/p/Claunch-Cafe

; 400 S Main St, Tuscumbia, AL 35674; 256-386-0222