G-Dogs Hot Dogs and Gyros

We had lunch at Hoover’s newest hot dog diner and think it’s great! G-Dogs is on Highway 31 down in what we call the “Hobby Lobby” shopping center. It’s on the corner over by Data Dr. They are only open through 3:00 p.m. though. So for those of us not working in Hoover, it’d be a haul. We went on a Saturday and had a good first visit.

Prices fall in the around $5 a combo column. You order at the counter and the menu has your basic hot dog menu, but adds enough creative variations that you shouldn’t be bored. I had a Gyro and B had an Irondale Dog, which is a hot dog smothered in slaw with shredded pork from Golden Rule heaped on top. They had a special, which I wish I’d asked about as it wasn’t on the menu and was piled high with onions and peppers. Oh well, live and learn. I also wish I had gotten one of the homemade desserts they were selling. Next time. . .

It’s not a large space, but big enough for our Saturday lunch with the kids. They also have some tables outside. Have you been to G-Dogs yet? Check it out when you get the chance! It’s definitely going to be a regular stop for us. They are open Monday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

Here are a couple of pics of the menu hanging in the window. Not that good, but with the glare plus cell phone camera added to the fact that I’m not a photographer. . . but maybe they’ll zoom so you can get some idea of what’s offered.

Earth Fare Hoover Opens Tomorrow

Sounds like the Earth Fare doors open a little before 8a.m. May 30th. No doubt it’s going to be packed over the next two weeks as people stop by to check it out. I think it’s going to be a great fit for the area and it’s plenty easy to get in and out of via Highway 150 or from the Galleria Circle. Here’s a link to a Google Map of the location (it’s the old CompUSA building).

Here’s a handful of photos of what the sign looks like from Hwy. 150, so you know where to turn:

The building looks nice and even has a few outdoor tables and chairs. The parking lot has been full of North Carolina tags all weekend getting ready for the opening.

Let us know if you stop by this week. It’s definitely on our to-do list!

Tuesday Morning Opening in Hoover

UPDATE: there is more info on this over on the al.com site today

We headed out last night to the Galleria for a fundraiser. As we’re cruising down Highway 31 we saw signs going up next to 2nd & Charles announcing that a Tuesday Morning was going in. It’s going to be to the left of 2nd & Charles. I wasn’t all that stoked, but B was.

And now I am seeing the genius in it: a Tuesday Morning right next door to the largest used-bookstore in town. Can anyone say ‘date night’?

Restaurant Health Department Scores

Here’s a nifty little page to bookmark: it’s the most up-to-date online listing of Jefferson County Health Department’s inspections. If there was ever a database of information that I wish I could list my favorites and share, it’s this. What’s great is how easily you can search through the list by restaurant name, see the score, click on the score to see all the remarks for the reasons for the score and weigh that against when the inspector was last there. There is even a column telling you if a place is smoke-free or not.

I looked up two of our faves:

• Mr. P’s, in Bluff Park, got a 91 back in December
• The Boot, Hoover, got a 95 back in December as well

So we’re good to go! How handy is this!? If Jefferson County ever wants to do an app, I hope they start with this stuff. How did your favorite fare, fare?

The Boot at the Preserve

We have a new favorite “go to” spot for a bite to eat and it’s just down the hill in the Preserve Village. It’s called “The Boot” and would probably fall in the Pub/New American column. I have had salads and sandwiches there. All around $8-$9 a piece. All very tasty. Most of the food has a spin on it, like the Banger sandwich has an Andouille sausage but instead of mustard they used pimento cheese. Also, the BLT I ordered had a fried egg on it. For the $8-$9 you get a side and fries. All very tasty. The kids have gotten pepperoni pizzas every time and they seemed to like them (but then they’re 3 and 5… they think GoGurt tastes good).

They have a full bar with 3 or 4 bourbons, etc. Also, you walk in and order from a window. Then they bring the food out to you. They help always seemed very friendly to us as well. Even when we went with a large group.

During our last visit I hurriedly snapped the attached images of the menu. They are kind of fuzzy. Let me know if you want to see better versions and I’ll think of some way to get it to you. I do know their menu has changed and been tweaked a few times, so I can’t promise this menu will still be in effect, but it’s been the same every time we’ve been. They also have a Facebook page as well as post to Twitter. I signed up for their newsletter and so far it’s been a good one with menu specials and $10 coupon kind of things. Let us know what you think of The Boot!

Moonlight on the Mountain Mention

The Birmingham News and al.com have a piece on the struggles facing our neighborhood’s local music venue. Apparently, things are tough over at Moonlight on the Mountain with less than $100 in the bank, month-to-month. I admit that I have never checked it out, but hope to do so. It’s an interesting idea, giving unknown names a place to be discovered and play. Moonlight on the Mountain doesn’t sell food or drinks. So the only revenue seems to be ticket sales

Here is there calendar of scheduled performers. They even have open mic nights. Hopefully 2012 will be a good one for this unique venue up here on the Bluff.

Local Chef Traveling the World

Bluff Park resident Drew Robinson is down in Uruguay this week learning from the locals about how they do BBQ and grilling. Robinson is a chef for the Alabama-based Jim N Nicks BBQ chain and a member of the Fatback Collective which placed third in the 2010 Memphis in May competition.

It sounds like Drew and crew are learning lots and taking good notes. He is posting about their travels over on FoodRepublic.com. If this first appetizing update is any indication of what’s on the menu, it’s a quick series that you are going to want to keep up with. The Fatback Collective is also posting to their Twitter account.

Safe travels, y’all!

Von Maur is coming to Galleria

I can’t tell you how nice it is to see some new life and planning happening over at the Galleria. The Birmingham Business Journal is reporting that plans are moving forward for a Von Maur to take over the old Macy’s space and for the Wynfrey hotel to become a Hyatt.

I had never heard of a Von Maur, but looking over their site, they seem to offer similar brands and price points to what Parisian did “back in the day”. It will be great to get some new life and energy to that corner of the mall. Here is to hoping for smooth sailing and minimal red tape.

Hoover getting an Earth Fare

Finally something is going into the old empty CompUSA store next to the Galleria and it’s a grocery store. Earth Fare is a “natural food” grocery. I’m not sure exactly what that means (maybe something along the lines of Whole Foods). There is more good info over in this story on al.com.