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!
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!
Mr. P’s has a livingsocial coupon today!
Just an FYI – It’s only for today, but if you buy-in for $12 (which over 650+ have), you’ll get $24 to spend on food and drink! Needless to say – we’re in.
Happy Monday!
Mr. P’s Butcher Shop Owner in the Bham News
Charles Pilleteri, owner of Mr. P’s butcher and sandwich shop, was quoted in a recent Birmingham News article. The piece focuses on the rising costs of food at the grocery stores. Scary stuff, if you think about it. Pilleteri rightly includes rising feed costs for growers as well as rising gas prices. It’s nice to hear from someone at the center of it all. And from one, like Pilleteri, who understands what real business is all about.
I wonder if we wouldn’t all be better off is small business owners and the experiences were included in some of the government and big business policy making…
maybe we should all meet at Mr. P’s for an Italian Sausage sandwich and talk about it.
Tip Top Grill Featured
The site MyFoxAL had a featured post on Bluff Park’s Tip Top Grill. The food and view both get the notice they deserve. What’s also cool about this feature is that it was done by a local Bluff Park resident and blogger. How cool is that!? So swing by Grass Stains and check in on more happenings in Bluff Park life.
