Thursday, June 25, 2009

Lunch at the Irondale Cafe


Many of you may be familiar with Fannie Flag's book and subsequent movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe".  Well Fannie's a Birmingham girl and this place was her inspiration.  After we left Studio By The Tracks, we made a beeline for the Irondale Cafe for lunch.  I would say  it's like stepping back in time, but actually in Alabama,  it's common place in small towns even today.  You can see how pleased Davis was to have a Coke in a bottle (with a cap that required a bottle opener which he made into a car throughout the meal).  In case you're wondering, yep the train came by while we were finishing lunch and Davis got to see it first hand as it chugged by.

* Yesterday I meet fellow blogger Firelight who was in town from Auburn. We lunched here and actually shared some fried green tomatoes.  I loved meeting her in person and you probably have guessed that I felt like I already knew her!   I so enjoyed getting to know her better and her husband and brother patiently listened to our "blog talk"!!  I had this post "in the can" for future use,  so I decided today was the perfect time.

On a more serious note, our CDP Blog friend Amir,  is missing in Tehran. We pray for his safe return to his family. Visit his blog to see the compelling photos he was able to post before his disappearance. 

21 comments:

Tash said...

I made fried green tomatoes after reading the book years ago. I'll have to do it again. A very sweet photo. Looks like there is even some green food on Davis' plate.

Eki said...

The photo somehow makes me feel hungry and crave for the American country food ... hhmmm. :D

Anonymous said...

Impressive post. Like it all.

B SQUARED said...

A scene repeated countless times in countless places.

FireLight said...

Trust me, V, the pleasure was all ours! You made our day! The food was great, but the company was superb!
Remember, Toomer's Drugstore is still serving lemonade!! {wink wink--nudge nudge}
Davis looks as if he is a pro with Southern cooking!

My prayers are with Amir. Please keep us informed.

Halcyon said...

Next time I'm in Birmingham, I'll have to give it a try. Although I admit I'm not a big fan of the fried, green tomatoes.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to Paris. But how could you not? :)

Janet said...

Maybe I will make it to this place some day! Did you meet one of its owners, Sandy? She's a blogger too, blogs about the cafe, etc. And you really can't beat an ice-cold Coke in a bottle!

Bob Crowe said...

What did you get paid for the product placement? This young man has had his picture published so often he should have an agent. Who knows, maybe he does.

Virginia said...

Bob, you know very well that I don't ever get paid for any of this!!! The money pours out but nothing even trickles in. As far as Davis goes, if you've got it flaunt it I always say! HA And you missed the photo contest on my Paris blog. You might have guessed it right away. I have another one coming up that might be more challenging.
V

Char said...

do you follow their blog??

http://whistlestopcooking.blogspot.com/

and, I love that place. it's so good that I can't not eat there whenever I'm on that side of town.

Ken Mac said...

That kid is living large.
Thanks for passing along that link, V. Stunning shots. Revolution in real time. How did you learn he was missing?

alice said...

Ah Virginia, I love that film! I've seen it again a few weeks ago, thinking of your South of course...

Virginia said...

KM,
THrough our friend JM in Oerias Portugal DP. I have actually followed AMir's blog from time to time. It is frightening. JM had some info on his blog but it was down when I checked last night.
V

Char,
Thanks for the blog link. I'll visit and let them know I've done a post!

Maya said...

Oh no! Is that why he hasn't been posting? I hope he's OK.

Don't let Janet see this post! She desperately wanted to go the the Fried Green tomatoes place. I wonder if this is the same one? Probably!

Virginia said...

Maya,
It is. You two have to come back so we can do B'ham this time around. I"m hankering for some pot roast and mashed potatoes as only J. can do them anyway.
V

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I am glad that you found your way to the Irondale Cafe... and to the WhistleStop Cafe Cooking Blog!
It looks like we run in the same circles :-)

The photo of Davis with his mac and cheese and co-cola is precious.

Virginia said...

Sandi,
Thanks for your visit. Well, we love your cafe and want to keep sending folks your way. The baked chicken was really good!!!! Of course if I had my way I would have had mac and cheese, fried okra, tomatoes, and oh Lordy I don't know what else. What a great place you have. It was such a treat. If you want more photos taken, email me. I work for food! HA

Lowell said...

This sure takes one back in time...I know places like this exist but it's not often I get to enjoy one.

Thanks for sharing. The bottle of Coke with the cap really got to me!

Rob said...

What kid can't resist a train?! I got a beaut of a train for Davis. I hadn't realized they still put Coke in glass bottles. I so detest those miserable plastic bottles.

U "R" Us AKA Captain Crowe said...

Lovely bit of Americana here. And I can't wait to have some green tomatoes in my garden again!! Also, bee-yoo-tee-full photo in your blog header!

Cheers,
A

Jane Hards Photography said...

I watched that film for two weeks ago. This does say America to me down to the shape of the coke bottle. We don't get those anymore.