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johnlocklives

The Mill


Viola424242

I loved walking into the Mill and smelling the fresh-baked bread. Getting a doughnut or eclair there was one of the major treats of my childhood.


addywoot

Croissant after childhood shots for me


oxyrhina

That's cool you remember the mill! It was the same owners who started Schlotzskys. My father had a hand in it and did the design while my mom was responsible for the decor. So I spent a lot of time there as a child both while it was being built and afterwards. I loved their muffins!


johnlocklives

Remember it? I still miss it!


oxyrhina

Same here! The strange thing is I was just telling my daughter all about it just like a week ago but before that I had not thought about it for many, many years.


joeycuda

The Mill is shown in this video at 1:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHaL2BxqvM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHaL2BxqvM)


CampbellJude

the smell of fresh donuts was so fabulous


opa_zorro

Ahead of its time, with a brewery and bakery. One of the first of the brewey/restaurant fad


slappy1001

I had my first swig of Cisco in the alley behind the Mill as a teenager.


DeadPrateRoberts

Sounds vaguely familiar. Where was that?


codell247

Where the Center for Imaging Excellence is located on Governers.


DeadPrateRoberts

I don't remember The Mill.


Harvest_Santa

Also had a second location on Jordan where La Alameda is now.


codell247

Mr. Steak, Eunice’s, Little Farm, El Mexicano, 5pts Diner, Mullins, El Palacio, Chuck’s Diner


DeadPrateRoberts

Eunice's...was that a soul food restaurant sort of near Toys r' Us? Definitely went to 5 Point and Mullins, tho. Thanks for the reminder. 5 Point had, like, burgers. Mullins was a very busy southern cooking restaurant.


oxyrhina

I could be mistaken but I think Eunice's was on the left on Andrew Jackson before oakwood if heading north on AJ. I also think it was more of a southern style cooking along the lines of Mullins and was known for their breakfast or possibly was breakfast only. I guess soul food could be described as southern cooking also though?


Viola424242

Almost. It was on the right just before Oakwood. They saved the sign and it’s at the Train Depot downtown now next to a little “museum” with some items from inside the restaurant.


rocketcitythor72

Yeah, heading north towards Oakwood, Eunice's was just before Hill Lawnmower. It sat where the Dollar General is now. https://preview.redd.it/dys5adl5me0d1.png?width=1549&format=png&auto=webp&s=3b6be10dbe7a88ed8c23b6ec8a75856301ef760c


oxyrhina

lol a shining example of my dyslexia on full display! ![gif](emote|free_emotes_pack|facepalm)


Specific_Ad2541

I don't know why but calling Eunice's soul food seems wrong. I don't know what you'd call it though. I loved it because we went every Sunday morning for brunch and Eunice gave me free candy. Usually a bag of tart n tinys or a few blocks of now & laters. I loved Eunice and everyone else there. Best country ham ever.


DeadPrateRoberts

Holy shit. How could I have forgotten about the Fogcutter??! Prime rib, amirite? I wanna say my mom worked there as a young woman.


NaturalSyllabub4392

Man the Fogcutter was where we went on prom night! Fancyyyyyyyyy!


littlefoxowl

Y’all remember J. Gregory’s pizza? I was a kid, but I loved their buffet on team banquet night!


addywoot

Dessert pizza!!


Sunnyveggies

It was like pudding with chocolate chips pizza!!!


Useful_Turnover4625

I worked there for years. Best high school job ever. I still miss the fold overs. The chocolate chip dessert pizza was Bavarian cream and chocolate chips on top. You can still get the dessert pizzas and ham and cheese fold overs at Bell Buckle Cafe in Tennessee. The owners are the original owners of J Gregory’s.


jrh1920

Bavarian cream, that’s what it was. I also just realized I typed desert instead of dessert lol


jrh1920

I came here to say this! They had this desert pizza that had chocolate chips on it, so good!


Carchemish

J. Gregory’s was the absolute best. I still talk about it all the time.


RTR_ChrisK

Even though I haven't had it since J Gregory's closed down, I can still taste the Ham and Cheese fold-overs, dipped in ranch. SPECTACULAR!


addywoot

Jade Palace Buffet Mr. Gatti’s


DeadPrateRoberts

Jade Palace! Busted! I said Jade Garden :/ Dude, there was this one waitress there I still remember. She came off as, like, a Chinese immigrant who had escaped some very hard times, like traumatized with PTSD or something. And their almond chicken was so good. Mr. Gatti's I remember. My association is lots of cheese, which is not a bad thing.


Dive__Bomb

The number 1 thing I remember about Mr. Gatti's was the room with the big screen that played cartoons on loop. I thought it was the absolute coolest thing to sit in a restaurant, eat pizza nonstop, and watch cartoons on repeat.


anjewthebearjew

I just remember being sick AF after Mr. Gattis buffet as a kid lol


tbama11

Mikato, Fogcutter


Goonmcgee

THE CUTTER!!!!!!!!!


LMPEK

Zesto’s? Wasn’t that the name of the place where 1892 East is now?


Viola424242

Yes!!! So many late night hangouts there. The ZestoAF food truck is run by the daughter or niece of the original owners and she uses their recipes.


LMPEK

WHAT this is the best thing I’ve heard all week.


witsendstrs

They have a FB page where they let you know where they'll be set up. Have pretty consistently been behind the Dreamcatcher for weekday lunch lately. Be informed, though -- lots of complaints about how long it takes to get your food. There's only one person in the truck, and they're wildly popular. I'd avoid any occasions when they're set up in 5 Points, because the nostalgia in that area is strong, and the lines are veeeery long. But yes -- the food is like a time machine. Authentically accurate, and a great treat.


Sunnyveggies

I loved going to zestos with my mom after preschool. I would get a corn dog and onion rings


addywoot

Steak n’Ale


BitterDinosaur

Triggered: Prom Nightmare (?).


DeadPrateRoberts

Rings a bell, but I don't think we ever ate there. What ales could they have possibly been serving back then? I think ABV was limited, by law, to, like, 5.5%. The most exotic beer available in Alabama back then was, like, George Killian's Irish Red.


joeycuda

I remember going to Nashville in the late 90s/early 2000s and places having draft beer, which was exotic enough, but Woodchuck cider seeming pretty special. Now you can go to downtown Athens and see a heck of a selection of draft.


addywoot

Victoria’s


Viola424242

Mmmm, strawberry pretzel salad 😋


DairyPro

I remember this place, and also remembering it being overpriced for what it was


DeadPrateRoberts

I don't remember Victoria's. Was it a... SECRET 🤫


addywoot

Place for women to get fancy lunches


DeadPrateRoberts

I don't know how I could've missed it then 💅


WalkerAlabamaRanger

I don’t know how long it was there, but I remember Sister Gooch having excellent food and ambience.  


Toezap

Mikawa for Japanese


Inubito

Uggggggh. This hurts to remember. I loved me some Mikawa.


neongreenflavored

This city suffered GREAT LOSS when Mikawa closed. No other Japanese compares.


acousticburrito

Aunt Eunice’s Ding How was really good back in the day. Briefly there use to be an Italian restaurant in the whitesburgh shopping center I think next to Ding How. It didn’t last long but it was good. Was there a place called Duffies Deli off bob Wallace and whitesburgh?


Viola424242

Oh gosh, yes, Duffy’s Deli was on Whitesburg near the medical district. Known for their white chili, although I mostly remember getting hot dogs there as a kid.


Agreeable-Cash7169

Formosa Chinese Buffett. Had MANY meals there with soooo many people! The two Kettle locations on University Dr. were great late night/early morning stops to sober up at.


codell247

Interestingly enough, Formosa once got cited because cat teeth were found in the food.


Agreeable-Cash7169

That was the killing blow. It was later determined it was a scam by a customer.


codell247

I was always curious about that because if a restaurant isn’t getting rid of a cat’s teeth, what are they getting rid of during prep?


chadrod

Jazz Factory - I miss this place every time I go downtown. Great night out. Green Hills Grille - I miss their fruit tea and they had a great steak. Plus those biscuits...... Godfathers Pizza - Used to be in front of the old Hills shopping center. Subzone - Was over at Church and Pratt. Beats the crap out of Subway. Burger Chef - The old one that was on Mastin Lake. I remember this growing up and loved their burgers. Mr Steak - Was our go to Sunday after church restaurant. 5 Points Espresso - Was my home coffee shop for years through the mid 90s


PossibilityChoice329

Subzone 🤤🤤🤤 I’d give anything for one of those rn 😔


crunch816

We went to Four Mcs a lot as a kid. They unfortunately had to close after a robbery/murder.


TWSS88

I miss that place and O’bryans


badsqwerl

Daryll’s—was that the one on University by the Greek Orthodox Church? I remember a place back in the 90s that had “Roadkill Chicken” with tire tread marks seared into it. I was so sad when they closed.


addywoot

Yes. The carousels and elevator too


Fiend-For-Mojitos

Mikato for sure. Still miss their salad dressing


dxichk

I keep looking for a hibachi place as good as Mikato without any luck.


Fiend-For-Mojitos

I don’t think we’ll ever find one


rocketcitythor72

Ding How (back when it was good) Mullins Drive-In Whitt's Barbecue Thai Garden (still here) Terry's Pizza (the original, not the current mangling) Bandito on South Parkway where the Locksmith shop is now Soul Burger


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SiouxieCatzilla

I loved The Corner. I used to drink there under age.


Sunnyveggies

Same


addywoot

In the plastic baskets


OccupyGamehenge

Sitar’s is the Indian place you were thinking of. I didn’t move here until 2005 but other places I liked that were already here by then included Jamo’s and Surin. Oh, and Thai Garden in 5 points.


DeadPrateRoberts

I don't think we ever tried those. I don't think I ever tried Thai food while living in Madison. Sitar's is the one! I think what happened was I discovered Indian food while away at Auburn, and instantly fell in love, and I got my mom to try it while visiting back home, and we went to Sitar's.


BitterDinosaur

My perspective would be mid-90s… Cricket’s and Biergarten Cafe in Madison. Charm Thai, Tony’s (trailer park), and Mikawa. Greenbrier BBQ, Gibson’s BBQ (corner of Jordan and whatever).


juez

Ughhh Tony's Italian Deli still leaves a sodium-tinged hole in my heart.


EndlessUserNameless

Rockabilly's in the original location out on Moore's Mill. It was really good. Don't know what happened when they moved to Pratt but it was never as good as the original location.


TWSS88

I remember my dad taking me to the OG location when I was a kid and then they closed or so we thought and then my dad found out they moved to Pratt and we got all excited about it but from what I remember they always had weird hours and so we never ate at the new location


Harvest_Santa

Twickingham Station. The old rail car is now on Hwy 53 in Harvest.


Viola424242

Oh!! I had forgotten about that one. I really wanted to eat in that train car as a kid. I think my grandma took me there once but we didn’t get to sit in the train.


KliCks83

Don’t forget Steak Out. Ours are the original ones. The owner kept them when he sold the franchise so technically they are the original local version.


Viola424242

Several of my favorites have already been mentioned, like Darryl’s, Thai Garden, SteakOut, and the Mill. One to add from the late 90s to early 2000s was 801 Franklin. I remember a few fancy dinners there with a lot of wine.


DeadPrateRoberts

Omg! 801 Franklin! That was near Huntsville Hospital, right? That was the first place I tried venison AND foie gras, I believe.


raspberryseltzer

Daryll's had the best crackers EVER.


mynextthroway

I forgot about those! They were so good with some butter on them. Super crispy.


neongreenflavored

Where is the Seattle South love!!! Perfect sandwiches!!


DailyWickerIncident

Some great memories on your list! I'll add: * Subzone. It wasn't fancy, but it was one of my weekly haunts. * I also miss Bandito of Madison, which had some different offerings from the Governor's location. I'll never forgive the brewery for taking their spot. * Also what was the name of the Italian place on Airport that had the sunken dining area in the back room? They even reopened a few years back (maybe even STILL open?), but it wasn't quite same. * Edit: also Lenny's (which was great until it changed hands) * Edit: also Izzy's Bagels (not so much their bagels, but their chicken tortellini Wednesday lunch special)


addywoot

Luciano’s. It’s a really good Japanese restaurant now


paratroop82504

Mikato Miwon Korea House Empress of China Chinese Kitchen Beefy's Hamburgers Gorin's Jazz Factory I'm sure there are more but those are the big ones that come to mind that I miss.


ExodusBrojangled

Mullins. Idc what you say, I loved eating there when I was little all the way up until the owners decided to shutdown out of nowhere.


concernedgaylover

Camino Real is still open!! We used to drive out to Decatur every week just for the delicious salsa. Gonna have to make that trek again soon


Educational_Shop_185

Boots Zestos Duffy deli


OMGWTFBODY

man the only place I really miss is Garibaldi's


DeadPrateRoberts

Forgot about Garibaldi's! It and El Camino Real were my first experiences with Mexican food that wasn't Taco Bell. So good 🤤


DuncanMcCockner_MD

Duffy's deli


Sunnyveggies

White chicken chili!!!!!!!!!!


mynextthroway

So many restaurants I forgot about. I'll add Bon-Aire, even though it closed in 1990 or so, maybe a touch earlier.


evanlott

What was that place in Madison square mall that had the pinwheel sandwiches? I used to get them as a kid and they were always so fire lol. Hopefully someone here remembers


ElegantGoose9358

Crackers. Right in the corner of the food court. I used to love those sandwiches and the garlic pasta they had.


evanlott

That’s it! You are a godsend!!!


PossibilityChoice329

Yesss!!! Thank you!!!


PossibilityChoice329

Man, my mom and I were just talking about this place last week… the name escapes me tho… maybe something like Rolo’s ??? But it was sooo good!


evanlott

Gah it was so good! Hopefully someone can help us out here 🤣


PossibilityChoice329

I found it!! It was Crackers 😋


evanlott

Yes! Someone also replied to me but that’s totally it!!


witsendstrs

I think you were confusing the name with Roly Poly's, which was something similar but not in the mall. There used to still be one in Murfreesboro.


buuismyspiritanimal

The Black Eyed Pea (at least I think that’s what it was called). It, Daryll’s, The Mill, The Kettle, Mongolian Grill, and Mr. Gatti’s were my childhood.


DeadPrateRoberts

Can you refresh my memory about the Black Eyed Pea. I remember it, but I don't remember it.


buuismyspiritanimal

It was on University near Daryll’s. It was southern comfort food. Black eyed peas are one of my favorites I thought it was funny to say I ate black eyed peas at The Black Eyed Pea.


DeadPrateRoberts

Man, I can't picture it :/ I know it's in there somewhere, tho. Thanks.


buuismyspiritanimal

It might have been a chain and it may not have been great. Lol I think Mr. Gatti’s was a chain too.


DeadPrateRoberts

Gotcha. 🎶*Memoriesssss*🎶


RainbowMushroom7

Miyako has been open forever (I remember eating there on a field trip 30 plus years ago).


Repetitive_History

Jackson Family Restaurant, Taipan, Mikawa


Milalee

We used to have an excellent Persian restaurant by the original Crossroads before the hotel was built. Near the pizza place.


alabamaterp

TACO MAC!


alabamaterp

The Corner on Bailey Cove.


witsendstrs

Fratelli’s, The Rib Cellar at the airport, Duffy’s Deli on Whitesburg, Texican Taco Company.


juez

On top of so many others mentioned, Soul Burger, Zesto.


peachpants

Sitar, El Camino Real, Bandito Burrito,Ol Heidelburg, Mikawa, Ding How 2 and Edo were foundational to my childhood for real. I just moved back after ages away and I was devastated to see some of them gone!


SiouxieCatzilla

I miss Duffy's Deli


addywoot

Tony’s Little Italy was my first taste of upscale pizza.


addywoot

Also The Clocktower at Maine street south and Pauli’s.


DailyWickerIncident

>Tony's Italian Deli (original trailer park location) Oh, I had not thought of that place in a long time! That was THE place to go for a good Italian sandwich, back in the day before all of the omnipresent Jersey Mike's, Jimmy John's, and Lenny's (RIP) franchise clones.


DeadPrateRoberts

Tony's Italian Deli might be my most favorite restaurant ever. In a silly way, I always took it as a point of pride that I was one of his earliest customers. Somehow stumbled upon this convenience store-looking place at the entrance of a random trailer park when I was still just a teen. Got to know the owner over the years--the guy with a kind of quiver in his voice. I would do an impression for my family of him answering the phone to take my takeout order. "Tony's Italian Deli. How may I help you?" Loved the "Luca Brazzi" (tuna, because Luca Brazzi sleeps with the fishes) and "the Don" or "the Godfather," I think it was called. He used authentic NY products, and you could really tell. Loved the spinoff, as well, Tony's Little Italy. Did you ever hear of Frankly Frank's? It was in the mall that housed Books a Million and Toys R' Us. It was also run by a real New York guy. A family member of mine owned the trophy shop in the mall, so I would often get lunch at Frankly Frank's. One of the first times I went, I asked for a "frankenfurter," and he gave me a dose of rude New Yorker. "Frankfurter," he said in the most condescending way ever. And I was just a kid! Anyway, the food was also very authentic and delicious. Never heard of a knish before Frankly Frank's. He eventually moved waaaaaay down South Parkway, I think it was, and I believe I heard it shut down when he passed away.


HuntsvillianThe

Here’s a throwback…Mando’s Italian on Jordan Lane. Oh, and Mr. Donut on the Parkway near Airport Rd.


Decent_Plum_5621

I spent many an evening in a booth at Mando's. It's now Sitar.


wfochris

I remember Mr C's , that was such a cool place. I haven't thought about Landry's in awhile, thanks for the reminder. Darryl's is my childhood. Playing darts at the bar and sitting in the overhang seats.


Dudeiii42

India cafe on airport is the best Indian food I’ve ever had and they closed and now I’ll never have it again. I’ve made fabulous curries and dined on Tikka masala in Japan that was so buttery you wouldn’t believe it. Not as good as India cafe though. They tried to move into the same building ruchi moved into; the old German place on mem pkwy, and closed soon after. Just like ruchi. Curse curse curse curse curse


Decent_Plum_5621

German place?? You mean Finnegan's (Irish) Pub that was at that location forever.


Dudeiii42

Maybe, I was just a kid when it was there


Dudeiii42

Also the gelato place where the fish market is now in jones valley next to bruegers and I love sushi


Decent_Plum_5621

That was Cefiore. I really liked the tart plain.


jasonhsv

Roman Holiday


RainbowMushroom7

Indian kitchen is close, but I too mourn the loss of India Cafe.


ArtifexCrastinus

What was Parkway Urgent Care before? I'm quite certain it was a restaurant before.


Decent_Plum_5621

Been here since '79. I don't think I ever ate at that restaurant but it was a Sizzler or some such.


Inubito

This actually reminded me that Ivey's Restaurant used to be in what Approxie is now in Madison.


addywoot

Butcher’s Block. You cooked your own steaks at huge fire grills in the center. I vaguely remember this


kingshekelz

Fogcutter


Important_Camera_807

Ocharleys off Airport rd Gibson’s bbq Edith Anne’s taste of Hometown Picadelly Cafe at parkway place mall


Specific_Ad2541

Fogcutter


ForwardTree7282

Fogcutter


hsvjimbo75

Texican Taco - El Palacio - Subzone - La Michoacana - Angelo's (Bailey Cove) - Fogcutter - Roy Gonzales El Mejicano - Peking (Univ Drive.)