The Bright Star in Bessemer, 20 miles southwest of Birmingham, has been operating since 1907 — one of the oldest restaurants in Alabama. A Greek-American family has run it since 1915, and the menu is a blend of Southern and Greek-inflected American cooking: excellent fried fish (the snapper throats are a regional specialty), Greek-style salads, and substantial desserts.
The restaurant has been recommended by James Beard and has made numerous national best-of lists. The town of Bessemer has seen better days, but the restaurant itself is unchanged — dark wood booths, formal service, and a menu that has barely evolved in decades. Worth the drive for lunch or dinner if you have a car.