They barbecue chicken and beef baker is probably the best potato I have ever had, everything was so good, and the price is perfect for the amount you get read more

While searching for a vegetarian restaurant in the Birmingham area, Al's Deli & Grill popped up, so I gave it a try. Al's is right by UAB's campus and serves American and Mediterranean food. Their exterior is nice in theory, with a fountain and a pretty fence, but it needs some cleaning up. Their parking lot could also be better. It's a small lot hidden behind the building with some potholes and invisible parking lines. The interior is quite small, but they still have enough seating. I came in with the intention of trying a vegan menu item, but I was informed by a kind man working behind the desk that he wasn't sure what they had that was vegan. He asked another employee if they had falafel at the moment, but they didn't. He was very helpful, but I was still disappointed that they didn't have falafel since I've tried it before and enjoyed it. I continued to look at the menu and finally decided on the veggie burger. The price was nine dollars and some change, which was baffling to me as I only ordered the burger and nothing else. I only had to wait a couple of minutes for my order, and I took it to go. The burger was packaged with care, large in size, and had plenty of toppings. The burger tasted good and didn't have that weird taste that some vegetarian meat patties have. I really enjoyed the bun of the burger in particular since it was really soft, not soggy, and had lots of sesame seeds. The veggie burger is a pretty good vegetarian option on their menu! read more

It's been years since I've gone to Al's all I can say is it's not the same Al's we went to in the late 90s. I was more of a purple onion girl but Al's was a great second contender we came Thursday after a concert & ordered two cheeseburgers and they were awful read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

First time getting takeout or hearing about this place. It was ok. I love bakers and the potato was huge. I did the grilled chicken baked potato. My only complaints were there was no seasoning beneath all the toppings. Also the bacon bits were artificial. Yuck. The potato had so much potential but may go back to try something different. The order was ready upon arrival so I applaud that. read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Bar-B-Q Grilled Chicken Baker - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

You can never go wrong with a Bbq Chicken Baker from Al's!!! (Yes that's a stuffed baked potato ) read more

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Well for starters they are extremely rude and I ended up with food poisoning when I ate there

Biggest baked potato I have ever seen - enough for 3-4 people. The service was friendly and helpful. I enjoyed sitting outside on a nice fall day. read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Baked Potato with Veggies. - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Older lady behind the counter was hostile and had a terrible attitude. Needless to say will steer clear of this place

Door Dash order and the food was hot fresh and amazing. They get it right consistently no matter how you order. read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Bar-B-Q Combination Baker - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Came here because their menu looked promising and it was one of only a few places to eat that weren't fast food. We walked in and were told that they were only selling potatoes, fries, chicken fingers, and wings. Basically things they just fry that take no effort. Highly disappointed. read more

Bar-B-Q Grilled Chicken Baker: 7/10 Overall, this was a bit bland and the toppings were unimpressive- Barbecue sauce was tasteless and I could hardly find the sour cream or green onions. However, once we took it home and added our own toppings (chili flakes, sour cream, green onion, red onion), it was very, very good. Don't underestimate how huge these are - 1 order lasted us a good 6 meals! The newly renovated outdoor seating area is lovely for a cool summer evening, but we did have quite a few cockroaches crawling around between our feet in the seating next to the bushes. Parking: Free street parking within a walking distance should be relatively easy to find during the evening hours and weekends, but will likely be difficult during weekdays. This restaurant is easily walkable from the UAB campus read more

Al's Deli and Grill - BBQ Grilled Chicken Baker: 7/10. Overall, this was a bit bland, but can be made much better by adding your own toppings at home! - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I have always had a good experience here. Their grilled chicken sandwiches are delicious.

This is my new favorite food spot in Birmingham! This place stays busy, especially since it next to the university . It's open late so you can go and get your order in. The menu is extensive but my favorite item is the baker. The baker is the largest baked potato that I've ever had beating out the one I've had in Houston, TX. They stuff it with tons of meat,seafood, chicken, and veggies, depending on what you have a taste for. I ordered the ribeye baker, and I can say that it's enough for at least three meals. The inside can get a little crowded but there's seating outside if you wish, but most order to go. I can't wait to return when I go back to Birmingham. Also the prices are decent and you leave happy that you went. read more

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All ways delicious and hot. Great service. Seats are kind of tight if eating in. GREAT! GREAT FOOD! read more

This place is really chill, like, from the moment you walk in to the moment you sit down with your food. The service is pretty good, since most of the staff is focused on cooking, and they call out your number once your order is ready. They're super nice. The food isn't bad either, but if you have some sensitivities to spice, just be careful with what you order! I still liked it, I just drowned it in ranch to be honest, which helped(context: I got wings). And, their fries are good! All in all, I highly recommend this place! The seating is nice around the fountain, and there's a few spots inside, too if the outside seating isn't your thing. read more

This place used to be a 24-hour place. Now I think it stays open till about 2:00 a.m. in the morning I have very good food. The hot wings are very good. They're loaded. Potato can feed a family of three. That's how big it is. So yeah that's a good thing to have. read more

Gyro was cold, no napkins on the tables, place is date and needs TLC. My last trip here.

Ate here with a group of out of town adult students and everyone said their food was awful- I agree. Everyone had a mediterranean dish - gyro, shawarma etc. i was very embarrassed to have suggested it on a recommendation from another colleague. When questioning the colleague that recommended Al's- he says the only things he ever orders are the cheeseburger or big baker. Never ever again! read more

If you have never been to Al's, you need to stop by. It is located near UAB and is your typical dive where you can get Mediterranean food at 2 am. If you are looking for something else, they are also known for their BBQ Baker potatoes and their chicken fingers and fries. They also serve soups, salads, wings, grilled chicken sandwiches and hamburgers.Two of my favorites are the falafel plate and their vegetable kabab. A lot of students frequent this place as well as other people who maybe in the area. They have a large outside sitting area as well as a small inside seating area which can get pretty cramped. I prefer to sit outside, but if it is raining there is no choice. Regarding service, sometimes when I have visited there has been a line. Also, there is no table service, so if you are in a hurry, keep this in mind. Prices aren't bad especially for the amount of food you get. When you visit, remember this is a student, late night hangout place not a family or date night dining experience and you won't be disappointed. read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Falafal Plate - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

nachos are ABSOLUTELY gas prices are good for portions, they were very quick with my order. Really enjoyed the service!! read more

I was ecstatic to find a halal place while stopping by for the night, and even more happy to see that they were in business for so long and were reasonable. We were only getting the cheese burger and a Philly cheese roll and cheese fries, but after reading the reviews about the mahi Mahi, I had to get that as well. I liked everything but I think the Philly cheese roll was good. I think it would be better on a soft roll type of bread, but it was good this way as well. I liked how they put the cheese on the side of the cheese fries, like I asked, because that shows that they actually listen to what I asked. I would definitely go here again when in this area. read more

Great food. Reasonable prices for the portion you get. My favorite is the gyro. Try the potatoes!

I went to UAB, but haven't been back to Birmingham in years and haven't had Al's since longer than that. So when in Birmingham for UAB Black Alumni Weekend, I had to visit Al's. I went on a Thursday evening after arriving in time and the place was just as I remembered - hole in the wall, long lines, the smell of grease stained in your clothes, and amazingly good food lol. I waited in line for about 10 minutes to order my bbq chicken baker with everything on it. I waited another 10 minutes or so for my baker to be ready and went back to my hotel room to devour it. It was just as good as I remembered - tender chicken, sweet and tangy bbq sauce, melted cheese, sour cream, chives, and bacon - yum! I savored every minute of eating it. Al's will forever been a Southside staple! So glad to see they're still in business! read more

Al's Deli and Grill - BBQ chicken baker - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I have fallen head over heels for Al's Deli and their wonderful bakers! The BBQ Chicken baker is absolutely delicious and worth every penny! I swear I could use the pure weight of it as a bat if I needed to protect myself and still get home and enjoy it. They workers are always so nice and are quick to get your stuff out even at high times like lunch and dinner! They've even been able to hire some more workers to start increasing their hours again. There is not much seating inside (and sometimes the tables can be really close to the seats leading to a tight squeeze) but there is plenty of seating outside. Additionally they have updated the outside with a new coat of paint and it looks so pretty! Over a years worth of photos and they are always consistent!! read more

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What an unexpected gem. Late night food at its finest. It's pricey, but portions are huge and will last many meals. bbq chicken baker is a must! read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Bbq chicken baker, Greek salad, wings - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I rarely, if ever, leave a negative review for anything. But y'all. Do not eat here. This was honestly the worst food I've ever eaten. And by eaten, I mean 5 bites before I almost threw up and had to stop. It was the same for my husband and son, too. We didn't complain. We just got up and left. It was a $42 lesson. Allow me to save you $42 on tasteless gyros, mushy fries, and "sweet tea" that tasted like dish soap. I don't think they rinsed the container well when it was washed. Rather than replacing the teas when we (politely) told the restaurant this, they made us pay for the bottled waters we got instead. Again, I'll say: do not eat here. This doesn't even pass as hangover food. read more

This is a five star late night go to place for big portions of good food and fun! It never disappoints either with the food or the atmosphere or the entertainment. They are known well for the huge bake potatoes, which is a great thing to absorb the fluid intake that got one there! Also, they have a great lamb gyro, get two the one for breakfast the morning after going out is great too! The seasoned shoestring fries are a great compliment to the gyro. Another great staple is the chicken finger plate it is an ample serving of the childhood favorite anyone can enjoy after midnight. Note: Parking can be a challenge at times. I cannot speak to their burgers and wings as I haven't ventured past the above three. However, they do get a lot of orders for them! They take call in orders as well. The wait is not that long however they are not an in and out place. Recommend this adventure to anyone, who has been out, or for lunch. Been a decade long customer with no complaints! read more

Al's Deli and Grill - The chicken finger plate! - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I'm not going to lie. I was very skeptical about trying this place out. The vibe reminded me of Purple Onion and I don't really care for Purple Onion. However, my friend insisted that they make their chicken wings in a way that I would love. Since she knows how I like my wings, I decided to give it a try. I like my chicken wings extra crispy. I don't want them hard per say but, I do not like soggy, soft wings. I actually prefer breaded wings and the breading has to be on point! The wings here were definitely a 10! These are probably my favorite wings in Birmingham now. They were perfectly crispy and flavorful. The sauce is served on the side, which is great to me. I also got their cheese fries and they were good! The prices are fair and the portion is great. I'll definitely be back. The only reason for 4 stars is I don't really like how small the booths inside are and there's a bit of a wait. The food, however, is phenomenal! read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I'm not one for Mediterranean food but this place is quite good! I love their bakers especially the Philly baker. It is full of amazing flavors and the meat is so tender and the potato is just crazy good. This place also makes me feel healthy when I get their wraps which is full of veggies. I feel clean when I eat here for the most part. Great customer service too! So warm and welcoming and I love the outdoor seating area during the warm days. read more

For this week's assignment, I decided to stop by my tried and true favorite spot near UAB's campus. This place has, what I consider, the best Mediterranean food in downtown Birmingham and what tastes like the best veggie burger in all of Alabama. Today I came in and was greeted by familiar faces, and as always the service was amazing. They do a good job of making their customers feel like family. I ordered the veggie burger combo, which is on the pricier side compared to other veggie burgers. I ate in their outside dining area and there were lots of birds to feed, the weather was nice so I enjoyed the ambiance. read more

I've been going here since I was 18. It is the most nostalgic place for me. It has seen me in all phases of my young adult life. The after club phase of my early years, to the religious phase of MSA meetings of late night banter, to the after hospital visits of a family friend who has since passed. Currently it is the place where my friends and I all reunite and reminisce about the good ol days. Al's has truly seen some things. And this place is a hug for me. You see they have this thing they call a baker. It's a ginormous loaded baked potato with never ending cheese, butter, sour cream and chicken or gyro meat. It is meant for indulging, long talks and comfort. They also have these amazing crispy wings and fries that can be smothered in cheese sauce or ranch. I never said this place was healthy. This place has been the reason of weight gain for so many UAB students but they regret nothing! I know they're going through new management/ownership but I hope they keep EVERYTHING the same. The only thing I'd want them to change is maybe get some outdoor heaters for when it gets cold. Seating inside is super cramped and limited. Here's a few tips if you're new to Al's: It's middle eastern/Sudanese owned so they have great hummus and kebabs but people come for the bakers so definitely try one of those. If you get a bbq baker you might want to get the super sweet bbq sauce on the side. If it is cold you can sit inside but seating is super limited. This place stays open really late and feeds students, club goers and hospital staff so be prepared to wait if you come in after 10pm. I know we all rave about the baker but it isn't life changing, it's mostly just huge and comforting. This is not a fancy establishment so leave your health code standards at the door. I know a guy who was sitting outside and heard gunshots so he grabbed his baker and ducked under the table lol. Yeah so try the baker! read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Had not been here in years; Purple Onion was still next door on my last visit! Al's was known for the stuffed potatoes (potato bakers) back then (bbq chicken) & that is still a winner. Chicken finger plate was good (still miss Purple Onion's), as well as burger meal, & philly steak plate. It was all good food w/ large portions. Nice array on the menu to satisfy most customers. My kids did NOT want to eat here, but were glad I insisted upon it, when they enjoyed their food. Peppermint tea is still served; my favorite! Parking in rear & on street next to it. Very small dining inside, but new covering being built for large, outdoor patio area. read more

Absolutely love this place! Best baked potatoes ever. I always get the barbecue chicken baker with extra bbq sauce. They never miss with this one! read more

This place is fantastic ! I started gong in the 90's bc it's close to UAB but the gyro plate keeps me returning! The prices here are very good too! I've never had a bad meal here ! Enough said ! read more

I couldn't come back to Birmingham to celebrate my 10 year UAB Homecoming without coming to Al's. When I use to live on campus this spot was one of my go to's. I'm so happy to see it's still open & the chicken fingers/fries are still on point. Thanks Al's for giving me soooo many great college memories & good food. read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Classic chicken fingers & fries - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Very small establishment with lots of outdoor seating. The kitchen is mostly open for you to see, which i actually like. The food was delicious and the portions were generous! I waited quite a while for my food, so I'd suggest ordering ahead. read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Veggie Baker - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

For the last 6. Months the customer service has been piss poor! The little girl with the scar on her face as well as the older lady that always has the bluetooth in her ear have terrible attitudes. They do not provide the same service as the staff that have been working there over the years. They do NOT answer the phones, if they do they tell you to hold, & will leave you on hold, keeping the phone line tied up to where not only can you not order but no one else. What is the purpose in a call in order if you still have to walk in to place your order just for them to run out of what you wanted because you weren't able to place your order over the phone due to their negligence & lack of attention to customers. read more

Good food. Not very fast. They didn't have hot water in the girls' bathroom. It took almost 45 minutes to stand in line and wait to get my food. So not fast food. read more

Durning my experience, I called to order a steak baker without the vegetables and was asked " what vegetables " with an attitude . Unfortunately, I was not aware of all vegs on the baker so I told her I would could in to order. Once , I arrived to place the order in person she was still at the counter . I didn't mind ( thinking this would be a different environment ) but the same attitude continued . Not looking at the menu , I placed my order once again saying " no vegetables " and once again being asked " what vegetables " and this took me by surprise . I continued to look over the menu and said no onions or bell peppers and the attitude continued . Once my food was paid for I asked if she could take a break and talk and once again the attitude continued with her saying " Why ? I can take my break whenever I want " and " I just took my break " . Annoyed much but I continued to asked if she could step to the side to discuss her attitude. Again the attitude continued . So I signed my receipt and moved alone feeling disrespectful and unvalued as a customer so I proceeded to ask for a manager to other employees to find out she was a manager ( sadly ) . Customer service is built on being able to put your differences aside , being respectful and being knowledgeable of the whole establishment and this manager is not it . I love this place but Day Shift Needs To Do Better With Their Employees ! But overall the food is Amazing , A Hit Out The Park ! read more

Al's Deli and Grill - Not a Manager That makes you wanna come back ! - Delis Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

A small establishment with diverse menu choices. UAB students can pay with Dining Dollars/Blazer Bucks, and get a free drink. I got takeout with falafels this time, and I think the food portioning is decent for the price. Al's always seems to include fresh fruit, a salad with a pickled pepper, a block of cheese, an olive, and chips with hummus along with what you order. For some reason, the flavor of the wild rice keeps reminding of my high school cafeteria, but it could be worse! No COVID-19 precautions. Overall, a location close to campus that offers good vegetarian options. read more