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    Joyland

    4.4 (100 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Joyland Takeout or Delivery

    Joyland Photos

    JOYLAND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Joyland

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chicago Dogs
    Meena C.

    Kinda disappointing first visit. We came on a Wednesday, December 31 to be exact. They had a wiener Wednesday special (two dogs, a fries and drink). They have Chicago dogs ( which I love), so I got one of those and one chili dog. My husband can't stand anything on a Chicago dog, so he got two chili dogs. We sat, and pretty soon 4 Chicago dogs came out.... Ummm.. there was only supposed to be one. They're out of chili. And the cashier didn't know. He offered a burger to my husband, but it was a single burger ( and not as filling as the two dogs he was expecting). Food was ok, but not something I'd come out of my way for anytime soon.

    Deluxe JoyBurger
    Emily C.

    Funky, fun, retro burger joint serving up unique renditions of a smash burger. Everything on the menu is fairly priced, although the selection is quite limited. What we ordered: -Crustburger -Joyburger Deluxe -Curly Fries I loathe American cheese, which was served on both of these burgers. Unfortunately, the despised cheese overpowered the taste of the burger, so I didn't love it. The curstburger was very different, but I enjoyed the Joybuger more. The crustbuger was very greasy, but maybe that's normal...? I really wanted to like this place more, and I must acknowledge the cool interior. The workers were nice, the service was quick, and everything looked clean. If you love American cheese, Joyland may just be your next favorite burger joint. I am still rating 4 stars, as the cheese ordeal is merely a personal preference. I wish they had other cheese options and more toppings to add to the burgers.

    Russell G.

    My my my. And Yahsauh Yahsauh. I stopped by here as I was out early and wanted to get my lunch in gear. It was way before lunch hours which start at 11 but I thought I would check. I was glad that I did. The guy taking orders told me that he has regulars that get off from work and stop by for lunch or rather dinner during breakfast hours. I thought that was cool. I got the Crustburger and it smelled so good that it was hard not to eat it right after I got home but I waited. I did taste it and it's a real "Smash Burger". I have only had one this good and it was at a nationwide shop close to Atlanta. The atmosphere is playful with the color scheme and all of that. I want to return and eat onsite.

    Camille F.

    So I'm not really a burger person, but I've been to Joyland twice now for different pop-ups, most recently the Gus's Hot Dogs one. Let me just say... if you're gonna throw some ads for corndogs on my Instagram feed... I'm gonna show up. We got two of the corndogs to try, both amazing, but my favorite being the Lower Alabama Korean. A CONECUH CORNDOG!! FINALLY!! I'd been waiting on this day. I need a conecuh corndog to be a permanent menu item SOMEWHERE. I. will. frequent. Conecuh sausage is not utilized enough, and how it's not a worldwide phenomena, I'll never know. Joyland is an awesome little spot. Very family friendly, fast-casual, primary colors abound. I think it's a great replacement for the hole Johnny Rocket's left. The curly fries here are some of the best fries in town. Not to mention, full bar. I'll be back for more fries and a milkshake next time.

    Chip C.

    My wife and I decided to come here one day for lunch. After some debate, I had decided I wanted to try the chili dogs and was waiting on them to come out. They brought out the chicago dogs instead - of which I eat almost none of it. They acted like nothing was wrong. I had to pull out my receipt and say I was supposed to have chili dogs, and they said they were out and asked if I wanted something else... well, yes. They brought out one smashburger, which, while very tasty, was not what I was wanting, and was not the same amount of food / equivalent value of two chili dogs. I left very frustrated with the experience. I may come back, but it won't be at the top of my lunch lists anytime soon.

    Who let the dogs out?
    Eric F.

    Fabulous Freudian feme fatales feasting on corn dogs today. Looking for someone who is till coming to grips with a certain pair of fixations? The Gus's corn dog pop-up is the event for you. Indulging your id and bite into LA (lower Alabama) Korean made with Conecuh sausage. Of course the natural dessert to go with corn dogs is (drum roll please) baklava. We're here at 3PM and it's pretty busy. I wasn't brave enough to get the margarita with pickle juice. So, I got the regular variety. The decor is 50's diner in primary colors. The place is owned by Birmingham's Imperial Death Star of restaurant groups - Pihtakis (sp?). Oh well, hard to argue with success.

    Davida B.

    I'm giving a 4 instead of 5 star rating only because they do not offer lettuce. Lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions are just classic hamburger toppings - missing lettuce was noticeable. Otherwise, the smash burger deluxe was very good. Flavor profile, size, texture - I'd definitely recommend this place. I'm a bit of a French fry and ranch snob. Their ranch is a house made mix which was good. I opted for the crinkle fries. Solid choice. They have a "waffle" fry option that seems like shredded potatoes cooked in a waffle iron. The staff was welcoming. Good visit!

    PB&J boozy shake
    Alison L.

    Absolutely worth the hype. You can tell the staff is passionate about the food here. Cool retro vibe. Every bite was perfect. The Crust Burger stayed crispy yet juicy throughout. The sauce on it was delicious. The dipstick had amazing flavor and each bite was perfectly crunchy. The boozy PB&J shake was phenomenal. Each fry was perfectly crispy. Will only be coming here when I want a fast burger from now on.

    Scott M.

    I heard this place was serving up some smash burgers in a retro fast food themed environment and so naturally I had no choice but to stop in and see what was up. Glad I did that. I kept it simple and ordered what they call the "crustburger", fries and a fountain drink. Just about the right price and portion size for a quick lunch. Love that. The crustburger was basically a double smashburger that was put together and then apparently squished down in it's entirety on the grill, causing the bun itself to come out toasty on the outside with a nice crisp texture. Unique...risky...but it worked. Would definitely order again. The patties themselves were fully smashed in the perfect way to give the whole thing a crispy, charred, delicious flavor. So good. The fries were standard issue but served hot and cooked to perfection. Props for doing simple, familiar french fry things just right. It's an order-at-the-counter type place and the wait during a busy lunch hour was minimal. Food was unique but also something I could regular enjoy. I'd definitely do it all again. Give it a shot if you haven't.

    Double crust burger
    Michael J.

    I had plans to meet some people near here, and the restaurant at the place we were meeting didn't have anyone there, so I came here. I'm so glad I did! The food is amazing, the service is greet, and the atmosphere is hip. Five stars for sure! I got the double crust burger and it was phenomenal.

    LaDarrius Y.

    A Joyful Return: My Flavor Packed Experience at Joyland Restaurant It's 2025, and after a brief hiatus, I'm back with a fresh review to kick things off starting on a high note before I dive into a couple of... let's just say, less glowing ones. But today, it's all about Joyland, a spot that truly lives up to its name. After leaving my grandmother's house, I realized Joyland was just three minutes away a place that's been sitting on my "must-try" list for far too long. So, I decided it was finally time to see what all the buzz was about. Spoiler alert it did not disappoint. Fries First Because Priorities Joyland gives you options right out of the gate: crinkle-cut fries, curly fries, or hash browns. I went with the curly fries because, well, who can resist those golden spirals? They were everything curly fries should be crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. I devoured them without hesitation. No regrets. The Fried Chicken Sandwich: A Crispy Classic with a Twist Next up was the fried chicken sandwich, freshly cooked and packed with flavor. The chicken was incredibly juicy, with a perfectly seasoned, crispy coating. It came topped with what I'd describe as a slaw-relish hybrid cool, crunchy, and surprisingly refreshing. I'm not a pickle person, but whatever magic they worked here had me reconsidering my stance. It just worked. Double Deluxe Cheeseburger: Smash Burger Goals Then came the double deluxe cheeseburger, and let me tell you this is exactly what a smash burger should be. Thin, crispy-edged patties stacked with melty American cheese, tangy pickles, fresh onions, and their signature special sauce. The sauce had a bold, tangy kick just a tad strong for my taste, but if they toned it down slightly, it'd be absolute perfection. Still, the burger itself? A masterpiece of simplicity done right. The Double Crust Burger: Grilled Cheese Meets Patty Melt Described to me as a patty melt, but in reality, it was more like a glorious grilled cheese burger hybrid. They pressed it flat really flat which created this irresistible, crispy crust on the bread while locking in all the juicy goodness of the beef and melty cheese inside. It was rich, satisfying, and something I'd 100% order again. Sweet Ending: The Apple Pie That Stole the Show Just when I thought Joyland had shown me all it had to offer, I met the apple pie. And wow this wasn't just good; it was exceptional. Light and airy, with a perfectly flaky, crispy crust. The filling wasn't overly sweet, allowing the tartness of the fresh Granny Smith apples to shine through. Hands down, one of the best desserts I've ever had. I'd go back just for this. Final Thoughts Joyland isn't just another spot on the map it's a destination. The food is crave-worthy, the staff is genuinely friendly, and the décor? Bright, modern, and bursting with energy. It's the kind of place that should have a line out the door every day. Oh, and did I mention they serve breakfast and have plans for a happy hour soon? Yeah, you'll want to get in on that. Want to see the full experience? Check out the video version of this review here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18nLBYsh8T/

    Menu
    Jessica J.

    Joyland was setup outside of a record store one afternoon and I decide to try them since I haven't been to the restaurant I had a burger and it WAS SOO good. And the reason I know it was good, I didn't even need ketchup. It had the best flavor. So after that I had to visit the restaurant and I wasn't disappointed!! I had the Jr Crust Burger (smash burger) and I wish got the bigger one bc it was so good! Everyone working there was really nice and I also love the patio area!! I will definitely be back! I also love the selection of cocktails.

    Double
    Adam G.

    Didn't know what to expect but ended up with a delicious burger love the smashed bun. Every bit has crust every bite'

    CrustBurger with waffle hashbrowns

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    5 months ago

    The burgers are very good. The waffle fries are good and the crinkle fries. plenty of seating.

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    1 year ago

    Best burger in Birmingham and may be the best burger in all of Alabama! Served hot and cooked perfectly! Fries are always hot!

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    8 months ago

    Amazing smash burger and fries. Friendly staff and great beer selection. Must visit when in Birmingham

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    Ask the Community - Joyland

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    Paramount - Downtown Birmingham

    Paramount - Downtown Birmingham

    4.3(477 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    I wanted to love this place SO BAD!! There's an attached arcade!!…read moreAnd the staff was SO NICE and friendly and helpful and I loved the industrial, creative decor. But we'd spent the day at McWane Center and we were starving so we were there to EAT! The food looked gorgeous but it tasted very meh. The onion rings had too much breading on them, which I didn't think was possible, but here we are. The part of the breading next to the onion was mushy so that threw off the texture of the whole thing too. The burger was very much like a Whataburger. Even the lettuce smelled the same. I got The Standard and the bun of the burger was a little mushy (similar to Whataburger) and there was not much meat. For an $11 burger, I'm expecting more than a Whataburger. My middle kid likes everything on her burger and isn't picky at all and the loaded kid burger looked impressive but it was about the same as mine. Not awful, but not very good either. Very close to the same amount of meat. She's the queen of the Clean Plate Club and she only ate half. The fries were good but a somewhat too salty, the dip that came with the onion rings was excellent and we ended up using it for the fries. We had 2 adults and 3 kids and our meal was $63 before tip for 5 waters, 2 adult burgers, 2 kid burgers, a kid grilled cheese, and a basket of fries and onion rings (I thought I was ordering a "side" of fries, not realizing I actually ordered a basket and it was a lot of fries and onion rings). We don't mind spending money on good food, but the prices here don't align with what you get. No one was more disappointed than me, I've been wanting to eat here for FOREVER!!!

    We sat at the bar. Nice selection of beers. We had the three hander and my wife had a gourmet hot…read moredog called West Virginia. The food was perfectly prepared and surprised us how good. The bar was very busy but the bartender was very attentive. Great service. The ambiance was perfect for a corner bar downtown.

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    Paramount - Downtown Birmingham - I rarely eat the impossible burger but it was so darn good!

    I rarely eat the impossible burger but it was so darn good!

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    Yo' Mama's - Waffle + 6 pc chicken wings underneath + house made syrup

    Yo' Mama's

    4.7(588 reviews)
    1.6 mi
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    The menu had a good variety of options including fish, hamburgers, chicken, and more, though I…read moredidn't notice any salad options available. Parking is primarily street parking in the area, but there is also a public parking deck nearby. I'm unsure what the current cost is for the deck, but it's worth knowing if you're visiting during a busier time. I ordered the fish tacos with black beans and chose the cheese grits as my second side. Everything tasted fresh and had lots of flavor. The real star of the meal, though, was the sweet potato cake. It was incredibly moist and delicious. Honestly, I could've eaten four of them without shame or hesitation. My colleagues ordered burgers and fries. They both really enjoyed their burgers, but neither cared much for the fries. They had also requested a couple additional items after the food arrived, but those items never made it to the table. The decor is bright and fun, though it didn't quite seem to match the style of food being served. Just my personal observation. They also have a robot that helps deliver the food alongside the servers, which felt a little unexpected for the casual atmosphere and southern comfort food vibe. They were fairly busy since it was lunchtime on a Friday, but the wait really wasn't bad at all. Would I go back? Yes. Was it my absolute favorite? No. But there were definitely things I enjoyed, especially that sweet potato cake that nearly made me consider ordering dessert first next time.

    I specifically chose Yo' Mama's because I'd heard great things about the food and also wanted to…read moresupport a Black-owned business -- and I'm so glad I did because the food absolutely did not disappoint. We ordered the hot chicken sandwich with a side of coleslaw, and both were packed with flavor. The slaw was light, crisp, and not overloaded with mayo, with just a slight peppery kick that made it incredibly tasty. The hot chicken sandwich itself wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, but it was finger-licking good -- juicy, well-seasoned, and satisfying down to the last crumb. We truly enjoyed every bite. The ambience with its bright green, purple and white colors added to the experience. The restaurant was lively and full of people, which is always a good sign. I also caught glimpses of other patrons' dishes, and everything coming out of the kitchen looked just as delicious as what we ordered. Service was friendly and welcoming, which made the visit even better. Staff members seemed genuinely happy to be there and kept things moving smoothly. The location is right in the heart of downtown Bhama, so parking is metered street parking, but the prices were reasonable and worth it for the quality and uniqueness of the food. Overall, this spot delivered on food, atmosphere, and service. Big thumbs up from me -- I'll definitely be back!

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    Counter

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    BBQ Cheeseburger Plate

    Joyland - burgers - Updated May 2026

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