Road

Next, head south to Clanton,

where a giant peach standing
120 feet tall hints ever so subtly
at the small town’s claim to fame:
Surrounding Chilton County
grows 80 percent of Alabama’s
Acre peaches. Quirky farm-stand-

Food
meets-roadside-attraction Peach
Park stuffs the summer fruit into
indulgent fried pies and freshly
churned ice cream. Snap a selfie
with another giant peach near
the parking lot and continue
south. 2300 Seventh Street S.,
Clanton. (205) 755-2065.
Lunchtime! For simple,
nostalgic fare with a heaping
side of history, drop into
Montgomery’s oldest family-
run restaurant. U.S. presidents
Taste your way through and Martin Luther King Jr. have
bellied up to the narrow counter
the Heart of Dixie on this at Chris’ Famous Hotdogs, open
since 1917. Grab a chili dog and
3-day foodie itinerary wait for a break in the stream
of staffers from the nearby
BY JESSICA FENDER
state capitol to ask the grill man
about how country legend Hank
packed with cuts like tomahawk alabama
chops and Australian Wagyu peanut
and exotic finds like antelope. company
Cheesy cauliflower-stuffed
chicken breast wrapped in bacon,
anyone? Also on the menu:
house-made quiches, compound
butters, imported shoyu, biscuits,
Burrata—anything and everything
an adventurous gourmand
needs. This is why you brought
the cooler, people. 1894 County
Road 6, Shorter. (334) 439-5080.
Hope you’re hungry! The road
from farm to table doesn’t get
Auburn-Opelika

S
Williams used to write songs at much shorter than at Auburn’s
boasts several
Chris’ lunch counter. 138 Dexter James Beard Award–nominated
ecret-basement cocktail highly rated bed-
Avenue, Montgomery. (334) 265- Acre. Three on-site gardens and-breakfasts.
lounges, school buses packed 6850; chrishotdogs.com. supply figs, lemons, kale, collards, Both the Crenshaw
with exotic meats, truly legit Missed the market? Nearby pumpkins, peaches, rosemary, Guest House (371
N. College Street,
Italian, gourmet markets, Alabama Peanut Company Just 26 miles east, in Shorter, and more for the fine-dining
D AY Birmingham Auburn; rates

1
springtime vineyards—the flavors of serves up the South’s signature true meat artistry awaits spot’s specials and cocktails.
start at $179) and
Alabama are more varied than you might to Auburn road trip snack flavorfully toasted inside a vintage school bus, Neighboring Black Belt farmers Heritage House

think. We’ve cooked up the following via Montgomery in antique roasters or craft but you’ll have to get past the like Hickory Grove and Hornsby
guest-star on the menu as well.
(714 Second
Avenue, Opelika;
boiled in a rotation of more than very photogenic turkey first.
itinerary for a 3-day, 500-mile foodie 100 house recipes. 2016 Morris Shana’s Place began as a deer- Reserve a prime dinner seat at
rates start at $150)
are historic homes
road trip planned around sampling Avenue, Birmingham. (205) 538- processing operation and has the chef’s bar to watch the pros
Birmingham where hearty hot
the Yellowhammer State’s culinary Birmingham’s Saturday- 7422; alabamapeanut.com. grown to include several freezers work their magic. 210 E. Glenn breakfasts are
smorgasbord. (Don’t worry, we didn’t morning-only Market at Avenue, Auburn. (334) 246-3763; served.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: JESSICA FENDER; CARY NORTON (2)

Pepper Place offers ample acreauburn.com.
forget about barbecue—there’s a visit to
chances to load up on
fifth-generation pitmaster royalty.) This peach park
breakfast and trip nibbles
trip is designed as a loop through some from 100 Alabama makers and
of the state’s tastiest attractions, and you growers. Arrive early for treats
can choose to savor the whole route in from Bandit Patisserie or
a single long weekend, or take your time Ivory LeShore’s picnic-perfect

Auburn single-serving bread puddings,

and consume it in bite-size pieces. Either
and browse the wares of
way, remember to bring a good cooler, a
other local superstars.
big appetite, and maybe a pair of pants 2829 Second Avenue S.,
with an elastic waistband. On your mark, Birmingham. (205) 490-3176;
Montgomery
get set, bon appétit! pepperplacemarket.com. Be sure to designate a driver
if you plan to drink alcohol.

36 | AAA EXPLORER APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2022 APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2022 AAA EXPLORER | 37

 D AY Auburn to Huntsville
2
D AY
Huntsville
via Gadsden 3 to Birmingham
via Decatur

Huntsville Start the day in Auburn with

a freshly made lemonade at For breakfast, venture to
burgeoning West Huntsville, Huntsville
local landmark Toomer’s Drugs,
located at the intersection where where Offbeat Coffee Studio
Decatur
Gadsden Auburn University fans famously specializes in vinyl records, lattes

festoon the live oak trees with made with cereal milk, and melt-

toilet paper. 100 N. College La esquina in-your-mouth biscuits. 2620

Street, Auburn. (334) 887-3488; cocina Clinton Avenue W., Huntsville.

toomers.com. (256) 285-3800.

Think of today’s winding Up US 431 atop Albertville’s And don’t miss the gourmet
Auburn
backroads route as a choose- Sand Mountain, spring brings the
Catacomb 435 shop atop British/Irish pub

your-own-adventure situation. If rustic Jules J. Berta Vineyards The Poppy & Parliament Belle
picnic fixings are crowding your blooming back to life. Pause downtown. Carve out cooler Chevre
Birmingham
cooler, take a short detour from here under a pergola and drink space for house-made bangers,

US 280 to D.A.R.E Power Park in the scenery alongside a imported English double cream,
glass of merlot or chardonnay. and Wagyu beef, among other In recent years, Magic City has
in Jackson’s Gap and enjoy your
Time your arrival (Designated drivers can buy a epicuriosities. 117 North Side Lunch brings you to Big Bob earned a reputation for award-
feast along the banks of Lake
at Huntsville’s 106 Square, Huntsville. (256) Gibson’s Bar-B-Q in Decatur, winning American fare. Less
Martin. 4633 Young’s Ferry Road. bottle for later.) Staff-led tasting
Jefferson hotel 715-7152; thepoppyand named for the man whose lauded, but equally delicious,
Or turn off US 280 onto County flights as well as charcuterie
just right, and
boards are always available, but parliament.com. tangy white sauce defined are its many eateries serving The beautifully
after checking in Road 7 just past Kellyton to reach
you can unwind the winery’s popular wood-fired Alabama’s contribution to the authentic cuisine from around appointed
Talladega National Wilderness,
with a cocktail craft nearly a century ago. A fifth the globe. Locally beloved Red boutique
where Holmestead Farm invites pizzas appear only Thursdays
and stunning Pearl in Homewood offers hotel The Kelly
visitors to pick strawberries through Saturdays. 1409 Darden generation of family pitmasters
sunset views from Birmingham,
Avenue, Albertville. (256) 891- now oversees the smoking of traditional Chinese favorites
the rooftop bar,
on its 95 organic acres. 6582 Tapestry
5115; julesjbertavineyards.com. bespoke cocktails tailored to tender chicken (and ribs, brisket, like steamed dumplings and Collection by
Baker & Able. This County Road 7, Waldo. Those
chic boutique your spirit and flavor preferences. and more) that made this spot crispy Dungeness crab. 243 W. Hilton features
who hold on until Gadsden can
hotel in the heart a perennial competition champ. Valley Avenue. (205) 945-9558; stunning views
carry out panang curry and fresh You’ll find Huntsville’s vibrant 100 Jefferson Street N., Unit
of downtown superorientalmkt.com of downtown
basil rolls from family-run Kati food scene loaded with happy 435, Huntsville. (256) 414-8248; 1715 Sixth Avenue SE and 2520
happens to be Birmingham, with
surprises, especially at Purveyor catacomb435.com. Danville Road SW, Decatur. /restaurant.html.
Thai Cuisine (102 Eble Street, many of the city’s
walking distance
Gadsden), recently named the and Catacomb 435. Primo bigbobgibson.com. foodie highlights
from some of
the city’s best best restaurant in the county by ingredients get imaginative For a more casual night, opt an easy walk away.
restaurants. Rates for either of a couple nearby new
The poppy & Cullman presents another Author JESSICA FENDER thinks Rates start at
Al.com, and head to the 90-foot treatment—jumbo lump crab
start at $199. 106
Parliament choose-your-own-adventure the best way to get to know a
$126. 2027
Noccalula Falls. Walk off lunch deviled eggs, for example—on kids on the block. La Esquina
Jefferson Street First Avenue
on the park’s Gorge Trail, which Purveyor’s menu. 201 Jefferson Cocina relies on family recipes moment. To the right of the place is through its food. Follow
S., Huntsville. N., Birmingham.
leads behind the cascade. 1500 Street N., Huntsville. (256) 419- from Jalisco to deliver elevated Next up, the award-winning highway, the antique mall her road-tripping adventures at (205) 250-7000;
(256) 288-0128;
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: JESSICA FENDER (2); CARY NORTON (2)

106jefferson.com. Noccalula Road, Gadsden. 2555; purveyorhuntsville.com. and authentic Mexican food. goat cheeses of the Belle Chevre Highway Pickers boasts 3 travelerbroads.com. hilton.com.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CARY NORTON (2); JESSICA FENDER

And at reservations- 127 Holmes Avenue NW, Suite creamery await in rural Elkmont. floors of vintage and classic
required 101, Huntsville. (256) 858-1026. (Routing yourself through cookware. 1354 US 278 W.,
speakeasy Nearby, Technicolor basement tiki Harvest avoids repeating scenery Cullman. (256) 841-5293. To Red
lounge Phat Sammy’s slings later.) In spring, baby goats frolic the left, the exquisite Ave Maria pearl
Catacomb 435, a
password grants fun fare like Spam fried in a courtyard pen, and guests Grotto offers a stroll through
guests access to a rice and kimchi pizza
pizza. enjoy DIY cheese boards from a miniature wonderland of
stylish basement; 104 Jefferson Street S., the small on-site shop. Reserve castles and cathedrals built
going inside feels Huntsville. (256) 489- a tour and tasting on Fridays mosaic-style by a monk from the
illicit and exciting. 0232; phatsammys.com. and Saturdays. Cyclists will love nearby monastery. The gift shop
Bartenders draw on the canopied Richard Martin Rail showcases the monks’ bread-
house-made syrups, Trail next door. 18845 Upper Fort baking skills. 1600 St. Bernard
noccalula falls shrubs, and other Phat Sammy’s Hampton Road, Elkmont. (256) Drive, Cullman. (256) 734-4110;
potions to invent 732-3577; bellechevre.com. avemariagrotto.com.

38 | AAA EXPLORER APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2022 AAA.COM AAA.COM