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Avondale growth prompts mixed reactions
Avondale Park was given a $2.88 million facelift in 2011, followed by a series of new restaurants and other businesses opening. Photo by Ian KeelDestiny Hosmer - Contributor
drhosmer@uab.edu
Over the past five years, Avondale has experienced an increase of what some call revitalization, but others worry it may be gentrification.
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Cheap eats: Wasabi Juan's
Tessa Case - Staff Writer
tessmc@uab.edu
It isn’t often that you hear the words “sushi” and “burrito” in the same sentence, and even less often to hear of a mound of sushi-grade Ahi tuna on top of Doritos. This is, however, exactly what you’ll find at Wasabi Juan’s, the focus of this week’s cheap eats.
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New locale, new vibe, same flavor
Berliner Weisse beer rests on the counter of the bar at Saigon Noodle House, which also offers a variety of Vietnamese food items. Photo by Tessa CaseTessa Case - News Editor
news@insideuab.com
It is a sentiment well shared amongst responsible, stressed out, of legal-age-to drink college students: “Man, I need a drink.”
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Review: Hottest dogs in Avondale
Hot Diggity Dogs logo. Photo by Ian KeelMugdha Mokashi - Contributor
mmokashi@uab.edu
The unmistakably “hip” part of Birmingham is Avondale, which serves food on the decidedly funkier and fresh side. So I wasn’t surprised to find a gourmet hot dog joint nestled at the hip of Fancy’s on Fifth. This eatery is hidden behind an unassuming door next to a cheerful cartoon-y sign that reads “Hot Diggity Dogs.” When you open the door, you are greeted by a mysterious staircase and no signs of life. This changes quickly, because the loft of the building (directly over another Avondale favorite, Fancy’s on Fifth) is home to a laid-back, lively joint.
Eating at Hot Diggity Dogs feels like a scene out of a TV show—it’s a quintessential “hang out” spot, with exclusively barstool seating and exposed brick walls. An enormous smiling cartoon hot dog in an Uncle Sam-esque top hat graces the artsy wall. It’s very pop art and very, very new-age Birmingham. The crew behind the counter cook and serve up the dogs fast-food style, and are always joking around with each other and the customers. It’s a friendly, how-do-you-do sort of place that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
