Britling’s Cafeteria (Vestavia)
This place was my introduction to the Old South. The old black guys who carried your trays to your table for 25 or 50 cents, the green jello salad with cottage cheese, the tomato aspic, the sliced roast beef, the spigot you could fill your water glass up with while standing in line, all gone now, I’m sure.
We have a family joke about going to Britling’s once; my Mom forgot to change out of her bedroom slippers, and didn’t notice until we had finished our meal and were on our way down the concourse to shop at Parisian’s. One weird look from an elderly beehive-hairdooed old lady, and we high-tailed it back home.
Written by Tom
I am the proud owner of a genu-ine Britling’s server dish, which I now use in dinner parties in London UK!
Comment by Administrator — July 14, 2005 @ 3:49 pm
I grew up eating at Britling’s downtown locations once a week or so. There were 3 - one on First Avenue North, and the other 2 were around the corner from each other. I think 20th St. N. or 21st St. N. and 3rd. Ave. N. on the same street at the Melba or the Empire. The two were joined together so that you could enter from either street and they had 2 serving lines and a mezzanine for seating, too. Later on we ate at the Highland Avenue site and at Vestavia Shopping Center. I wish they had never closed! My favorite meal was the ground sirloin patty with mashed potatoes and green beans, cole slaw, and chocolate pie for dessert.
Comment by Avery — May 3, 2008 @ 9:45 pm