Niki's West and the Birmingham Zoo

A few weeks ago, one of my daughters, Kathryn, "decided" that we were all going to head down to Birmingham for a day trip. With some snacks and drinks packed, iPods and books at the ready, and a fiance and friend-boy along for the ride, seven of us piled into the van and headed south to "The Magic City".

There were a few reasons that Kathryn wanted to make this little trip. One was probably just to get away for a day. That's always a good reason, right? Two, Scott had never been Dreamland, a BBQ place that the family loves to visit. We have been several times and love to eat there. This one is near the UAB campus. Of course, the original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa is where you gotta go, but we just did not have that much time. That will be another trip. All that is served in the Tuscalooa store is ribs, white bread, sauce, banana pudding and drinks. Man, my mouth is watering even as I write this.

The third reason was to visit the Birmingham Zoo. We had never been there and had not been to a zoo in a while, so it sounded a good option. Fourth, shopping. Yes, I have two teenage daughters and a wife. What more can I say? At least I had some male moral support on this trip.

Well, I had a surprise of my own up my sleeve. A few years ago, after a University of Alabama A-Day football game, I had visited Niki's West, a meat-and-three not too far off Exit 262/Finley Blvd., with my son, father, aunt and uncle. Even though on this trip we were going to arrive at Niki's at lunch time, I knew the meal would be worth the potential long wait.

The line was pretty long - probably 50 or so folks when we got there - but moved amazingly fast. We waited "maybe" ten minutes before picking up our trays and silverware. The men and women who worked the steam table didn't hold anything back and were courteously adept at pushing people through in a friendly, fun way.

With a boatload of meat and veggie choices, it wasn't hard for each of us to find something that we liked. And, liked we did. All seven of us chose a different meat and a lot of different vegetables. The cornbread and rolls, and the sweet tea - well, this native Birmingham guy was feeling right at home.

One tip: if you have a party of 7 or more, make sure you heed the sign and let a hostess know about your party. That way, they can go ahead and reserve a table for you as you are going through the line. Otherwise, your wait for a table could be a bit longer.


If you are headed to Birmingham, you should give this place some thought. I know there are quite a few meat and three restaurants there, but this one is not likely to disappoint and would be a great introduction to meat and threes, if this is your first time.

The rest of the day was just about perfect, except for being quite warm and muggy. The zoo featured some entertaining animals, although there were a few of the exhibits that were closed.
If you are interested, I took quite a few photos and have posted a number of them on one of my Flickr Photo Sets. This guy to the left, though, was one of my favorites - he was quite a character.

Yes, we did spend some time at the mall, although not as much time as I would have thought. And, yes, this meat-and-three guy did take the group over to the Birmingham version of Dreamland for the evening meal. I am a big ribs fan and have come to love Dreamland's version, and I was not alone.

We were all very well satisfied, which made the drive home kind of lonely for me. They were all snoozing their well-fed little selves while I was left alone in my thoughts. That can be a pretty dangerous thing sometimes, just ask my family. But, that night's version was pretty good: pondering the blessings of a fun day with family and friends, and thinking about where we ought to go on our next little jaunt.

Can anyone say, "ROAD TRIP!"

My Meat and Three Definition

Saw a blog post earlier today - http://www.michellesmiles.com/?p=115 - where Michelle wondered aloud about the term, "meat and three". I entered a comment to provide her with some thoughts on the subject.

That got me to thinking that maybe it would make sense to include my definition on this blog, given the fact that I am the one who created the MEATandTHREE.com web site. While I do have a page on the site that provides my "official" definition of a "meat and three": http://www.meatandthree.com/definition.html, you can read it here, too.

meat and three n.

1. A menu option consisting of one meat and three sides. The sides are often vegetables, although other foods may be included in the list of available sides. Either a roll or a piece of cornbread is almost always included with the meal, and a drink is sometimes included in the "meat-and-three" price. The drink is usually "sweet tea".


2. A dining establishment offering meals consisting of one meat and three vegetables.


3. Any cafe, restaurant, or diner (usually non-chain), generally in Southern locales and generally owned by single proprietors, that provides food at reasonable prices to all types of clientele from blue collar to business professionals and politicians, with a typical plate that consists of one meat, at least three vegetables (sometimes two), and either a home-made biscuit, roll or cornbread. A drink, such as Sweet Tea, is often included in the "Meat and Three" price. Daily specials and combo's can be found on typical laminated menu's; on chalkboards hanging on the wall; or even on plain handwritten or copied pieces of paper. Business hours can start early, where the "Meat and Three" also offers breakfast, and can go to an early-afternoon close just after the lunch crowd; while some stay open from early in the morning until late in the evening; and others are open for just a few hours during lunch.

--Plural. meat and threes. --Alternate forms. meat-and-three; meat-n-three; meat'n'three.

Well, that's it. I am sure it could probably be "tightened up" a bit, but I think you probably get the idea. There are tons of these great little places. So, get out there and try one today!

October 2006 HistoryBlog articles

Click any of the links below to go to the entry on HistoryBlog.MEATandTHREE.com, my old blog.

• Historic Coffee Cup in Charlotte, NC asked by landowner to leave building
• Park Avenue Pub in Greenville, SC offers Meat and Three lunch
  
• Joe's Produce and Deli - old-school Meat and Three in Joelton, TN
• Bobby Hamilton, Jr.’s Court House Café on the square in Springfield, TN
• Joe’s Place Family Restaurant - new Meat and Three in Hendersonville, TN
• Well-known Nashville Meat and Three, The Loveless Cafe, survives burglary attempt
• Denise Hitchcock, on 'Minute Vacations" and Susie's Sunset Cafe in La Fayette, GA
• Hap Townes in Nashville - my 1st Meat and Three experience

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

MEATandTHREE.com (Home)
MEATandTHREE.com (USA page)
MEATandTHREE.com (Photo Gallery)

November 2006 HistoryBlog articles

Click any of the links below to go to the entry on HistoryBlog.MEATandTHREE.com, my old blog.

• Maisie's in the Village of Old Hickory, TN
• Need some Alabama Meat and Three History
  
• Quick lunch at downtown City Cafe in Murfreesboro, TN
• Quick lunch at Cal’s Country Kitchen in Madison, TN
• Twice is Nice at Star Cafe in Goodlettsville, TN
• Ole Dinner Bell in Nashville, TN rings bell for free lunch
• A Trip and Detour to Rudy's and Sarah's in Clarksville, TN
• Upscale B. McNeel's in Murfreesboro, TN serves weekday Meat & Three option
• Lunch Road Trip to School House Cafeteria in Adams, TN

Thanks!
Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

MEATandTHREE.com (Home)
MEATandTHREE.com (USA page)
MEATandTHREE.com (Photo Gallery)

December 2006 HistoryBlog articles

Check out the December 2006 articles that were posted on HistoryBlog.MEATandTHREE.com. Clicking on one of the links in the list below will take you over to that original article.

• Silver Grill in Atlanta, GA closes
• Belle Meade Cafeteria in Nashville, TN to close
  
• Added Miller's Grocery in Christiana, TN
• Country Junction Restaurant in Joelton, TN
• Closed Meat & Three - Old Hickory Restaurant in Old Hickory, TN
• New Amy's Diner in Old Hickory, TN
• Old School Cafe in Spring Hill, TN

Thanks!

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

MEATandTHREE.com (Home)
MEATandTHREE.com (USA page)
MEATandTHREE.com (Photo Gallery)

January and February 2007 HistoryBlog articles

Please see the list of blog posts from January and February 2007 on our former blog, HistoryBlog.MEATandTHREE.com. Click on any of the links below to go to the particular blog article.

• Photo Tour of Nashville and Middle TN Meat and Threes
  
• Additions to MEATandTHREE.com
• Lunch at Ole' Farmhouse Diner in Millersville, TN
• Lunch at the Ole Dinner Bell in Nashville, TN
• Judy's City Cafe in Gallatin, TN
• Recent additions to the MEATandTHREE.com site
• Copper Kettle Cafe in Nashville, TN still strong after 2004 fire
• New Meat and Three in Selma, AL
• Lunch at Amy's Cafe in Greenbrier, TN
• Lunch at Miller's Grocery in Christiana TN
• Ruby's Kitchen in Hendersonville TN
• City Cafe in Brentwood, TN
• Meat and Threes Alive and Well in 2007

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

MEATandTHREE.com (Home)
MEATandTHREE.com (USA page)
MEATandTHREE.com (Photo Gallery)

March 2007 HistoryBlog articles

Take a look at some of the March 2007 articles that were posted on HistoryBlog.MEATandTHREE.com. Most were randomly selected during the month, but one was a blurb about a Nashville meat-n-three restaurant that was featured on the Fine Living Channel.

• The Log Cabin Restaurant in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee
• Madea's Down-Home Cookin' in Fort Worth, Texas
• Latest visits to Meat and Threes
• Mama Dip's Kitchen in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Kierre's Kountry Kitchen in Little Rock, Arkansas
• Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta Georgia
• Bell Buckle Cafe in Bell Buckle Tennessee
• Romie's Grocery in Tupelo Mississippi
• Main Street Diner in Greenville South Carolina
• 15th Street Diner in Tuscaloosa Alabama
• Nashville, TN Meat & 3 on Fine Living channel

Take care, and come back to see us!

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

MEATandTHREE.com (Home)
MEATandTHREE.com (USA page)
MEATandTHREE.com (Photo Gallery)