A new restaurant concept connected to a well-known Alabama dining family is preparing to open in Homewood, bringing back familiar influences from a longtime Birmingham food brand.
New Family-Driven Restaurant Opens in Homewood
Zozo’s Kitchen is set to open on May 1 at 1830 29th Avenue South, Suite 115, in Homewood. The restaurant represents a new independent venture from the Cassimus family and will expand to four locations across central Alabama by summer.
The concept evolved from Zoë’s & Marky’s Kitchen, which opened in Tuscaloosa the previous year. Existing locations under that brand will transition to the Zozo’s Kitchen name, with additional expansion planned for Hoover later in the year.
The restaurant focuses on fresh preparation and simple ingredients. Proteins are grilled and prepared using olive oil and real ingredients, with an emphasis on made-to-order meals and consistent recipes across locations.
A Family Brand Built on Restaurant Heritage
Zozo’s Kitchen continues a long family history in Alabama’s restaurant industry. The Cassimus family previously founded Zoë’s Kitchen in Birmingham in the 1990s, a Mediterranean-style restaurant that later expanded nationally before being sold and rebranded under new ownership.
Family member John Cassimus has also developed several other restaurant concepts over the years, including fast-casual and specialty dining brands across the region. The new concept draws from that experience while returning to a more personal, family-centered approach.
The restaurant’s leadership describes the new brand as a continuation of family traditions rather than a corporate chain. The focus remains on recipes and cooking styles tied to the family’s earlier ventures in Alabama’s food scene.
Expansion Plans and a Return to Familiar Flavors
Zozo’s Kitchen will begin with its Homewood flagship location before expanding to additional sites, including a Hoover restaurant scheduled to open later in the summer.
The concept will also incorporate elements from earlier family restaurants. Some locations will feature legacy menu items and design details that reflect the family’s history in the industry.
According to the owners, the goal is to combine familiar flavors with a refreshed identity. The restaurant emphasizes fresh preparation, simple ingredients, and a dining experience rooted in family tradition.
With multiple locations planned and a recognizable name returning in a new form, Zozo’s Kitchen marks a continuation of a long-standing presence in Alabama’s restaurant landscape.
Sign up for the Homely Birmingham newsletter to stay up to date on Birmingham.
