When you enter the Pizitz Food Hall, just across from McWane Science Center in downtown Birmingham, the sign instructs you to “Order your favorite meal, grab a drink, find a seat, and enjoy.”
The Pizitz Food Hall
While a few restaurants come and go, the Pizitz Food Hall (named after the long-time popular department store Pizitz, which used to be housed here) always has a great food selection. You and a friend can eat differently, enjoy ice cream or candy, and more. The hall is open six days a week. Be sure you check out the website for more information: www.thepizitiz.com.
My husband and I have loved to go there for several years whenever we can. His favorite is Pho Pho, where he gets Bulgogi. I like Broad Street – Nola Ice, where their cajun meals are absolutely delicious! My favorites are fried shrimp, catfish and collard greens; their seasoned fries are special. The servings are generous, too – you will not leave hungry.
The Food Hall
For other tastes, there are Ashley Mac’s, Thai Esane, Ono Poke, Silver Kati, The Louis, Thirstea Cafe, the Standard, The Spun Cow and Unos Tacos.
The Food Hall (think upscale food court) sits on the corner of First Avenue North and 18th Street North. Street parking is available, but your first two hours are free if you use the parking deck at 1801 First Avenue North. You can enter through the side doors on 18th Street by Warby Parker or through the patio (you can also eat out here), just between the parking deck and the food hall. If you pass this way, check out the smaller version of Vulcan on the patio.
The Standard
Upon entering the food hall, one of the first restaurants we saw was The Standard. This place is famous for old-fashioned hamburgers, hotdogs, fries and sandwiches. They even offer online ordering. You can also get a black bean burger, Philly cheese steak, and even fried bologna. There are tons of add-ons to choose from, and you can see their menu and more at https://www.thestandardbhm.com/menu.
Ashley Mac’s
Ashley Mac’s has multiple locations, and this restaurant is familiar to Birmingham. However, they are now at the Pizitiz and offer a fast-casual restaurant. It features cafe-favorite sandwiches, salads, bakery options and more! Keep in mind that though the Pizitz is open until 8 p.m., some restaurants, like Ashley Mac’s, close earlier. Ashley Mac’s closes at 3 p.m.
Thai Esane
Thai Esane is “born from the Sayasack family’s journey from Isan to America.” Its owners say their dishes are a testament to tradition, resilience, and love. “Dive into our world of unapologetically authentic flavors, where every bite tells a story,” the website says.
Broad Street Peaux Boys
My personal favorite, Broad Street Peaux Boys with Nola Ice, is a Cajun-inspired concept featuring menu items like the standard “peaux boy” sandwiches (fried shrimp, sausage, etc.), crawfish grilled cheese, crawfish nachos and more! Also, find your favorite flavor sno-ball with over 50 NOLA ice offerings. As I mentioned earlier, the fried shrimp and catfish are my favorites. Still, there are so many things to choose from, and I’ll have to eat there daily for a month to try all their offerings. Food servings are plentiful – and no, it’s not “too spicey.”
Pho Pho
Pho Pho is my husband’s favorite. This restaurant is also always consistent in quality. A Vietnamese concept, it features a variety of pho, ramen bowls, bibimbap, Korean and appetizers. My husband has several favorites here, and he says it never disappoints.
Silver Kati
The Silver Kati is an Indian Street food restaurant that offers a wide variety of dishes, including vegan and gluten-free options. It says it serves fast, fresh, hand-held street food inspired by the street foods of India. Check out its menu at www.silverkati.com.
ThirsTea Cafe
ThirsTea Cafe is a new place to get your bubble tea fix. It features milk teas, fruit teas, boba tea, smoothies, and more. You can even find food items here.
The Spun Cow
The Spun Cow is a super treat to polish off your meal or have an afternoon treat. It is a dessert destination that features a variety of artisan ice cream, hand-blended old-fashioned milkshakes, floats, and seasonally changing fresh-spun cotton candy. On the day we had lunch at the Pizitz, we finished our meal by sharing a scoop of butter pecan and chocolate ice cream. Quite good!
Unos Tacos
Unos Tacos is a Mexican restaurant at Pizitz that serves a simple yet thoughtful menu of tacos, quesadillas, and tostadas. Learn more at https://www.unostacosbham.com.
Forge at Pizitz
Forge at the Pizitz is not a restaurant but “a coworking space located in the heart of downtown Birmingham on the mezzanine of the world-class Pizitz Food Hall! “With our open workspace, dedicated desks, private offices, conference rooms, and event space, Forge is where entrepreneurs, small business owners, remote workers, and teams can thrive!” according to the Pizitz website.
Visiting The Pizitz Food Hall
Of course, we mentioned Warby Parker, where you can shop for glasses while visiting the Pizitz Food Hall—or anytime! You’ll also find yourself near the Sidewalk Film Cinema Center here: https://sidewalkfest.com. You’ll even find lofts upstairs in this building if you want to live here! Visit www.thepizitz.com/contact-us for more information.
