Alabama is home to many incredible restaurants, including The Bright Star in Bessemer. This award-winning restaurant has been serving customers since 1907, which makes it Alabama’s oldest restaurant. It’s also one of America’s best historic and most iconic restaurants. Even though these facts are well known, there are many you might not be familiar with. Listed below are 10 facts about The Bright Star that just might surprise you. Check them out!
1. When The Bright Star first opened for business in 1907, it was just a small cafe with a horseshoe-shaped bar.
3. The Bright Star specializes in Greek-influenced steak and seafood, and interestingly, its Broiled Seafood Platter was included on the list of "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die."
4. For all new customers, this historic restaurant offers a free cup of its famous seafood gumbo, which has been voted the best gumbo in the Southeast.
7. The Bright Star has definitely seen its fair share of celebrities walk through the doors, including Sandra Bullock. Others include professional athletes, politicians, comedians, and more.
10. And in 2010, it was the first Alabama restaurant to receive the James Beard Foundation's "America's Classic" award. The James Beard Foundation (JBF) Awards is widely known as "The Oscars of Food."
For more information about The Bright Star, you can view its website here and its Facebook page here. Hours: Everyday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch); Sunday-Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (dinner); Friday-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (dinner); Bar Service, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Have you ever dined at The Bright Star in Bessemer, Alabama? If so, what did you think? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments.