Dining in Montgomery, Alabama

Dining out is alive and well in Montgomery, Alabama. Far from having to make do with the usual chain restaurants, the various neighborhoods and communities in Montgomery each have their own collections of locally owned restaurants that not only hold their own, but thrive, thanks to their charm, friendliness and consistently high quality dishes.

One such community is Old Cloverdale. Once considered the section of town where the movers and shakers of the city resided, Cloverdale has retained its sense of gentry while expanding its image to being known as an area supportive of human rights, the arts, and higher education. Boasting two universities and a country club, Cloverdale delights in its diversity almost as much as it takes pride in the local restaurants that are integral to the events and life of the neighborhood.

As one of the hallowed spots in Old Cloverdale, Martin’s Restaurant offers good old fashioned Southern cooking, with plentiful portions on every plate. Anchoring one end of Cloverdale’s only “modern” shopping center, this restaurant offers a happy respite from running errands or dealing with day to day living. Completely unpretentious in both décor and food, Martin’s is the place to go when craving fresh-from-the skillet fried chicken (a Martin’s specialty), mounds of black eyed peas, perfectly seasoned turnip greens, creamy mashed potatoes and hearty gravy. In addition to the fried chicken, Martin’s meat loaf also is a favorite with the weekday lunch crowd. Vegetables vary from day to day, with whatever is currently in season spotlighted.

Desserts also bring in the crowds, with Martin’s home made meringue pies being the perfect compliment to after dinner coffee. Especially popular is Martin’s coconut pie, with a filling just sweet enough without going over the top, and a mile high meringue tanned to a golden brown.