⭐️ Iconic local restaurant earns spot on list of the most nostalgic places



THIS IS ALABAMA \| May 15, 2026

Iconic Alabama restaurant earns spot on list of the most nostalgic places

Steaks at The Bright Star, a beloved restaurant in Bessemer, Alabama. (The Birmingham News file photo/Hal Yeager)

Got a taste for something nostalgic?

The Food Network recently released a list of “50 nostalgic eats that will inspire your next road trip,” and a beloved Alabama restaurant that’s been in business for more than 100 years was among ‘em.

The Bright Star in Bessemer is the oldest family-owned restaurant and an Alabama institution to many, which makes its place on Food Network’s list of nostalgic eats worth road tripping for, which included everything from vintage ice cream parlors to drive-ins across the country, almost a given.

The beloved restaurant, which first opened as a 12-seat bar in 1907, features an eclectic menu full of Greek-style steaks and desserts, including its signature pineapple and cheese pie, which Food Network spotlighted as a throwback favorite.

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⭐️ Iconic local restaurant earns spot on list of the most nostalgic places

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