Eating With Amy

Organic ingredients, handcrafted goodness & zero regrets...unless you didn’t order extras! Five Loaves Micro Bakery’s current lineup is EXCEPTIONAL. If you appreciate artisanal baking at its finest, here are some items you shouldn’t miss! Five Loaves Micro Bakery offers FREE local delivery in the Birmingham area, pick up at her bread stand in Leeds & can be found at Trussville Farmers Market on Saturdays.

🍎🍪FLMB takes two timeless classics, oatmeal cream pie & apple fritters, & gives them an upgrade! The oatmeal cream pies feature soft, fresh baked cookies sandwiched around luscious cream filling that’s just the right level of sweet. One bite & you’ll never settle for the packaged version again! The apple fritter is soft on the inside, perfectly golden outside & packed with homemade goodness & real apple flavor. When quality comes first, simple treats become something special!

🍑🍓🫐FLMB’s handcrafted fruit danishes are next level delicious! They feature flaky, buttery pastries layered with real fruit & luscious fruit creams for a fun mixture of sweet, tart, crisp & creamy. The peach danish & the strawberry danish stole the show & were my personal favorites.

🎂FLMB’s homemade cheesecake is silky, smooth, rich & crafted with the care only an artisanal baker can create. Every bite melts in your mouth! Simple, elegant & irresistible with a perfectly balanced graham cracker crust that adds a lovely texture contrast to the velvety cheesecake.

🥯I’ve never tasted a bagel that I enjoyed as much as the jalapeño cheddar bagel! It’s made with garden fresh jalapeño bursting with a fiery kick that’s rounded out by sharp cheddar. If spice isn’t your thing, don’t fret! There are many flavors to choose from such as blueberry, original & more.

🥖Though I’ve tasted many of FLMB’s bakes, this was my 1st time trying the sourdough bread! Cold fermented, organic sourdough is the specialty, & it’s INCREDIBLE! It’s the correct texture & has that slight tang sourdough is known for. FLMB has raised & set the bar for sourdough, for me. It’s perfect for sandwiches or snacking.

4th of July BBQ guide! Looking for some incredible que to enjoy this July 4th? These are some of my favorite bbq joints in & around Birmingham, Alabama.

🏆 Rusty's Bar-B-Q might be a bit outside of Birmingham, but it’s worth the drive to Leeds! This award winning mom & pop bbq spot has been featured in Southern Living & is a favorite of many across Alabama. My favorite is their pulled chicken with homemade Alabama white sauce.

🍖Austin Whereabouts, LLC may have just opened their brick & mortar spot, but they’ve already become one of my absolute favorite bbq spots! Their brisket is THE BEST brisket I have ever tasted. Arrive early, this is a popular local spot!

🐖🥬 Saw's Soul Kitchen pork n greens…need I say more? This dish should be the official dish of Birmingham, Alabama. A lot of love & time goes into the super succulent pulled pork. One of my favorite dishes ever.

🔥 Bob Sykes Bar B Q is the bbq I was raised on. I grew up in Hueytown, so we made the short trip to Bessemer frequently. I love their ribs, pulled pork & their smoked chicken is particularly amazing. Try the homemade pies & cakes too!

🌲💨Burning Tree Smokehouse is known for their phenomenal brisket. They also make great classic pulled pork barbecue & a darn good burger too. Absolutely worthy of a spot on your must try list.

🏔️Oak Mtn. Creekside BBQ in Pelham impressed me a lot. Great bbq & sides too. I loved their pulled chicken with homemade white sauce. We got a few pounds of bbq last July 4th & have been hooked since!

🎆What’s your favorite bbq joint that you’ll be supporting this July 4th? I’d love to add it to my must try list!

Server spotlight! This is my friend, Linda. Linda has been serving at The Bright Star for 18 years. She’s part of what puts the BRIGHT in The Bright Star! She’s the kind of person who wants your dining experience to be memorable for all the best reasons. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, kind & a pure pleasure. I wanted to take a moment to highlight such an incredible lady, a great friend & a FANTASTIC server. I highly recommend asking for her. She makes every meal extra special.

🍛Also, if you haven’t tried The Bright Star’s red beans & rice, add it to your list of MUST TRY dishes!! Tastes like a bite of Louisiana in Bessemer, Alabama.