Wow. Just got back from lunch and had to write a review. It's been years since I've eaten there and now I'm asking myself "why so long?" The service is functional. Nothing special there. Order at the table, pay at the register. The atmosphere is what I call tea-room girlie. Kind of a shabbly chic flare with a nod to New York City space dynamics. The tables are very, very close together and it gets really loud in there. It's a small place so I'm sure they're just trying to get as much revenue as they can for the square footage. My myself and friends each ordered the chicken salad place with crackers and fresh fruit. Lovely, lovely, lovely - such a visual display. I wish I'd had my camera with me! The chicken salad is smooth & moist (e.g. not dry, but not mayo-laden either) with slices of red seedless grapes mixed in and just a few chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans). The consistency is very much like a creamy pate`, not chunky or wet. The variety of fruit they put on the plate is surprising and beautiful! I had passionfruit, honeydew, cantelope, pears, green apple, dried dates, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, dried bananas, fresh bananas sprinkled with cinneman, and a muscadine! And the crackers aren't your standard crackers either. Sesame, wasa, toasted flatbread, and whole wheat all artfully arranged. My best advice - go early and go often. read more

Came here with my husband after looking at all the good reviews. We decided to order a meal that another customer had ordered. The waiter pointed out the meal on yhe menu. The waiter brought my food and knocked food off my plate onto the table. No apologies, no offer to clean up or anything. Instead I got an extra blank plate and a "oh you can put that on the plate." He didnt even offer to replace the food, but rather expected me to eat what had fallen on the table. The waiter didn't even bother coming back to our table. Food overall was nothing special. I ordered the turkey pasta, and it was basically cold bland pasta with a chunk of deli turkey slices. To top it off, the waiter didnt bother telling us that there were extra costs for the turkey in our meal (despite the fact that the menu clearly noted turkey in the dish) so we ended up having to pay an extra $3 each. Awful awful awful service. The poor service alone is enough for me to not recommend anyone to come here. After eating at restaurants all over the world, I can honestly say this was the worst dining experience I have ever had. read more

Look, I really want you to go to O'Carr's. Really, I do. The food is delicious, healthy and satisfying, but please heed my warning--you must go before you start feeling even the slightest twang of hunger. Plan ahead for this delicious, deli lunch, because if you don't, your stomach will be growling with anger before you ever reach the door. O'Carr's is located in the very popular South Homewood area. So popular that you might have to take a couple infuriating laps around the block to find a parking space. It is also a very small, cafe-like dining room that might require a small wait for a table if you go during peak lunch-time hours. After all that, you'll be really happy you went. They serve up a variety of different salads, fruit plates, deli sandwiches, panini sandwiches and made from scratch soups. What I get is usually what everyone else in the restaurant also has in front of them--The chicken salad and greens plate. This is a salad that takes over the plate! It's a colorful combination of greens, carrots, tomatoes, and peas in a light olive oil and lemon dressing. On top of that is a serving of their famous chicken salad and quite a show of different crackers. This chicken salad is so good! It's shredded chicken with just enough mayonnaise to hold it together, the perfect amount of seasoning and some fresh purple grapes. It's pretty, pretty good stuff. read more

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O'Carrs how I miss you so often my Mom and I plotted opening a franchise in Charlotte (or can you deliver?). I've been coming to this place for the better half of my life and everything I've ever had is fabulous! Pasta with lemon/oil dressing is a classic to-go. Chicken salad & fruit plate is what I get 80% of the time. The other 20 is for that Asparagus Turkey salad. read more

I have been going to O'Carr's in Homewood for around 22 years now. My mom and I fell in love with the Chicken Salad fruit plate. We rarely go in and sit down but have on a few occasions. We work nearby. One of the main reasons we don't go in is because of the cramped space. It is just ridiculous to sit that close to other people and also wait in line while others are trying to go in and out of the door which is also right next to alot of the tables. I don't want to sit that close to others, much-less have people stand over me scouring, hoping I will hurry up with my lunch so they can sit down. But, here is my reason for posting. I had not been in around 6-8 months so I dropped in the other day. I had not gone because I wasn't impressed the last few times I had gone. The Chicken Salad was to die for years ago. But something seemed to have changed. It's just not as good as it once was. It's still a good chicken salad, i just don't rave over it and tell others like I once did. And it could be partly because I could once get double the dollop of chicken salad with the fruit for half the price. I understand that costs go up with inflation. I really do... But when I can go to DINNER and get a STEAK with 2 sides at an establishment such as Applebee's for around $12-surely they can charge less than $12 for chicken salad and fruit no bigger than the size of my palm and for lunch. I will say this though-a few of the fruit pieces that they put on the plate is unique. But the prices aren't just pricey with one dish in my honest opinion-I got the Mediterranean (Greek) Salad instead the other day and it was right at $10 with tax (it has zero meat on it). It's only lettuce, feta, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and lemon/oil dressing. That is it! So, just know that going in... I just don't feel that O'Carr's is what it once was. read more

We recently celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary by revisiting O'Carr's. They had catered our wedding and we have always had fond memories of the delicious food and warm atmosphere there. Other restaurants try for this kind of excellence, but never even come close! The chicken salad fruit plate is beautiful to look at and soo good with unusual fruit, interesting crackers, and the chicken salad is really wonderful-tasting. And the prices are reasonable, too. We plan on coming back soon to this wonderful restaurant! Also, the owners and staff are so pleasant there and make you feel welcome. read more

I really want to like O'Carr's... It's a small, local deli that's been around for years. Normally, I'd be all over a place like this but I just can't say I feel that way about O'Carr's. It's really cramped, smells a little funny and the food is nothing special. We've now been twice. On our first trip, I had the "must have" chicken salad which I found to be dry and flavorless and bordering on cringe-worthy. Today was a deli sandwich which was good. The roast beef was medium rare and tender, the rye was fresh and had a nice taste. Sandwiches are ala carte so chips, pasta salad, etc are an up-charge. There was nothing wrong with the sandwich but there was nothing that made me say "wow" about it. read more

We just had milkshakes and drinks. All the employees in the dining area were seriously sour faced and stern looking- not happy AT ALL. read more

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amazing! my mom and i always go to ocarrs when we're in birmingham and get the chicken salad fruit plate. it's my favorite chicken salad and their fruit is always fresh. read more

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I had the chicken salad/fruit plate to go. I've been here before the chicken salad is really good. Unfortunately this go round the fruit wasn't that fresh. The banana shouldn't have been put on the plate at all it was seriously gross and was brown all the way around. The crackers were stale this time around too :( This won't be the last time I go here but was super disappointed in the fruit and crackers especially when I paid 8.35 plus tax for this. read more

The chicken salad is the top rated highest quality chicken salad you'll ever eat. Excellent service and the food is absolutely phenomenal. They know their customers by name. Parking is a little tough, so be prepared to get there early to get a good parking spot in Homewood, but it's 100% worth the travel. Chicken salad is unbeatable; you'll want to take a plate for a friend to share how good the food is! read more

My family surprised me with a special take-out birthday lunch celebration on the day of Yelp's Big Night In. (Since it was my birthday, I wasn't focused on taking photos, and I regret having no visual to go along with my review). I didn't get to choose the restaurant or menu, but my family knows me well -- they chose O'Carr's in downtown Homewood! My husband and I shared our plates -- their classic chicken salad plate and the knock-your-socks-off fresh fruit/cheese plate with cream cheese & olive spread. When you have the chance to eat IN at O'Carr's, that's an experience in itself! The walls are framed with black-and-white photos of the past that are quite entertaining to scan while you wait for a table or for your meal. And when they deliver either of the dishes we shared yesterday, it's truly a 3-dimensional presentation of mounded fresh fruit or chicken salad, always topped off with artistically placed artisan crackers -- a variety of which cannot be matched! Our carry-outs plates, lovely disposable clear plastic plates, were very thoughtfully and thoroughly wrapped, with crackers wrapped separately so they were not the least bit soggy. Each plate was filled with such a generous serving! This birthday surprise only makes me hungry for a chance to go there again. read more

Two words: Chicken Salad. Everything on the menu at O'carrs is delicious, but if you don't have the chicken salad at least once, you're missing out. My personal favorite is the Chicken Salad with greens... It's 1/4lb chicken salad on greens (actual salad greens.. Not iceberg or romaine!), with tomatoes, carrots, fresh green peas and lots of fancy crackers. Of course, one can also have the chicken salad on a sandwich, with fruit and crackers, or to go! O'carrs also has great soups and desserts... If you're still hungry after all that chicken salad. They're only open until 2 or 3pm most days, so keep an eye out for that. The restaurant is also small, so if you're dining in, be prepared to wait (especially if you're trying to seat more than 2 or 4 people). If you're getting food to go though, they are super speedy with your order. read more

Had an older lady as our waitress who was extraordinarily rude and had a terrible attitude. I ordered "I'll have the exact same" as my friend who ordered right before me and she openly assumed I wanted to order for myself what every person at the table ordered which makes no sense. She then took my menu, used it to hide her face from mine and made a joke about me to my friends at the table! Astounding! We finished our meal, ordered dessert and the second we put our forks down she came to our table and said, "So are you going to order again or are you going to leave because I have 6 people waiting." I have never experienced such unwelcoming and personally offensive service. Will not return. read more

I unfortunately worked here for around a month. The woman that runs the place is by far the most difficult and hateful person I've ever worked for. She treats her staff will all the disrespect in the world and god forbid you make a mistake because that's the end of you. I've read several reviews over the past couple of years about the service, the lack of cleanliness and the food being extremely overpriced. I understand this place has been around awhile, but I've worked in many restaurants and I'm pretty savy about the business aspect of it all. I don't ever leave these types of reviews but after reading more less than satisfactory reviews than pleasant ones I wanted to share my thoughts and experience. The owner is extremely selfish and greedy and like one guy said a dollop of chicken salad is insanely overpriced.. Mistakes are not allowed on this lady's turf. As humans we all make mistakes no one can be perfect. And I'm only one of the many negative feelings and experiences about this place. Don't let the little old lady fool you she is evil and treats her employees horrible and one mistake she washes her hands of you. There are a ton of places that serve chicken salad in this area and believe me when I say Zoe's and Chicken Salad Chick are so much more worth your time on many levels. They give Good Vibes, there establishments are updated and extremely clean and you get more for your money every time. Believe me when I say there is absolutely nothing special about O'Carrs restaurant in Homewood. read more

Made from scratch soups daily. Consistent quality and service. Reasonable price. Great chicken salad?

We order the chicken salad fruit plates for work a couple of times a month. The chicken salad is delicious and the fruit variety is amazing. My plate had watermelon, pineapple, plum, banana, apple, pear, blueberries, blackberries, a strawberry, kiwi, raisins, cantaloupe, nectarine, honeydew melon and even a small slice of orange & grapefruit and a few dried banana chips. Their fruit is always fresh and yummy. read more

the hubs and i had lunch at o'carr's today for our first anniversary. it is one of our favorite spots in town so we had to go there to celebrate. my better half ordered a turkey sandwich on pumpernickel with a bowl of homemade vegetable soup. i had the classic chicken salad and greens plate. o'carr's slogan is "eat by color" and they really know what they are talking about there. you eat with your eyes first, and the plates are vibrant and three dimensional. the carved carrots and crackers that look like sculptures on my plate. the service is top notch - fast, friendly, and has a real hometown feel. the food is unbelievable and the atmosphere is unlike anything else around. i always recommend this place to out of towners who want a genuine birmingham experience. read more

Great service. Outstanding food. Highly suggest the Reuben sandwich. Will for sure be back again.

O'Carr's is being demoted only b/c I recently started getting take-out due to my hectic schedule, and I believe the quality is not the same--portions are less and not fresh! I was basically the 1st customer on Monday around 10:45ish as it was my turn to go get food for the office. I order many batches of chicken salads with greens and chicken salad with crackers. There was so many wilted greens and brown sludge in the salad. It gave the salad a bitter taste and just really disgusting. We had to throw away good portions of the salad b/c of the wilted greens which contaminated other greens with the nasty brown sludge. On top of that, the chicken salad was not fresh. I really believe they saved most of what they gave us during Saturday leftovers. Lessons: Do not order take-out and do not be the 1st customers of the day. read more

Love the food - the service was horrible. Since I live out of state and my restaurant options are limited, may have to take them off the list. Sad. Hate to see this happen to what was such a great place. read more

Maybe I just came on a bad day. Got a to-go order. (That was honestly a speedy process!) Get to my destination and start eating and notice there's mold on my grapes. The strawberry doesn't look too appealing either. For the money I paid, I'm so disappointed in the quality of the food. Will not go to this location again but will be willing to go to the Cahaba location maybe. read more

The food here is always wonderful. 2 of the last 3 times we've been have been unpleasant experiences due to the same waiter both times. I believe he may be a son or grandson of the owners; whoever he is, he has no business waiting tables. Young, dark-haired guy who seems to think he's too cool to actually check on his customers. We finished our lunch and sat there hoping to have some coffee and a slice of the awesome chocolate cheesecake. He didn't come back to check on us and we grew tired of looking at our plates and waiting so we paid the bill and left. If we do ever come back I will speak to the owners first and tell them we can only be customers if the Young Man is not assigned to us. read more

I always go here for the chicken salad fruit plate. The IDEAL lunch, generous scoop of there famous chicken salad ( ground chicken, grapes, pecans), fantastic variety of fresh fruit, sprinkling of dried fruits and gourmet crackers. read more

The chicken salad is best I've had and with a plate full of fruit is one of most flavorful and healthy lunches around. Great food, great location. read more

Horrible. Food was not edible...chicken breast was tough and could not be cut with a knife...I think it was just a hard microwaved piece of chicken. Asked management to replace the chicken or even substitute something else, like chicken salad, and they refused...said they NEVER make substitutions for any reason...they became ugly when we asked why, as we were asking for a lower priced item to replace the more expensive item that we would actually be paying for. Poor food and poor management...too many other good places to eat in Birmingham and nearby in Homewood. THE WORST customer service...do not expect to receive good customer concern at all. read more

I've been coming here for almost twenty years, and I still make sure to come back whenever I'm in town. I love the whole O'Carr's experience--the understated but good service, the atmosphere, and the delicious food. Their chicken salad is actually the best ever (and probably one of the best dishes in the area) and their milkshakes are to die for. My only quibble is with several recent menu choices. They took a huge number of cold cuts off their menu several years ago. This probably wasn't a huge loss to most customers--not even to me, really--but it's sad to lose another place in Birmingham that makes real deli sandwiches, complete with all kinds of odd meats. More recently, they stopped making the cream cheese and crab spread, which was amazing. Nonetheless, this place is definitely worth a stop if you're in the area--understated, homey, classy, not flashy, not sterile (ahem, Soho in Homewood and most new eateries around here). The kind of place where the staff will remember you even though you only came back once a year for the last ten years, and where you'll get something unavailable in any other region of the country (it is very Southern in its own way). read more