If a visit to a Paleteria is not on your quarterly rotation of little treats, you're doing it…read morewrong. That said, I am a Paleteria FAN! For those of you unaware, a Paleteria is a Mexican snack shop, typically featuring a menu of colorful drinks, homemade ice cream flavors, fruit concoctions, traditional elote, esquite, and "walking taco" style chips covered in an assortment of ingredients. La Michoacana on Decatur's Hwy is the quintessential Paleteria EXPERIENCE! I recently visited and got the horchata (a smooth, cinnamon rice milk drink) and the #9 hot cheetos option with nacho cheese, sour cream, cotija cheese, and fresh lime. Not only was my food DELICIOUS, it was cheap! I paid maybe $10 total with tax! The service was also wonderful and quick. The ambiance was also true to the Paleteria-experience, sticky booths, bright, colorful flooring, amazing smells, and someone doing their homework in the back. You seriously can't get better than this one guys! Totally recommend.

One of Birmingham's only true creameries, where they're making all the ice cream in house. I am a…read moreself proclaimed Ice Cream Snob, but Big Spoon checks all my boxes. Unique flavors, classic flavors, the smell of fresh waffle cones inside. Big Spoon does a ton of business, as they should. The location here in Avondale is great, but not super walkable from any really good restaurants. I would love to see them open another spot on 2nd Ave. I had the strawberry tres leches in a waffle cone and it was delicious. I appreciate the care and craft that went into making sure every bit down to the bottom of the cone had ice cream in it. 10/10.

The Sweet and the Absurd: A Birmingham Creamery's Baffling Economics…read moreTo step into Big Spoon Creamery in Birmingham is to subject oneself to a masterclass in both artisanal delight and bureaucratic absurdity. On my visits--a pilgrimage undertaken reliably every month and a half--the front-line staff have never been anything short of exemplary. They are the cheerful stewards of a deeply baffling system, executing their duties with a warmth that almost distracts you from the institutional quirks around them. I say "institutional" because the management themselves are entirely phantom. They are never seen on the floor. Perhaps this is a calculated evasion; if they were ever present, they would surely have to field a relentless, exasperated inquisition regarding the tragic and ongoing absence of their finest creation: the "Magic City." Why an ice cream parlor would willingly suppress its undisputed masterpiece remains an enduring mystery. Even if the economics of its ingredients demanded a premium surcharge, "Magic City" ought to be enshrined as an immovable staple on the menu. Instead, the menu is a restless, ever-shifting carousel. I concede that a relentless churn of novelty is a virtue to a certain type of customer, but the soul of a great neighborhood institution relies on the comforting reliability of a few anchor flavors. At Big Spoon, just as you develop an affection for a flavor, it vanishes into the ether. Then, we must examine the rewards program, an endeavor so poorly conceived it borders on the avant-garde. The mathematics are punishingly flat: one point per order, regardless of whether the patron spends a single dollar or one hundred. The rational response to such a broken incentive structure is, naturally, to weaponize the system. To extract any genuine value, the savvy customer is forced into a theatrical display of micro-transactions, paying for each scoop separately. It is a loophole that needlessly punishes the very staff who make the establishment shine, forcing them to run the register three or four times for a single family's dessert. Finally, there is the creamery's bizarre pricing taxonomy. A close study of the board reveals an accidental arbitrage opportunity: the customer is objectively better off purchasing two distinct pints of ice cream and two empty waffle cones to assemble on their own time, rather than engaging in the straightforward, intended transaction of ordering ice cream scooped directly into a cone. Whoever is pulling the levers behind the curtain at Big Spoon clearly fancies themselves a clever operator, disrupting the traditional ice cream parlor model with dynamic menus and gamified loyalty. But in their pursuit of perpetual novelty and labyrinthine economics, they have embodied the old proverb perfectly: they are entirely too clever by half.

Bruster's has become our go to ice cream shop locally…read more We have been getting it almost weekly on Saturday nights for a treat and love many of the seasonal options. It is pretty easy to order ahead of time on the app. The only issue we have run into is sometimes they can't find our order if we arrive later than planned. Invariably it is always ready just can't always quickly find where they put it in the freezer. My favorite flavor is the Caramel Apple Crunch featured on the fall menu.

Waited in line for over 15 minutes to experience rude and nasty attitude from manager on dutyread more

I mean, it's fantastic ice cream. I am a major fan of the Brambleberry Crisp. It's well-known for a…read morereason. This is a great location, too. I came on a Monday afternoon with a couple friends and I believe there was only one person working, she was so nice. The outdoor seating and lights along the road at Pepper Place make this a perfect spot for summer nights.

Jeni's is always a comfort. The staff is always nice, letting you try the flavors. The best part is…read morethat they are open late, who doesn't love a late note sweet treat! See you soon!

Bendy's Cookies and Cream never disappoints! The first time my wife and I visited, it was just the…read moretwo of us on a date night. We were looking for a sweet treat to wrap up the evening and stumbled on this gem. The snickerdoodle cookies were soft, warm, and packed with cinnamon-sugar flavor. Paired with their creamy, rich ice cream--it was an instant win. We said right then and there that we'd be back. This time around, we brought the whole family to celebrate Father's Day, and we had a great time. Our son came in making a big fuss about wanting Teddy Grahams (of all things ), but we had something better planned--and Bendy's delivered. Once he got his ice cream in a waffle cone, he was all smiles and forgot all about the Teddy Grahams. Great ice cream, fresh-baked cookies, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Whether it's date night or family night, Bendy's is officially our go-to dessert spot. We had a great Father's Day, and Bendy's made it even sweeter.

Popped in around 8ish and they were low on cookies. The staff explained to me the best times to…read morecome in for a better selection......they stop baking cookies around 7pm. I really wanted to try their ice cream sandwich but I just got 1 chocolate chip cookie and 1 banana pudding cookie. Yummm!! This was my first time trying the banana pudding cookie & I loved it so much! The.choc chip is always a solid choice. I like this location because it's so easy to get in and out of. The store is clean and has nice inside and out seating available.

Yelp! HAD TO HAVE, a Turtle blizzard! This is my go to, every time. Thank you DQ for making this…read moresmall a little more realistic! But, you made the price unbelievable. 6.00 for a small blizzard. Where they do that at? Then these new drive thru girls act like they don't want to work. I love the old one who love the job and flip the blizzard over, every time! Get back that Southern Hospitality. I'll be back with all the stars!!!

This DQ has some the nicest and enthusiastic employees around. Food is served up hot and in a…read moretimely manner. Restaurant is kept clean and up to date. Plus they have an outdoor seating area for those warm spring days. Plus they bring your food to your table! Food is better than their next door neighbor who does not open on Sunday. Myself, I don't believe Jesus cares if we work on Sunday so long as we act like good people the rest of the week. IMO... Anyhoo... give DQ in Gardendale a try. Go on a Saturday if you want to compare!

Stopped by Yummy's on a recent Friday night. The restaurant was somewhat busy but also seemed short…read morestaffed. It took an extended amount of time for food and drinks. Once we finally received our order, the food and drinks were good. My husband had the fried pork chop plate. The pork chops were seasoned and fried to perfection. I had the yummy baker with shrimp. The shrimp were seasoned well and there was sautéed onions and peppers added to the potato. There was also a pickle on the plate which I thought was interesting. For drinks we tried the henny punch. It had good flavor and lots of fresh fruit mixed in. The owner was very apologetic about the long wait. Would I return...yes.

Everything was so good!! I stopped by in here during a conference at The Link with the Fombys. They…read morewanted to sow into this business and I will say very well worth it! They were so accommodating with our huge group and hefty orders. I had the lobster tail (which was huge) with asparagus, grits and eggs. I don't know what they put in them eggs but CHILE it was so good. Will be back to support! Real chill bar and grill type of vibe.

Always a great choice to stop at K & J's! New cupcake selections made each day. If you miss the…read morestore hours, no worries. Just get something out of the vending machine! If you want to sit down and enjoy your treats, you'll enjoy all the beautiful pink decor and relaxed atmosphere.

Such a cuteeeee dessert lounge! The staff were extremely polite and helpful with me making a…read moredecision on what to try since they have an endless amount of variety options to choose from. This pastry lounge is really clean and the splash of pink everywhere is amazing! I will most definitely go back to try other items!

As Siri says Buck Eeees It's like the Costco of gas…read morestations! You'll spend more than your quick run in for snacks gas station run.

The sign on the doors clearly say NO PETS only SERVICE ANIMALS....YET thia entitled caucasian woman…read morewas allowed to stroll through Buccees with her POMERANIAN...as it walks and sheds hair. I told TWO team members and one was in the presence of a manager who just smiled and sqid we-ll take care of it and then continued with their conversation. ZERO REGARD FOE THE FOOD PREP......AND 1000% COURTESY FOR THE ENTITLED WOMAN WITH THE DOG.

OMG! Sonic is awful. I was craving a chili cheese dog. So of course I got the footlong. I don't…read morethink the hotdog was ever on the bun. The wiener was out of bun and chili was everywhere, try and stick to the bun like it's been microwave. Don't do that. Try to do people right. Fries cold, tots cold and we bought 2meals. New refresher is yuck. What's up with this? Y'all already know. SMH, I'm not coming back for this.

I go here with my friends because it stays open late and I like the food. However the service is…read moretrash, the warrior one is way better. The people have attitudes like crazy and half the speakers outside don't work (or they're just not answering). The attitude the workers have when u ask questions is just ridiculous. The lady with the accent was rude and honestly it just makes us not want to eat there.