Ever been traveling Interstate 65 in Alabama and been looking for something to eat and don’t want the usual chain exit stops? Luckily for us all, there are plenty of restaurants right off the interstate that are just what you are looking for.

For the sake of this article, I narrowed it down to places just a couple of miles from an exit. If you have to travel a while to make it to the restaurant, it didn’t make this list.

Also: I know there are plenty of great places I missed. (Interstate 65 is awfully long, after all.)  If you have a suggestion, send my way!

Buc-ee’s

2328 Lindsey Lane, Athens

Exit 347

You can’t have an interstate stop list without having Buc-ee’s on there, right?

Sure, it’s technically not a restaurant, but you can find plenty of food at the Texas-based mega-convenience store. Buc-ee’s is most well-known for its brisket and beaver nuggets, but I’ll argue its burritos (both breakfast and lunch/dinner) are the stars of the show. Grab a couple of bags of candy (Buc-ee’s gummies are fresher than the ones you’ll find at other gas stations) and a massive fountain drink and you’ll have plenty of food for your road trip.

(And don’t forget about the clean restrooms while you’re there.)

READ MORE: 5 things you should buy at Buc-ee’s

All Steak Restaurant

323 3rd Ave. SE, Cullman

Exit 308

Looking for a nicer meal instead? Just a couple miles off Interstate 65 is one of Cullman’s most iconic restaurants: All Steak.

All Steak, which goes back to the 1930s, has a menu ranging from Gulf seafood to prime rib to smashburgers. (And there’s a kid’s menu, too, if you have young ones with you.)

But the real stars of the show are All Steak’s orange rolls, which have been named as one of the “100 dishes to eat in Alabama” by the state tourism department. When these rolls are piping hot, they’re some of the best treats you’ll ever eat. (And when they’re cold, they’re still pretty near perfect.) Make sure to get some for the road – you’ll want them later.

READ MORE: Reviving an Alabama classic at All Steak

Annie Mae’s Wing Stop

9943 Cooper Drive, Warrior

Exit 282

Locals are mighty proud of Annie Mae’s Wing Stop and after one bite it’s pretty easy to see why. The small eatery serves up plenty of wing flavors ranging from Jamaican Jerk to Garlic Parmesan to Brown Sugar Bourbon. And if you’re not in the mood for wings, that’s totally fine. (OK, it’s not fine, because you’re missing out.) Annie Mae’s also serves catfish filets, cheesesteak rolls, pork chops and more, and you’ll be satisfied with whatever you order.

No matter how full you are, don’t miss out on the banana pudding. A year ago, my colleague Tamika Moore stopped by Annie Mae’s after a recommendation from locals, and she’s still gushing about the banana pudding.

I’ll say this: The restaurant isn’t fancy. It’s a bit of a hole-in-the-wall. But we all know by now that those are the best places, right?

Sushi Village

592 Fieldstown Road, Gardendale

Exit 271

I’m a huge Sushi Village fan. Is it the state’s best sushi? No. But it does serve above average sushi at a pretty reasonable price, and I’m more than good with that.

You can find the best deals here at lunchtime. My go-to is the Maki Roll special; you get to choose any two rolls plus get salad and a soup as well, all for less than $15. At lunchtime the restaurant also offers bento boxes, hibachi specials, teriyaki platters and more at good prices.

It’s easy to overlook Sushi Village – it’s in a strip mall right off of the busy Fieldstown Road, but it’s definitely worth the stop.

Niki’s West

233 Finley Ave., Birmingham

Exit 262B

My colleague Bob Carlton has called Niki’s West “the mothership of Birmingham meat-and-threes,” and I can’t think of a better description for the iconic Magic City cafeteria-style restaurant. If you want a taste of Birmingham, then Niki’s West is it.

The meat-and-three offers a huge, almost overwhelming variety of meats, fishes, veggies and desserts on its steam table each day to thousands of guests. If you’ve never been to Niki’s West before, I’ll warn you ahead of time: The line gets long, but it goes pretty fast because you’re expected to know what you want by the time you get to the front. It’s not a time to ask a zillion questions about the food. But if you don’t know what you want by the time it’s your turn, use my method: Just point at the first items you see. You might find some new favorites that way.

READ MORE: The story of Niki’s West

Creekside BBQ

1020 Oak Mountain Park Road, Pelham

Exit 246

Located in a former Waffle House building, Creekside BBQ is far from your typical BBQ joint. Fronted by Chef Eric Pippert, you can find plenty of smoked meats and elevated sides on the menu. The restaurant, open since 2021, is well known for its barbecue and smash burgers, but my colleague Bob Carlton (who knows a lot about Alabama food) named another menu item one of his favorite eats of 2022: The smoked wings.

“Pippert covers the wings with a dry rub and smokes them for a couple of hours before flash-frying them and tossing them in an Alabama white sauce combined with some more dry rub,” Bob wrote. “They’re crispy on the outside and smoky on the inside with a little hint of heat on the back end.”

Order some wings and cheesy grits (or whatever else your heart desires on the menu) and get a seat on the outdoors patio, where you can watch TV or enjoy a view of Bishop Creek.

2130 7th St. S., Clanton

Exit 205

Durbin Farms is an Alabama treasure. Stop by in the summer, and you’ll find a huge parking lot full of cars. That’s because people stop by on their way to and from the beach – and continue to do that, year after year.

You’ll find plenty of fresh fruits and veggies at the market, along with knick knacks available to purchase. Stop by the restaurant portion of the market to order a hot or cold sandwich, then grab some homemade desserts. The ice cream is splendid, and the peach ice cream also made the “100 dishes to eat in Alabama” list by the Alabama Tourism Department.

READ MORE: The history of Durbin Farms

Capitol Oyster Bar

617 Shady St., Montgomery

Exit 173

If I lived in Montgomery, I’d be at Capitol Oyster Bar every week.

The restaurant is just the very definition of good vibes – it’s lowkey, non-fussy and has a relaxed atmosphere that makes it seem more like a locals-only beach restaurant than a seafood joint in Alabama’s Capital City. (It’s probably due to the restaurant being on the Alabama River, which you can get a lovely view of on Capitol Oyster Bar’s patio.)

The restaurant has a pretty tasty menu – the fried gator tails have never disappointed me, just FYI – and the oysters are pretty solid. (We named it the state’s best oyster bar back in 2016.) It’s a couple of miles off Interstate 65, but it’s worth it to check out one of the state’s best-kept secrets.

READ MORE: 5 things to know about Capitol Oyster Bar

BBQ 65

2391 Pineapple Highway, Greenville

Exit 128

On a somewhat recent-ish trip south to Dauphin Island, my family and I stopped at a gas station off I-65. Right when we got out of the car, we were assaulted with the most wonderful barbecue aromas we’ve ever smelled. We had just eaten lunch, but we kept saying, “Do we need to eat again? Where is that smell coming from?”

Turns out it was right across the street from us at another gas station, where BBQ 65 is located. And oh, BBQ 65 has some mighty delicious food (and some heavenly sweet tea). From the barbecue chicken to the pulled pork, the meats are cooked perfectly. Don’t overlook the sides – the mac and cheese is top tier, and there are usually plenty of seasonal options.

And while you won’t always find Alabama white sauce in south Alabama barbecue joints, you’ll find it here. All in all, a must visit for any Alabama barbecue fan.

READ MORE: Have you taken our Alabama BBQ IQ quiz yet?

Conecuh Sausage Gift Shop

200 Industrial Park Road, Evergreen

Exit 96

There are no Alabama food brands more beloved than Conecuh Sausage, and the Conecuh Sausage Gift Shop lives up to the brand’s popularity.

Inside the shop, there’s a food court where you can grab a few hot Conecuh dogs and smother them with toppings. (There’s also usually a daily special like a soup or stew that incorporates the sausage into the dish if you’d prefer to go that route.) Grab a homemade dessert and eat on the covered outdoors area – you can people watch while you eat. Best of all, the dogs are pretty inexpensive and one of the cheaper meals you can find, well, anywhere in 2024, honestly.

While you’re there, browse the gift shop – there are plenty of T-shirts, locally made goods and Conecuh meats to choose from. And pro tip: Use the restroom while you’re there. It’s absolutely one of the nicest restrooms you can stop at off the interstate.

READ MORE: The Conecuh Gift Shop is hog heaven, y’all.

Stagecoach Cafe

52860 AL 59, Stockton

Exit 31

If you’re looking for Southern comfort food and a server who affectionately calls you “hun,” then Stagecoach Cafe has you covered. The casual restaurant is a couple of miles off the interstate and serves meats, veggies and desserts that will make you leave and say, “Why did I eat so much?”

You can order off a menu or get food from the buffet. You can never make a bad decision by getting the fried chicken from here – it’s outstanding.

If you have stretchy pants, wear ‘em. You’ll need them.

Satsuma Chevron

6105 US 43, Satsuma

Exit 19

If you’re not from Alabama, you may be saying,  “But Haley, this is a gas station. Why is this a must-stop for food?”

And as a lifelong Alabamian, I’d have to respond, “Oh, you sweet soul. Some of our best food comes from gas stations.”

And Satsuma’s Chevron has some of the best food around. All of the food served is stellar, but it’s best known for its breakfast gumbo. Yes, say that again with me, breakfast gumbo.

The dish is cheesy grits topped with Conecuh sausage, Applewood-smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, green onion and diced sausage patties, and after one bite you’ll discover why people come from all over to try it – and why we named it one of the state’s best breakfasts.

READ MORE: The story behind that breakfast gumbo