HOW TO SPEAK SOUTHERN

If you’re not from around here, some of the lingo you’ll read and hear at area restaurants may be confusing. Here’s a little dictionary to help decipher Southern food speak.

Meat & Three:

Usually refers to more casual “home cooking” spots and means the menu offers a plate with your choice of one meat (fried chicken, country fried steak, fried catfish — sensing a pattern hee?) and three sides, usually Southern-style vegetables like fried okra, fried green tomatoes, squash casserole, creamed corn, collard greens and more. Often served with cornbread or a biscuit.

Grits:

A creamy, savory porridge-like dish made from ground hominy and often embellished with cheese. Shrimp & Grits is a favorite Dixie dish.

Sweet Tea:

The default setting when you order a glass of iced-tea down here. And sweet means S-W-E-E-T. Specify “unsweet” if you don’t want any sugar. Or ask for half-and-half for just a little sweetness.

Cucos Mexican Caf

Cucos is the place to fill up on Tex-Mex standards. If you’re feeling famished, eat like a world leader by ordering the cozy eatery’s signature dish, the El Presidente. It includes cheesesmothered enchiladas, rice and refried black beans, crunchy chimichangas and a taco.

334-271-3528 • cucosmexicancafe.com

WINTZELL’S OYSTER HOUSE

The signature dish lets you dig into four different variaties of oysters. The Oyster Sampler features 16 tender oysters, including four classic Rockefeller, four chargrilled, four Bienville (topped with shrimp, crab and parmesan) and four Monterey (topped with bacon, melty cheddar and spicy jalapenos).

334-230-9636 • wintzellsoysterhouse.com

CHRIS’ FAMOUS HOT DOGS

For a bite of Montgomery, get your hands around a hot dog from Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs on Dexter Avenue. Get a taste of the fame with their signature dish, Chris’ Famous Hotdog. It is a dog drenched in Chris’ Famous Chili Sauce and filled with mustard, onions and kraut.

334-265-6850 • chrishotdogs.com

Find a full listing of Montgomery Restaurants online:

MOE’S ORIGINAL BAR-B-QUE

Experience a “Southern soul food revival” with the signature dish, Bama Style Pulled Pork Sandwich. Enjoy slow smoked pork shoulder dressed in a tangy sop sauce served on a toasted bun with house-made sweet and tangy BBQ sauce and pickles.

334-676-1978 • moesoriginalbbq.com

Let food be your tour guide through Alabama's Capital City.

EatMGM is a ten-day celebration and exploration of the bites, treats and plates that make Montgomery, Alabama one of the best places in the South to eat.

EatMGM aims to deepen and strengthen the food community in Montgomery between restaurants, diners, visitors and the media; raise awareness locally and beyond of the variety and quality of restaurants and food experiences in Montgomery; and increase business for local restaurants during the late summer. experiencemontgomeryal.com

Tower Taproom

Here there is beer on tap and at your fingertips. Don’t forget to order some food including sandwiches, salads, wings, and milkshakes for dessert. Try the signature dish, the Hangover Burger, a beef patty topped with bacon, an over-easy egg and cheddar on a maple-glazed bun.

334-356-5929 • towertaproom.com

iTHE JUICY SEAFOOD

With its signature dish, Get Your Hands Dirty, this eatery lets you choose your aquatic creature of choice, from shrimp and crab to clams and lobster, then pick your seasoning (Cajun, lemon pepper, garlic butter) and spice level to create your custom dish.

334-676-2202 • thejuicyseafoodusa.com