Restaurants in Huntsville

More than 50 years go, Mike Ilitch was poised for major-league glory. An up-and-coming shortstop for the Detroit Tigers, his baseball finesse was blossoming when an injury derailed his sports career. But although the wound stunted his athletic aspirations, it steered him toward a new path, and on May 8, 1959, he and his wife opened the first Little Caesar's location, a then-unheard-of carryout-only joint. The career shift and novel technique eventually proved triumphant—today, the pizzeria's iconic, toga-clad mascot adorns storefronts on five continents. In each shop, staffers forge the signature Hot-N-Ready pizza, a freshly baked pie designed for instant pick-up, and warm, garlicky Crazy Bread. With a storied half-century under their belt, Mike Ilitch and his family strive to give back, supporting local organizations and creating its own charitable programs.

Hibachi Express's chefs fry up popular Asian dishes using authentic Japanese cooking techniques. On piping-hot hibachi grills, they sauté scallops, pork chops, and crisp veggies while firing up noodles to create savory yaki-soba dishes or wigs for self-conscious shumai dumplings. They also whip up Japanese barbecue and lemon sauces to punch up the flavor of their crispy chicken and pork katsu and keep spoons gainfully employed in bowls of miso or hot-and-sour soup.

The culinary artisans at Phuket Thai Restaurant sling a menu of Thai cuisine and sushi rolls as colorful as the eatery's yellow and red walls. Coconut milk–infused curries and noodle dishes share plate real estate with house specialties such as roasted duck curry and spicy catfish, as well as more than 25 sushi rolls packed with fresh seafood and vegetables. Steaming pans also sizzle gluten-free and vegetarian entrees, and chefs gladly accommodate requests for varying levels of spice and sentience. Asian artwork dots the walls throughout the dining room, lending to an overall vibe of soothing east-Asian calm.

Amid Mei Wei Asian Bistro's varnished hardwood furnishings and potted greenery, colorful dishes celebrate culinary traditions from across China and Southeast Asia. Fresh salads, saucy noodle dishes, and flavorful rice plates come alive with the tastes of thai peppers and curries, and like an auto-tuned reading of the Spring and Autumn Annals, the tempting bill of fare culminates with modern takes on Asian classics, such as crispy lettuce chicken wraps. Guests lay down a tasty base for most meals with their choice of chicken, beef, tofu, or shrimp, and then chefs fill out dishes with fresh veggies and rich seasonings and sauces

The police aren't on to him––yet. But Capone can't leave anything to chance. He's bullet-proofed the hardwood floors with sand. He's dug secret tunnels, and rigged escape hatches on the roof. Despite his preparations, though, he never feels quite secure. With a final glance over his shoulder, he heads to the stone patio to kick back some contraband suds with Dillinger.

A lot of stories like this one fly around High Point restaurant, where the digging of the tunnels in the basement may or may not have been funded by Al Capone. Though these rumors are gospel to owners Ron and Jama Turner, they make sure that their eatery offers visitors more than just stories. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the three-story compound brings to mind a quaint ski lodge with its large courtyard and verdant hedges. Inside, the dining room is flooded with natural light from large bay windows, and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace sits atop the original 1920s hardwood floors.

Then, there's the food. At dinnertime, dark wood tables populate with fresh seafood and steaks in wine and butter sauce. The menu also bespeaks bayou influence, with zesty preparations of jambalaya, crawfish, and New Orleans–style barbecue shrimp. While spooling seafood pasta around their forks, patrons can question servers about High Point's catering services or question the owners about whether the fountain out front was ever used by Capone to make homemade gin.