Niki's West

What can be said that has not already been said? Outstanding service, solid food offerings, reasonable prices. If you want classic southern meat and 3 (plus plus plus), you owe it to yourself and your family to spend 2 hours at Niki’s. You will not be disappointed!

My colleague recommended this spot for lunch as we were working nearby. She stated it’s always packed and boy was it! The parking lot has lots of spaces and an addition parking lot across the side street. Still, you may have a challenge finding a spot. For those of you familiar with K&W, this is very much like that. Cafeteria style, grab a tray and utensils then walk down the food displays and pick your meat, veggies, breads and desserts. You’ll get a ticket at the end of the line but you won’t pay until you leave. There was a gentleman that escorted us to a table. I didn’t experience that at K&W but it seemed to be helpful to keep the flow of things going smoothly. Servers will bring you your drink and anything else you may by way of condiments. I had the Greek chicken, which I thought would be more like chicken souvlaki in a skewer. In a rush, I didn’t look and it was baked chicken in Greek seasonings. I also got the fried green tomatoes and a side of rutabaga. Did I know what rutabaga was? No. But I liked the bright orange color of it and I’m adventurous. It was delicious and light. It’s a cross between turnips and cabbage. I enjoyed it! A little pricey for a lunch, in my opinion. But it’s fast and the food is fresh and tasty. I also had enough left over to take it home, so considering that’d the price wasn’t bad at all. I realized while making this review that there is a discounted price if you pay cash.

Obviously, this is a very popular restaurant—the parking lot was full, and the crowd reminded me of the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld—you have to order fast! That said, my beef tips and rice were disappointing. I couldn’t have been more disappointed. I’m not sure if the meat was bad or if they just don’t know how to cook it, but it was not good. Plus the rice wasn't cooked correctly either. It tasted like it wasn't cooked long enough. Overall, it’s a nice meat-and-three spot with friendly and professional staff. I just wish the food lived up to the atmosphere.

It is a unique concept to bring back high school cafeteria memories. The prices are reasonable with many side dash choices. The taste isn't too bad. This place gets really packed during lunch hours. The line moves very fast, so know your orders ahead. The meat+3 is more than enough for lunch because the portion is big. Big parking lot, so no worries, looking for a spot during rush hours.

This was our second time going to Niki's West. It was so nice and pleasant. The staff was very polite and friendly. We were seated very quickly. The food was so delicious with so many varieties to select from the beginning of the line to the end. All of the servers were professional and offered service with a smile. It was really wonderful to sit and enjoy our lunch. Great place to slow down and enjoy relaxing and eating great foods.

I was born and raised right on the Northside of Birmingham and had never been to Niki's West. I'd heard about how great the food was and so many positives. So, I had it on my bucket list to try it. I ordered steak, corn, and cabbage. And I wasn't disappointed. My son enjoyed his meal as well. And the place was huge. So, don't let a full parking lot deter you from stopping. There is plenty of room to accommodate.

My husband and myself ate there the beginning of the week. The food was worth the money, it was cafeteria style we had help getting our trays to a table as my husband is disabled. Very friendly and professional staff. We did end up bringing some of it home for another meal. Thanks so much we will be back again.

I learned of Niki's when I had railroad business at ACIPCO. Now we stop here whenever we are driving through Birmingham. Great cafeteria style southern cooking. Food is pretty good. Table server was quick with drinks and refills. Servers behind the cafeteria counter are attentive and helpful. Two older ladies at the register rudely talked about my wife when we were within earshot. Not appropriate. They also made me wait while one of them was on the phone checking on the billing for one of her storage lockers.

This was our first time eating in Birmingham. On a road trip from San Antonio, TX to Cleveland, TN. We were looking for a classic southern cafeteria style place along the route and stumbled on this one. We were expecting something like Luby's or Piccadilly's. But this was so much better! My wife got blackened tilapia, mac & cheese, collard greens ("collards" as they called them), and I got Greek chicken, fried okra, yams and sweet peas. Everything was great and each item had something special about it; not just plain like most places would serve. The chicken was very lemony and tangy (maybe just slightly on the dry side if I'm being picky, but still very good). The yams had a surprising spice of cloves, which was interesting. Okra was just like you would hope they would be-- nice crispy outside, warm and soft inside and not greasy. Peas great balanced flavor. In hindsight maybe I shouldn't have gotten both sweat peas and yams since they were both sweet things, but neither one was too overly sweet on its own. I tried a bit of all my wife's, and they were all great too. The collard greens were not bitter, just the right amount of bite. Everything was seasoned well. The rolls were great too. The cornbread was kind of typical but not bad. The decor was really cool and vintage. Lots of stained glass. Lots of seating, lots of parking, clean and well kept, line wasn't bad (there was no line while we were there). We would definitely come here again anytime passing through Birmingham.

This is always a good place to go for a group dining. We went here after a college friend and frat brother's going home service. We all got either salmon or lemon pepper catfish. Everyone enjoyed the food. We had one brother that was a first time diner. He was impressed. Our waitress was very attentive. The line was backed up to the door but it moved very fast. This is more of a cafeteria environment with a meat and 3 offer. Mine was $15.55 plus tax. I had lemon pepper catfish, Mac and cheese, collard greens and peach cobbler. Everything was good.

This place is an old cafeteria style restaurant. Lots of southern food to choose from. Staff is friendly. Many customers are long term customers.

No matter how long the line it's always going to be worth the wait. Best Meat and Three/Four to be found in Birmingham. Food served cafeteria style with an almost endless daily menu of your choice of meat item and more side items than one could imagine. Perfect atmosphere of Southern hospitality from start to finish.

Oh my goodness! This is an old standard in Birmingham, but for meat and 3 (or 4) it's still the best--the very best. Everything they offer is delicious and seasoned perfectly, just so delicious. I got a veggie plate with fried green tomatoes (yummm) blacked eyed peas (delicious) Mac and cheese (the best anywhere) and Cole slaw with a slice of onion and corn muffins. My husband got the beef stew--he said best he ever had (kinda hurt my feelings, but ok) and some veggies and bread pudding, He ate it all and smiled the whole time. Don't go for the ambiance, go for all the delicious food.

This place feels like a hidden gem in Birmingham. The place is Cafeteria style. The ambiance is great. Good home southern folks with great feel and atmosphere and very friendly service. The Liver & Onions were wonderful. The texture was good and seasoned really good. The spinach was cooked to perfection and I can taste that they seasoned the spinach too (not just throwing it in a pan and cooking it). My only negative is the white rice and gravy. It's a different gravy on the rice that was kinda bland and the rice was a little too soft like it was overcooked a tad. Overall, I would come back and highly recommend this place.

Food is delicious. Waitress very courteous and attentive. Prices good. Only negative I can say sweet tea wasn't sweet. I guess very little sugar

Another great lunch at Nikki's. The catfish was top notch and the chocolate pie today was the best ever

A great historic staple meat and three in Birmingham! Nice selections and rotations in the special and weekly menu! We always enjoy dropping in when on that side of Birmingham!

This place is iconic and has been around since probably before you were born, it has stood the test of time and for that reason alone, you should visit. To call it a meat and three is a wild understatement. Soul food, southern food, however you want to categorize it...this is what you can expect...a lot of food. Nothing too fancy, not haute cuisine, but real deal sort of stuff that is bound to stick to your ribs. Walk in and grab a tray, get in line and prepare to be served cafeteria style. The best strategy is to ask for some of everything that looks good to you and plan on taking a to-go box for your leftovers. Fried pork chops, seafood, roasted chicken...and all the carbs...all of them. Macaroni and cheese, potatoes and gravy, whatever...just order it and don't forget to grab a dessert or 2. (Put them in the to-go box when you leave.) When you know you're hungry and you're ready to commit to the kind of meal that might inspire you to take an afternoon nap, head on down and soak in some of this historic goodness and you can be assured that you won't regret it.

Well......we gave it another try. This visit we arrived just after Nikki's opened up. Unfortunately the results were almost identical. I had the Hamburger Steak with gravy and onions, pinto beans and collard greens. My wife had fried Catfish, fried okra and boiled cabbage. The Hamburger Steak was ok but the onions were barely cooked and certainly could not be classified as grilled onions. The pintos had the same strange flavor as before and the collards were almost crispy.....not what you look for in collards. My wife's catfish had the dirt taste that you can get sometimes in catfish but it was very strong. Her okra was good but the cabbage was exceptionally crunchy. Again the highlight was the cornbread. I hate to be "that guy" particularly because we used to LOVE this place. The 2nd Ave North location never let us down before they closed it. This is the second and final time we will stop here. Lunch for two at 31.20 not including tip is just not acceptable for meals that were subpar in virtually every aspect. Sorry Nikki's but you've lost two long time customers! I would give zero stars if it were an option. Btw.....I virtually NEVER give bad reviews but my disappointment is too extreme not to voice my displeasure. Can't believe people still line up to eat here!

The service is fast and friendly. The food is served cafeteria style and with an assortment meats, vegetables, desserts, and bread, the biggest problem I had was deciding what to eat! I would recommend the Greek chicken. The restaurant is large and packed with seating. Most importantly, everything was very clean.

Veal cutlets had been on my.mind for a while. I thought about restraints of the past. Niki's West crossed my mind. The last of the meat and threes that might have veal cutlets. So I called my best brother and we met for monthly lunch at an old haunts of mine. We went in at 12:30 and got through the line quickly. We were moved to a nice table near the perimeter of the dining area. The Salad was large, fresh, and wonderful. The dressing was real blue cheese. The veal cutlet was divine. I was in GREEK HEAVEN with every bite covered in brown gravy. Oh, sweet Lord, take me home. The Mashed potatoes were real Mashed spuds. The gravy was an elixir of loving hands who made it. The pinto beans were seasoned and had bits of ham in them. The yams were hardy and sweet, covered in a thick syrupy glaze. The rolls were the size of my fist. I got an extra roll just to sop up all of my gravy. My buddy Bill got the grilled fish with fried okra and squash. He ate every bite. He made a fish sandwich with his roll and fish. He got tartar sauce all over himself. We had a wonderful time and had plenty of time to talk about family news and stuff in general. As busy as the place was it was quiet and spotless clean. The waitstaff and line servers were friendly and helpful. Parking was easy and plentiful. It was a great lunch all around. We will be back soon.

Nikki's is an experience and a must try in the Birmingham food scene. It's a mass production of high quality meats and veggies with some tasty desserts. Service is nice and being is such a long established place serving food cafeteria style make this one of the best meat and threes in Bham. You will not leave hungry!

Niki's West is a landmark in the Bham restaurant scene. It's a place to been seen and get a great meat and three. Don't forget the dessert!

First lest start with the men behind the counter, plating the food. There was an older lady going through the line, maybe in her they were trying to rush her through the line and being very rude to her. Finally, a kind lady from the end of the line came back and helped her with her tray. I get to the hot table and the men at the meat area rushed customers through the line, I asked for meatloaf, which was on the menu, and he rudely yelled "we ain't got that, ni what you want." I didn't have a chance to really look at the food because they were rushing me through the line. Then I got to the vegetables and I told that guy the 3 veggies and peach cobbler I wanted but by the time my to-go plate got to the register only 2 items I asked for were in the box. This was a really horrible experience for me, and I will not be going back. The green beans were very greasy and too stringy. The cobbler was raw, and my fried okra was not crispy. I am very disappointed with my experience there, especially since I had heard such good things about this restaurant.

Their prices have really went up. $20 for a meat and two with a drink. Food is okay, but not at that price. Customer service is well below par, dues to being short staffed: the ambiance is dated from the 60's. Definitely not for me, when I can eat a lot better food at that price point.

I must say this is the restaurant in Birmingham, if you're close please stop here and eat . I had liver and onions , pinto beans, turnip greens , mashed potatoes and gravy, corn muffins and chocolate cake. First off the liver and onions cooked perfectly the gravy it's smothered in is so good , pintos are incredible, turnip greens and mashed potatoes so do good . I took the cake home and after a nap I had it with h a cold glass of milk it was moist and the icing was sweet and double chocolate taste was so good please try this cake . What can I say this place is the best .

Stopped in after 4 pm one day to get out a storm. They were closing soon so most of my favorite meats had been sold. No problem, I got a vegetable plate. It was delicious, hot and filling. The roll with sweet cream butter made the meal! It's hard to have anything wrong here.

Had a very good experience today. Had lunch with my wife. I had the fried catfish, which was very good. Squash was the best I have ever had. Creamed potatoes and fried okra were okay. My wife had a very good fried pork chop. Outstanding squash and yams. Creamed potatoes were okay. I use a walker and was greatly impressed with the assistance I was given in getting my food and being seated. This place is very handicapped friendly. An outstanding experience!

The food is always delicious and you have so many options. Portions are perfect. Service couldn't be better. Everyone is always so nice. It's like having dinner with family.

Cafeteria style... crowded but line moves fast. Almost too fast. Think, high pressure, hurry up and already know what you want! Even though there are no signs etc of what is offered for the day. The streamline glass is all fogged up so likely have to ask what's in the pans... but be prepared for an impatient and irritated answer lol...and dont even THINK about being on your cell phone bcz you'll get yelled at to get off. In fairness, they have a lot of signs posted saying NO CELL PHONES...even tho thereatent any signs posting food options. Super smart, right?... some staff were more friendly than others so can tell right away who's having a bad day... overall, food was ok, eh. Was hot and fresh at least, but I don't really like "pressure choosing" my food....set up for indigestion... but hey, if you want/need some soul food pretty quick then go for it

Never disappoints! Love this place. Great service. Very attentive staff and of course the food is incredible! It's like Thanksgiving dinner every time I go! Love the atmosphere!!!

Oh my gosh, what a place! Sure, it's a little older/dated decor, but that's what I like, it means it has a legacy of great food and fine service. It's a fast moving buffet line and if you can't find anything to eat, you ain't hungry. Multiple meats choices, far to many vegetable choices, salads and desserts(try the banana pudding) and bread. Plenty of seating options and fast acting servers. It was a fast in, fast out place. Just perfect for the working person to get in and out in a lunch hour. I highly recommend and will be back, sooner rather than later. Bon appetite!

The line service could be better . Been when you're used to going you just get used to them yelling " Ma'am Can I help you " . You better know what you are going to eat before you get up front . Don't give you a chance to think . Food overall is good . My favorite is the Greek chicken . My last visit was 2 weeks ago. It's always crowded lunch or dinner . Nice place for meat and veggies

This is the " Mother Ship" of meat and threes , if you've never eaten here and your within 40 miles of Nikis you need an I Q test because you simply don't know anything about good food in Birmingham. Everything ! I mean Everything! Is good here , This last time got grilled liver and onions with mashed potatoes, turnip greens, field peas corn bread with REAL Butter!!! Sweet tea is excellent. *Please don't review anything on yelp again if you haven't tried this food.

Niki's West, we decided to stop and enjoy your lunch today. You know I had my mind made up when I walked in the door. Cause y'all line goes real fast. We know y'all don't play. Today's menu is fried pork chops, tilapia, beef tips and rice, veal, your infamous Greek style chicken and lots of sides. Bae got the tilapia with fried okra, turnip greens, first butter beans, then pinto beans. Yum. I got the Greek style chicken with Mac and cheese, turnip green, and pinto beans with the second best corn muffins you ever tasted. This stuff here is Still good. You already know, I'll be back.

It doesn't get better than this! The ultimate meat in three. Great atmosphere with a staff that always goes above and beyond both with food and service. There is always something here for anyone and I will always come back here for a wonderful meal in Birmingham!

This place looks and smells like it was built in the 1950 and hasn't been cleaned since. Hilariously, they have a dresscode and wastes people time telling people they will not be served because they're shoulders are showing but others wearing the same thing get in just fine. The lady who works there couldn't even look me in the eye and say hello before turning me down. Do not recommend the service sucks and the food is not worth it.

I decided to update my review as this time is based on a dine in experience vs curbside. A friend and I recently came here since the reopening of the dining area. We had no issues at all and really felt safe during our visit. The tables were spaced 6 feet apart and our server (Teresa) took really good care of us. She definitely made our lunch enjoyable by making sure we had everything we needed. Her personality was great also! Niki's west is consistent with their food and service- although, I wish the liver and onion were served a little bit hotter. It's still really good though. I'm always ready for a nap after a meal from Niki's West!

Great food , wish you could still get steak. The Niki's special was the best! The seafood was always good too. Will settle for the line for now.

If you are not from Birmingham, you definitely wouldn't enjoy this place. The food is ok but it's the rude staff and the rushing that's the turn off. It's not cute to be yelled at, I know to some folks it's a cute experience but after years of this it's played out. There's so much better food elsewhere and believe me I've lived here 53 years

I often take my Real Estate clients, particularly those who are new to Birmingham to Niki's. It's a delicious local meat and three. The steam table is loaded with everything you would want. My favorites are the Greek chicken, turkey and dressing, or salmon croquettes accompanied with greens, pinto beans, okra, and banana pudding or peach cobbler! By the way, they have the best cornbread in town. Yummy?

This whole pandemic mess makes me extra worried for places like Niki's West. It is after all one of the institutions of Birmingham and has the kind of old school charm that wins over just about anyone who loves comfort food a la Americana. I'm pleased to know that they're still operating (albeit in limited capacity), serving up all the classics that locals have grown to love. Anyone who is familiar with these Southern "cafeteria" format establishments know there is all kinds of variety available. If it was a buffet, this place would be packed to the brim every night (at least in pre-COVID times), but alas the crowd is generally a little older here and the pace is inevitably slower. The food is not mind blowing by any means but the service, prices, ambiance and overall old school experience more than make up for it. They've now succumbed to a takeout / curbside only operation with a small but daily menu that is posted on FB. I still remember their impressive veal with gravy, delicious lemon pepper catfish, strangely underrated fried tilapia, somewhat bland'ish black eye'd peas, tart potato salad, and tasty mac and cheese. I even had my first "icebox pie" experience ever here, which I'll never forget. Something tells me their in-house dining rules ("no tank tops, bare feet, or rollers in hair") is not enforced during this time. I can't wait to come back here again.

Niki's West is a Birmingham classic and a must have if you live here or are driving through. I've been going to Niki's as long as I can remember. My parents used to take my brother and I here all the time when we were younger and I've been eating the same exact meal all these years later. Lol. Veal cutlet is my absolute favorite and it never misses. I speak macaroni and cheese fluently and theirs is on point. If you're a bread man, like myself, then you'll love these big soft rolls. To finish it off, the peach cobbler is a must. I always feel like I don't get enough but I'm just being greedy. This biggest attribute of Niki's West is their consistency which is hard to find. All these years the food has always tasted the exact same each time. You see familiar faces and it just feels like home. Like others have said, you need to know what you want before you get in line because it's a well oiled machine. The first two guys (brothers I think) get you in out. Be sure to go to Niki's on Finley Ave. There is another Niki's seafood downtown, or there used to be, and it is not the same. I was not a fan the 1 time I went. Niki's has seen me grow and vice versa and is embedded in the fabric of my family. I've introduced my wife to it and now she's a fan. My kids are a little too young to appreciate anything other than chicken nuggets and fries but in they are on deck.

The food is good. This restaurant has been around for years and I'm pretty sure they have made millions. With that being said, the bathrooms are horrible, really unsanitary. They need to be cleaned and updated.

Love this Restaurant!!! The service is excellent and their food is amazing!!! The atmosphere is rather pleasant as well. Enjoy

Best meat and 3/country veg plate around. Food is average southern fare with many choices/great variety. Atmosphere fast paced to keep the line moving. We have eaten here many times and today was the first time we encountered anything negative. An employee (white dude with gray hair working the middle of the cafeteria line) was loud/demonstrative as we got in line. I didn't know what he was yelling about. As we were seated, our server looked at us, called the gray haired dude by name and asked if he had been "yelling at us too". I told her no and didn't think anymore about it. Food was fine as usual. Servers and everyone else was incredibly polite. Then my husband went to the restroom. There is a closed stall in the front men's bathroom. My disabled husband recognized someone was already in the stall so he stood back and waited for his turn. The person occupying the stall peered through the crack and shouted in an aggressive, rude tone, "There's another restroom on the other side of the building." He didn't say it in a tone that was meant to be helpful -- he said it in a way to express that he wanted my disabled husband to get his a$$ out of that bathroom and walk to the other end of the restaurant. It caught my husband off guard, so he did leave and managed to walk all the way across the restaurant with his cane to the other bathroom. My husband recounted the story to me when he returned to the table and we watched as the gentleman came out of the front bathroom. Yep, it was the same old white dude with gray hair who had been yelling at people in the line. While we can't be sure he was the person who actually spoke to my husband in such a gruff manner while in the restroom, as best we can tell, it was indeed him. I don't know if this guy is an employee, an owner, or a family member of an owner - but because of the timid way the server asked me if he had yelled at us also, apparently he has a known attitude problem. This was the first time we've felt unwelcome as customers at Niki's West. It isn't a big deal, but it will stay in the back of my mind when choosing a place for lunch, because if an employee is allowed to be rude to customers, then that tells me something about the business - and if that guy is not an employee but the owner it carries even more weight in telling me about where I'm spending my money. Just something to consider.

I came here at 4:39 and the food was alright and the fish was kinda tough.THAT I DID NOT LIKE.

Inconsistent. But always very fresh food. I hate they're not open at night and weekends and that you can no longer order steaks and seafood.

Let me preface this review by telling you that I haven't eaten at a Cafeteria type restaurant since I was a kid, about 10 years old, and even at 10 I didn't like it. So I kept my expectations open here for Niki's. I'm going to bring to light how incredibly convenient and great it is for the restaurant to have a parking area for truckers. As a trucker every day we're losing good sit down restaurants with hot food, and it's being replaced by unhealthy unappealing fast food. So Niki's having Parking for America's truckers is so incredible! Immediately upon leaving my truck the grounds of the restaurant are well kept, and the restaurant has clean windows, and fresh looking paint, very inviting. Open the door and I'm immediately greeted by folks on the serving line. The restaurant is SPOTLESS! The Serving area is Also completely spotless, not a pea or kernel of corn out of place. Brightly lit so the customer can easily view the deliciousness that awaits them. It didn't take me five steps in to realize that this most definitely wasn't anything like the restaurant I ate in many years ago When I was 10. I looked at the main entrees of the day, and the decision was difficult, everything looked great, I did however settle on the Grecian fish with Spinach, squash with onions, okra, and shredded cabbage for the sides. Immediately after making my choice a friendly face rang out my delectable decisions and another smiling friendly face guided me to my seat. I want to take a moment again before talking About the food to bring up the cleanliness of the dining area as well as the absolute unison of dress attire of EVERYONE there. Clean black or red button shirts and white spotless aprons. For a moment in time you forget where you are.. You get the feel that you're a celebrity dining in a Five star restaurant enjoying some of the best Birmingham has to offer. Now the meal, my waitress was epic, I ordered an unsweet tea which was very fresh and tasty. She made sure my glass never went dry, and also brought extra napkins and kept up with me to make sure I needed nothing. Her smile was pleasant, and it was nice to see someone enjoy what they do. Immediately after cutting my deliciously flaky And juicy Grecian fish, I knew right away I was in for a treat. Topped with tomatoes scallions and celery, plenty of aromatic oregano, served in an absolutely perfect lemon sauce, I savored every bite. It paired well with the fresh whole leaf sautéed spinach, and even better with the squash and onions. I wanted to pause a moment with the squash, all too often restaurants will absolutely overdue the squash and cook it so long that it becomes a mushy squash purée. Not here, they were perfect, slight crunch accompanied by the onions, and a very smooth buttery taste for the finish. Okra was also very delicious cooked in a red sauce and completed with tasty onions. Shredded cabbage was also good, topped with what tasted like a slightly sweet light Buffalo sauce, but at that point I had eaten enough and couldn't finish it. This meal was above and beyond anything I had expected. I will for sure return many times in the future for the exemplary service and food that SETS THE BAR! Thank you for a delicious lunch!

This is a cafeteria style restaurant with many options to choose from. The problem is with the people serving the food. They're borderline rude!! They answer questions as if you're disturbing them. They aggressively dish up the food then slap it up on the counter! I don't want that kind of energy going into nourishment for my body! I will not recommend this or plan on returning.

This is one my favorite steak houses that a lot of people don't know about, bacon wrapped filet was cooked to perfection, service was great and the quality of the food is always the same one of my favorite places to go

My husband took me on a lunch date to Niki's West yesterday. It was my first time going to the restaurant and I was a bit excited because I've heard such good things. We arrived around 11:15 AM and y'all, there was already a decent sized crowd there. We walked in and I got a tray and silverware. Next, I was treated to a cafeteria style serving line with so many choices! I chose one protein (grilled lemon pepper catfish) and three sides (spinach, fried green tomatoes, and macaroni and cheese). I also got a roll and one slice of sweet potato pie. Once we got our ticket, a nice lady helped us find a booth to sit in. When we were seated, a waiter asked us what we were drinking and brought our drinks out to us. He also brought us more silverware and napkins. I never had to ask for a refill. He stayed on top of things while sporting a smile. As my husband and I started to eat, I did a little dance because everything I tasted on my tray (and of course my husband's tray) was delicious!!! Why have I not been going to this place??? There was no way I would be able to eat everything so I was able to take some food home to munch on later. You check out at a register once your done eating. As we were leaving, I noticed even more people headed inside. With the great food I had, I'm not surprised at how busy they were at lunch. You don't even have to wonder--I'll most certainly be back!

Growing up in Birmingham, my family and I have eaten at Niki's for years. I've been eating here since I was knee high to a grasshopper and the food has remained consistent throughout the entire time. I live in Miami now and came back home to visit family and It really made me remember how much I loved Niki's. Niki's isn't a fancy place, it's kind of like an old dining quarters on a ship, mixed with a cheap dining/banquet hall. But everyone is always friendly, and food is good. You can go to the steam table and order their daily specials, or you can order from the menu at your table. I always opt for the steam table to get fresh vegetables. Today, I ordered the four vegetable plate ($9.50), including black eyed peas, Mac and cheese, green beans, and collard greens with a roll. Drinks are sold separately. Everything was very fresh. I didn't like the flavor of the black eyed peas so the server exchanged it for yellow squash and it was much better. Definitely try Niki's if you're in Birmingham - it's also really good for breakfast as well. Most breakfast items are less than $8 too!

My family and I were on our way back from the beach and had heard good reports of the food here. Unfortunately, this place has an obsolete dress code that prohibits ANY tank top. In Alabama's summer heat, there are many people who wear them. Several of us were wearing tank tops and were embarrassed to be told we couldn't be served. Move along to another restaurant, because this one doesn't need your business.

The food was incredible! Every single item was delicious. My friend and I have been looking for a solid meat and three in Birmingham and this one exceeded our expectations!

So unhappy with the service in the line. Went to get lunch for everyone at work, couldn't get through to order on line, so went in to place the order. Yes the sign said no cell phones but when they do not have what they have listed on line how do you order for people that wrote it down? So the guy doing the meat for the plates decided to say food or phone? Really dude? How about, have the food you're suppose to so I didn't have to use the phone!! Very rude!! Will NEVER GO BACK!

Hidden off of Finley ave in north Birmingham Niki's West is a staple for southern food in Birmingham. This particular day I went for lunch. I was the only one in the line which was a shock. I took my time meandering through the zig zag line because if you've ever been to Niki's before, you know to have that order READY when you get to the service line, otherwise you will be the subject of some very busy employees who are trying to work at maximum efficiency. That being said I knew what I wanted. Bone if fried pork chop, rice and gravy, fried okra, and some green beans. The green beans were just okay (only got them because I needed some more green on my plate) the gravy in the rice was delicious and went perfectly with the fried pork chop. Now about the pork chop... I wish I would have gotten two. It was that good that the sacrifice of being heavily uncomfortable for the rest of the day and the extra miles of running to work it off would have been absolutely worth it. The atmosphere of Nikki's is interesting, after you get your plate of food you are cordially ushered to your seat in one of three main dining areas....this place can fit a lot of people. It doesn't seem as if the decorations have changed since 1993 and I like it that way. Service is efficient and prompt. Go buy vegetables at the farmers market across the street when you're done... if you can even summon thoughts of further food consumption at that point.