By BETH CHAPMAN / Community Columnist

What do you get when you cross good, healthy food cooked in Spanish spices, in a casual atmosphere in the Hoover section of North Shelby County?

You get BRAVA Rotisserie Grill at the corner of Valleydale and Caldwell Mill Roads in the Publix Shopping Center.

It is an independent, locally-owned restaurant that believes in supporting the local economy and local vendors.

BRAVA offers a health-conscience menu of grilled chicken, shrimp and pork loin all dry rubbed in a unique blend of Spanish spices that is sure to please the palate.

Add to any of those entrees delicious side items like golden rice, vegetables, potatoes tossed in fresh garlic and herbs, house chips, fresh fruit, or fries tossed with manchego cheese and herbs and you have a great meal in a family restaurant.

They also have chicken and shrimp Caesar wraps, rotisserie chicken with golden rice soup or lobster bisque and a variety of salads including chicken and Caesar salads both accompanied by their pita bread.

BRAVA also serves their own special sauces to accompany their food items, and they make churros — Spanish donuts rolled in cinnamon and sugar.

They are so delicious, and you don’t even have to wait until the county fair comes into town to get them.

At BRAVA Rotisserie Grill, you get health food cooked the way it’s supposed to be cooked and not drenched in butter.

You’ll get it cooked in olive oil on a grill and not in a microwave.

BRAVA Rotisserie Grill’s menu makes room for wine and beers to complement their unique spices.

If that’s not enough, try their house-made sangria. I hear it’s the real deal.

While BRAVA Rotisserie Grill offers a comfortable, casual dining experience, if eating in is not for you, they offer family-style dinners to go at affordable prices. You can take out enough rotisserie chicken, salad and an additional pint of any one of their sides for up to six people for only $24.95.

That is only $4.53 per person even after taxes are included. That’s the best cluck for your buck in Shelby County.

BRAVA Rotisserie Grill is open Monday-Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Beth Chapman, Alabama’s secretary of state, is a Shelby County resident and writes a weekly column for the Shelby County Reporter. You can reach her at bethchapman@bellsouth.net.