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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

Recently, various developments in the fast food industry related to the Shelby County area have piqued the interest of local residents.

A vacant Burger King in Pelham was purchased by a commercial real estate firm, with another unnamed quick-service restaurant being developed in its place. Furthermore, unconfirmed rumors of a Raising Cane’s being added to the 280 area have dominated the social media feeds of Shelby County citizens.

With all of this fervor surrounding fast food, I would like to make a case for the local, non-chain restaurants Shelby County possesses.

Don’t get me wrong: I love a good Taco Bell meal or a Chick-fil-A run, but the local restaurants Shelby County boasts have a distinct charm that cannot be replicated in a commercialized, fast food setting.

In fact, I don’t even have to travel that far from my workplace to experience some of the best Shelby County has to offer.

Being hired by SCR in late November 2024, and being a resident of Jefferson County, I haven’t had the chance to experience every diner, dive bar and dessert spot that Shelby County has to offer. However, in my short time here, I’ve experienced four unique spots in Columbiana that have become mainstays in my consumption rotation.

Leaders’ Corner Coffee & Tea was the first place I tried once I joined SCR. The best comparison I could give to someone who has never been is that it possesses the same charm as Luke’s Diner in “Gilmore Girls.” It’s cozy, quiet and has plenty of great menu offerings. If you need to crank out a work assignment or catch up with a friend, I could not recommend a better coffee spot than Leaders’ Corner.

Davis Drug is a place that I’ve already begun to cherish. Its main function is, of course, as a pharmacy, but the snack bar adds a whole other element to its allure. Pharmacies in today’s world tend to lack a restaurant setting, which was extremely common in the 1950s and ‘60s. Seeing a place like Davis Drug maintain that nostalgic touch is a wonderful treat. The burgers are divine, the ice cream sweet, it’s a perfect spot to break your New Year’s resolutions and have a massive cheat day. Maybe grab some Pepto-Bismol on the way out if you go overboard.

Blue Agave Cantina, like many Mexican food establishments, offers an unparalleled depth in menu choice. I fear it would take me five years to eat the entire menu if I tried. However, the quantity of items matches up with the quality as well. Despite the overwhelming choices Blue Agave offers its customers, it is hard to go wrong at one of Shelby County’s best traditional Mexican restaurants.

Finally, Tin Top Bar-B-Que 2 is, without exaggeration, one of the best barbecue joints I have been to in my entire life. The quantity of food you get is bound to leave you staggering out the restaurants doors, but the quality is there as well. Like Leaders’ Corner, it is also quiet, so if you prefer to catch up with someone over pulled pork rather than a cup of joe, it’s another great spot for social interaction.

Without going too deep into each spot, I hope I gave you, the reader, a snapshot of some of the best that Shelby County has to offer in cuisine. While it is true that fast food offers its qualities, there is something about keeping it local when it comes to dining that makes the experience that much more rewarding. There are plenty more local spots in Shelby County I have yet to try, and I’m hungry for more.