In the town of West Blocton, there’s a place that’s more than just a café; it’s a haven for those who appreciate the warmth of classic southern cooking. Hometown Café, located at 1054 Main Street, embodies the spirit of true hospitality, offering homemade dishes that are just like the meals your grandmother used to make, made with all that love you might have been missing.
With generous portions being served, Hometown Café will not let you leave hungry. This restaurant is the art of southern hospitality sustained. A spirit of generosity is their foundation, and it shows in all they do.
If you’re searching for a dining experience that’s a genuine taste of the South, Hometown Café is your go-to spot. Their hours of operation are from 11 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday, and 11 am to 3 pm on Sunday. While they’re closed on Saturdays, the rest of the week is devoted to serving up soul-warming dishes that keep people coming back for more.
The café’s founder, Carol Boyd, is the compassionate cook behind it all. With a journey that spanned several places, Carol built a dedicated following of people who couldn’t get enough of her cooking, no matter where she worked. Her steadfast supporters played a pivotal role in her decision to open her own restaurant. Carol’s passion for cooking and her loyal customers’ unwavering support provided the confidence she needed to make her dream a reality.
The star of Hometown Café is their daily hot bar, a magnet for those with a hearty southern appetite. The hot bar menu changes daily, offering a choice of two entrees, seven vegetables, and tempting desserts every day. From chicken and dressing, meatloaf, and chicken casserole to beef stroganoff, pork tenderloin, and more, Hometown Café offers all of your favorite southern staples. Oh, and don’t forget your choice of buttermilk cornbread or a roll, of course.
The vegetables are equally enticing, featuring candied yams, butterbeans, cole slaw, collards, mashed potatoes, and other familiar favorites, including a mac and cheese that is destined to be a crowd pleaser. While I could write a whole article about their banana pudding alone, please do me a personal favor and go try some for yourself. You surely won’t be sorry! If you’re craving something special that’s not on the menu, don’t hesitate to ask – while there’s no guarantee, the friendly faces at Hometown Café may just whip up whatever you have a hankering for featured on their hot bar soon after.
Hometown Café is a true family business, owned and operated by Carol and Jerry Boyd. Carol’s daughter, Jessica Jordan, plays a pivotal role in both cooking and overseeing the restaurant’s daily operations. This family dynamic adds to the warmth and familiarity that customers experience as soon as they walk through the door.
The interior of the café is just as inviting as the food. Crystal Phipps, a talented local artist, has contributed her skills to create beautiful window art and wall decorations behind the hot bar. This artwork enhances the cozy ambiance of the café, making it a welcoming place to enjoy a meal with loved ones.
Hometown Café’s commitment to the community goes beyond serving mouthwatering meals. The café’s foundation is rooted in southern hospitality and generosity. Carol and her team have a strong desire to give back to the community that has supported them.
To express their appreciation for the local police force, uniformed officers are always offered a complimentary meal. Their commitment to giving back is a testament to the café’s values.
For Veteran’s Day, the Town of West Blocton has commissioned Hometown Café to prepare meals for veterans, which they are all too happy to do.
Carol Boyd herself is known for her giving nature. When there’s leftover food at the end of the day, she often posts on their Facebook page, offering a free meal to anyone who can come and collect it. For Carol, giving to those in need is a passion, and it’s evident in the way she runs her business. She sums it up with, “I love our community, our small town where everybody is family. I would rather give to anyone who is in need than for me to receive myself.”
Community is at the heart of Hometown Café. Carol Boyd’s compassionate nature and deep connection to the community shine brightly. She believes that loving your community like family makes the world a better place. “I love our community, and I love our small town. I’m humbled that I’m here, and I’m thankful,” she says with a smile.
For the holiday season, Hometown Café takes orders for turkeys, hams, pans of dressing, cornbread, desserts, and much more. For pricing and all they offer, give them a call or check out their Facebook page where a whole list of what will be available has been posted.
To further engage the community during the holiday season, Hometown Café allows people to nominate someone for a special drawing. The selected individual can then suggest someone in need of a free holiday meal, and the café will provide it. This spirit of giving embodies the sense of community that Hometown Café cherishes.
Hometown Café is not just a restaurant; it’s a place where you become family as soon as you walk through the door. Crystal Phipps succinctly expresses the sentiment, “We’re just glad to have some home cooking in this town.” Hometown Café has answered the community’s long-standing call for the kind of restaurant that offers hospitality, food, and camaraderie that reflects the true nature of West Blocton as a whole.
You can reach them at (205) 286-4123 or by sending them a message on Facebook. If you’re wondering what they’re serving up today, you can give them a call to ask, but you can also count on them posting it to their Facebook page each day.
As Carol Boyd aptly sums up, “Community is family.” As soon as you walk in the door, you become family – and that’s not something you’ll find just anywhere. It’s this sense of family that makes Hometown Café a testament to the enduring spirit of southern hospitality.
Hometown Café is a business that you can believe in. Consistently seeking ways in which they can pour into and better their community, you can come in, sit back with your loved ones while enjoying a meal cooked with love, and know that your money is being well spent – and that meal you just bought may help them bless your neighbor another day.
