More than 75 new TV screens are broadcasting football games on Highway 31 this fall, all in one spot. Oh, and there are wings and beer, and other food and drinks too with the September opening of the new Baumhower’s Victory Grill next to the soon-to-be-renovated Wald Park (and a new Dunkin’ Donuts). We chatted with Nic Johnson, Baumhower’s director of marketing, chain about what you’ll find inside their 11th location, and they also told us that kids eat free on Tuesday and you can catch “halftime” specials with some of their most popular dishes half off weekdays 2-6 p.m.
What will we see when we walk inside?
It will feature an open floor plan, along with modern wood, stone and metal finishes and open kitchens with food bars that guests can dine at. Our signature sports memorabilia and artifacts will still adorn the walls, but we’re also planning to incorporate some new design elements on the walls as well. Plus, there will be a state-of the-art sound system and of course TVs—lots of them! We expect to have at least 75 screens, so you’ll definitely be able to catch every game from every seat in the house.
Can you talk about Bob Baumhower and the family’s role in the restaurant chain?
Bob grew the chain from a single, counter-service restaurant on the University of Alabama campus back in 1981—running it every day himself, with his wife, Leslie, to nearly 40 years later we have restaurants all throughout the state of Alabama and are continuing to grow. Bob is the self-proclaimed “head fry cook” because he’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and help out in the kitchen or buss tables, just like he did in the old days. He’s still actively involved in the daily operations. Now, after many years of working in the restaurants and then transitioning to the support side of the company, Bob’s oldest son Spencer Baumhower was recently named vice president of operations.
The Hot Bama Brown was featured on 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die. What is it exactly?
The Hot Brown was created by a hotel owner in Louisville, Kentucky, named Fred Schmidt who needed a hearty and unique dish for late night patrons who ventured into the restaurant at the hotel. He came up with an open-faced turkey sandwich topped with a Mornay sauce. We build the Hot Bama Brown on Texas toast and top it with roasted turkey breast, applewood-smoked bacon, vine-ripened tomatoes, our signature gooey Blanco cheese, Parmesan and our scratch-made mushroom and beef gravy. Then we give you a side of our garlic mashed potatoes topped with more of that savory mushroom and beef gravy. It’s a must try!
What are a few of your most popular menu items?
Definitely the wings! Bob introduced Buffalo wings to the state of Alabama back in 1981, and it’s what we’ve been known for ever since. People also love our Black and White Chicken: char-grilled Mojo-marinated, lemon-pepper chicken breast served with our white barbecue sauce, broccoli and wild rice. We have 100 percent USDA choice custom grind burgers that are always fresh, never frozen. Spencer’s Gooey Fries is definitely one of our most popular dishes, too. We top our curly-q fries with our gooey Blanco cheese and bacon, and then serve it with a side of our scratch-made buttermilk ranch. It’s hard to beat!
Can you give us an overview of what the bar will offer?
We will have a great draft list that will highlight some of the area’s most popular local breweries. We’ll have twists on some legendary cocktails like margaritas, Moscow mules and mojitos, as well as an over-the-top Bloody Mary that will be great for NFL Sundays and a lot more. We’ll even have a whole series of non-alcoholic craft beverages.
