Winning Eats
For game day eats, Billy’s Sports Grill can’t be beat.
By Jan Walsh
Kev and I are loyal fans of Billy’s Sports Grill. We have been Billy’s regulars for decades. When The Irish Deli closed, we lost our game day eatery and discovered Billy’s was in Mountain Brook’s English Village. We often watched games at Billy’s front and back bars. Beer on tap paired with hot bowls of chili on autumn afternoons, juicy steak sandwiches, and our favorites of Billy’s chicken club and Sante Fe salad were good food and good times. I featured Billy’s fare in my local food columns in print magazines and included Billy’s annual favorites. And when Birmingham Restaurants launched in 2007, Billy’s was a founding member restaurant. Years later, to our delight, Billy’s opened in our neighborhood of Liberty Park, located on Overton Road at the 459 Exit to Liberty Park. It became our go to for live music nights on their popular patio, half off Wednesday wine nights, and game day eats. And in 2020 when restaurants were restricted to takeout only due to Covid, the first meal we ordered was from Billy’s.
But you don’t have to live in Liberty Park to be a frequenter of Billy’s. Some of their fans have been loyal since the original location opened in 1979. When games are in Tuscaloosa, they visit the Billy’s in Northport. Plus, Billy’s offers catering for your at home watch parties. And a new generation of Billy’s regulars are players themselves. Tables of kids, dressed in baseball and soccer uniforms, enjoying after game meal is a common sight. I imagine these boys and girls sitting here in ten years, game watching and talking about their glory days.
Today we pop in for lunch. Inside this three-level space boasts a panoramic view of big screen televisions galore, broadcasting baseball and sports channels already talking football. The dining room is two levels with a mezzanine that can be rented to privately watch the big game. And the patio has its own bar and outdoor fireplace. Seated in our favorite corner banquette, the friendly staff is always accommodating. Looking over the menu brings back memories of past eats here, amazing that so many of these dishes have been on the menu for decades.
Kev starts with a small order of Billy’s Award Winning Wings from the lineup of 12 Starters and Sharables. Tossed in his selection of sauce, ranch, the tender juicy wings are served with fresh, crisp celery. Kev also opts for Billy’s Club Sandwich. On a soft warm bun, slathered with mayo, a marinated and grilled chicken breast is topped with thick slices of bacon, melted Jack cheese, lettuce, and in season tomato. Accompanying this famous sandwich, are his selection of half and half, golden fries and crunchy, hand dipped onion rings. A winning combo! From the Greenery section, I have my favorite, Sante Fe Salad… again. Atop colorful tortilla chips and a bed of crisp lettuce, a generous serving of grilled, diced marinated chicken is mixed with house made salsa, and Jack cheese, with extra Ranch. The textures and flavors of this meal sized salad are both filling and fulfilling. Highly recommended for ladies, who enjoy, or tolerate, game days.
We can’t lose with dessert at Billy’s. Today we share adult Mudslide and Caramel Sundae, both made of Billy’s old-fashioned ice cream. The mudslide is the best we have ever had… You won’t find a better one at the beach. And the dreamy sundae, also available in chocolate or strawberry, is the cherry on top of our latest lunch at Billy’s.
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