Bill and Mary Jo McMichael bought a little Cafe from Fannie's Aunt Bess in 1972. We had been known as the WhistleStop Cafe since the mid 80s. By 1991 we had expanded the seating from 31 to 220. We had already out grown available parking before the movie 'Fried Green Tomatoes' debuted. The rest is history. Over the years we have entertained visitors from almost every country, been on national and international television, had articles in newspapers and magazines.

The name 'WhistleStop Cafe' evokes memories of everyone's favorite little small town or neighborhood cafe that was always filled with families and friends; this is similar to the little cafe that Bill and Mary Jo McMichael grew. Folks enjoying wonderful down home cooking, the smell of fresh baked bread, the clatter of dishes, smiles and laughter accompanying the fellowship that accompanies these special places. This became the perfect setting for Fannies wonderful novel of friendship, compassion, gratitude, and survival.

The concept for the WhistleStop Cafe Restaurant is based on an ambience that offers thatsame kind of atmosphere that we seldom find in today's fast pace world. Fannie eloquently describes this ambience in the introduction in her cookbook. (Click here to read Fannies Cookbook introduction).

Our family owned and ran that little Mom & Pop for almost 3 decades. The McMichael family also has generations of railroad experience, which ties to the theme and ambiance of the WhistleStop Cafe. Our family style restaurant was popular not only because of the good home cooking and old time cafe feel, but also because of the draw of the trains that rumbled past the front porch. Men and boys from 4 to 84 nabbed the tables by the windows to watch the trains go by. (There are over 60 trains every day) The Cafe had a reputation for family fun, hospitality, and food that was often rated 'The Best in Birmingham'. Diners drove out of their way to visit, and after the movie 'Fried Green Tomatoes' they came by the bus loads just to experience the tradition. In the ninety's most folks on the tour buses said that it was one of the highlights of their trip and for sure the best meal they'd had. For more information go to our History button on our site.