History
Fried green tomatoes have been a Southern garden staple for over a century, using under-ripe tomatoes that would otherwise go to waste at season's end. The dish became a Southern restaurant icon through the 1980s and 1990s with Fannie Flagg's novel and the 1991 film of the same name. Birmingham restaurants ran them as bar snacks and brunch starters; OvenBird at Pepper Place runs a wood-fired version, Hot and Hot Fish Club includes them as part of the canonical tomato-salad season July through September.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Eggs, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 4 large firm green (under-ripe) tomatoes
- 2 large eggs
- 120ml buttermilk
- 200g yellow cornmeal
- 50g flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for shallow-frying
- Remoulade or pimento cheese to serve
Method
- Slice the green tomatoes 1cm thick. Season the slices with salt and let drain on a paper towel for 5 minutes.
- Beat the eggs with the buttermilk in a shallow dish.
- Mix the cornmeal, flour, salt and pepper in another shallow dish.
- Dip each tomato slice in the egg mixture, then in the cornmeal, pressing to coat.
- Heat 1cm of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat to 175C / 350F.
- Fry the tomato slices in batches 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with remoulade or pimento cheese.
Tip from the editors. The tomatoes must be firm and under-ripe; ripe red tomatoes turn to mush in the pan. Slice and salt them ahead to draw out water.
Where to eat fried green tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes in Birmingham
Hot and Hot Fish Club ★ 4.5
Hot and Hot Fish Club at Pepper Place is the Chris Hastings flagship since 1995, with the chef-counter tomato salad that became a Birmingham signature.
Book2 weeks ahead
OvenBird ★ 4.3
OvenBird at Pepper Place Birmingham is Chris Hastings's live-fire sibling concept to Hot and Hot, with Spanish, Portuguese, Uruguayan and Argentine grills.
Book1 week ahead
Bottega Cafe ★ 4.6
Bottega Cafe in Highland Park Birmingham runs a deep Italian by-the-glass program from the Stitt cellar, with a casual patio menu next to Bottega Restaurant.
PourChianti Classico by the glass
WineItalian regional and Stitt-cellar pours
FoodWood-oven pizza, antipasti, pasta
Fried green tomatoes in Charleston
Husk ★ 4.9
Husk in Charleston opened in 2010 under Sean Brock and rebuilt Southern fine dining on heritage grains and hyper-local produce. Located in Downtown.
OrderThe cast-iron cornbread, plus whatever the wood grill is running.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipBook on the website. Bar seats walk-in at 17:00 and serve the full menu.
Magnolias ★ 4.5
Magnolias on East Bay Street is the Charleston brunch institution since 1990. Sunday brunch only: banana pudding French toast, crab cake Benedict.
OrderBanana pudding French toast, crab cake Benedict, shrimp and sausage over grits with tasso gravy
TipBook on Resy 2 weeks ahead. The shrimp and grits is the canonical version; bottomless mimosas at the bar.
Poogan's Porch ★ 4.6
Poogan's Porch on Queen Street in Charleston has plated Lowcountry brunch since 1976 from a converted 1891 home. Located in Downtown. Open daily 09:00-15:00.
OrderButtermilk biscuits with sausage gravy, she-crab soup, shrimp and grits
TipBook on Resy at least 5 days ahead for weekend brunch. Request a porch table; the inside rooms run small and warm.
82 Queen ★ 4.2
82 Queen in Charleston has poured she-crab soup for 40 years from three historic buildings on Queen Street with a courtyard garden under a magnolia.
OrderThe 18-time-award-winning she-crab soup.
TipBook on OpenTable. Courtyard seats are the best in the house.
Fried green tomatoes in Savannah
B. Matthew's Eatery ★ 4.3
B. Matthew's Eatery, at 325 E Bay St in Savannah, serves brunch daily until 3 PM, then a chef-curated dinner and wine menu Tuesday to Saturday.
OrderTry the Fried Green Tomato and Crab Cake Benny.
The Olde Pink House ★ 4.6
The Olde Pink House at 23 Abercorn St, in the historic downtown district, is known for Classic Southern Food and hosts private events and weddings.
Vic's on the River ★ 4.3
Vic's on the River at 26 E Bay St serves Contemporary Southern Cuisine and fresh, local seafood in an old cotton warehouse overlooking the Savannah River.
OrderShrimp and Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes or She Crab Soup.
TipReserve a window table for river views; online reservations cover up to 4 guests and larger parties should call.
The Wyld Dock Bar ★ 4.0
The Wyld Dock Bar at 2740 Livingston Ave is a place to eat and a place to drink, with waterfront dining in Savannah, open daily from 12:00 into the evening.
More cities are in research. Want fried green tomatoes covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.