News Summary
Waldo’s Chicken & Beer has officially opened its second Birmingham-area location in Vestavia Hills, bringing a relaxed dining atmosphere for chicken fans. This expansion, led by owner Casey Atherton, promises a diverse menu of fried and rotisserie chicken, alongside a selection of craft beers. The restaurant aims to provide quality service and is part of a growing chain started by Mark Waldo. Customers can expect a fun decor and a menu featuring freshly made items, perfect for friends and family looking to enjoy a great meal together.
Waldo’s Chicken & Beer Clucks Into Vestavia Hills
Good news, chicken lovers of Vestavia Hills! Today marks a significant day for the delicious dining scene in your area as Waldo’s Chicken & Beer has officially opened its second Birmingham-area location at 1463 Montgomery Highway. Fans of this fast-casual restaurant chain can expect a relaxed atmosphere filled with mouth-watering chicken and a wide selection of craft beers to wash it all down.
A Taste of Home
You might be wondering about the origins of Waldo’s Chicken & Beer. Well, it all started in 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee, thanks to Mark Waldo, an Alabama native hailing from Homewood. A University of Alabama graduate, Mark has certainly made a name for himself in the culinary world. Today, Waldo’s has expanded to a whopping 25 locations spread across eight states, with Birmingham and Vestavia Hills being key spots on that map.
What’s on the Menu?
If you’re eager to get a taste of what Waldo’s offers, you’re in for a treat! The menu features a scrumptious variety of fried and rotisserie chicken items, including their famous tenders, wings, sandwiches, and even salads for those looking for lighter fare. And let’s not forget about the sides! Every item is made from scratch, ensuring a fresh, quality dining experience. Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty or light, Waldo’s has got you covered.
To complement this delicious food, Waldo’s also serves an impressive lineup of craft beers and cocktails. With over 20 local and regional beers on tap, there’s no doubt that you’ll find the perfect brew to pair with your meal.
From One Location to Another
You may recognize Casey Atherton as the owner-operator for both the Cahaba Heights and new Vestavia Hills locations. Atherton has big plans and intends to open a third Waldo’s in Pelham later this summer. With the growing popularity of the brand, it seems like those plans will certainly take flight!
The Vestavia Hills restaurant is located in a vibrant new retail center that also features the well-loved Big Bad Breakfast. It’s a great spot for folks who want to make a day of trying out the local dining options.
Mark Waldo’s Journey
Let’s take a brief detour to learn a bit about Mark Waldo’s journey. His first foray into the working world was as a teenager, tuning concertinas at Homewood Musical Instruments. However, his real experience in the food industry began at Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, where he found himself busing tables, washing dishes, and sweeping floors. From there, he went on to manage The Bear Trap in Tuscaloosa, and eventually worked his way up within the Hillstone Restaurant Group, gaining invaluable skills along the way.
After a stint in medical device sales, Waldo returned to his culinary roots, working at a pork farm for Fresh Hospitality—this gave birth to his first restaurant concept, Two Birds, which later evolved into Waldo’s Chicken & Beer due to some trademark issues.
Despite facing challenges, including a tornado and the COVID-19 pandemic, Waldo’s has proven its resilience and commitment to good food and service by reopening quickly each time.
More to Come
In addition to locations in Birmingham and Vestavia Hills, Waldo’s Chicken & Beer can also be found in Auburn and Dothan. With their recent expansion and plans for more locations, it’s safe to say the Waldo’s phenomenon is just getting started.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the fun and welcoming decor at Waldo’s, featuring humorous pop art that adds a bit of whimsy to your dining experience. Whether you’re coming for the chicken, the beer, or simply a good time with friends and family, Waldo’s Chicken & Beer is ready to serve you up something special!
Get ready to enjoy some darn good chicken and brew at your newer local hangout, Vestavia Hills!
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Additional Resources
- Bham Now: New Alabama-based Fried Chicken Fast Food Chain Coming to Vestavia Hills
- Wikipedia: Fried Chicken
- The Bama Buzz: Waldo’s Chicken & Beer to Open 2nd Alabama Location in Dothan
- Google Search: Waldo’s Chicken & Beer
- Bham Now: Vestavia Passes Incentives to Bring Big Bad Breakfast, Waldo’s & More
- Google Scholar: Waldo’s Chicken & Beer
- Bham Now: The Best Things We Ate in Birmingham This August
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fast-Casual Restaurants
- Bham Now: Waldo’s Chicken & Beer in Cahaba Heights
- Google News: Waldo’s Chicken & Beer
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
