NIKI’S WEST RESTAURANT
233 Finley Avenue
West End, Alabama
(205) 252-5751

BIRMINGHAM’S NIKI’S WEST RESTAURANT --- THAT’S GREEK TO ME!

While most popular Southern-style eateries are rarely known for perfecting recipes from distant shores, this is certainly not the case at the scrumptious Niki’s West Steak and Seafood Restaurant in Birmingham, AL. Although the dish is not mentioned in the eatery’s moniker, the name Niki’s has virtually become synonymous with their succulent Greek-style baked chicken breasts --- perhaps the best I’ve ever tasted! During a recent trip from my Mississippi home to the South Carolina coast, we made certain our travel itinerary included two stops at Niki’s, located conveniently just north of US Highway 78 in Birmingham’s west side (much of which is industrial in nature).

The interior décor at Niki’s is reminiscent of a coastal family seafood establishment (nautical images of shrimp boats, a saltwater aquarium near the main entry, etc.), which seemed a little out of place this far inland. The catches to be landed at Niki’s cafeteria line are for the most part classically Southern: Fried Catfish and Chicken, daily fish offerings, earthy greens of all kinds, candied yams, cornbread and numerous tempting cakes, pies and cobblers (decisions here are extraordinarily difficult!). The Pecan Pie is especially rich, nutty and noteworthy.

The home cooked veggies at Niki’s are obviously prepared with pride and are highly praised throughout “The Magic City.” Virtually everything is prepared from scratch and the result is what Southern Living calls “Southern-style food with a Mediterranean touch.” This Greek family establishment serves up more than 40 veggies and salads daily --- an ambitious undertaking pulled off with flair, day in and day out!

Our recent visits proved to be quite consistent, making for some highly satisfying roadfare. Although other entrées offering were tempting, I personally stuck with the baked chicken on each visit and I was rewarded with some truly fine eating. Side selections included fried okra (fresh not frozen), a tart and vinegary tomato and cucumber salad, a steamy bowl of artfully seasoned collards, healthful butter beans, and perhaps the best fried green tomatoes to be tasted anywhere west of Georgia’s Blue Willow Inn. A bottomless glass of sweet tea and a heaping bowl of banana pudding sent me even further into Dixie Dining orbit.

The buffet lines at Niki’s can seem a bit daunting upon first glance – especially if you are traveling with often finicky children. The servers manning Niki’s buffet lines are friendly but all business … bouncing from one customer’s request to the next with the speed and efficiency of an assembly line worker. Yes, these are battle-hardened professionals, so be careful about trying this approach at home folks! My wife and sons stuck to many of their old standbys (fried bird, mac and cheese, green beans, chocolate cream pie) on my now familiar Dixie Dining circuit. This allowed me to sample a taste or two of their selections, more often than not when they weren’t looking! Everything was delicious.

But once again, the highlight of my latest dining adventure was the Greek-style baked chicken. It was so tender as to easily fall away from the bone, perfectly seasoned with flavorful herbs, and bathed with a tangy lemon juice sauce, which gave the dish just the right Grecian zip. Although I have searched far and wide for Niki’s recipe, I am now assuming that it is a well-kept family secret. However, I believe I have come up with a version that is pretty darn true to the original. I have even dared to kick it up another notch (apologies to Mr. Lagasse) by adding a garnishing of feta cheese and assorted Greek olives at the end of the cooking process. Who says you can’t improve on perfection?

Niki’s West Steak and Seafood Restaurant can be found at 233 Finley Avenue West in Birmingham, Alabama. Call them at 205 252-5751. Their regular hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday. The buffet line closes at 9 p.m. nightly.

GREEK BAKED CHICKEN A LA NIKI’S

• 4 lbs. Chicken, cut into pieces
• ½ olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 2 lemons, juiced

*In a glass dish, combine the olive oil, garlic, herbs and lemon juice.
 
*Add the chicken pieces, cover and marinade overnight in the refrigerator.
 
*Bake at 375 degrees for about 55 minutes (or until desired crispiness); the chicken skin should be nicely browned and meat should lift easily from the bone.
 
*Tip: Keep chicken covered with baking dish or foil for the first 30 minutes of cooking; then remove cover baste the bird liberally over last 15-25 minutes. Adding some fresh Feta Cheese and assorted Greek Olives at serving time is another nice authentic touch (although not offered at Niki’s).

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