Upscale, casual dining options opening in Clift Farm, Town Madison

MADISON – Southern barbecue, any culinary version that you can image for chicken, piled-high sandwiches, fine steaks . . . the choices of restaurants in Madison have mushroomed with the new vibes of Town Madison and Clift Farm.

The ‘pickin’s’ are anything but slim at SLIM CHICKENS in Clift Farm, just north of U.S. 72. (Clift Farm actually lies in Madison County but the development is next door to the City of Madison.)

The menu at Slim Chickens features fresh chicken tenders, marinated in buttermilk and lightly breaded by hand. Buffalo wings are hearty and generously cut. Sandwiches, chicken and waffles, salads and smokey cheddar wraps are options.

Along with traditional iced tea, beverages are available in raspberry and peach tea blends, along with lemonade. Tasty side dishes and 13 sauce flavors make it hard to decide.

Another Slim Chickens is scheduled to open in Town Madison at 130 Outfield Drive.

MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ at 102 St. Louis St. in Town Madison has been serving guests for several weeks now. The eatery has an upbeat, casual atmosphere for an enjoyable visit. Its founders include ‘local boys’ Ben Gilbert, Athens; Jeff Kennedy, Huntsville; and Mike Fernandez, Tuscaloosa.

Moe’s can boast its inclusion in Top 10 BBQ Chains in America by “USA Today” and “The Daily Meal”; fast-growing chain by “Restaurant Business Magazine”; and among Top 10 Rib Joints by “Relish.”

The Redneck Nachos start with house-fried chips with choice of pork, turkey or chicken, nacho cheese, red onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, slaw, barbecue and white sauce. Just like a visit to Mama’s kitchen table, the sides rotate among standards to other dishes like Mississippi Mud Pie or collards.

St. Louis-style spare ribs are hard to resist but are in competition with salads, Southern Fried Shrimp Moe Boy and smoked chicken.

JONATHAN’S GRILLE is open in Clift Farm and under construction in Town Madison for a special meal or a gathering of friends to watch wide-screens on Game Day. The family-owned eatery’s first locations were in Nashville before expanding in Tennessee and now in Madison.

This upscale sports grill and bar boasts 55 television monitors for guests to cheer on their favorite team while enjoying a tasty appetizer or full meal.

Guests can choose seating at the bar with focus on sports or in the restaurant for a pleasant atmosphere for a meal.

Jonathan’s appetizers vary from lemon-basil chicken skewers and crispy Brussels sprouts to Margherita flatbread and Nashville hot chicken sliders. Salads are tossed in 14 combos, including a Luau Salad with cranberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, strawberries, candied pecans, bleu cheese and citrus-herb vinaigrette.

Guests can select pizza from an impressive array of combos, along with wings, tacos, quesadillas and flatbreads. Entrees, all including a side salad, vary from three steaks, pulled pork stuffed potato, teriyaki salmon, chicken in four recipes, pastas and more.

FARM + FEED stands as one of Madison’s first farm-to-table varieties. Founded by Antonio Spence and Chef John Cleveland, the restaurant is open in Bowler Hat Brewing, 7429 U.S. 72 W.

The menu offers the Pulled Pork Tater Bowl, Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast, French Toast, Fried Monster Chicken Sandwich cooked plan or Nashville hot, Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Angus Backyard Burger and Naan Pork Loin Sandwich.

SA ZA SERIOUS ITALIAN in Town Madison creates classic Italian dishes but is brave with its out-of-the-ordinary recipes. Chef Joe DiMaggio Jr. explains that Sa Za’s men is “extreme peasant cuisine.” His grandmother conceived most of the dishes.

Classic pasta options vary from the norm with lobster from Maine, chopped shrimp and spinach in a chardonnay, exploded garlic and olive oil sauce. Guests can order favorite blends of pizza with standard combinations or experiment with a specialty pizza varying with 40 tasty toppings.

HONEST COFFEE ROASTERS plans to open in The Avenue Madison, an upscale apartment community in downtown Madison at 92 Shorter St. Owner Christy Wimberly estimates that her new eatery will open in summer 2022.

EGGS UP GRILL estimates its opening date for summer 2022 at 300 Hughes Road. The restaurant’s comprehensive menu will include breakfast sandwiches, Eggs Benedict, omelets, pancakes, waffles and French toast.

Along with standard breakfast fare, EGGS UP GRILL will serve home-fry bowls and delectable muffins. At lunchtime, guests can opt for a hamburger and other sandwiches, wraps and salads.

The Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau compiled most of the restaurant details in this article. (huntsville.org)