Birmingham restaurant expands its business while others fight to stay open amid string of closures

May 11, 2026 - 07:51

While many Birmingham eateries are fighting to keep their doors open amid a wave of closures, one local spot is bucking the trend. O' Taste and See, a restaurant that has long operated primarily as a takeout and to-go business, has completed a major expansion. The restaurant added new dining space and introduced a full dine-in experience for the first time.

The expansion was celebrated on Mother's Day, a fitting date for a business built on family and community. For years, customers lined up for the food but had few places to sit. Now, the restaurant offers a proper sit-down setting, allowing guests to enjoy meals on-site rather than rushing home with takeout containers.

The move comes at a time when the Birmingham restaurant scene has seen a string of high-profile closures. Rising costs, staffing shortages, and changing customer habits have forced many places to shut down. O' Taste and See, however, found a way to grow. The owners credit loyal customers and a strong local following for making the expansion possible.

The new space is designed to feel warm and welcoming, with an emphasis on family-style dining. The menu remains focused on the same soul food and comfort dishes that built the restaurant's reputation. For now, the owners say they are focused on serving the community well rather than planning further growth. In a city where many restaurants are shrinking or closing, O' Taste and See is a rare story of expansion and optimism.