Monday, February 21, 2011

Green Valley Drugs

Hoover, AL
$4-$6 Entrees

You don't need a prescription to go to Green Valley Drugs, but a treat there might be just the cure you need! In this charming pharmacy and gift shop dwells an all-American, old-fashioned, honest-to-goodness soda fountain complete with a friendly, hard-working staff with a talent for remembering their customers by name. Choose between a chair at a table or a round vinyl stool at the counter and listen to the roar of the retro milkshake blender while you try not to order everything on the menu.


Green Valley serves up some of the best cheeseburgers in town. Any nostalgia you may feel for the quality of restaurants past will be more than satisfied by the warm fuzzies you will experience with your first bite. These burgers are not the previously frozen, dry patties found at most restaurants today. These babies are made from fresh beef delivered to Green Valley each morning. After coming off the well-ventilated grill, they are tender, juicy and complemented by fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, thinly-sliced pickles, real mayonnaise, ketchup and a toasted bun. Paradise, anyone?

Green Valley also makes expertly crafted sandwiches, including a mean BLT. Served on white or wheat, the savory bacon, crisp lettuce and juicy tomato combine to form one of America's most oft-craved sandwiches. While Green Valley's tuna salad is a bit heavy on the pickle relish, their pimiento cheese won't disappoint. For those with large appetites, most sandwiches are available in club or double-decker size. All sandwiches should be accompanied by Green Valley's golden crinkle-cut fries, which are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and served hot.

Certain things are worth dying for: God, country and a chocolate malt from Green Valley's soda fountain. This thick, creamy shake is punctuated by sugary lumps of malt like stars in a chocolaty night sky. You won't be able to stop drinking it. Although you can get it to-go, it will taste even better if served from a dented, stainless milkshake cup. No soft-serve at this soda fountain, either. Green Valley uses only real Mayfield ice cream in each sundae and banana split. The same genuine ingredients can be found in every selection. Even the lemonade is made with real lemons. For a bona fide breakfast, complete with eggs, grits, sausage and pancakes, come before 10:30 a.m. each weekday.

With prompt service and prices less than what a gallon of gas will cost by summer, it is no wonder that Green Valley Drugs soda fountain and pharmacy has been successful since December of 1961, when it first opened under the ownership of Mr. Joe Box. Now running for 50 years this December, it is Hoover's oldest business. To experience a bygone era when a date meant a couple simply sharing a Coca-Cola, bring your sweetheart and visit Green Valley Drugs. They might even give you two straws for your milkshake!

4 Kudzu