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By Sarah Aghedo

Special to The Selma Times-Journal

When the lunch hour rolls around in downtown Selma, you have eight options to choose from. They range from old school, wrapped-in-waxed-paper to fresh and artistically plated.

The Hickory Pit (1700 Selma Ave.) first opened in 1967 and has only had three owners since then. While they may not have barbecue on the menu anymore, there are plenty of burgers and breakfast sandwiches to choose from. If you’re equally old school, you can reminisce about how your dad fed you French fries at the Hickory Pit while your mom grocery shopped across the street.

A classic meat-and-three favorite is the Downtowner Restaurant (1114 Selma Ave.) where turkey and dressing is on the menu every day. There are at least six side choices each day, including the quintessentially Southern pear salad on some days. You’re also welcome to come in when they open at 7 a.m. for your first cup of coffee and some breakfast.

And if coffee is what you’d like, there are two options that also offer lunch:  the original Coffee Shoppe (308 Broad St.) and Reflections Coffee Shoppe (1014 Water Ave.). Each has their own array of lattes, chai and cappuccinos. While the Coffee Shoppe tends more towards paninis, chicken salad and baked goods; Reflections Coffee Shoppe has a variety of smoothies, sandwiches, and salads. Each has its distinctive atmosphere, but both places are popular meeting spots that provide an opportunity for visitors to mark their hometowns on a global map.

Like the Downtowner Restaurant, Milk’s Café (118 Washington St.) is also a meat-and-three, along with burgers, wings, and salads. Wednesdays and Sundays are Soul Food days, so throughout the week, there is a nice variety to choose from. There are also dessert options that couldn’t be more Southern and appealing: red velvet cake and banana pudding.

Around the corner from Milk’s Café is the Good Vibez Café (1205 Alabama Ave.). They serve up a variety of burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, loaded fries, and more.  They might be the newest venue on this list, but Good Vibez has a loyal customer base already. In fact, there isn’t a customer favorite because “they like it all.”

Just two blocks from Good Vibez Café and a block from the St. James Hotel is By the River – Humanity’s Café (1306 Water Ave.). Whether it’s jerk chicken or an eggroll in a bowl, these lunch options are served “with a smidgen of hope, a pinch of joy, and a dash of love.” Humanity’s Café also caters and hosts groups, so currently the café is closed for lunch until June 25.

With a set daily menu, except for Thursdays when there’s an “all you can eat fresh food buffet,” the 5&Dime (201 Broad St.) is also a local favorite lunch spot. Whether it’s lasagna or a focaccia sandwich, with the signature salad and Body & Soul cookie, it’s freshly made. Like Humanity’s Café, the 5&Dime is a welcoming place to linger.

Whether it’s a quick burger and fries or a more leisurely meal you have in mind, downtown Selma has multiple options available at lunchtime. Enjoy!

Time for Lunch

Downtown Selma offers eight great options!

By the River – Humanity’s Café

1306 Water Ave.

T-Th: Noon -2 p.m.

334.526.4500

The Coffee Shoppe

308 Broad St.

M-F: 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.

334.878.2739

The Downtowner

1114 Selma Ave.

M-F: 7 a.m. -2 p.m.

334.875.5933

5 & Dime

201 Broad St.

M-Th: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

334.375.3838

Good Vibez Cafe

1205 Alabama Ave.

M-F: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

334.412.8705

The Hickory Pit

1700 Selma Ave.

M-F: 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sat: 7 a.m. – noon

334.874.9950

Milk’s Cafe

118 Washington St.

W-Sun: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

334.419.6904

Reflections Coffee Shoppe

1014 Water Ave.

M-Sat: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

334.878.2739

Sarah Aghedo is the executive director of the Selma Redevelopment Authority. To contact her, please call 334-407-9313 or email her at info@selmara.org. For more information, log on to www.selmara.org.