Courtyard Oyster Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Alabaster

I was invited to lunch here with some workplace proximity associates and given the warning that it isn't your typical restaurant but the food is really good. They weren't wrong. As soon as I walked in the door I knew the only way this place was still in business was because the food had to be incredible. The wait staff was extremely friendly and attentive as well. I could and would overlook a multitude of no no's because of those two things, however, I just cannot get past two major issues. #2 the smoking, YES smoking is allowed in this place all of the time. While making a mental note to get a lung cancer screening ASAP, I took a reluctant seat in what I thought might be the less cancery section. Our waiter was prompt and offered helpful menu suggestions. I ordered the stuffed chicken, each bite literally melted in my mouth! He kept the sweet iced tea coming and the lemon pie for dessert was plain sinful. We were joined by some other WPA's and I was just about to forget about the lung cancer when issue #1 walked by. I spotted a skin head walking around like he owed the place wearing an Ed Hardy T-shirt with the F-word and a slur spelled out on it. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt so I thought hmmm maybe he got hit on the head and was robbed of his hair and proper clothing...that would be a HARD NO... His T-shirt had a bunch of friends who were holding court, smoking up the place and raising hello kitty Kelly on the other end. My mawmaw Violet Laverne would have made each and every one of them go get a good switch off the hickory tree out back and blistered their hides until they had a much more Christ like feeling in their spirits. I looked around for someone's mawmaw but couldn't find one. I guess there's a reason mawmaws don't go there. I reckon it's the same reason I won't go back there again. I am ashamed I didn't notice the lack of diversity sooner. When I questioned my WPA's about this they said they warned me it wasn't typical. I pressed them about their continued patronage and was given the extraordinarily obtuse answer of "the food is so good." Yes it is wonderful but I would rather stuff my own chicken and leave the smoking and racism in the dumpster where it belongs.

Ways to improve Keep the cookbook Burn everything else. Yes everything.

To those who inherit the...

My party and my experience under the management of John Brackin and his diligent staff, at Courtyard Oyster Bar and Grill in Alabaster, was bar none the best experience I had in a bar in quite some time. The food was delicious for bar food, served in a timely matter, and drinks were refilled and delivered promptly. I fully plan on returning to this establishment any days that John Brackin and his phenomenal staff are working. My party and I had a fantastic time, and do not think that our time spent at the courtyard Oyster Bar and Grill in Alabaster, would have been as fruitfully enjoyable, had it not been for the exceptional service received from John Brackin and the team of attentive and helpful staff...

I've been going there since the beginning. For the first time since. I went to get some food (dinner) I pull in it was dead maybe 4 cars in the parking lot. So I figured I would call in my order while I was checking emails,social media. text. Well they would not put my ordering saying I have to pay for it first I said I'm in the parking lot and I pay with cash. She says we'll your gunna have to come in and pay first.. I said you have a great day and went to whataburger. And they wonder why it's dead. Lol they need to lose some of the rude employees. Maybe people wouldn't leave before they walk in. ...