Niki's West — Restaurant in Birmingham

Let me preface this review by telling you that I haven't eaten at a Cafeteria type restaurant since I was a kid, about 10 years old, and even at 10 I didn't like it. So I kept my expectations open here for Niki's. I'm going to bring to light how incredibly convenient and great it is for the restaurant to have a parking area for truckers. As a trucker every day we're losing good sit down restaurants with hot food, and it's being replaced by unhealthy unappealing fast food. So Niki's having Parking for America's truckers is so incredible!

Immediately upon leaving my truck the grounds of the restaurant are well kept, and the restaurant has clean windows, and fresh looking paint, very inviting. Open the door and I'm immediately greeted by folks on the serving line. The restaurant is SPOTLESS! The Serving area is Also completely spotless, not a pea or kernel of corn out of place. Brightly lit so the customer can easily view the deliciousness that awaits them. It didn't take me five steps in to realize that this most definitely wasn't anything like the restaurant I ate in many years ago When I was 10. I looked at the main entrees of the day, and the decision was difficult, everything looked great, I did however settle on the Grecian fish with Spinach, squash with onions, okra, and shredded cabbage for the sides. Immediately after making my choice a friendly face rang out my delectable decisions and another smiling friendly face guided me to my seat. I want to take a moment again before talking About the food to bring up the cleanliness of the dining area as well as the absolute unison of dress attire of EVERYONE there. Clean black or red button shirts and white spotless aprons. For a moment in time you forget where you are.. You get the feel that you're a celebrity dining in a Five star restaurant enjoying some of the best Birmingham has to offer.

Now the meal, my waitress was epic, I ordered an unsweet tea which was very fresh and tasty. She made sure my glass never went dry, and also brought extra napkins and kept up with me to make sure I needed nothing. Her smile was pleasant, and it was nice to see someone enjoy what they do. Immediately after cutting my deliciously flaky And juicy Grecian fish, I knew right away I was in for a treat. Topped with tomatoes scallions and celery, plenty of aromatic oregano, served in an absolutely perfect lemon sauce, I savored every bite. It paired well with the fresh whole leaf sautéed spinach, and even better with the squash and onions. I wanted to pause a moment with the squash, all too often restaurants will absolutely overdue the squash and cook it so long that it becomes a mushy squash purée. Not here, they were perfect, slight crunch accompanied by the onions, and a very smooth buttery taste for the finish. Okra was also very delicious cooked in a red sauce and completed with tasty onions. Shredded cabbage was also good, topped with what tasted like a slightly sweet light Buffalo sauce, but at that point I had eaten enough and couldn't finish it. This meal was above and beyond anything I had expected. I will for sure return many times in the future for the exemplary service and food that SETS THE BAR! Thank you for a...

I love Nikk's West, I have been a fan every since my first visit with my Dad in the early 2000"s . The food is very good, however, I was beyond saddened by how I was treated by most of hte employees I encountered, and how I witnessed other customers being treated. It was beyond sad to see 2 elderly couple who indicated they had been coming there almost since the place opened, and when they tried to engage those serving behind the line about it they were basically frowned at and asked to pick something or move on. I spoke up and asked them to try being more friendly, and apologized myself to them. They looked as if the ywanted to cry. I was treated just as poorly, being asked what I wanted in one breath, and before I could say, being asked to move on. I tried to smile and engage the person helping me one more time and they never smiled or even responded to any of my questions. It was obvious lthey had no intention of being friendly or even trying to ensure a good experienve for anyone in the line. by the time I checked out I ran in the the couple again and after speaking with them I learned they actually the original owner, John, and have veen coming there for their dinner for decades. I remember my Dad joiking with one of hte cooks whenever we went and that person got to know him and when we came in it was like they had been old friends, When my Dad passed I visited and that same worker did something very nice for me. I didn't see him and was trying to find out if he was still there, retired, or something else. and couldn't even get the cashier to talk with me, she just frowned consistently and even made a rude comment about something to anohter worker. I actually had one emplyee be nice to me and smile, as he was apologizing for what he saw happen at the reguster. HE didn't know the man I was asking about and indicated after COVID they lost alot of employees. He knew the older couple and was also sadened at how they were treated. I wish the current owners will actually read this and find value in the customers and how they are tereated when they come to eat there. I remeber when the owners would come around to the tables and take a moment to just speak with you, smile and joke back with you. I even remeber them sitting and with me, other times with other customers. I think they really wanted to know who was visiting thier restaurant. I even remember when the first opened another location, and made some hilarious jokes about why they clsoed it . PLEASE bring back the joy and service, it is an important part of why people come to eat there. I hope the elderly couple continue to visit, they were so sweet and have alot of history they remember to share from the 50's or 60"s you may...

My colleague recommended this spot for lunch as we were working nearby. She stated it’s always packed and boy was it! The parking lot has lots of spaces and an addition parking lot across the side street. Still, you may have a challenge finding a spot.

For those of you familiar with K&W, this is very much like that. Cafeteria style, grab a tray and utensils then walk down the food displays and pick your meat, veggies, breads and desserts. You’ll get a ticket at the end of the line but you won’t pay until you leave.

There was a gentleman that escorted us to a table. I didn’t experience that at K&W but it seemed to be helpful to keep the flow of things going smoothly.

Servers will bring you your drink and anything else you may by way of condiments.

I had the Greek chicken, which I thought would be more like chicken souvlaki in a skewer. In a rush, I didn’t look and it was baked chicken in Greek seasonings. I also got the fried green tomatoes and a side of rutabaga. Did I know what rutabaga was? No. But I liked the bright orange color of it and I’m adventurous. It was delicious and light. It’s a cross between turnips and cabbage. I enjoyed it!

A little pricey for a lunch, in my opinion. But it’s fast and the food is fresh and tasty. I also had enough left over to take it home, so considering that’d the price wasn’t bad at all. I realized while making this review that there is a discounted price if...