Wheelhouse — Restaurant in Opp

We went around 4:15pm so definitely before the dinner crowd was there and we were immediately greeted at the door. Upon first walking on the floor my 3 year old slipped and then walking to the table, so did I. I commented and the hostess said everybody slips and slides on it. That isnt safe and honestly needs to be rectified. On to the rest though.

The decor is beautiful with rustic industrial feel and low lighting which gives a nice ambiance and a feeling that youre going to have a great experience. Our waitress came and got our drink order and about 5 minutes later brings drinks with nonstraws so I asked for a straw. During the time it took for the drinks we looked over the menu and noticed a few things: The childrens menu was $7 even for just a grilled cheese. Sides dont seem to be included Just a quick chicken finger plate for an adult is not an option but there are a lot of other options for very specific tastes.

I waited about 10 minutes for that paper straw and ended up not being able to use it because it changes the flavor of the drink which was already almost flat to begin with.

We ordered macaroni and cheese with chicken, burger and fries, and the $7 grilled cheese with apples which is no biggie if it's good! Our food came quick- very quick and i was impressed. The mac n cheese was good. It wasnt delicious but I'd eat it again. I ordered a burger. My biggest pet peeve is that I am very specific what I want on it -bacon, cheese, and a sauce (ketchup, bbq nothing crazy) because I have zero tolerance for the smell of pickles or onions and most other things. So the waitress sets it in front of me and says she forgot to ask how I wanted the meat cooked so she told them medium well. And then she left. I look down and there are 3 pickles touching the burger which automatically means I dont eat that part. I cut it off and tries the burger even though I like mine medium and barely medium at that. There was nothing medium well about it. It was definitely well done and there was no taste. It was like they forgot to flavor it all. We saw her about 20 minutes later after i waited a bit because I was going to send it back. I said to heck with it and just sucked it up because I was starving.

She came back around and we got the $47 check, paid and left and we wont be back. Big Mike's definitely has nothing to worry about with...

Tried 2 dishes: NOLA SHRIMP & GRITS - $25 Blackened Wild American Shrimp/Smoked Gouda Grits/ New Orleans BBQ Sauce FRIED GREEN TOMATOES - $13 Wicked Pimento Cheese/Bacon Jam

The Nola shrimp and grits popped with different flavors. After squeezing the fresh lime on to the center of dish to blend with the onions and tomotoes it was pure delight. The shrimp required no additional sauce because it would interfere with grilled spices that were already present. I particularly liked the creamy texture that the Gouda added to the grits. My spouse would have preferred more fresh ingredients, but it would not be a deal breaker for me. I would gladly order this again. It was filling and hit the spot after a long day.

The fried green tomatoes were a suprising new take on traditional southern comfort appetizer. Wheel House strives to offer modern southern dishes. With that in mind, I have a few observations, the skewer stick holds the multiple layers together and it’s beautiful for presentation, however, it is then left to the imagination has to how to consume it. I attempted to cut it into smaller pieces and I was unable to keep the layers intact. The sauce on the top does not extend to the lower layers, so to remedy this, I sought out combinations of the pimento and fried tomato to dip in the sauce. Then I thought perhaps you were supposed to cut it all up and then mix it with the arugula. I humbly recommend considering making smaller bite-size versions of the dish. This would maintain the integrity of the stacked flavor profile and help customers like me navigate the modern twist. This is the reason for 4 instead if 5 stars.

As a traveler passing through, the staff was very kind and the ambience was welcoming during my first visit to Wheel House. I saw the strings of lights on the patio and look foward to sitting there next time and trying other dishes on their menu. My compliments to whomever created the menu names for the dishes because they were extremely creative amongst all the menus I have ever read and filled...

Restaurant Review: The Wheelhouse Restaurant, Alabama

During our recent visit to The Wheelhouse Restaurant in Alabama, we had an overall enjoyable experience, though there were a few aspects of the meal that fell short of expectations.

Starting with the French onion soup, it was a comforting dish, but there was a surprising twist: it was made with oregano instead of thyme. While oregano is a flavorful herb, it didn't quite provide the classic taste profile that makes French onion soup so beloved. It was a unique take, but we found ourselves missing the familiar warmth of thyme. They, as many others choose the topping of Swiss, instead of Gruyère. Another disappointment.

The clam chowder had good flavor, but there was a slight issue with the cream. It seemed like it hadn't fully cooked or blended, which affected the texture. While it was still enjoyable, this detail kept it from being truly memorable.

On a brighter note, the smoked wings were a highlight. They were packed with flavor, perfectly smoky, and had just the right amount of spice. They’re definitely a must-try if you visit.

The Pimento cheese Fried Green Tomatoes were unfortunately a mess. The dish felt disjointed, with flavors that didn’t quite come together, making it a bit of a disappointment.

Finally, the Birria tacos were lacking in seasoning, which was surprising. Tacos usually burst with bold flavors, but these seemed to be missing some key ingredients that would have made them stand out.

Overall, The Wheelhouse Restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere and some enjoyable dishes, particularly the smoked wings. However, a few missteps in seasoning and preparation kept the experience from being exceptional. With a bit of fine-tuning, this place has the potential to be a go-to spot for a delicious meal in the Covington county area of Alabama.

P.S. the GM / bartender was extremely nice & helpful to answer any questions we had about the menu,...