Decatur Restaurants Join Together to Promote New Eat Local Initiative

Decatur prides itself on a variety of locally-owned restaurants and eateries. From the oldest operating restaurant to the newest eclectic bistros, locals and visitors have a variety of options to choose from when it comes to dining options. Slated to kick-off August 16, 2013, in conjunction with Alabama Restaurant Week, is a new local campaign to help promote restaurants and food-related businesses located in Decatur. The “EAT Local, EAT Well, EAT Together, EAT Decatur” campaign is a collection of local, independently owned restaurants and food-related businesses providing an innovative concept to discover new dining options in the city of Decatur.

According to Rick Brown, spokesman for EAT Decatur, the purpose of EAT Decatur is to highlight local or independently-owned restaurants and businesses with a focus on food in Decatur through a grassroots effort. Through social media, the group will introduce followers to these businesses and their menus, specials, and activities. To date, 15 businesses are participating and include Back Alley Bistro, Casual Gourmet, Downtown Dawgs, Food-Fite, Mellow Mushroom, Albany Bistro, C.F. Penn Hamburgers, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que, The Magnolia Room, Bank Street Green, Petals for the Princess Market, Java Jaay Café, City Café, Morgan-Price Candy Company, and Daniel’s Seafood Market. 

“The EAT Local, EAT Well, EAT Together, EAT Decatur campaign is a long-term campaign formulated through volunteer efforts to help improve the visibility of what is available in the city of Decatur,” said Brown. While Brown acknowledges chain restaurants serve an important role, especially when people want a familiar menu, he also believes there are many individuals and families who welcome recommendations for good local fare. “Businesses participating in the program can join forces with one another to create new products and to cross-promote one another,” added Brown. Typical information that will be announced on the EAT Decatur Facebook page include pet friendly restaurants, special deals, and restaurants offering gluten-free menus or that have vegetarian options.

For more information, visit its Facebook page at EatDecatur.  Any food-related business interested in participating can send an email to Brown at eatdecatur@outlook.com.

Coordinated by the Alabama Tourism Department, Restaurant Week is a marketing event from August 16-25 designed to increase traffic by offering prix fixe lunch and dinner offering which typically include appetizer, entrée, and dessert at a set price. Twelve of Decatur and Hartselle’s best restaurants will offer special fixed price lunches and dinners during the 10-day promotion giving diners the opportunity to enjoy select dishes at a reasonable price point. There are no coupons or discount books to buy or bring. The Alabama Restaurant Week pricing is fixed at $10, $20, and $30 for dinner and $5, $10, and $15 for lunch. In most cases, the price is per person and does not include tax, tip and drink. For more information, visit www.alabamarestaurantweek.com.