Reviewed by: Michael Seale
Huntsville nostalgia: check out 5 places we miss the most
Reading time: 4 minutes
Recently, we asked our readers to name places around the city they missed the most. We discovered our fellow citizens long for many iconic locations that should find their way back into the community.
Read below to learn more about some of the most frequently missed Huntsville destinations, including why they closed and the value they brought to the community:
Table of Contents
Darryl’s 1817
Darryl’s 1817 starts our list as a once-beloved chain that operated for more than 20 years on University Drive until it was closed and torn down in the 2000s.
The restaurant itself had a vibrant atmosphere, as guests could dine on a Ferris wheel seat while taking in even more unique decorations. It appears that more themed local restaurants could be a welcome addition to Huntsville in the future.
El Palacio
For more than 50 years, El Palacio served up some of the city’s finest Mexican cuisine and has been reported as the first Mexican restaurant in the city. Unfortunately, its closure in 2017 ended its run as one of the city’s longest-running restaurants.
Often-cited reasons for the restaurant’s lasting legacy are its iconic sombrero sign, persisting ties to other local businesses and delicious salsa, which can actually still be found at the Star Super Market at Five Points.
Gibson’s Barbecue
Gibson’s Barbecue comes in next on our list as one of the area’s former top barbecue destinations. An unfortunate fire in 2022 brought on its permanent closure and demolition earlier this year.
The restaurant was known for its breakfast, pulled pork and ribs. It had also been open in Huntsville since the 1950s, marking its closure as a major turning point to new eats in the community.
This closure resonates with me the most because I remember eating breakfast at Gibson’s with my father many times when I was a kid. From what we’ve gathered, many Huntsville residents share similar sentiments.
Madison Square Mall
Madison Square Mall is another particularly nostalgic entry for me, as it made for many fun family shopping outings while I was growing up.
Thankfully, the mall now lives on as the exciting MidCity District, which saw the recent opening of Apollo Park and includes many recent welcome additions to the community.
While it’s disappointing that Madison Square Mall had to close to make this happen, we are excited it can live on in new and exciting ways that still appeal to the community.
Whitesburg Drive-in Theater
The Whitesburg Drive-in Theater was Huntsville’s first when it opened in 1949 and is the biggest throwback on this list, as it was closed in 1980. We found many long-time Huntsville residents feeling nostalgic for this theater and perhaps feeling its closing was premature.
In an era where movie theaters are becoming undervalued and the drive-in movie is largely disappearing, it may make sense to some that Huntsville does not have a drive-in theater.
As a fan of the movie theater experience myself, however, I can’t help but wonder if a drive-in theater would inject some life into this struggling scene.
What do you miss the most in Huntsville? Let us know on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
