41 businesses you want to bring to Huntsville—620+ locals answer

Anything is possible for Huntsville openings, proven by retail giants IKEA and L.L. Bean opening their first Alabama locations in Huntsville this year. We feature over 10 new openings weekly, yet we can keep dreaming for spots like In-N-Out to set up shop in the Rocket City.

This week, we asked our Facebook followers what business or restaurant they would bring to Huntsville, and over 620 of you responded. 👇

Read more below, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get news like this delivered to your inbox. 📨

Top 10 chains locals want in Huntsville

There are endless possibilities for chains to bring to town—here are your ten most common requests:

• 🍗 Raising Cane’s (@raisingcanes): Popular chicken finger chain known for its iconic sauce
• 🌭 Portillo’s Hot Dogs (@portilloshotdogs): Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers + more
• 🦞 Pappadeux Seafood Kitchen (@pappadeaux): Scratch seafood kitchen serving coastal + French Quarter
• classics
• 🍔 In-N-Out (@innout): Cali-based burger chain that just expanded to Franklin, TN
• 🍔 White Castle (@whitecastle): America’s first fast food burger joint
• 🍝 Macaroni Grill: Once located at Madison Square Mall, this family-friendly Italian spot can be found closest in Orlando
• 🛍️ Nordstrom (@nordstrom): High-end clothing store with designer brands
• 🌎 World Market (@worldmarket): International foods, furniture, home decor, gifts + more
• 🍦 Jeni’s Ice Creams (@jenisicecreams): Modern, specialty ice cream shop with pints for sale
• 🌮 Torchy’s Tacos (@torchystacos): Austin-based chain for tacos, burritos + salads

New local concepts Huntsville wants to see

Of course, we all want to welcome even more local businesses to the area, such as these concept suggestions from our audience:

• New York City deli
• Jewish-style deli
• Chicago roast beef shop
• Late night spot for healthy food
• Local coffee shop in Providence
• Kids’ play cafe
• Cuban restaurant
• Ethiopian restaurant

We even saw some unusual requests like:

“I want a cafe that has animals running around in it or outside of it that can’t live in the wild anymore due to injuries or already being domesticated. I’m talking stuff like raccoons, possums, capybaras, etc.”

Chris Collier

Restaurants from other cities

We’re no stranger to getting additions from other cities like Floriana and Tupelo Honey in MidCity or Barracuda Tacos downtown.

Here are more classics from around the country you would bring to Huntsville:

“Ghost Fish – 100% gluten free restaurant and brewery. As far as I know the only location is in Seattle, Washington.”

Tammy Kay Davis

“I’m from Pensacola area and Mr. Pollo Pensacola serves the best charcoal rotisserie chicken. I would love to see them here!”

Ray

Il Fornaio has wonderful Italian food…their breads are amazing. Everything about this place is wonderful.”

Laura Taylor

“Ladybird Taco, Martins BBQ, Frothy Monkey Coffee … basically everything from 12th South in Nashville.”

Yvonne Pittman

“Garage Burger, chain in Oaklahoma City”

Nicholas Roha

“Dairi-O, from North Carolina. The best handmade burgers, chili dogs, crinkle fries & shakes…EVER!”

Ann Brocato

“Huey’s Restaurants – voted best burger in Memphis, year after year. Excellent family restaurant. Come to Huntsville!”

Cliff Priestly

“Fowling Warehouse (the one in Michigan is awesome)”

Amanda Forton

“Seeing as we already have Grimaldi’s, I’d love to have Guidos’s Pizza from Boise, Idaho. Best pizza west of the Hudson River.”

Frank-Fran Miller

Former HSV restaurants you want to see reopen

• 🇩🇪 Hildegard’s: Well-loved local German spot that sat on Whitesburg Drive for over 15 years
• 🍴 Toybox Bistro: “Nerdy” eatery that boasted cuisines from Asian to American + Southern comfort favorites
• 🍔 Mullins: Huntsville family-owned Southern restaurant that operated in Five Points from 1929 to 2014
• 🌶️ El Palacio: Longtime favorite on Memorial Parkway that served up house-made Chile Relleno + other Mexican fare
• 🍗 Piccadilly: Cafeteria-style eatery with iconic carrot souffle + chicken-fried steak
• 🍰 Cafe Berlin: German restaurant on Airport Road known for their wide spread of homemade desserts
• 🇨🇳 Jade Palace: Chinese spot with fantastic Mandarin beef + chicken
• 🌮 Cantina Laredo: Latin American cuisine at Bridge Street with tableside guacamole service
• 🐓 Beauregards: Wing joint with multiple HSV locations + a dedicated following
• 🥩 Mr. Steak: Family-owned steakhouse on the Parkway with iconic teriyaki chicken + expansive salad bar
• ⛴️ Fogcutter: Upscale steakhouse with fantastic cocktails like Brandy Alexanders + live music nightly
• 🥡 Empress of China: Chinese favorite on Memorial Parkway with ample seating room + bright decor
• 🚂 Twickenham Station: Intimate dining room inside a defunct railroad car where you could find a large salad + oyster bar
• 🥾 Boots Restaurant: “Cheers”-style bar with friendly service + delicious steaks

Add your picks on Facebook

What other businesses or restaurants does Huntsville need to add? Let us know on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.