INSIGHT Magazine August 2016 | Page 22

chicken fingers, salads and nachos. There’s a bit of everything, but when meals come out, there’s a whole lot to them. Alexandria is one of Calhoun County’s more rural communities, wrapped around Highway 431 just north of Anniston. Though it’s a small town and rural enough that folks are spread out, the community is tight-knit, and when people go shopping or eat in town, they know the faces and names of the people they meet. Restaurants in the area reflect that kind of familiarity, and there’s a new addition that perfectly reflects that attitude: Local Joe’s. Located on Highway 144 just off of 421, Local Joe’s serves Southern food ranging from ribs and barbecue butts to sandwiches, 22 Plates of turkey, ribs or beef come with two sides apiece, which is more than it sounds and far too much to eat in a single sitting. Chicken fingers that are big enough they may as well be called “chicken hands” come in with macaroni and mashed potatoes, alongside Local Joe’s famous BBQ sauce, and it’s enough for lunch and dinner the same night. The Alexandria location continues the original Rainbow City trading post’s tradition of good food and great atmosphere. Owners Jodie and Karen Stanfield built Local Joe’s to be a down-home gathering place, where friends and families can enjoy a good meal and a good conversation without the hustle and noise of a sports bar or diner. Stop by and give them a try today! ✻ August 2016 INSIGHT