Birmingham native and cookbook author Martie Duncan has just released her latest cookbook, "Alabama Cravings: The Most Requested Alabama Restaurant Recipes Past & Present," a follow-up to her 2017 book, "Magic City Cravings."

The new book includes photographs, memories and recipes from many of Alabama's most celebrated and beloved restaurants.

You'll have to buy the book to get the recipes, but please continue reading here to get a taste of some of the stories you'll find in "Alabama Cravings." Historical facts and anecdotes about the restaurants and recipes featured in this story are from Duncan's book, as well as from the archives of AL.com.

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Acre, Auburn: Chicken-Fried Bacon with Sawmill Gravy

David Bancroft, a three-time James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist for best chef in the South and a winner on the Food Network's "Iron Chef Showdown," offers a modern spin on classic Southern recipes at his Auburn restaurant Acre. One of Bancroft's signature dishes is this chicken-fried bacon with sawmill gravy, which is every bit as delicious as it sounds.

Read more: Alabama chef wins Food Network's "Iron Chef Showdown."

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Baumhower's Victory Grille, Mobile and other locations: Bam Bam Gulf Shrimp

Bob Baumhower was a football star in college at the University of Alabama, where he played under the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant, and in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins, where he was coached by another legend, Don Shula. These days, though, Baumhower is perhaps better known as the restaurateur behind Baumhower's Victory Grille, which has several locations throughout the state. One of the most popular appetizers on the Baumhower's menu is the Bam Bam Gulf Shrimp.

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Belle Chevre Cheese Shop and Tasting Room, Elkmont: Goat Cheese Fondue

Artisan cheesemaker Tasia Malakasis and her Belle Chevre goat cheese have been touted in magazines from Southern Living to Garden & Gun, and one of Malakasis' most requested recipes is this one for her goat cheese fondue, which goes great with sliced apples, summer sausage and fresh bread.

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SpringHouse, Alexander City: Pimento Cheese

SpringHouse executive chef Rob McDaniel is a five-time James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist for best chef in the South, and his farm-to-table restaurant features seasonally inspired dishes, such as the restaurants famous Mr. Jim's Vegetable Plate, named in honor of longtime cook, James Black. Before the main course, enjoy a serving of McDaniel's house-made pimento cheese, with freshly grated white cheddar cheese and roasted red peppers.

Read more: Mr. Jim's last vegetable plate.

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The Hound, Auburn: Heirloom Tomato Pie

With executive chef Robbie Nicolaisen at the helm, Auburn's The Hound is yet another great food find in a college town that's teeming with great restaurants. One of the favorite dishes on Nicolaisen's elevated Southern comfort food menu is the heirloom tomato pie, which features a deliciously flaky crust that's made in house.

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Ezell's Fish Camp, Lavaca: Hush Puppies

Commercial fisherman Charles Agnew Ezell Jr. opened Ezell's Fish Camp in a dogtrot cabin on the banks of the Tombigbee River in 1954, and more than 60 years later, Mary Ann Ezell Hall and her son, Agnew Hall, carry on the family tradition. The little cabin has expanded over the years, as folks near and far flock to the small town of Lavaca in Choctaw County for some of Ezell's fried catfish and hush puppies -- as well as those relaxing views of the river from the back porch.

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Irondale Cafe, Irondale: Fried Green Tomatoes

The Irondale Cafe has been around nearly 90 years, but Alabama author Fannie Flagg put the venerable meat-and-three restaurant, and its iconic dish, on the map with her 1987 novel "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe." In 1991, her book was adapted into the Academy Award-nominated movie "Fried Green Tomatoes," prompting tourists from around the country to seek out the little cafe that inspired both the book and the film. Jim Dolan, the Irondale Cafe's current owner, says he serves between 600 and 800 slices of green tomatoes a day.

More about Irondale Cafe: The movie that made the restaurant famous

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John's City Diner, Birmingham: Not Your Mama's Macaroni and Cheese

The original John's Restaurant opened in downtown Birmingham in 1944, and nearly three-quarters of a century later, husband and wife Shannon and Shana Gober are keeping the John's name alive with their John's City Diner, which offers a fresh take on familiar dishes. Their signature Not Your Mama's Macaroni and Cheese is a heavenly blend of penne pasta, thinly sliced prosciutto and three cheeses.

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The Waysider, Tuscaloosa: Biscuit Gravy

A Tuscaloosa institution, The Waysider was a favorite of beloved Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who had a regular seat near the door and was a big fan of the restaurant's country ham. No "Breakfast of Champions" is complete, though, without The Waysider's buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy.

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Buzzcatz Coffee & Sweets, Orange Beach: Pimento Cheese Biscuits

Just last year, biscuit maker and pastry chef Kim Asbury partnered with Brian and Jodi Harsany to open their Orange Beach bakery Buzzcatz Coffee & Sweets, and soon thereafter, she was named the winner of the 2017 International Biscuit Festival. The bakery features cupcakes and croissants, but don't leave without trying one (or two) of Asbury's pimento cheese biscuits.

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Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham: Tomato Salad with Cucumbers, Basil and Lady Pea Vinaigrette

Inspired by the culinary masters from France but deeply rooted in chef-and-owner Frank Stitt's native Alabama, Highlands Bar and Grill has set the standard for fine-dining restaurants across the South since Stitt opened his restaurant in 1982. This year, Highlands was recognized by the James Beard Foundation as the Most Outstanding Restaurant in America. The baked grits are a staple of the Highlands menu, but a seasonal favorite is the tomato salad with cucumbers, basil and lady pea vinaigrette.

Read more: Highlands Bar and Grill named most outstanding restaurant in America.

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Brick & Tin, Birmingham: Butternut Squash Soup

Brick & Tin executive chef and owner Mauricio Papapietro cut his culinary teeth working alongside Birmingham uber-chefs Frank Stitt and Chris Hastings. The menus at both the downtown Birmingham and the Mountain Brook locations of Brick & Tin feature artisanal sandwiches served on breads that are baked in-house, as well as seasonal and locally sourced salads and soups, such as this tasty butternut squash soup.

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Curry's on Johnston Street, Decatur: Southern BLT

Curry's on Johnston Street is a gourmet deli located in Decatur's old Cotaco Opera House, a building that dates to the 1890s. Owner Meg Curry serves soups, salads and scratch-made sandwiches, such as the scrumptious Southern BLT, which is loaded with thick slices of bacon, crispy fried green tomatoes and shredded lettuce served on grilled, herb-buttered bread.

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Homewood Gourmet, Homewood: Baby Blue Salad

Birmingham chef Franklin Biggs, who opened what was then known as Franklin's Homewood Gourmet in 1997, made the Baby Blue Salad his signature dish, and when he sold his restaurant in 2010, Biggs passed the recipe along to current Homewood Gourmet owners Chris and Laura Zapalowski, who relocated to the Magic City from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. The salad is a colorful and delicious blend of sliced strawberries, orange wedges, sweet-and-spicy pecans and blue cheese crumbles served on a bed of mixed greens and drizzled with a house-made honey-mustard balsamic vinaigrette.

Read more: 'There is a piece of my soul here'

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LuLu's, Gulf Shores: LuLu's L.A. (Lower Alabama) Caviar

Restaurateur and cookbook author Lucy Buffett -- more affectionately known as "LuLu" -- is the younger sister of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, and while her older brother is right at home on a concert stage, LuLu is just as comfortable in the kitchen. Her sprawling LuLu's restaurant and entertainment complex has become a destination for Gulf Shores vacationers. One of her specialties is LuLu's L.A. (Lower Alabama) Caviar, a salsa-like dip made with black-eyed peas, bell peppers, red onions and cherry tomatoes. It goes great with tortilla chips or saltine crackers.

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Post Office Pies, Birmingham: Brussels and Kale Salad

Most folks go to this rustic pizzeria in the old Avondale post office craving one of Birmingham chef John Hall's wood-fired pizzas, but they often leave raving about his seasonal salads. By far the most popular of those is the Brussels and Kale Salad, which is mixed with chopped bacon, crushed red pepper and mint and cilantro leaves, and then tossed in a red wine vinaigrette.

More about Post Office Pies: 'A huge addition to the neighborhood'

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Southwood Kitchen, Daphne: Pork Belly and Watermelon Salad

Chef Jeremiah Matthews' Southwood Kitchen in Daphne is a fine-dining destination disguised as a casual neighborhood restaurant and bar, and the innovative menu draws from nearby farmlands, oyster beds and the Gulf of Mexico. One of the favorites on the menu is this pork belly and watermelon salad with a honey-mustard vinaigrette.

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The Trellis Room at the Battle House Hotel, Mobile: Seared Diver Scallops

The Trellis Room is located in Mobile's stately, 110-year-old Battle House Hotel and is the the only AAA 4-Diamond restaurant in the Port City. The seared diver scallops with wild mushroom risotto, sauteed spinach and white truffle oil is perhaps the restaurant's most popular dish, as well as the most requested recipe.

Read more: Power up at the Trellis Room.

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Huggin' Molly's, Abbeville: Mr. Tony's Spaghetti Sauce with Meat

Jimmy Rane, also known as the "Yella Fella" in those Great Southern Wood TV commercials, grew up in Abbeville, and he has restored his hometown to look much the way it did when he was a kid. Rane's real-life Mayberry includes Huggin' Molly's, a diner and ice-cream shop that is named after a local folk heroine who, according to legend, hid in the shadows before jumping out to hug her unsuspecting victims. One of the signature dishes at Huggin' Molly's is Mr. Tony's Spaghetti, which is made from a recipe passed down by Rane's father, the late Anthony J. Rane.

Read more: The legend behind Huggin' Molly's.

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Central, Montgomery: Cedar Plank Salmon

Located in a 120-year-old former warehouse with exposed brick, 16-foot ceilings and gas lanterns, the aptly named Central is right in the middle of Montgomery's downtown restaurant and entertainment district. One of the highlights of Central's modern Southern menu is this cedar plank salmon with heirloom tomatoes and basil pesto.

Read more: 'Fat pig' is not an insult when it comes to this restaurant's bacon-y appetizer.

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Hildegard's German Cuisine, Huntsville: Chicken Schnitzel

Not long after moving to the Rocket City, Amy Miller became the proprietor of what has long been considered to be Huntsville's most authentic German restaurant, the Original Hildegard's German Cuisine. But with her German heritage and her background in the hospitality industry, Miller is right at home at Hildegard's. In addition to Reuben sandwiches, potato pancakes and German chocolate cake, one of the favorite dishes at Hildegard's is the hand-breaded chicken schnitzel.

Read more: Hildegard's serves hearty comfort food.

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Bistro V, Vestavia Hills: Seared Gulf Snapper

A native of Bayou La Batre, Jeremy Downey was a member of coach Gene Stallings' 1992 national championship football team at the University of Alabama before he embarked on a career as a chef and restaurateur. Downey opened Bistro V in the former City Hall Diner location in Vestavia Hills in 2010, and this year, he was the winner of the Alabama Seafood Cook-Off. In addition to shrimp and grits, crab cakes and oyster po' boys, one of the most popular dishes on the Bistro V menu is the seared Gulf snapper.

Read more: Familiar faces are back as Bistro V opens in former City Hall Diner.

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Saw's Soul Kitchen, Birmingham: Pork 'n Greens

The perfect mash-up of barbecue and soul food, the Pork 'n Greens has been the signature dish at Saw's Soul Kitchen since co-owners Mike Wilson and Brandon Cain opened their Avondale barbecue joint in 2012. It features most of the essential Southern foods in one serving -- pulled pork barbecue and braised turnip greens piled onto a huge helping of cheese grits and topped with fried onion straws.

More about Saw's Soul Kitchen: Barbecue and soul food in Avondale

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Classic on Noble, Anniston: Classic Shrimp and Grits

The husband-and-wife culinary te,am of David and Cathy Mashburn ran a successful, part-time catering business called Classic Catering before they went all in and opened their Classic On Noble restaurant in downtown Anniston's historic, 124-year-old Levy and Clark building. The dinner menu features jumbo lump Maryland crab cakes and grilled Alaskan salmon, but the Classic Shrimp and Grits, which is one of the "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die," is the restaurant's signature dish.

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Ocean, Birmingham: Lobster Pot Pie

Birmingham chef George Reis opened his appropriately named Ocean seafood restaurant in the Magic City's Five Points South neighborhood in 2002, and in 2015, Reis won the inaugural Alabama Seafood Cook-Off. While the Ocean menu features just about every dish under the sea, the lobster pot pie, which s featured on the Alabama Tourism Department's list of "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die," is a favorite with the restaurant's regulars.

Read more: Birmingham's Ocean restaurant celebrates 15 years.

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Ricatoni's, Florence: Grilled Chicken Alfredo

Rick Elliott, also known as Ricatoni Valentino from his TV commercials, opened Ricatoni's on North Court Street in downtown Florence in 1996. The restaurant is revered in these parts for its hand-made pizzas and hearty pasta dishes, as well as its chicken marsala and veal parmesan. Another favorite is the grilled chicken Alfredo with sauteed mushrooms.

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Dyron's Lowcountry, Mountain Brook: Cast-Iron Skillet Fried Chicken

At Dyron's Lowcountry in Mountain Brook's Crestline Village, chef Randall Baldwin has built a solid following by serving such coastal favorites as shrimp and grits, baked oysters and seafood gumbo, but a favorite among regular guests is the cast-iron skillet fried chicken, which tastes almost as good as your grandmother used to make.

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Bright Star, Bessemer: Greek-Style Beef Tenderloin

Open since 1907, Bessemer's Bright Star is "Alabama's Oldest Restaurant," according to the state tourism bureau, and in 2010, it was recognized as an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation. Brothers Jimmy and Nicky Koikos -- along with their cousin, Bright Star general manager Andreas Anastassakis -- carry on a tradition that has been in the Koikos-Bonduris family since Greek immigrant Tom Bonduris opened the restaurant 111 years ago. The Bright Star's Greek-Style Beef Tenderloin, which has been named the best steak in the state by the Alabama Cattleman's Association, has been a menu favorite since the 1970s.

More about The Bright Star: The history of Alabama's oldest restaurant

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Below the Radar Brewing Company, Huntsville: Lamb Lollipops

The made-from-scratch menu at Below the Radar Brewing Company in Huntsville is a cut above the usual pub grub. In addition to such hearty lunch specials as chicken-fried steak and shepherd's pie, one of the most popular dishes is the lamb lollipops with permesan polenta, wilted garlic spinach and bacon jam.

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Fisher's at Orange Beach Marina, Orange Beach: Fisher's Pork Cheeks

New Orleans native Bill Briand, a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist for best chef in the South, honors both his Louisiana roots and his new Lower Alabama digs at this casual but upscale Orange Beach restaurant, a favorite of both locals and tourists. (Actually, Fisher's is two restaurants in one space -- the more laid-back Fisher's Dockside down below and the more elegant Fisher's Upstairs up top.) The Fisher's menu features an abundant selection of fresh Gulf seafood, of course, but one of the most popular dishes among beach bums and landlubbers alike is the braised pork cheeks, a tip of the hat to Briand's days working in the Big Easy for chef Donald Link.

Read more about Fisher's at Orange Beach Marina: The best thing I ate last week.

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Southern National, Mobile: Reggie's Original Chicken + Waffles

Open only since October 2017, chef Duane Nutter and restaurateur Reggie Washington's Southern National restaurant has already made a huge splash on the Mobile dining scene, and it was rightly named a semifinalist for the best new restaurant in America by the James Beard Foundation earlier this year. Nutter and Washington, who previously worked together at One Flew South in the Atlanta airport, like to put a global spin on traditional Southern dishes, including their popular Reggie's Original Chicken + Waffles.

Read more: The story of Southern National, the restaurant that put Mobile on the culinary map.

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Bottega and Bottega Cafe, Birmingham: Coconut Pecan Cake

Earlier this year, Dolester Miles, the longtime pastry chef at all four of Frank and Pardis Stitt's Birmingham restaurants -- Highlands Bar and Grill, Chez Fonfon, Bottega and Bottega Cafe -- was named the most outstanding pastry chef in America by the James Beard Foundation. While all of Miles' desserts are heavenly, the one for which she is most famous is this luscious coconut pecan cake.

Read more: Alabama needs a new official state dessert, and this is it.

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Commerce Kitchen, Huntsville: Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Huntsville chef James Boyce and his wife, Suzan, are partners in the Rocket City restaurants Cotton Row, Commerce Kitchen and Pane e Vino Pizzeria, as well as Galley & Garden in Birmingham. Boyce's menu at Commerce Kitchen features such favorites as shrimp and grits, cornmeal-crusted Gulf oysters and roasted salmon, as well as such decadent desserts as this chocolate bourbon pecan pie.

Read more: Commerce Kitchen specializes in comfort food.

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Little Savannah Restaurant & Bar, Birmingham: Buttermilk Biscuit Shortcake

Now celebrating its 15th year in business, Little Savannah Restaurant and Bar has been a favorite in Birmingham's Forest Park neighborhood since chef Clifton Holt opened his restaurant in 2003. Best known for its craft cocktails, crab cakes and Sunday brunches, Little Savannah also serves some delicious desserts, including the Buttermilk Biscuit Shortcake, which is served with seasonal fruits.

More about Little Savannah Restaurant and Bar: 'A neighborhood bar and restaurant'

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Freight House, Hartselle: Strawberry Cake

Hartselle's old L&N freight terminal sat empty for years until Sandra Sowder came along to rescue and repurpose the building as the Freight House restaurant and bakery. The menu features steaks, burgers, chicken and seafood, and the house-made layer cakes, including this strawberry cake, put the exclamation point on any meal.

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Niki's West, Birmingham: Banana Pudding

The steam table at Birmingham's 61-year-old Niki's West restaurant operates with the efficiency of an automobile plant assembly line, as servers dish out a daily selection of a dozen or so main dishes, about 40 sides, and as many as 15 desserts. To satisfy that sweet tooth, we strongly recommend Niki's Famous Banana Pudding.

More about Niki's West: Some love from the Wall Street Journal

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Ray's at the Bank, Florence: Southern Pecan Bread Pudding

A relative newcomer to the bustling Florence dining scene, Ray's at the Bank is located in an old bank building on Huntsville Road. Katrina Hudson owns the restaurant with her father and business partner, Ray, who is famous for his firehouse chili. The menu features everything from barbecue to steaks and seafood, but don't leave without treating yourself to one of Hudson's heavenly desserts, including the Southern pecan bread pudding.

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New Market BBQ, New Market: Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake

Libby and Kelly Webb bought New Market BBQ in Madison County from its original owners, Virginia and Darrel Day, about 10 years ago, and thankfully, the Days included their family's recipes in the deal. Like most quality barbecue establishments, New Market BBQ also offers a nice selection of desserts, including banana pudding, pecan pie and this peanut butter Texas sheet cake.

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Panini Pete's, Fairhope and Mobile: Lemon "Jubilee" Beignets

"Panini Pete" is Pete Blohme, who opened the original Panini Pete's sandwich shop in Fairhope in 2006, later added a second location in Mobile, and has partnered with Birmingham's Fresh Hospitality restaurant group to grow the brand beyond Alabama. Pete's Famous Muffuletta Panino, one of the most popular sandwiches, offers a different take on the New Orleans classic, as do these Lemon "Jubilee" Beignets, which are sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with lemon wedges.

Read more: Pete shows how we do it downtown.

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PieLab, Greensboro: Double-Crust Apple Pie

PieLab began as kind of a culinary/social experiment nine years ago, when a group of fresh-out-of-college kids moved to the small town of Greensboro in Alabama's Black Belt and opened a pie shop in hopes of bringing the community together over slices of pie. The college kids grew up and moved on, but new owners Seaborn and Kelley Whatley have kept their vision alive, serving such scrumptious, made-from-scratch pies as pecan, lemon icebox and double-crust apple.

Read more: The pies that bind: Greensboro's PieLab brings folks together.

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Wildflower Cafe, Mentone: Wildflower Crepes

The Wildflower Cafe is a fun and funky little eatery that's nestled amid the natural splendor of the Lookout Mountain town of Mentone. Laura Catherine Moon, a self-proclaimed hippie, runs the cafe, and the menu features soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps, as well as the restaurant's popular tomato pie. Be sure to save room for the Wildflower Crepe, which is topped with your choice of strawberries or chocolate.

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Martin's Restaurant, Montgomery: Sweet Potato Pie

Martin's Restaurant is a Montgomery institution that goes all the way back to 1930s, and it is legendary for its meat-and-three lunches that feature pork chops, collard greens, fried okra, candied yams, and Martin's famous fried chicken. But, oh, do we love those desserts, including this sweet potato pie with a mountain of toasted meringue.

Read more: Five things to know about Martin's Restaurant.

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Full Moon Bar-B-Que, Birmingham: Half Moon Cookies

Husband and wife Pat and Eloise James opened the original Full Moon Bar-B-Que on Birmingham's Southside in 1986, and since brothers David and Joe Maluff bought the business in 1997, they have added 14 more locations around the state. The Half Moon Cookies, made according to Eloise James' original recipe, have become almost as famous as the barbecue. The chocolate-chip and pecan cookies are dipped halfway into a bowl of melted Hershey's chocolate to get that half-moon effect.

More about Full Moon Bar-B-Que: 'The Best Little Pork House in Alabama'

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Gaines Ridge Dinner Club, Camden: Black Bottom Pie

Betty Kennedy started the Gaines Ridge Dinner Club in her childhood family home in the Wilcox County seat of Camden in 1985. Although it is also available for private events, the rustic restaurant, which is decorated with handmade quilts and table linens, is open to the public Thursday through Saturday nights. Gaines Ridge is known near and far for its ribeye steaks, which are cut by hand, as well as its black bottom pie, which is featured on the Alabama Tourism Department's list of "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die."

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Zack's Family Restaurant, Dothan: Zack's Famous Pear Cobbler

A Dothan favorite, Zack's Family Restaurant was selected Alabama's Best Meat-and-Three in a statewide search conducted by AL.com in 2017. After you've eaten all of your vegetables, though, you'll want to treat yourself to a serving of Zack's Famous Pear Cobbler, which is packed with such gooey goodness that it's available only a couple of days a week.

Read more: 5 things to know about Zack's Family Restaurant.

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The Wash House, Fairhope: Key Lime Bread Pudding

The Wash House in Fairhope is a popular haunt for folks who live and vacation along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. The menu features steaks and fresh seafood, as well as such favorites as the classic wedge salad with Green Goddess dressing, the sweet tea-brined pork chop with Gouda grits, and this key lime bread pudding.

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Gone but not forgotten

The "Alabama Cravings" cookbook also includes recipes from several long-gone-but-not-forgotten Alabama restaurants, including chocolate roulage from Cobb Lane Restaurant in Birmingham (left), apple turnovers from Dale's Cellar Restaurant in Birmingham (top right), and drop biscuits from the Cotton Patch in Eutaw (bottom right).

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Meet the author

Martie Duncan grew up in eastern Birmingham and has fond memories of going with her family to eat at such gone-but-not-forgotten places as the Pioneer Cafeteria, Andrew's BBQ and Grayson's Spinning Wheel. She later turned her love of food and entertaining into a career as a cook, author and party planner. In 2012, she competed on Season 8 of the Food Network series "Food Network Star," where she was mentored by celebrity chef Alton Brown and made it to the final round. Her previous cookbooks include "Birmingham's Best Bites" (2014) and "Magic City Cravings" (2017).

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Buy the book

"Alabama Cravings" The Most Requested Alabama Restaurant Recipes Past & Present" sells for $27.95 and is available at Books-A-Million, Little Professor Book Center, Barnes & Noble, Alabama Goods, Bromberg & Co., and on Amazon.

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