The restaurant scene in Mobile continues to grow and add delicious variety every year. On this list of 25 eateries that have already opened or will open in 2018, you'll find some familiar names and some that are brand new to the area. LoDa Bier Garten, for example, is opening a second location in WeMo (west Mobile), but owner Matt Golden plans to announce, on opening day, an Eastern Shore location that will open later this year. Dumbwaiter is also expanding, with a new Fairhope location and another Mobile location on the way. Mobile is getting Alabama's first Walk-On's sports bar as well as the city's first Taco Mama and Bojangles'. And there's much more! Read on to learn about what's here already and what's coming this year.

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Baumhower's Victory Grille

Baumhower's, a sports-themed casual dining restaurant founded by former University of Alabama and Miami Dolphins star Bob Baumhower, is opening soon at The Shoppes at Bel Air. The restaurant will feature more than 70 jumbo flat-screen HD TVs, community seating and a covered patio area, with a menu offering a mix of power salads, hand-crafted burgers, chicken wings and comfort foods like chicken pot pie, pot roast and homemade desserts.

Address: 3206 Bel Air Mall

Projected opening date: March 6, 2018

Website: www.baumhowers.com

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Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits

Mobile's first Bojangles' will open this summer, offering all-day breakfasts. The Mobile location will feature elements of Charlotte, N.C.-based Bojangles' new restaurant prototype, including a "Biscuit Theater," where customers will be able to watch biscuits being made from scratch every 20 minutes.

Address: 3213 Dauphin St.

Opening date: Summer 2018

Website: www.bojangles.com

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The Cheese Cottage

Housed in a former gas station on burgeoning St. Louis Street, this cozy spot showcases several new cheeses each week. Try samples, get advice on wine pairings or sit out on the covered patio and enjoy a hand-crafted cheese board, a wedge salad or a red wine-poached pair with marscapone cheese.

Address: 650 St. Louis St.

Opened: Jan. 12, 2018

Website: www.thecheesecottagellc.com

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Cook Out

"Burgers are fresh, corn dogs are sides, smiles are free" at Cook Out, which plans to open in the former PDQ near the University of South Alabama, according to Vallas Realty. The menu includes chargrilled burgers and chicken sandwiches, chopped pork barbecue, hot dogs and 40-plus milkshake flavors.

Address: 116 S. University Blvd.

Website: www.cookout.com

Projected opening date: To be determined

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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

A favorite of travelers and locals all over the United States, Cracker Barrel is known for its large front porch lined with rocking chair, oversized checkers games, big stone fireplace, store and country-style breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Address: 88 Shell St., Exit 13, Saraland

Projected opening date: Early April 2018

Website: www.crackerbarrel.com

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Dublin Irish Pub and Eatery

The Dublin Irish Pub and Eatery will soon occupy the building that housed the short-lived Wedgie's, and before that Picklefish and Poor Richard's. From the authentic moose head to the cozy booths to the bar topped with thousands of pennies, the pub definitely has an Irish vibe. The owners have even procured the telephone booth that once stood in the legendary Paddy O'Toole's.

Address: 5955 Old Shell Road

Projected opening date: March 8, 2018 (or sooner)

Website: www.facebook.com/The-Dublin-Pub-Eatery-1693730590645417/

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Dumbwaiter Fairhope

Dumbwaiter is known as one of downtown Mobile's most popular dinner spots, offering new takes on Southern staples like Brussels sprouts, fried green tomatoes, chicken and dumplings and pork and beans. A new Fairhope location is opening soon at the former Bucks Diner, and the Spring Hill location that opened last year in Legacy Village is set to become a space for private parties. Watch for a third Mobile location of Dumbwaiter to be announced this year, according to owner Wes Lambert.

Address: 58 N Section St., Fairhope

Projected opening: Early March 2018

Website: www.dumbwaiterrestaurant.com

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El Papi

Everything that comes out of the El Papi cocina is homemade or locally sourced, including an array of tacos on homemade corn tortillas, quesadillas, fajitas and big burritos, from Duran and Hernandez family kitchens. El Papi is housed in the former Café 615 space, next to its sister restaurant, Five. El Papi is open for lunch and dinner daily (closed Monday).

Address: 615 Dauphin St.

Opening date: Jan. 2, 2018

Website: www.el-papi.com

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Flipped Out Kitchen

This local restaurant's "create-your-own skillet" concept lets you create salads, pastas and rice bowls from an extensive list of fresh ingredients and watch as your meal is prepared before your eyes.

Address: 7765 Airport Blvd., Suite 120 (in Westwood Shopping Center)

Opened: Jan. 9, 2018

Website: www.flippedoutkitchen.com

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The Hotdoggery

This new food truck promises to take the hot dog to new heights, with creative combinations like the Red Hot Buffalo, which is Hall's Red Hots topped with onions and peppers, blue cheese, buffalo sauce and candied jalapenos, and the Delta Dog, a link of Conecuh sausage topped with crawfish cream sauce and sport pepper. The Hotdoggery will use as much fresh, local produce as possible, and will offer "old-school" colas.

Projected opening date: Early April 2018

Website: www.facebook.com/The-Hotdoggery-729088790623110/

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Iron Hand Brewing

Named for explorer Henri De Tonti, whose nickname was "Iron Hand," this new brewpub in Mobile's historic De Tonti Square neighborhood will have a menu featuring a combination of American and British pub fare, including burgers, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie and, of course, craft beer. Iron Hand Brewing will be housed in the former Waterfront Rescue Mission building.

Address: 206 State St.

Projected opening: Early summer 2018

Website: www.facebook.com/ironhandbrewing

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LoDa Bier Garten

The original LoDa Bier Garten, which opened in downtown Mobile five years ago, has earned a reputation for big, juicy burgers, German-inspired cuisine and a ridiculously large beer selection. Now the Bier Garten is opening a second location at the former Hungry Owl on Cottage Hill in west Mobile. On opening day, owner Matt Golden plans to announce a third location on the Eastern Shore, opening this summer.

Address: 7899 Cottage Hill Road

Projected opening date: Late March 2018

Website: www.lodabeer.com

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LongHorn Steakhouse

The first LongHorn Steakhouse in Mobile opened in 1996 but has been closed for the past year following a fire. The restaurant recently reopened at the same location. Known for its boldly seasoned grilled steaks, like the bone-in Outlaw Ribeye, the restaurant's design celebrates the natural beauty of the American West.

Address: 6201 Airport Blvd.

Opened: Feb. 13, 2018

Website: www.longhornsteakhouse.com

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Maple Street Biscuit Company

The former site of Rester Brothers Auto next to Lavretta Park in Spring Hill will soon be home to Maple Street Biscuit Company, which started in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2012. Serving "comfort food with a modern twist," the restaurant specializes in fresh-baked buttermilk biscuits and serves its own brand of coffee. From the menu: the Garden Bird, a flaky biscuit with fried chicken, an over-easy egg and collard greens splashed with hot sauce.

Address: 5054 Old Shell Road

Projected opening date: Late 2018 or early 2019

Website: www.maplestreetbiscuits.com

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Moe's Southwest Grill

If you've ever walked into a Moe's, you've been greeted with "Welcome to Moe's!" This Atlanta-based chain serves creatively named burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, bowls and salads, made in front of you using 20-plus fresh ingredients. "Moe," by the way, is an acronym for Musicians, Outlaws and Entertainers, according to the company's website. The newest Moe's in the area is opening soon in Tillman's Corner.

Address: 4419 Rangeline Road

Projected opening date: March 2018

Website: www.moes.com

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Nexus Cinema Dining

Dinner and a movie no longer have to be mutually exclusive, thanks to the arrival of Nexus, which combines a full menu and state-of-the-art movie theater with two screens. Reserve your recliner or table seat and order from a tablet, or just enjoy all-you-can-eat free popcorn with your movie at this new concept in west Mobile.

Address: 7070 Bruns Dr.

Opened: Jan. 26, 2018

Website: www.nexuscinemadining.com

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Rock-n-Roll Sushi

The first Rock-n-Roll Sushi opened in Mobile in 2010, and the company has since grown to include 12 locations in south Alabama and Mississippi. The newest location of the restaurant will open in the new Publix shopping center at Old Shell Road and Florida Street, next to Taco Mama. "Headliner" sushi rolls are named for rock stars (among the most popular: Michael Jackson and the Red Hot Chili Peppers).

Address: 100 N. Florida St., Suite A

Projected opening date: August 2018

Website: www.rnrsushi.com

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Ruby Slipper Café

This New Orleans-based restaurant specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch fare. According to its website, The Ruby Slipper was "inspired by a powerful sense of homecoming when returning to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina," and the concept has grown since 2008 to include locations along the Gulf Coast. The café will occupy the ground floor of the recently renovated Staples-Pake building in downtown Mobile.

Address: 100 N. Royal St.

Opening date: Summer 2018

Website: www.therubyslippercafe.net

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Soul Bowlz

After opening its first location in Orange Beach, then another one in Fairhope, Soul Bowlz is now open in Spring Hill. Make a meal of a smoothie or a nutrient-packed bowl filled with fresh, exotic fruits with a variety of toppings.

Address: 4413 Old Shell Road

Opened: Feb. 3, 2018

Website: www.soulbowlz.com

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Southern Roots

The main building of the acclaimed Grand Hotel is scheduled to reopen in early May, following an extensive renovation of the entire property. Its new restaurants, Southern Roots and the more casual Bayside Grill, will debut in early June. Southern Roots, overlooking Mobile Bay, will offer modern Southern cuisine, with chef-driven menus focusing on high-quality, locally sourced and estate-grown farm-to-table fare. An elegant new bar, 1847, will be located at the restaurant's entrance.

Address: One Grand Blvd., Point Clear

Opening date: Early June 2018

Website: www.grand1847.com

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Stevie's Gumbo Bar

Stevie Watford of Stevie's Kitchen is opening a smaller location in the former Artology gallery in downtown Mobile. He describes it as a New Orleans-style "hole in the wall" serving gumbo and other Creole and Cajun dishes, as well as his signature Boar's Head sandwiches and salads, as well as a full bar and specialty cocktails.

Address: 300-A Dauphin St.

Projected opening date: Early September 2018

Website: www.stevieskitchen.net

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Sylvia's Biscuits and Poboys

Located inside The Fort at Colonial Mobile, Sylvia's is the brainchild of Noble South Chef Chris Rainosek, who promises "handmade biscuits, fresh French bread, hand-selected vegetables, and the best local meats and seafood." The restaurant will feature a unique fusion of classic Southern staples and modern tastes, according to its Facebook page.

Address: 150 S. Royal St.

Opening date: Spring 2018

Website: www.facebook.com/pg/poboylove/posts/

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Taco Mama

Hunter Omainsky, food and beverage manager at Wintzell's, is bringing Taco Mama to Mobile. The Birmingham-based taqueria specializes in tacos, burritos and nachos, with an extensive margarita menu in a fun, funky atmosphere. Fronting Old Shell Road in the Midtown Publix shopping center, Taco Mama will have a 400-square-foot patio on the side.

Address: 100 N. Florida St., Suite B

Opening date: August 2018

Website: www.tacomamaonline.com

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Truman's Diner

Later this year, antiques dealer Bill Appling will open Truman's Diner in downtown Mobile, named not for Harper Lee's pal and frequent Monroeville visitor Truman Capote but for Appling's personality-filled beagle named Truman. He describes the restaurant as "an Art Deco-style Southern diner" that most people have never experienced, he says, because most of them disappeared by the 1970s. Truman's will serve Southern food, simply, Appling says.

Address: 14 S. Conception St.

Projected opening date: Summer of 2018

Website: www.facebook.com/trumansdiner/

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Walk-On's Bistreaux and Bar

Baton Rouge, La.-based Walk-On's is opening its first Alabama location in Mobile this year, in the former location of Baumhower's Wing's/Bishop's, just west of I-65. Walk-On's, which is partly owned by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, is a casual sports bar with Louisiana-style cuisine. In 2012, it was named ESPN's No. 1 Sports Bar in America.

Address: 3673 Airport Blvd.

Opening date: Fall 2018

Website: www.walk-ons.com