Green Acres has been the place to be for soul food for 70 years
From its chicken wings to its famous fried green tomatoes, the menu at Green Acres has pretty much stayed the same since Greg’s father, Charles Gratton, started it in 1958.
Ethan Parker 
For nearly 70 years, Green Acres has been a cornerstone of the Birmingham soul food scene. Even in retirement, Greg Gratton continues to make his way back to his office at the back of the restaurant a few times a week, keeping a watchful eye on the institution his family has operated across the city for generations.
A Legacy Built on Consistency
From the bustling lunch rush to the final fry of the day, the magic of Green Acres remains rooted in a philosophy established by Greg’s father, Charles Gratton, who opened the original location in 1958. According to Greg, the menu has remained largely unchanged, save for updates to the cooking oil. The secret to their famous chicken wings—served as whole drums, flats, and tips—and their year-round fried green tomatoes lies in a commitment to freshness, with the kitchen strictly avoiding frozen ingredients.
From Norwood to Fourth Avenue
The Gratton family history in the restaurant business is deep. Charles’ brother, David, found early success with Green Acres Farm in Chicago starting in 1946. Charles and his brother William eventually brought that blueprint to Birmingham. While William set up shop on the north side, Charles, then an American Cast Iron Pipe Company employee, opened his own location across from 16th Street Baptist Church in 1958.
The business weathered turbulent times, including the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, which damaged the restaurant and forced a brief closure. Despite the struggles of the era, the restaurant eventually found a long-term home on Fourth Avenue North in 1990. Charles Gratton became a vital advocate for the district, serving as board chairman of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association. Today, his legacy is literally on display, with his image gracing a light post outside the restaurant.
Passing the Torch
Greg Gratton left his life in Compton, California, and returned to Birmingham in 1993 to support his father, eventually taking the reins of the business before Charles passed away in 1999. Today, that legacy continues with Greg’s daughter, Tomeka Bell. After initially working at the restaurant in her youth, Bell returned to the fold in 2005, eventually taking over the operation in 2015 while managing her own business, Green Acres Realty.
The team remains a close-knit group. Longtime staff members like cousin Juanita Barnett and fry cook Curtis Rutledge—who has been with the restaurant since his days at Carver High School—embody the family-oriented spirit that defines the brand. With the current locations in downtown Birmingham and Ensley anchoring their presence, and with Bell leading the charge, Gratton feels the time is right to bring the Green Acres name to even more diners.
To learn more about this storied Birmingham institution, you can read the full report on the history of Green Acres at AL.com.
