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.
Mason Reed 
For nearly 70 years, Green Acres has been a cornerstone of Birmingham’s culinary identity, serving up soul food that has stood the test of time. While the restaurant has seen many changes across the city since Charles Gratton first launched the business in 1958, the commitment to a simple, perfected menu remains as strong as ever.
A Legacy in Every Bite
Greg Gratton, who managed the family business for years before his retirement, still frequents his office in the back of the restaurant. Through a window overlooking the kitchen, he watches the process that has defined the institution for decades: cooks dropping fresh chicken wings and fried green tomatoes into bubbling oil, serving them up in the iconic grease-stained paper bags that locals have come to adore.
“My father instilled in me the philosophy of keeping the menu short, sweet and perfect,” Greg Gratton said. The Gratton family maintains that the quality of ingredients is non-negotiable—everything is fresh, never frozen, with green tomatoes sourced year-round from Florida and Mexico.
Pioneering the Chicken Wing
Green Acres holds a unique claim in culinary history. While the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, gained national notoriety for its mid-60s Buffalo-style wings, Greg Gratton argues that Green Acres was a true pioneer in selling chicken wings as a standalone meal, serving them as whole pieces—drums, flats, and tips.
The business roots trace back to Charles Gratton’s brother, David, who established the Green Acres name in Chicago in 1946. By 1958, Charles had brought that vision to Birmingham, opening his location across from the 16th Street Baptist Church.
Resilience and Growth
The path has not always been easy. In 1963, the restaurant suffered damage during the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, forcing a brief closure. Despite the racial tensions of the era and the challenges of the urban landscape, Charles Gratton became a fixture of the city, serving as board chairman of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association and helping revitalize the area near the Carver Theater.
In 1993, Greg Gratton returned to Birmingham from California to support his father, eventually leading the restaurant until his retirement in 2015. Today, the legacy continues under the leadership of his daughter, Tomeka Bell. Since taking the helm, Bell has brought new energy to the brand, managing the downtown location and looking toward future growth.
“When I think about where we have been for as long as we have, it’s just a phenomenal legacy to be a part of,” Bell said. “I believe we have the opportunity to continue sustaining that success.”
With staff members like Juanita Barnett and Curtis Rutledge, who treat the restaurant like an extension of their own family, Green Acres continues to be a destination for those seeking reliable service and classic soul food. While only the downtown and Ensley locations remain from the peak of 11 county-wide shops, the Grattons are optimistic about what lies ahead. As Greg Gratton puts it, “I know the pieces are in place. People who know about Green Acres are everywhere.”
