James Beard Foundation Award in 2010 named The Bright Star one of five restaurants in the "American Classics" category. The restaurant was honored in May of 2010 at the foundation's annual program at New York's Lincoln Center. Since 1907, The Bright Star restaurant has been serving customers its specialty Greek- style snapper and steak, signature seafood gumbo, the lobster and crabmeat au gratin, luncheon specials, and famous pies. Located in Bessemer, Alabama, the restaurant is the oldest continuously family owned restaurant in the state and just recently celebrated their 100 year anniversary. Tom Bonduris, a Greek immigrant and a cousin of today’s owners, founded the restaurant in 1907 not far from its current location. The family tradition continued over the years and The Bright Star is now run by brothers Jimmy and Nicky Koikos. Inside The Bright Star, you will see the murals that have decked the walls in the main dining room since 1915 when a traveling artist offered to pay his lodging and food with art. Additionally the Bear Bryant booth, the 1907 Room and spacious banquet rooms make for ample seating to accommodate groups of any size. At lunch the restaurant is part southern meat-and-three, part seafood restaurant and part Greek fare. During the dinner hour The Bright Star becomes a more upscale seafood restaurant. Everything is made fresh daily. Nothing comes frozen or pre-packaged. Fresh seafood is delivered from the Gulf twice a week. The beef tenderloin is cut and marinated first thing in the morning and then sautéed for lunch service. The Bright Star is a member of Dine Originals and has been rated a top neighborhood restaurant by Bon Appetit Restaurant. Come taste what has made The Bright Star a fixture of the Alabama culinary scene for over 100 years. While you’re here, pick up a copy of the recently published book, A Centennial Celebration of The Bright Star Restaurant, to read the whole history and story of the Bright Star restaurant and family. The Bright Star's Video Tour