This Alabama Peanut Shop Still Roasts Peanuts Using Equipment From 1907
Some peanuts in Alabama get roasted in cast-iron machines that were already at work when Teddy Roosevelt was president. Yes, those very same roasters.
They’re still turning out fresh batches every single day.
That alone would earn a road trip from me. But then there’s the boiled peanut menu, with more than 100 house-made flavors in rotation.
Collard greens. Dill pickle ranch.
Prime rib au jus. At this point, calling these peanuts a snack feels like a serious understatement.
What makes this place even better is the contrast between its old-school roots and its anything-goes approach to flavor. The building dates back to the 1870s, and the peanut business inside has been around since 1907.
This place has been roasting peanuts for generations, yet somehow, the flavor experiments keep getting wilder.
And honestly, a menu that jumps from collard greens to prime rib au jus deserves a closer look. The century-old roasters are just the beginning of this wonderfully unusual Alabama peanut story.
Those 1907 Roasters Are Still Clocking In Every Day
Most machines from 1907 live behind museum ropes. At Alabama Peanut Company, the original cast-iron roasters still do real work every day.
The shop roasts fresh peanuts daily using those antique machines. Some of them have been in use for more than a century, which is wild for any piece of kitchen gear.
Your toaster probably won’t make it to its tenth birthday.
These roasters came with the building’s peanut business, which started back in 1907. That makes this spot one of the oldest peanut sellers in the country.
Pretty impressive for a snack shop in Alabama.
The business says it uses the original 1907 equipment for its unsalted roasted peanuts. So when you grab a bag of those, you’re tasting a method that has barely changed in over 100 years.
That’s a long streak.
I love that nobody swapped these old workhorses for shiny new machines. Keeping them running takes skill and patience.
It also keeps a real piece of Birmingham history alive.
Want a snack with a story? Start here.
Few treats come with a backstory this good, and even fewer still taste fresh after a century of practice.
A Greek Immigrant Started The Peanut Party Back In 1907
A Greek immigrant named D.J. Cassimus began selling roasted peanuts at this very spot.
Back then, the business was known as the Peanut Depot. The name changed over time, but the peanuts never left.
Fast forward to 2018. Current owner Jaime Thursby took over and rebranded the business as Alabama Peanut Company.
Big shoes to fill, right? Luckily, he didn’t have to figure everything out alone.
John Cassimus, the grandson of D.J., taught Thursby how to run those century-old cast-iron roasters. That kind of hands-on lesson can’t come from a manual.
It came straight from the family that started it all.
John also helped design the stainless-steel pots used for boiling peanuts. Here’s a fun twist.
The original shop only had roasting equipment, so boiling was a newer addition.
I believe that handoff is the heart of this place. One family built the tradition, and another person promised to keep it going.
Old roasters, new pots, same address.
Not many small businesses can trace a story across more than a century. This one can, and it still smells like peanuts.
Over 100 Boiled Peanut Flavors Will Test Your Willpower
Collard greens. Prime rib beef au jus.
Dill pickle ranch. Somebody here looked at a peanut and thought, why stop at salt?
Alabama Peanut Company calls its specialty Craft Boiled Peanuts. The menu features more than 100 rotating, house-made recipes.
That means the lineup changes, so your favorite might not show up every visit.
Classic Salt Boiled keeps things simple for purists. Alabama Cajun brings the spice.
AL Firecracker sounds like it means business, and I respect a peanut with a bold name.
Then there’s the Wing Stop lineup. Think honey mustard, Tabasco ranch, and lemon pepper, all on boiled peanuts.
It’s basically game-day food without the sticky fingers.
The rotating menu is half the fun. Since flavors come and go, each trip can feel like a new adventure.
You might discover something you never knew you needed.
My advice? Go in with an open mind and a little courage.
The flavor that sounds strangest might become the one you talk about all week. Collard green peanuts are a real thing here, and that alone deserves a try.
Roasted Fans Get Four Ways To Crunch
Not a boiled peanut person? No judgment here.
The roasted side of the menu holds its own, and it comes from that legendary old equipment.
Alabama Peanut Company offers four roasted styles. You can pick Original Roasted, Salt Roasted, Dark Roasted, or Cajun Roasted.
That’s a solid lineup for anyone who loves a good crunch.
Original Roasted is the one tied closest to history. The shop uses its 1907 equipment for those unsalted roasted peanuts.
It’s simple, classic, and honest.
Dark Roasted is a fun pick if you like deeper roast flavor. Salt Roasted covers the ballpark fans.
Cajun Roasted is there for anyone who wants a little kick with every shell.
Raw peanuts are on the shelves too. That’s handy if you’d like to boil or roast your own at home.
Maybe you’ll start your own family tradition.
I like that the roasted menu stays focused. With 100-plus boiled flavors in rotation, it’s nice to have four steady favorites anchoring the shop.
Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason, and these have had over a century to prove it.
Can’t Pick One Flavor? Grab A Flight Instead
Decision paralysis is real when the flavor board looks like a choose-your-own-adventure book. Thankfully, the shop has a smart fix for that problem.
It’s called a peanut flight.
A flight lets you sample several boiled peanut flavors at once. Instead of betting everything on one cup, you can spread your chances around.
Smart snacking, really.
This is the best move for first-timers. You can pair a safe pick like Classic Salt Boiled with something wild.
Maybe try Alabama Cajun next to collard greens and see which one wins.
Bringing a friend makes this even better. Split a flight, compare notes, and argue about the winner.
Friendly peanut debates are a great way to spend an afternoon.
The flight idea also fits the rotating menu perfectly. Since flavors change often, sampling helps you keep up with what’s new.
You won’t miss out on a surprise favorite.
Here’s my tip. Pick one flavor you trust, one you’re curious about, and one that sounds a little ridiculous.
That mix gives you comfort, adventure, and a great story. Alabama Peanut Company makes it easy to be brave in small bites.
Sodas And Seltzers Make Salty Snacking Even Better
Salty peanuts plus a cold drink is a combo older than most of us. The shop clearly understands this basic snack science.
Its drink lineup is built to pair with the peanuts.
Classic sodas sit on the menu for anyone who wants that old-school fizz. Seltzers are there too, which is great if you’d rather keep things light.
Both are solid partners for a spicy Cajun cup.
Think about the flavor matchups. A bubbly soda can cool things down after AL Firecracker peanuts.
A crisp seltzer can reset your taste buds between flight samples.
That reset matters more than you’d think. When you’re bouncing from dill pickle ranch to prime rib au jus, your tongue needs a break.
A good sip gets you ready for round two.
Families will appreciate having easy picks for kids. Sodas and seltzers keep everyone included in the snack session.
Nobody has to sit there thirsty while the adults debate collard green peanuts.
My suggestion is simple. Choose your drink after your peanuts, not before.
Let the flavor lead and the drink follow, and you’ll build a pairing that actually makes sense.
The Cobblestone Street Outside Is Part Of The Fun
History doesn’t stop at the roasters. The building itself dates back to the 1870s, so it was already old when the peanut business moved in.
You’ll find Alabama Peanut Company at 2016 Morris Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35203. Morris Avenue is a historic street in downtown Birmingham.
Parts of it still have old cobblestones underfoot.
That setting makes a simple snack run feel like a mini time trip. You’re buying peanuts in a building older than the roasters inside it.
That’s a lot of history for one bag of nuts.
Downtown parking can take some planning, so give yourself a few extra minutes. Nearby garages are an option.
A little patience beats circling the block while your peanut cravings grow.
The location also makes the shop easy to add to a bigger downtown outing. Birmingham has plenty to explore, and this stop fits right into a day in the city.
It’s a tasty break between other plans.
I can’t imagine a better backdrop for a shop like this. Old bricks, old street, old roasters.
Everything here feels like it belongs, and the peanuts tie the whole scene together nicely.
Live Far Away? Your Peanuts Can Still Find You
Good news for anyone outside Birmingham. Alabama Peanut Company ships nationwide.
Your snack cravings don’t have to wait for a road trip.
The shop also offers online ordering with pickup at the Birmingham location. That’s perfect for busy days.
Order ahead, swing by, and grab your peanuts without the extra wait.
Then there’s the merch. You can find branded T-shirts, koozies, stickers, and magnets.
These make fun gifts too. Think about that friend who loves quirky snacks or local history.
A bag of peanuts plus a shirt makes a surprisingly thoughtful present.
Health-minded snackers get a bonus here. The shop notes its peanuts are 100 percent plant-based and packed with protein.
They’re also naturally gluten-free, cholesterol-free, and trans-fat-free.
That makes them an easy option for lots of different eaters. Vegan friends and gluten-free friends can join in.
Honestly, peanuts might be the most agreeable snack around.
So even if Alabama is far away, a taste of this tradition isn’t. A few clicks can bring Morris Avenue straight to your mailbox.
Saturday Mornings Bring The Peanuts To Pepper Place
Saturdays in Birmingham get a little nuttier, in the best way. Alabama Peanut Company is a regular vendor at the Pepper Place Saturday Market.
That gives you another fun way to grab a bag.
Pepper Place is a well-known Birmingham market. Bringing the peanuts there connects the old shop with a newer local crowd.
It’s tradition meeting the farmers market vibe.
This is great news if you’re already planning a market morning. You can shop for veggies, pick up snacks, and keep the peanut fun going.
One trip, plenty of goodies.
Of course, the full experience still lives at the Morris Avenue shop. That’s where the historic roasters and the building’s long story are.
The market booth is more like a tasty preview.
Planning a visit to the shop? It opens at 10 a.m.
Monday through Saturday and at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Friday and Saturday hours stretch later, until 9 p.m.
I believe the best plan combines both. Hit the market for a quick taste, then visit the shop later to see the roasters.
Alabama snack history rarely gets this easy or this delicious.