If you're traveling this summer by way of Interstate 65, be sure to make a pit stop at Johnny's Cafe in Calera, Alabama (about 30 miles south of Birmingham). My Test Kitchen friends and I took a little field trip to Exit 231 for some of the best Southern cooking we've ever had! Everything is served cafeteria-style--hot and fresh. Our goal was to taste practically everything on the menu, and we came pretty close. Here's a snapshot of the remains.

Believe it or not, we tasted: fried catfish, red beans and rice, baked Greek chicken, fried pork chops, beef tips and rice, chicken pot pie, collard greens, fried okra, creamy baked mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, banana pudding, and key lime pie.

Everything was delicious and homemade. Chef and owner Timothy Hontzas designed his meat-and-three menu around his grandfather Johnny's philosophy: "We prepare food for the body, but good food to feed the soul." Trust me, your soul will be singing once you taste what's cookin'!

For summer hours, visit www.johnnyscafe.biz. In the meantime, go ahead and program this address into your GPS: 4570 HWY 31, Calera, AL, 35040. It's less than 1/2 mile from the exit, and so worth the stop!