Ed Salem's Drive-In

Ed Salem's Drive-In in 1951. Courtesy Birmingham Public Library

Ed Salem's Drive-In No. 3. Photograph by Charles Preston. Courtesy Birmingham Public Library

Ed Salem sitting at his 26th Street restaurant in 1984. Photograph by Ed Jones

Ed Salem's Drive-In was a drive-in fast-food restaurant located on 26th Street North during the 1950s and 1960s. It was owned by former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ed Salem. He operated it along with his mother, Zakie. Solomon Zarzour, owner of Sol's Hot Dogs, started his restaurant career there. That location closed on April 6, 1984.

Ed Salem's #2 at 3201 3rd Avenue South was operated by Richard Mickwee and had a banquet room for up to 100 people. The restaurant offered a special Lebanese menu on Thursday evenings.

In February 1958 Ed Salem's Drive-In No. 3 opened in the building formerly housing Eli's Drive-In at 2830 7th Avenue South in Lakeview. Ed's son George operated the restaurant with partner Louis Sharble. This was the location of the famous WSGN-AM "Sky Castle" broadcast booth. After Salem's closed, the building was converted into Rocky Raccoon's.