If you grew up in the South in the early 2000s, chances are you remember Zoe’s Kitchen. It was the spot—fresh, flavorful, and always dependable. While most locations have sadly closed over the years, we’re lucky to still have a couple here in Alabama. You can find one Zoe’s location in Birmigham, AL in the Crestline area and another location in Tuscaloosa under the name “Marky’s” but it has the same original menu!
Zoe’s holds a special place in my heart for more than just the food. My very first job at 14 years old was working behind the counter! At one point, my mom, my sister, and I all worked at Zoe’s together, which makes it even more nostalgic for me.
Even before that, my mom and her friends would go there for lunch during the week. They actually became friends with the owner, and eventually, he hired my mom to run the Hoover location for a while. It was such a fun season of life, and Zoe’s was always at the center of it.
One thing I always loved was their vinegar-based slaw. It was light, tangy, and totally different from your typical creamy Southern coleslaw. While they never shared their recipes with employees (still yearning for the Yaya’s cake recipe), one of my mom’s friends managed to recreate the feta slaw—and let me tell you, it’s spot on.
This slaw has become a staple in our family, especially during the spring & summer months. It pairs perfectly with burgers, grilled chicken, or just about anything fresh off the grill.
Zoe’s Copycat Feta Slaw
- 2 (10 oz) pkgs. angel hair slaw
- 5 green onions, chopped
- ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup white vinegar
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 2 tsp. pepper
- 1½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 8 oz. feta, crumbled
Add all seasonings and vinegar into a large mixing bowl and slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking.
Once dressing is made, add in the remainder of the ingredients and taste. Add more salt & pepper to your taste.
Refrigerate for 30-1 hr or until ready to serve.
Enjoy!
Now that our kitchen renovation is complete, I’ve been so excited to bring these recipes to life in our new space. I’ll be sharing more details from this kitchen project soon… For now, you can shop all of my favorite sources from this space linked here
