By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— It might be the 21st century, but a new restaurant in Pelham is set to take residents back to the ‘50s with handmade burgers, milkshakes, floats and more at Bama Burgers.

Bama Burgers, located at 2846 Pelham Parkway, is themed after the old-fashioned burger joints and Sharon and David Yates have plans to open Dec. 19.

“We want it to be a family friendly, everybody knows everybody (place),” said owner Sharon Yates. “We are so excited.”

The concept for the restaurant was framed after a restaurant Yates grew up with in Decatur, Ill., called Kreckles. It’s been open for more than 60 years.

“Everybody around that area, if you ask them what a Kreckle Burger is, they know what a Kreckle Burger is,” Yates said. “That’s the vision I have for Bama Burgers. I want everyone around here to know what a Bama Burger is.”

While the main thing is going to be burgers made from fresh beef, Yates said they plan to serve up different sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken, fish, a variety of desserts and more, along with a special and soup of the day.

One of the specialties, according to Yates, is the Redneck Burger, featuring bacon, pimento cheese, grilled onions and a fried green tomato.

“It’s delicious,” Yates said. “I’ve made them at home for the kids and my kids love them, absolutely love them.”

The idea to open Bama Burgers came from Sharon and David wanting to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Two years ago, they moved from Birmingham to Wyoming.

The two had always spoken about opening a restaurant, but the pieces never seemed to fall into place and the timing never seemed to be right. When they decided to open Bama Burgers, they had the opportunity to move back home.

Although they were originally supposed to open the location in McCalla, where they live, they ended up in Pelham. Yates said everyone in the shopping center and community has been very supportive and eager for them to open, so they are happy with the location.

“Everybody has been so great,” Yates said. “Everybody in this shopping center is excited about us opening, has been real welcoming so I think we are going to do very well here.”