What more can anyone ask for other than great food and great service? The Shoals Shack, located in Saint Florian, AL, provides exactly that. Since August 2020, Jennifer Tester and BJ Harris have been in the business of bringing new food options to the greater shoals area. 

Tester and Harris had the idea when they visited Tester’s parents back in the COVID-19 lockdown. Seeing as the building had continuously remained empty, they spoke to the landlord about opening it up. They moved from Florida to Saint Florian to make this dream come true. 

“It’s crazy to think that we did it all in a month,” Tester said. “We started working on it at the end of June and we were open by August 12th. I don’t even know how it happened.”

The building had been empty for a number of years and needed some work in order to become what it is today. The renovations and equipment were no small feat and allowed the pair and her parents to feel a sense of ownership and pride in what they were doing. 

Killen native, Lynn Presley said, “I always prefer the off-the-beaten-path kind of places over chain restaurants.” 

Tester’s parents retired and moved to the Shoals area back in 2020. They helped them settle in and eventually began the business. Harris and Tester moved here and in November of 2020, the Shoals Shack closed for two weeks. During that time, they went to Florida, moved as much as they could and then put the house up for sale.

“We actually bought a house the day before we opened,” Tester said. 

Business immediately took off and Tester realized they wouldn’t be able to do it all by themselves. Her parents helped a lot in the renovation process as well as working when it was up and running. Eventually, they hired help and the staff has stuck around ever since. 

“Luckily, everyone was so supportive and we were so busy that we did need to hire people,” Tester said. “Without [Sheila, Sharla, Haley and Matt] we couldn’t do this.”

The menu has a wide variety of options, not typically seen in the shoals area. Especially at one restaurant. Some items include shrimp tacos, eggplant fries and po’boys. On their Facebook page, they post specials weekly and regularly update the page. 

“[Tester and Harris] noticed there were hardly any options in town for vegetarian [food] unless people wanted a salad,” Tester said. “So we wanted to be able to give them like a burger, like a messy tofu burger.”  

Tester also added that a customer can substitute tofu on any sandwich or burger available. The restaurant also used biodegradable packaging and cutlery. Those who frequent the shack have nothing but amazing things to say about it. 

“I order [the Black and Bleu burger with eggplant fries] every time I’m here,” Presley said. 

The staff of the Shoals Shack takes great pride in what they are doing for this area. For providing a variety of menu options made deliciously each time. 

Tester said, “Everything we do is made with love and care. We really try to put our best out there.”