The family legacy behind this Birmingham restaurant spans generations

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Owner Heather Guarino talks to a customer on the phone in Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

Burger and hotdog themed artwork lines the walls of Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. Owner Heather Guarino decorated, and is still decorating, the restaurant herself. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

Pop's Neighborhood Grill is found at 1207 20th St. S. in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

A license plate reading

Figurines and other trinkets line a shelf inside of Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. Owner Heather Guarino said she is constantly wanting to decorate more and always considering the aesthetic. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

The walls of Pop's Neighborhood Grill are decorated partially with various anime posters in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. Owner Heather Guarino enjoys watching anime and has decorated her restaurant accordingly. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

A cheeseburger and chips are served at Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, offering customers a variety of breakfast and lunch items to choose from. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

Photos of Heather Guarino, along with family and friends, are found on one of the refrigerators in Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. Guarino was born and raised in Birmingham, very near the location of Pop's. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

A one-eyed dog statue is found in the window of Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

Owner Heather Guarino serves a customer at the register in Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026.

Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. The restaurant is located at 1207 20th St. S. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

The cash register is dressed in a variety of stickers at Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. Pokémon and Star Trek were just a couple of common visuals that could be found in the restaurant. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

A cheeseburger and chips are served at Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, offering customers a variety of breakfast and lunch items to choose from. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

The walls of Pop's Neighborhood Grill are decorated partially with various anime posters in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. Owner Heather Guarino enjoys watching anime and has decorated her restaurant accordingly. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

Pop's Neighborhood Grill is found at 1207 20th St. S. in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. While owner Heather Guarino has been running the restaurant for 16 years now, she discussed the importance of sleep for maintaining a healthy life and said that she

Owner Heather Guarino prepares food for a customer at Pop's Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. Guarino founded Pop's in 2010 and has been at the same location the whole time. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

Pop's Neighborhood Grill is found at 1207 20th St. S. in Birmingham, Friday, June 12, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

At Pop’s Neighborhood Grill, Heather Guarino usually greets every customer who walks in the same way.

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