You’ve probably seen the neon sign if you’ve spent any time wandering around the Midcity District in Huntsville. It’s hard to miss. But Small Giant bar and restaurant isn't just another flashy spot designed for Instagram bait. It actually has some soul. Honestly, when a new development like Midcity pops up, there’s always this fear that every tenant is going to be a carbon-copy corporate chain with no personality. Small Giant somehow dodged that bullet. It feels local because it is—born from the same minds behind BeeZr and The Standard. It’s a weirdly perfect mix of a neighborhood "third place" and a high-energy hangout.
The name itself is kind of a riddle. Is it small? Is it a giant?
Actually, the footprint is pretty massive. We’re talking over 4,000 square feet of indoor space plus a sprawling patio that basically merges with the Midcity park area. It’s huge. But the "small" part comes through in the details. The service doesn't feel like a factory. The menu isn't twenty pages long. They do a few things, and they do them with a level of intentionality that you usually only find in those tiny, 10-table bistros in bigger cities.
The Columbus-Style Pizza Obsession
If you walk into Small Giant bar and restaurant and don't order a pizza, you’re basically doing it wrong. Let's talk about the crust. They specialize in Columbus-style pizza. For the uninitiated, this isn't the floppy, foldable New York slice or the doughy Chicago deep dish. This is thin. Like, really thin. It’s crispy, crackly, and edge-to-edge toppings.
They cut it into squares. "Party cut," they call it.
Some people get really heated about the square cut. They think a triangle is the only way to eat pizza. Those people are wrong, at least in this context. The square cut gives you those tiny corner pieces that are 90% crunch and those middle pieces that are loaded with cheese and sauce. It’s built for sharing while you're three beers deep and watching a game.
The Pepperoni: It’s the star. They use the "cup and char" style pepperoni. These aren't those flat, greasy circles you find on a frozen pizza. These are the ones that curl up into little bowls of spicy oil as they bake. It creates this texture profile that’s honestly hard to beat.
🔗 Read more: Why Feather Design Nail Art Is Harder Than It Looks (And How to Actually Nail It)
What Else Is On The Menu?
It isn't just a pizza joint. If you're not feeling the carbs—though, again, why?—the wings are a legitimate contender for some of the best in the city. They aren't breaded into oblivion. They’re just solid, crispy wings with sauces that actually taste like they were made in a kitchen rather than poured out of a gallon jug from a distributor.
You’ve also got the "Giant" burgers. They use a custom blend of beef that actually tastes like beef. Imagine that. In a world of over-processed patties, getting a burger that has a proper sear and a juicy center feels like a win.
- The "Midcity Burger" is the go-to for most regulars.
- They do these "Giant" salads that are actually big enough to be a meal, which is a rarity in bar-heavy spots.
- Don't sleep on the appetizers—the fried mozzarella isn't the frozen sticks you're used to.
The Bar Program and That Midcity Vibe
A restaurant in a district like this lives or dies by its bar. Small Giant bar and restaurant leans heavily into the craft beer scene, which makes sense given its lineage. You’re going to find a rotating tap list that highlights North Alabama favorites alongside some heavier hitters from across the country.
But the cocktails are where the personality really shines.
They aren't doing those over-complicated drinks that take twenty minutes to build while the bartender glares at you. They’re fast, they’re cold, and they’re balanced. It’s high-volume craft. You can get a solid Old Fashioned, but you can also get something bright and citrusy to drink out on the patio when it’s 95 degrees in July.
The atmosphere? It’s loud.
Don't come here for a quiet, romantic proposal. Come here when you want to feel the energy of the city. The design is industrial but warm. High ceilings, lots of glass, and a bar that acts as the physical heart of the room. When the weather is nice, the "walls" basically disappear. The garage doors roll up, and the transition between the bar and the outdoor plaza becomes seamless. It’s one of the few places in Huntsville that actually feels "metropolitan" in that specific way.
Why Location Matters So Much
Midcity is changing. Fast. A few years ago, this was a dying mall. Now, it’s the center of gravity for entertainment in the region. Small Giant bar and restaurant is positioned perfectly to catch the pre-concert crowd for the Orion Amphitheater or the families hanging out at the climbing gym or Topgolf.
Because of this, the crowd is a total melting pot. You’ll see engineers from Research Park in their button-downs sitting next to guys covered in chalk from the climbing gym, all eating square-cut pizza. It’s a great equalizer.
Is It Family Friendly?
Surprisingly, yes. During the day and early evening, you’ll see plenty of kids. The open layout means parents don't feel like they're trapping their toddlers in a dark booth. Plus, kids love thin-crust pizza. It’s science. Once the sun goes down, though, the vibe definitely shifts. The music gets a little louder, the lighting gets a little dimmer, and it transforms into a proper nightlife spot.
Small Giant vs. The Competition
Huntsville has a lot of pizza. We have Mellow Mushroom, Sam & Greg’s, and DJ’s. So where does Small Giant fit? It fills the gap between "family pizza parlor" and "corporate sports bar." It’s cooler than a chain but more accessible than a fine-dining Italian spot.
The Columbus-style crust is its secret weapon. Most other places in town are doing a traditional hand-tossed or a heavy deep dish. By offering that thin, crispy "tavern style" (as some call it), they’ve carved out a niche that nobody else was really touching.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
If you're planning to head down there, keep a few things in mind to make the most of it.
📖 Related: Tallulah Name Meaning: Why This Leaping Water Name is Making a Comeback
- Timing is everything: If there is a show at the Orion, this place will be slammed. Plan to arrive at least two hours before doors open if you want a table without a massive wait.
- The Patio is Pet Friendly: You can bring your dog, which is a huge plus given how much walking space there is in Midcity.
- Order the Pepperoni: Seriously. Even if you're a "veggie only" person, make an exception or bring a friend who will let you steal a slice of theirs. The cup-and-char pepperoni is the definitive Small Giant experience.
- Parking Hack: Don't just circle the block right in front of the restaurant. There is usually plenty of parking in the decks or the lots further back toward the amphitheater, and the walk is short.
Small Giant bar and restaurant manages to feel like a big deal without being pretentious. It’s a place where you can get a high-quality meal and a great drink without having to dress up or pretend you know what "flavor notes" are in your IPA. Just show up, grab a square of pizza, and enjoy the fact that Huntsville finally has a district that feels alive.