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Fueled by determination and uplifted by community support, Jules Riley turned tragedy into triumph after a fire temporarily shut down her restaurant, The Twisted Turnip, just outside of Andalusia.

The Twisted Turnip originally opened on August 22, 2024. Less than a year later, a malfunctioning smoker sparked a fire on May 5, forcing a temporary closure. Riley didn’t let the setback stop her as she officially reopened the restaurant on June 19.

“The Twisted Turnip was born from the idea that Southern comfort food can still surprise people by combining familiar flavors with unexpected twists. The vision for The Twisted Turnip has always been to serve quality, made from scratch food that is so good it feeds your soul and fills your belly with pure joy,” Riley said. “Our community deserves more options for culinary diversity, and I am on a mission to bring just that. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a community table where everyone has a seat and will always be welcomed in with open arms.”

Before opening the restaurant, Riley worked in corporate America, but her creative spirit led her in a new direction.

“I’ve always been a creative soul, and I needed an outlet that brought people together. The Twisted Turnip became a way to combine my passion for food and community,” she said.

According to Riley, the fire began when a staff member briefly stepped away from the smoker. Fortunately, she was nearby and noticed something was wrong.

“Losing the restaurant to the fire for a while shook everything, but it also cleared space for something new to rise. I had just come by to grab a few things. Thank God I was there. I noticed the smoke and ran to the back; it was divine intervention. The fire spread fast. I tried using a hose, but by then, it had already reached the rafters,” she said.

It was a hard hit, especially for a new restaurant still finding its footing.

“We went through the fire both literally and figuratively. The business hadn’t even hit its first anniversary. This place wasn’t just rebuilt. It was revived and not just by construction crews but by faith, grit, and community love. Last weekend, I truly felt the divine purpose behind this journey,” Riley said.

Rebuilding was not easy as insurance delays and equipment challenges slowed the process.

“There were ownership changes, surprises with commercial equipment, and it took two to three weeks just to start the rebuild. Now that the smoke has cleared, I can see so clearly. This isn’t just my passion; it is my calling. God had a much bigger plan than I could have ever imagined. I didn’t just regain a restaurant; I stepped into my purpose,” Riley said.

The fire’s toll was more than financial and also proved to be deeply emotional.

“It was devastating. I wanted to quit so many times, but something inside wouldn’t let me. I found grit I didn’t know I had. I’ve been reborn from the ashes like a phoenix. I feel more myself than I have in a long time,” she said.

Riley used the downtime to revamp the kitchen and back-of-house operations.

“The fire didn’t affect everything, but I saw an opportunity to make the workflow more efficient. The menu hasn’t changed much, but we’ve turned up the flavor. I want the community’s input as we evolve. Our focus is on simple, bold, delicious food,” she said.

Classics like hand-cut ribeyes, twisted Cajun mac and cheese, barbecue burnt ends, twisted green dip, and creole queso dip are here to stay. Seafood specials will be added on Saturday nights.

“Ribeyes aren’t going anywhere. Our steak grill malfunctioned during the move, but we’ll be serving them again by Thursday. We have those eggroll chips that take our hot appetizer dips to the next level with their crisp, flaky texture and crunchy goodness, but we’re turning the flavor up a notch. This turnip is about to get really twisted,” Riley said.

Throughout the rebuilding, Riley said the community’s support has been overwhelming.

“The love we’ve felt has been incredible. It shows we’re doing more than serving food. We’re building a sense of belonging,” she said.

While the fire was a tough setback to overcome, it also marked a new beginning for The Twisted Turnip.

“Losing the restaurant was heartbreaking, but it made room for something even better. Every detail will now reflect the heart and soul of the original mission. Prayer, grit, and community love brought us back. This isn’t a comeback; it’s a revival,” Riley said.

Looking ahead, The Twisted Turnip will enhance its family-friendly vibe by adding an arcade.

“There’s been a shift in the kitchen, in the menu, and in the atmosphere. It’s not just new but better. We want people to feel at home here. My staff has stuck by me, and my family, especially my husband, has been incredibly supportive,” she said.

Riley also plans to expand the menu’s variety with “culinary diversity” flair.

“Small towns often lack food diversity. While we’ll always serve Southern classics, we’re introducing bold, unexpected pairings to inspire people to try something new. At first, some dishes were unfamiliar to customers. Now, they can’t get enough,” she said.

Popular dishes like fresh salads and homemade sauces are staying along with a new self-serve salad bar.

“After a couple months away, the Twisted Turnip team is just getting back in the kitchen and finding our groove again. In no time, we’ll be twisting it up more than ever. We’re keeping what people love and continuing to experiment. It’s all about staying fresh and exciting. If you thought the food was good before, wait until you taste what’s next,” she said.

The Twisted Turnip currently has 10 employees, and Riley expects to grow the team in the future.

“These 10 people are like family. We’ve been through this together, and we’ve built something strong,” she said.

Riley, who is in her first chapter as full owner and operator, expressed deep gratitude to her family, friends, staff, and the community.

“This restaurant means the world to me. I’ve never fought harder in my life. It wasn’t easy, but I came out stronger. I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support. My husband Kris Riley and my family and friends have been by my side every step of the way,” she said.

Located at 21925 U.S. Highway 84 in the former Pop’s Place building, The Twisted Turnip is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 7 to 11 a.m. for breakfast/brunch, and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch.

For more information visit The Twisted Turnip Revival on Facebook or call 334-465-2840.