Fried Green Tomatoes True Story

Fried Green Tomatoes is based on the true story of Bess Fortenberry of Irondale, Alabama.


Read about the movie

Photos of the Real Idgie Threadgoode aka Bess Fortenberry

Photos of the Real Whistle Stop Cafe

Here are the cafe owners at the time of the making of the movie. They had owned the cafe since the seventies.

Whistle Stop Cafe in Irondale Alabama True Story

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When I first researched this movie many years ago, I visited the local library in Irondale, Alabama to find some info on the true story. I remember they had some sort of an archive of old newspaper and magazine articles that had been written about the movie.

When the movie came out in 1991, it was a "big deal" for the small town of Irondale. Fannie Flagg even came to town with movie producers and executives to view the film. 

Here are some quick facts about the true story.

Bess Fortenberry bought the cafe during the times of the depression. The Fortenberry's were a well-known family in Irondale. 

The Fortenberry house sat on the corner near the cafe. When I first visited the area in the early 2000's, the house was still there. The next time I visit, I will try to photograph the place.