When residents of Limestone County refer to “West Limestone” they’re not talking about the entire west side of the county. They’re talking about the northwest corner of the county that surrounds West Limestone High School. The area is nestled in rolling hills that trail the Elk River, flowing predominately through rural farmland. The area may be mostly countryside but several businesses have thrived there for decades.

An essential landmark to visit in the area is Christo’s Dari-Delite. The business has thrived in West Limestone for more than 40 years.

The small two-window restaurant serves a variety of carryout items including hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, pizza, shrimp, fries, ice cream and much more.

Michael Mewbourn, a cattleman and mechanic, bought the restaurant almost two years ago. He and his wife April have three children, Tyler, 12, Abby, 5 and Dawson, 1.

“I’ve lived within 10 miles of here my whole life,” he said. “It was the only eating place here for years.”

Patrons can take their meals to go or stay and eat at picnic tables in the wooded area beside the restaurant.

“It looks pretty much the same as it did when I was a kid,” Mewbourn said pointing to the picnic tables.

It’s tradition for high school kids to carve their names into the wooden picnic tables at the restaurant. Many who carved their names in the tables have brought their children back to do the same.

After feeding the family, many need feed for the farm, and the go-to place for farm supplies is The Barn: Feed, Seed and Hardware.

The Barn, owned by Shane and Clarissa Glanton, carries feed for a variety of animals, including cattle, horses, chickens, and dogs. The store offers garden supplies and hardware and a few extra items such as roasted peanuts.

The Barn has the nostalgic feel of an old general store as it stands beside a barn and silo, both storage for the feed. The store is “decorated” by whittled wooden items, such as the parrot and chicken that stand at the end of aisles, and iron works, such as a horseshoe bench outside, all contributed by Shane’s father, David “Shorty” Glanton.

Most people are regular customers, said four-year employee Danny Stanford.

They come to snack on peanuts and chat before getting their supplies and heading back to work, he said.

There seems to be a business for every need in West Limestone County. Minor health needs can be addressed at MedCenter West Limestone and other restaurants include Noah’s Family Restaurant. Athens Aluminum is also located there. Automotive needs are handled by Salem’s Autoparts and Salem’s Garage. For a day of pampering and tanning there are Day at the Beach Tanning Salon and Christy’s Family Hair Design. Unique gifts and home décor can be found at the newly opened Wysteria Lane.

West Limestone is located about 12 miles west of Athens on Highway 99.