Located on the Black Warrior River in West Alabama, Tuscaloosa is a popular college town. It is home to the University of Alabama and boasts a vibrant downtown district. It also offers many restaurants and bars for students and visitors alike.
The Strip, located next to the University of Alabama, exemplifies classic college-town culture. It is a hodgepodge of cute clothing shops, university-themed merchandise stores, and cheap and delicious dining options for hungry students.
The Avenue Pub
The Avenue Pub is a locally-owned restaurant with a focus on great service, fresh options and a variety of tastes. It serves a menu that includes appetizers, sandwiches, salads and burgers, along with drinks like the 405 (Tijuana Sweet Heat Tequila, fresh strawberries, lime, mint and balsamic reduction). The restaurant is also pet-friendly and offers outdoor seating.
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. Patrons can enjoy a drink at the bar or relax in one of the booths. They can also take advantage of the patio and beer garden. The food is prepared with care and features a basic menu that is supplemented with a few specials each night of the week.
The place is a popular hangout for college students, professors and locals. The fried green tomato BLT, nachos fish and chips and bacon burger are some of the crowd favorites. Guests can also sample good draft beer, craft beer or bourbon. The prices are reasonable.
301 Bistro
Located in the historic L&N train station (circa 1912), 301 Bistro is a unique place to eat. The restaurant serves French, Southern and German cuisine, and the bar offers craft cocktails and beer. The restaurant has a dog-friendly outdoor area and is open for brunch on Sundays. It features live jazz music and a create-your-own Bloody Mary and mimosa bar.
Guests can enjoy homemade biscuit beignets, gourmet omelettes, and six selections of eggs benedict, while enjoying a view of the Black Warrior River. The restaurant is located in downtown Tuscaloosa and has its own parking lot.
301 Bistro is an excellent choice for brunch with family and friends. It is a relaxed, contemporary pub that serves delicious breakfast and lunch dishes. There is also a large outdoor area for socializing with an impressive stage. It is a must-try for anyone visiting Tuscaloosa. The staff at 301 Bistro are extremely friendly and professional. They always go above and beyond to ensure that their guests are happy with their experience.
Miss Dots
Miss Dots is the new Southern-themed fast-casual restaurant that has folks lining up. Named after a local culinary inspiration, Miss Dots offers home-cooked favorites including fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread and pecan pie. It is located in Tuscaloosa’s forgotten mile – bridging the gap between The Strip and downtown. Its owner John Cassimus has enlisted the help of Miss Dot, who lives in a double-wide trailer in Hurtsboro, Alabama, to run his first two locations.
Miss Dot is a fun and generous spirit. She enjoys scary movies with her grand nieces and loves cheering on Alabama football with her friends. She will be missed by many.
Pieology
The newest development on Tuscaloosa’s famous University Boulevard, Pieology occupies a small storefront in an area that exemplifies the classic college-town hodgepodge of cute clothing shops and university-themed merchandise stores, but it also offers cheap and delicious food options for students. Its diminutive exterior appearance conceals a bright and welcoming interior. Streamlined silver chairs and unassuming yellow wood tables set the scene for the restaurant’s combination of classy modernism and homey coziness.
This do-it-yourself pizzeria allows guests to create custom pizzas in unlimited flavor combinations, with options for a gluten-free crust and Daiya vegan mozzarella cheese. Upon ordering, customers step up to the counter and select from eight made-from-scratch sauces and more than 40 toppings that include meats, cheeses, vegetables, herbs, and spices. The pizzas are stone oven fired and ready for the customer in less than three minutes.
Pieology has more than 100 locations across the country and recently entered Alabama. The Tuscaloosa location is operated by Segovia Asian Enterprises, which has secured franchise rights for the chain in the Southeast.