Since 1953, Nick’s has been serving filets and deep-fried classics (onion rings, chicken livers) in a faded crimson building on Route 43 past West Tuscaloosa, earning it the nickname Nick’s in the Sticks. The restaurant’s tagline, “Made for the locals,” just about sums it up. The wooden walls are lined with beer signs, dollar bills are stapled to the ceiling, and the seating of choice is a cushy black plastic chair. Between the decor and the prices, Nick’s seems frozen in time — especially when you’re waiting for your food. Don’t worry; signature drinks like the Nicodemus (a blend of fruit punch, vodka, rum, tequila, and Bacardi 151, accented with a cherry) will keep you busy as you wait.

Over the bridge in Northport might be the cheapest meal you’ll get while in Tuscaloosa. Since the 1940s, City Cafe has been serving low-cost, hearty meals to working-class locals and college kids. The usually packed restaurant serves around 1,000 meals during lunchtime. Each day of the week corresponds to a different section on the menu, allowing regulars to switch it up constantly. With old UA sports posters covering the wooden walls and a large mural by the counter, City Cafe’s decor has stood the test of time alongside the prices. Don’t forget to order the fruit cobbler as one of your “vegetables” to finish off your meal.

This cozy spot to enjoy a cup of coffee is a favorite among UA students. According to the company, when the original location, on Towncenter Boulevard, opened in 1993, it was the first coffee shop in Tuscaloosa. At the time, the owners couldn’t afford to buy matching furniture, instead decorating the room with donations and thrifted items; owner Rebekah Wanstall has since taken over the operation, but the mismatched chairs remain, a charming staple for lovers of the shop. Each location offers 40 different coffee syrups, along with assorted teas and baked from-scratch pastries, while the North River location offers full-service dinner.

Half Shell’s 15 locations, across Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, serve Southern cuisine with a New Orleans flair, with plenty of options for seafood lovers. A large theater-style sign points customers toward the door of the Tuscaloosa location; once inside, the upscale interior is lined with local art and lacquered oyster shells. Go for the seafood linguine — which comes covered in Creole alfredo with Gulf shrimp, crawfish, mushrooms, and lump crabmeat — or the hand-battered Gulf shrimp, deep-fried to golden, crunchy perfection.

Nestled in downtown Tuscaloosa, this shabby-chic restaurant is a classic, known for serving only five entrees each at brunch and dinner. There’s a coffee shop on one side and a restaurant with a full bar on the other, and the exposed-brick interior is decorated with local art. Despite the concise menu, there are a range of activities to keep customers interested: daily happy hours, ladies’ nights, wine Wednesdays, and $5 burger specials. Can’t get enough of the fried Gulf shrimp or baked avocado? Weekend jazz brunch allows you to indulge in more of Five’s signature Southern tastes with live music and a bloody mary bar where you can customize your concoction.

Opened in 2022, the Veganish Market transports a slice of beach vacation to downtown Tuscaloosa. The place is owned and operated by Yazmyn Rozier, who drew inspiration from her yearly vacations to Miami to bring a “fun, community-driven cafe” to T-Town. The restaurant offers both vegan and non-vegan grab-and-go options such as smoothies, grain bowls, and sandwiches. The space, while small, does its best to offer a tropical escape, with palm leaf wallpaper and pastel colors throughout.

Sticking out like a sore thumb between Druid City and West Tuscaloosa’s neutral homes and small businesses, a small, bright crimson-and-white house is home to the Historic Waysider Restaurant. Upon walking into the cozy breakfast spot, you’ll be greeted by a cardboard cutout of coach Nick Saban, and everywhere you look are more reminders that you’re in Crimson Tide territory. The Alabama-centric restaurant was a favorite spot for a former Alabama football legend, coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who’s represented by a bust with his signature houndstooth fedora at his usual table in the corner. Although the interior draws customers in, they stick around for Waysider’s signature soft, buttery biscuits and the meat-and-three combos. The Waysider is a must-try for anyone who calls themself a Crimson Tide fan.

This Irish pub in the heart of Dixie is a staple for many UA students. It sports all the features of the traditional college bar: wood paneling and exposed brick, walls (and ceilings) decorated with sports memorabilia, and signs for Irish brands and local businesses. There are local touches too, like the 21st birthday stickers slapped on surfaces around the bar (meant to bring good luck to the birthday celebrator), and the TVs are eternally tuned to Crimson Tide games. Whether it’s for drink specials ($5 Irish marys) or a quick bite (try the shepherd’s pies), the Innisfree and its friendly staff offer Southern hospitality with an orange, white, and green twist.

When he opened Rama Jama’s in fall 1996, owner Gary Lewis quickly realized that owning a greasy spoon literally in the shadow of Bryant-Denny Stadium was a lot different from running any other food business. Drawing its name from the football chant “Rammer Jammer, Yellow Hammer,” the restaurant is covered in Alabama memorabilia, including artifacts from Bryant-Denny Stadium, such as a seat from the upper bowl, an orange flag removed from a construction site near the stadium (there can’t be any orange near BDS), and autographs from Alabama legends. The menu also takes inspiration from UA, including the 18-National Champ Burger, named after the AU football program’s 18 national titles, and the SEC Champ breakfast. A red neon sign outside lights up when the burgers start flipping.

Opened in 1962 by George and Betty Archibald, this barbecue restaurant has been family run for three generations. The kitchen uses hickory wood to smoke its meat, creating a crispy outer layer on slabs of ribs and delivering moist, tender pulled pork. The signature sauce only enhances the rich, smoky flavor. Pair those legendary ribs or an order of hot chicken wings with two sides (the crispy fried green tomatoes are a must). You wouldn’t notice Archibald’s, situated in a dirt parking lot, unless you were explicitly looking for it, but the smell of pork slowly cooking will let you know you’re in the right place.

Inside popular outdoor shopping mall Midtown Village, this hidden gem serves ramen, donburi rice bowls, and boba milk tea. Opened in 2020, the restaurant has an airy interior, accented with light wood and Japanese memorabilia, and the service is quick. Enjoy an order of crunchy takoyaki stuffed with creamy minced octopus, before indulging in the spicy miso ramen: The thick miso-based soup is filled with tender pork belly, vegetables, a boiled egg, and red ginger for some added zing.