re: *Official* Tuscaloosa things thread

Central Mesa is a really cool place. Food was good, not great, but I'd definitely eat there again.

We all split the street corn and fundito(cheese dip) for an app, and I had the spicy chicken tostadas. Friend had the brisket & grits and we all agreed it was the best dish on the table. The spicy peach cocktail was also delicious.

Of what I had/tried, the best things:

1. brisket & grits
2. Street corn
3. Spicy Chicken tostadas
4. Chorizo taco
5. fundito

Didn't try the fish tacos friend's wife ordered but she said they were good.

Coming down from WV to the Arkansas game. We will be there Friday through Sunday. We are Marshall fans who wander around to all the football meccas and this is last on our list.

Any grub or places of interest we should check out?

We are staying at a Baymont a few miles from the stadium.

I'd go downtown Friday night and eat at either Depalmas(Italian), Five(American), Heat(pizza), Chucks(seafood), or Avenue Pub(American), depending on what you're feeling.

If you decide on Depalmas, get there early. It doesn't seat many, but it's probably my favorite restaurant in Tuscaloosa.

Five is probably the most lively joint and there's a cocktail bar next door.

Heat and Avenue Pub are the most casual.

Chucks has a wide variety menu. Seafood, steaks, pizza, sushi, and it's all good.

There's a lot going on if y'all feel like walking around downtown after dinner. Alcove is a nice hole in the wall spot a couple blocks from the hustle and bustle if you're looking for a more mature/low key crowd.

Saturday - Archibalds if you decide to do BBQ. It's kinda out of the way, though. The Houndstooth is a big bar venue close to the stadium and there are some places to eat around there. I'd recommend Big Bad Wolves BBQ nachos or Buffalo Phils.

Paul Bryant Museum is something else to do before the game Saturday. Opens at 9AM.

Give yourselves time to walk around and explore campus before the game. You'll want to walk through the quad and see Denny Chimes, Presidents mansion, and the multimillion dollar frat/sorority houses. Go by the Ferguson Center on campus and check out the supply store. It's more like a department store and has tons of Bama gear.

Enter the stadium from the north side so you can see the statues.

Enjoy yourself!

Thank you! I have friends who have gone to South Bend, Death Valley, the Swamp, etc. (as have I) and they left Tuscaloosa saying game day was the best experience. I look forward to it.

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Archibalds if you decide to do BBQ. It's kinda out of the way, though.

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It's only a mile or two from downtown, so really not that far out of the way.

This campus is unreal haha. We went to Archibald’s last night. The ribs may be the best I have ever had. So far this trip has been great and everyone we have dealt with has been very nice and friendly. WV thinks it has southern hospitality but really it is some bastardized thing that ends up being sorta hospitable but also some weird outsider paranoia. They will smile and jump your car just because they want you to leave haha.

I have had some pretty mixed receptions from local folks in some places I have gone. Had some LSU fans say some pretty crude shite to me and my wife (from a car window while running off). My wife is black so you can gather the nature of it.

Notre Dame fans were generally stuck up and kind of obtuse. They have a great campus but nothing to where you should feel as if people should be blessed to get to see it. Rudy and Rockne shine only goes so far.

Will give a full report after a good walk about, tailgating, and the game.

The tailgating and the game experience was far and away the best I have ever had. The campus is insane. The Bear Bryant museum was nice. I did not know that George Teague and Prince Wimbley would be there. It was a nice touch to have some of the alumni and former pro players come in and sign stuff for the fans. The museum exhibits do a great job of showing off Alabama football history to the uninitiated.

The fans were great to drink/eat with. I can't emphasize it enough. The mentality of everyone around town was nice. Manners still matter in Alabama it seems. The parade was nice. My wife was impressed with the parade procession being that big.

The stadium is fantastic. I imagine it is hard to come here and not leave a fan barring being a conference team fan. It was an experience.

I will definitely be back.

What’s the best steak in Tuscaloosa?