Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week, presented by Visit Tuscaloosa and UA Online, is set to tantalize taste buds from June 23 to June 29. This eagerly anticipated event promises a week-long celebration of culinary excellence, featuring exclusive menu items and special discounts at participating locations throughout the Tuscaloosa area.
Building on last year’s success, Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week is poised to showcase the vibrant gastronomic landscape of the Druid City. From beloved local favorites to innovative culinary creations, diners can expect an unforgettable culinary journey filled with delectable delights.
Josh Rivers, Director of Community Partnerships and Group Tour Experiences at Visit Tuscaloosa, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, “Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week is a testament to the diverse and thriving culinary scene in our city. Participating restaurants will offer a rich tapestry of flavors and experiences, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We invite residents and visitors alike to join us in savoring the unique offerings of our local dining establishments.”
As hospitality takes center stage in the experience economy, Kelsey Rush, President and CEO at Visit Tuscaloosa, emphasized the importance of highlighting the city’s dining options.
“Hospitality is at the heart of what makes Tuscaloosa special,” said Rush. “We are privileged to showcase the talents of our chefs and the warmth of our hospitality during Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week. This event not only celebrates our culinary diversity but also underscores the integral role that hospitality plays in our community.”
The individual talents that elevate Tuscaloosa’s food scene also will receive extra attention during Restaurant Week as media partner Townsquare Media will share their unique stories across radio and web platforms.
For more information, including special offers and participating restaurants, please visit TuscaloosaRestaurantWeek.com. Restaurants interested in participating are encouraged to contact Josh Rivers at 205-391-9200.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the flavors of Tuscaloosa during Restaurant Week 2024. Follow Visit Tuscaloosa on social media for the latest updates and announcements.
Special thanks to Visit Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week, UA Online, for making this content possible.
Hey there, adventure seekers! Get ready to unlock the best of Tuscaloosa with the launch of these exciting digital experience passes! Visit Tuscaloosa is pumped to roll out these digital keys to the city, giving you a hassle-free way to dive into the heart and soul of our vibrant town. And the best part? It’s all at your fingertips!
Gone are the days of wandering aimlessly to find the hidden gems of Tuscaloosa. With these mobile passes hosted on the Bandwango platform, you can now embark on a journey tailored to your tastes and interests.
More of an Artsy type? Strap on a good pair of shoes and grab our “TCL Public Art Passport” to find eclectic works of art along the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, the University of Alabama Campus, scenic downtown and more.
Sports fans, listen up! With our “Cities of the SEC” pass, you can earn rewards for exploring your favorite college towns and soaking in the game day atmosphere at top-notch restaurants, shops, and attractions.
But wait, there’s more! The “Tuscaloosa All-In-One Ticket” grants you three days of unlimited access to five top-notch museums and all the excitement of Lake Lurleen State Park. Talk about a jam-packed itinerary!
And let’s not forget about the mural enthusiasts. Hit the road with our “AL Mural Trail” pass, showcasing stunning murals both in Tuscaloosa and across the state. Get ready to snap Insta-worthy pics at every stop!
Curious about how to get started? It’s as easy as pie! Simply visit passes.visittuscaloosa.com on your mobile phone to access detailed info and directions for each pass. Planning your Tuscaloosa escapade has never been simpler.
So, whether you’re a seasoned local or a first-time visitor, these mobile passes are your ticket to discovering the magic of Tuscaloosa. Join us as we unlock endless adventures and create unforgettable memories in our charming Southern town.
Ready to dive in? Head over to passes.visittuscaloosa.com to grab your passes and let the exploration begin! 🌟🔑
For Sharon Thomas Ransom, barbecue is in her bones. She began learning the craft at age five, when her parents opened a barbecue restaurant in the back of their house. Today – five decades later – she owns and operates Thomas Rib Shack in the community she loves. Thomas Rib Shack is just one of many local restaurants in Tuscaloosa and Northport.
Ransom is as fixed in the community as her barbecue. A natural conversationalist, she entertains her customers and employees all day at the restaurant, and she enjoys being with people. “I love my community,” she said. “We’re resilient. We bounce back.”
About five minutes from downtown, you’ll find Thomas Rib Shack, a meat-and-three restaurant that’s never really advertised, but has thrived for 50+ years.
The food speaks for itself.
“If you have good food, the people will come, ” says Sharon Thomas. Born-and-raised in Tuscaloosa, she’s got a lot of friends, because every person that walks through the door is an old or new one, starting at 10 am and not lightening up ‘til they sell out.
The Southern dishes are down-home, authentic, and consistent, served up in a family-first atmosphere (yep, her kids work there too). Classic fried chicken, fall-off-the-bone ribs, mac-and-cheese, cornbread, and even pig’s feet and chitlins.
Sharon remembers her parents perfecting their famous BBQ sauce in the kitchen when she was just 11 years old, and it’s been the same ever since. That’s what keeps people coming back for more.
What you can expect: “Nothing fancy. Just us.” And that’s more than enough.
A positive outlook: Recently interviewed on her experience during COVID-19, Sharon shared that the most important lesson she learned was to stay focused, stay faithful, and stay committed, she said. “No matter how bad things look, don’t give up. The darkest hours are just before the dawn.”
For a true taste of the south, try Thomas Rib Shack!
If you’re looking for places to eat on gameday in Tuscaloosa, you’ve come to the right spot! Founded in 1958 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Dreamland is hailed as one of the best BBQ joints around and has been a legendary staple in our community and on game day since it began. It’s said that this famous joint serves ribs to over one million people per year.
With a slogan of “Ain’t nothing like ‘em nowhere,” they are most notably known for their hickory-smoked ribs – and it’s true – there ain’t nothing like ‘em nowhere! Over the years, Dreamland has expanded to 10 locations across Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. While they have experienced growth, the original location in Tuscaloosa remains its most unique.
Dreamland truly started with a dream. Founded by John “Big Daddy” Bishop, Big Daddy said that God visited him and told him to open a restaurant and he obliged (lucky us!!). As Big Daddy embarked on this adventure, he began cooking in his front yard. The original Dreamland, which was literally built by the hands of Big Daddy, would eventually open its doors, selling everything from ribs to burgers, and even postage stamps. But people quickly began to take note of the hickory-fried ribs, white bread, and signature barbecue sauce, and soon visitors were coming from all over.
As you enter the rustic looking location, dubbed “the original”, you are greeted with warm smiles and an invitation to “sit wherever you want”. You’ll notice license plates, Alabama football memorabilia, dollar bills and pictures on the ceilings and walls. On the tables you’ll find their famous spice called “shake”, which you can buy. The employees are dedicated – several at the original location have been there for years – and wake up at 5 am to begin preparing the food. One employee, Raymond, has been with Dreamland for over 45 years and Reggie, who manages the pit, has been there for 25 years! Knowing that many of their guests are limited on time, especially on game day, you can also expect quick and friendly service.
We had a chance to visit with the assistant general manager of the original Dreamland, Jasmine Lewis, and she shared that, “People come in from Texas, California, and all over to try our ribs and our sauce. We [the original location] are totally different from our other locations; we serve the same ribs, but everybody says it just tastes different here.”
Speaking of the ribs… after six decades Dreamland still prepares them using the same technique. They roast the pig over a hickory wood fire pit and baste them with their signature vinegar-based barbecue sauce. Also unique to Dreamland is the plain pieces of white bread served before every meal. No, it’s not toasted and it doesn’t have butter on it, but they serve it with their famous warm barbecue sauce for you to enjoy dipping the slices of bread into for an appetizer.Dreamland also makes what we believe is the best banana pudding we’ve ever had! It’s made with crispy Nella wafers and creamy vanilla pudding that makes for a great dessert to end your meal (dreaming about it as we write this). Jasmine confirmed that this, too, is her favorite menu item.
Fun Fact: Jasmine shared that, surprisingly, the busiest day for them is not game day but is actually the Fourth of July. Dreamland is filled with in-house guests, catering orders and their drive-thru, which was a positive outcome from COVID-19 [the drive-thru].
Today is also your lucky day because… drumroll please… on their website you can find detailed instruction on how to make their famous barbecue! You can also purchase many of Dreamland’s staple sauces, rubs, and seasoning online or at one of their locations. The restaurant offers t-shirts, hats, and gold gear, available to ship anywhere in the U.S.
Now, we promise we’re not exaggerating about how scrumptious this BBQ is, but if you don’t believe us, here’s what one Dreamland customer had to say!
“I’ve ate barbecue all over the US, let me say these ribs have everyone beat to a frazzle! Tender, juicy, and best flavor I’ve ever had! Beats Memphis barbecue hands down! And be sure to order the banana pudding for dessert.”
Dreamland BBQ Customer
When it comes to places to eat on gameday in Tuscaloosa, there’s certainly many options to select from. Whether you’re traveling to Tuscaloosa or West Alabama for a gameday, or for other purposes, a stop at Dreamland BBQ is a must. When it comes to spots uniquely local to Tuscaloosa, Dreamland is at the top of the list! For more information about Dreamland BBQ, contact Dreamland Barbeque Tuscaloosa at 205-758-8135.
Final Insiders Tip: When you’re ready to give the famous BBQ joint a try, know that the other locations serve the same menu items as the original Dreamland in addition to burgers and chicken options. Sides include mac and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, and potato salad.
Graduation is around the corner and that means it’s about to be a topsy-turvy world in many ways! One important part of that “weekend of all weekends” is that the parents visit the kids in their college town! So, expect to see tons of proud and excited parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles here in our one and only Tuscaloosa, to celebrate the success of their Graduates!
There are some important rules when it comes to treating and feeding the family in this unique situation, and we decided to focus on the most important aspect: Taking them to dinner. Or more precisely: Them taking you to dinner! As a Tuscaloosa local, the choice of the restaurant should be yours and you should choose wisely because the parents will probably be paying! Here are our top 5 places to have a family dinner at graduation weekend in Tuscaloosa!
1. Dreamland Barbeque
Let’s begin with the perfect place to impress your family with some authentic southern food: Barbeque! It’s one of the easiest things to fall in love with when you move to Alabama, and will likely crave it after they leave! Dreamland is the local hero among the Barbeque places in Tuscaloosa. The southern chain understands the Alabama spirit like no other and is known for its delicious ribs that literally fall off the bone! Grab your parents, grandparents, siblings and anyone else that will visit you for graduation and take them out for a fun dinner with some delicious ribs and white bread along with their famous homemade Dreamland BBQ sauce!
2. Cypress Inn
Parents visit = parents pay, right? Take that chance and let them take you out for a sartorial graduation dinner at the fabulous Cypress Inn! Of course, it will be your parent’s pleasure, too, because the Cypress Inn is one of the most scenic and impressive restaurants in town: Located directly on the Black Warrior River it provides a lovely view from the elevated restaurant and even terrace to sit outside! After dining you might take a walk through the gardens or down the steps and enjoy the wooden boat dock. Or just have another drink at the terrace, celebrate and watch the boats on the river.
3. Chuck’s Fish
It might be old fashioned, but fish is still considered to be a dish for special occasions. And what occasion could be more special than your graduation! So, take your family to the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa and enjoy delicious specialties at Chuck’s Fish! Their Sushi Bar is one of the best in town, always fresh and with tailor-made creations exactly for your taste! Or sit downstairs in the main restaurant and enjoy classics as well as novel dishes with fresh fish, caught around the corner in Florida! The seafood creations are also definitely worth trying – who could say no to crab cakes, oysters, and fish tacos? Finally, end a perfect evening with your favorite cocktails from their fantastic bar!
4. Southern Ale House
If you want to give your family an authentic southern dining experience without focusing on Barbeque too much, the Southern Ale House is a great place to take them! In a warm and inviting atmosphere, it serves both classic and contemporary interpretations of Southern cuisine. Besides amazing burgers and birds, you should order their variety of homemade biscuits – the ultimate southern side! Another highlight is – as the name says – the selection of beer! Alongside local brews from Birmingham and Gadsden, American classics as well as international specialties like French and German beer, the Southern Ale House has got more than ten different ales! That makes assuredly one favorite beer for everyone in the family!
5. Evangeline’s
Last but not least, we can’t help but recommend Evangeline’s, another lovely casual upscale restaurant. Located right across the bridge on McFarland in Northport, it is also close to campus. A little hidden in the alleys of Tuscaloosa Galleria, you walk past a beautiful fountain and the scenic white buildings with striped awnings before entering the restaurant. The atmosphere inside is almost magical, the interior and decorations with hundreds of little lights are very unique. They serve various gourmet dishes that come in surprisingly big portions – so don’t hesitate to bring the always-hungry dads or brothers! On a warm night, you might return to the outside again and enjoy a glass of wine in the alley, covered by more lights and listening to the fountain.
Written By: Katharina Horvath – Intern