Being on the outside isn’t always such a terrible thing, especially in a beautiful city like Tuscaloosa or Northport. If you’re searching for places to eat or drink outside in Tuscaloosa, you’ve come to the right spot! When you’re spending time with loved ones, eating your favorite snacks, and grabbing a drink or two as you enjoy the wonderful weather, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Check out this list of some favorite patios to immerse yourself in the outdoors with food and drink close at hand.
Loosa Brews – Loosa’s porch game has been stepped up since they opened. It has tons of table and bar style seating. It’s partly shaded, but fully equipped to be your next favorite hangout joint! With 63 beers on tap there’s a beer and a chair for everyone there!
Taco Mama – Taco Mama’s outdoor seating faces out onto University drive so whether you’re there to sunset watch or people watch, there’s a sitting activity for every personality! Not only that, but they serve beer and margaritas. So if you’re not huge on the beer scene, you’ve still got a place on their porch!
R & R Cigars – This particular porch is highly slept on because not many people take advantage of this incredible honey hole! R & R is a remodeled Victorian home with a huge front porch and plenty of comfortable seating to drink a beer, smoke a cigar, and watch your favorite game on tv.
Billy’s Sports Grill Northport – Located in the heart of historic downtown Northport, Billy’s offers great wings, their famous chicken sandwich, burgers, salads, and more! You can enjoy a comfortable and family-friendly atmosphere with the ultimate viewing of your favorite sports. The patio seating is excellent.
Innisfree – Innisfree’s porch is another phenomenal place to kick back and drink a cold one. They have plenty of seating and a whole slew of TVs. With a wide selection of drinks, they have a little something for the whole crew!
And just a few more – because you can’t ever have too many options! Check out Alcove International Tavern, The Houndstooth, Glory Bound Gyro Co., Heat Pizza, Mellow Mushroom, and the many bars and restaurants located within Temerson Square such as Sage Juice Bar & Speakeasy or Avenue Pub.
Everyone loves Taco Tuesday, so why not keep the celebration going today on National Taco Day? Check out some of these T-town gems to chow down on a variety of everyone’s favorite Mexican staple.
Central Mesa
From the owner of the Avenue Pub comes the newest addition to Tuscaloosa’s Mexican food scene, Central Mesa. Offering everything from classic tacos to Brisket and Grits, all of their dishes are prepared from scratch in house with fresh ingredients. Along with your favorite Mexican food staples, Central Mesa also boasts an extensive tequila selection as well as other liquors for margaritas, mojitos, and more.
Taco Mama
Located on University Boulevard just before downtown, you’ll find the always popular Taco Mama jam-packed with both locals and college students alike. This Birmingham based chain has expanded to eight different locations throughout Alabama and continues to grow, with a ninth location planned to open in Nashville in 2018. The fast-casual Mexican restaurant features signature tacos, quesadillas, and burritos, and also offers custom à la carte options. The festive atmosphere and fresh, diverse menu make Taco Mama a perfect place to celebrate national taco day.
Jim N’ Nick’s BBQ Tacos
Although not your traditional Mexican restaurant, Jim N Nick’s has given us another excuse to celebrate not only National Taco Day but also Taco Tuesday every week. Putting their own spin on the classic concept, Jim N’ Nick’s serves up a variety of barbecue-themed tacos every Tuesday, giving us everything from fried catfish to pulled pork to choose from.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
The Texas-based Fuzzy’s Taco Shop opened their first Alabama location in the heart of downtown next to Glory Bound last fall. The fast-casual chain was founded in Fort Worth, Texas, and has quickly grown to over 100 restaurants nationwide serving their addicting Baja style tacos that have gained a cult following. Fuzzy’s offers breakfast tacos all day as well as specials that change monthly along with specialty drinks such as their signature Fuzzy Driver.
Taco Casa
A true Tuscaloosa icon, Taco Casa’s history in town runs deep. Founded in 1974 by Alabama football alum and Wichita, Kansas native, Rod Wilkin, Taco Casa is where many Tuscaloosa locals tried their first taco, and it was love at first bite. Known for fast, friendly service and hot, delicious food made to order, Taco Casa has earned its spot in Tuscaloosa history. Be sure to stop by this local favorite to celebrate.
Written by: Katy Aspinwall
We’re approaching summertime in Tuscaloosa which means things are heating up and the idea of staying indoors becomes less appealing with each passing day. To help you out we’ve created a list of some of our favorite restaurants in town that offer superb outdoor seating areas so you can enjoy the summer heat and thrilling atmospheres all day long.
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat brunch while enjoying the nice breeze of an Alabama morning, Another Broken Egg is a great option! Located on the River Walk, Another Broken Egg offers a beautiful river view from its terrace. Scrumptious menu items such as omelets, waffles, sandwiches and black bean benedict are sure to send your taste buds into a craze.
2. Local Roots
Local Roots offers customers the full outdoor eating experience. The traveling food truck takes pride in serving southern food made from local ingredients. The food truck travels all over Tuscaloosa serving some of the most delicious burgers and tacos this city has to offer. You can find its weekly schedules online to find out where it will be located each day. Its most frequent location is in downtown Tuscaloosa and features picnic tables for assembling. This is the perfect way to enjoy delectable food and the beautiful scenery that is downtown Tuscaloosa.
This one of a kind pizza place is a local favorite. Located on the first floor of the downtown parking garage, it has a distinctive outdoor seating area facing the communal lawn at the downtown plaza! The modern vibe and exclusive pizzas have proven to be a huge hit in Tuscaloosa. Heat provides a menu that features exclusive items such as the Thai Chicken and Reuben pizzas and a large list of specialty cocktails. This is the perfect place to enjoy a spontaneous lunch or casual dinner with a view and a cocktail!
4. River
Surrounded by the exquisite views of the Black Warrior River is Tuscaloosa’s newest trending restaurant, River! River offers a picturesque outdoor experience. It has areas for both lounging and eating on its outdoor terrace and features canopies and fire pits to enhance the already remarkable atmosphere. With chefs that cook up some of the best oysters, steaks, and flatbreads in town, River is the perfect place to enjoy all the perks that come with dining outdoors this season!
5. Taco Mama
If you have a job that requires you to sit inside on all of these beautiful Alabama summer days, Taco Mama is your perfect lunchtime escape! With one of the most popular patios in Tuscaloosa, Taco Mama is home to specialty tacos, burritos and quesadillas. If you’re feeling lively enough, you can even order one of Taco Mama’s specialty margaritas to accentuate your meal before returning to the office. As the experts at this taco bar say, “stay hungry and be thirsty!”