If you know downtown Tuscaloosa, you know getting into Urban Bar & Kitchen usually requires…read morepatience--and a willingness to stand around waiting for the doors to open. But spring break week flipped the script in the best way possible. Tonight, my wife and I met up with some good friends for a pre-retirement dinner, and with the college crowd scattered to the beaches, downtown felt like it belonged to us "seasoned locals" again. No lines, no crowds--just a quick call ahead and we were seated within minutes. That alone felt like a win. We started things off with the fried green tomatoes--a true Southern delicacy and, let's be honest, acid reflux's favorite dance partner. Worth it? Absolutely. These were hot, crispy, and full of flavor. The kind of dish that would make Grandma nod in approval. No shortcuts, just done right. For the entrée, I went with the UBK Pasta--blackened chicken, sausage, and shrimp tossed with corkscrew pasta probably crafted in a cast iron skillet. It came out hot and packed with flavor, carrying just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting without overwhelming the dish. Exactly how I like it. My wife stuck with a proven winner: the shrimp & grits. She's had it before, and once again, it delivered. Consistency matters, and this dish continues to hit the mark every time. Now, not everything was quite as smooth. Our waitress wasn't exactly channeling that warm Southern hospitality you hope for. Let's just say she wasn't "Miss Dolly" serving smiles with a side of charm. The service leaned a bit on the impatient side--subtle (and not-so-subtle) hints that our time at the table was up, including clearing drinks before we were even finished. At one point I joked about going to the restroom but worried I might come back to find my chair gone. Still, when the food is this good, it carries the experience. Urban Bar & Kitchen continues to deliver where it matters most--on the plate. The atmosphere was relaxed thanks to spring break timing, the food was as strong as ever, and the company made it even better. As for the service... maybe she was just ready for her own spring break reunion. Happens to the best of us. Final takeaway: Go for the food--it's consistently excellent. And if you can catch a quieter night like this one, even better.

Whole wing dinner, sweet potato fries, cheese grits, I had coleslaw. Fried crab claws for an…read moreappetizer. Absolutely awesome, best wings in town, crispy, juicy, seasoned and cooked perfectly. Such an awesome meal, not cheap but worth every penny. Service was great, place is really nice and super clean and organized.

Taco Mama is a QSR in downtown Tuscaloosa close to the university. You order at the counter and the…read morefood is brought to your table. Their menu is very simple consisting of bowls, tacos, burritos and quesadillas. I opted for a bowl with shredded chicken. They have a lengthy list of toppings that you can add. They also offer free chips and salsa. The food came really fast and the portion was large. The food quality didn't seem very fresh and it wasn't anything special. For $20, which felt like a lot, I was hoping for better. Overall, for a quick and filling meal, it's a decent option!

Nothing pairs better with a Sunday afternoon than a trip to Taco Mama--especially after a Bama…read morebaseball sweep of the Gators. Florida came in looking tough, but by the end of the weekend, they were heading home with their tails tucked. That kind of win deserves a proper celebration, and Taco Mama is always a solid call. Normally, this place is slammed--line out the door, controlled chaos at the counter, and a sea of college kids fueling up. But today? A rare sight. With it being the last day of Spring Break, the students were either on the road back to T-Town or at home enjoying some real home cooking. Either way, we walked into what felt like a private showing. Taco Mama consistently delivers, and let's be honest--it probably helps that you're the architect of your own meal. The "build your own bowl" is the move every single time. We stepped up to the counter (dodging a few lingering students along the way) and went to work. I kept it in my usual lane: chicken, lime rice, black beans, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, guacamole, tomatoes--with extra tomatoes--and queso. I'm sure I forgot something, but at a certain point, when you're piling on that many toppings, you could probably throw it on a pair of shoelaces or your front yard and it'd still taste good. It comes out loaded, paired with chips and salsa--"on the house"... or at least it used to feel that way. These days, let's just say it's probably baked into the price of your burrito bowl masterpiece. Either way, no complaints--it all hits. The atmosphere is part of the charm. Indoor seating with those big garage-style doors gives it an open, laid-back feel. Not a mechanic shop, of course--the only work being done here is adding a few pounds to your physique. If you're trying to convince yourself you're making healthy choices, grab the chicken bowl, maybe hold the queso (or don't--we both know how that ends), and settle in. The old wooden floors and overall vibe give the place some character, and on a day like today, the patio is a great option. Fresh air, good food, and a little post-sweep glow--it's hard to beat. And even for us "older folks," being surrounded by college energy has a way of making you feel just a little younger... at least until you stand up after the meal. All in all, Taco Mama is dependable, customizable, and exactly what you want after a big win. It may not be fancy, but it doesn't need to be--it just works.

I want to write a MAJOR shoutout to Ty Tomlinson!! We hosted a party for 70 people over graduation…read moreweekend at Avenue Pub and Ty's attention to detail was unbelievable. He went up and beyond to make sure that every aspect of our party was fantastic. He helped me problem solve and he came up with great solutions, he made sure that the upstairs venue was impeccably cleaned for our event (even sent pictures) to calm my mind that all was going well, he made sure the food was unbelievable and that our bar/ bartenders were spot on!! Ty quite honestly made planning and hosting an event at Avenue Pub stress free! I am from out of state and I knew all was being taken care of just perfectly! I can honestly say that I have never had that attention to detail and follow up from anywhere I have ever hosted an event. Ty was in constant contact assuring me all was being attended to so our graduation party would be the best!! I would highly recommend planning your next party at the upstairs venue at Avenue Pub and you'd be so lucky to have Ty Tomlinson to work with you. Also, a huge shoutout to our bartenders that attended to us that night. They were kind, serviced the bar wonderfully, and made our party fantastic!

If you're looking for great food, a fun atmosphere, and a place full of character, The Avenue Pub…read moreis a must-visit! The food was absolutely amazing -- fresh, flavorful, and worth every bite. From the moment you walk in, the rustic vibe and welcoming atmosphere make you feel right at home. Great service, great people, and even better food. Get the Salty Dog and Blackberry Smash! Definitely a spot we'll be coming back to. Roll Tide, Alabama!

My favorite Mexican spot in Tuscaloosa. Wonderfully small, full of kind people, super fast service,…read moreI highly recommend the Pechuga à la Plancha. Unbelievable marinade, beans, rice, some fresh and hot tortillas. It's my favorite lunch. Lengua tacos are also really amazing and don't forget to end it off with some esquites, corn with cheese, lime, and chili powder. It's the most delightful dessert. Don't ever change, Antojitos.

This is the second time I've been to this restaurant. Both times , I've ordered the special which…read moreis usually chicken drumsticks with some sort of delicious sauce. It came with fresh tasting pinto beans, rice and the chicken has been mildly spicy in both cases, but very delicious. This visit the sauce was a type of verde sauce. My waiter was super nice and was very helpful. He explained in great detail the specials of what type of sauce they had on them. This is probably one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants I've ever visited. Don't let the small restaurant size and casual dining atmosphere dissuade you from trying this little gem. It is well worth the visit.

Went on a Wednesday around 9:00 am. Place wasn't too crowded and got right in and set down…read more Waitress overall was really good. Would have liked for her to have asked if I needed more drink when it was obvious I was about out. Other than that she was very attentive. The Steak and Scramble Bowl was really good. The hollandaise sauce was really good. The Bissell breakfast had all the favorites. We ordered biscuits but they came back and said they were out so, we switched to wheat toast also never offered syrup for the pancake's. Love the option to get turkey sausage. The atmosphere and layout is really nice. They do have some patio seating. Also bathrooms were super clean. Again food came out hot and had a great taste. Definitely will be back.

It was a packed house this weekend at Metro! Waited about 20 minutes for a table and was promptly…read moregreeted for a drink order. Service was great and efficient. Love the game day vibe, casual atmosphere. I always order the same thing because I love it so much! Fried chicken, dark meat, comes with mashed with brown gravy and green beans. I found the chicken to be a lad dry, as usually it tastes fresh and juicy from the fryer. Everything else was delicious.