Great food Great People. I ordered 1/2 Chicken with greens and beans. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. It's a little off the beaten path, but well worth it. read more

The Brown Bag Restaurant - Menu 6/11/2026 - Soul Food Near Me - Northport, Alabama

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The Brown Bag Restaurant in Northport has been a staple for good eats for as long as I can remember. I can't tell you how many times people have recommended it for lunch, yet I never managed to stop in and experience it for myself until today. My work schedule and the Bag's hours always seemed to clash, and since it's a bit off the beaten path, it stayed in the "out of sight, out of mind" category. Now, as I'm approaching full retirement, I finally had the time to swing by and see what all the fuss was about. Upon arrival, the first sign you're in the right place is the parking lot. It's packed, about like a blue tick on a hound dog. Stepping inside, don't expect anything fancy. The interior is old school with faded paint and a no frills setup. Your food is served in Styrofoam containers with plastic utensils. But that's part of the charm. Who needs fine china when you're filling your gizzard with good soul food? The place was full and I managed to grab one of the last open tables under the roof. I then waited for the waitress who was running laps across the dining area, taking orders, refilling drinks, checking out customers, and handling everything in between. If you come anywhere near lunch hour, don't expect Jimmy John's Freaky Fast service. You're here to slow down and enjoy the experience. When I ordered, I went with a catfish fillet, turnip greens, field peas, fried green tomatoes, a side of cornbread, and tartar sauce for the fish. The fried green tomatoes did not make it out with the order, but the waitress was very apologetic and adjusted my bill to a meat and two instead of a meat and three, which I appreciated. Now to the important part, the food. The catfish was hot, crispy, and perfectly cooked, not greasy at all, just honest, well done Southern cooking. The turnip greens and field peas were flavorful and comforting, exactly what you hope for in a place like this. The tartar sauce had a slightly sweet twist that I was not expecting, different from the traditional version, but surprisingly excellent. I will need a few more visits before I can fully put that into words, but it worked. Overall, now I understand the buzz. The Brown Bag delivers exactly what it promises, simple, hearty, well prepared soul food served without pretense. I will definitely be back, and now that retirement is on the horizon, I have got all the time in the world to wait on a good meal, unlike you working folks still rushing through lunch. read more

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Excellent burger and fried green tomatoes! The owner was so kind and I will definitely be back!

I tried the burger, fantastic. The ribs, sooo good. They were cooked perfectly and just the right amount of sauce. The crispy crinkle fries were great, the okra was also crispy and cooked well, and the greens with cornbread were also really good. Delicious. The catfish was crispy and so good I didn't even use hot sauce or tartar; it was tasty by itself, seasoned good. The side salad was fresh, lettuce was crispy and probably the best salad I've ever got anywhere togo. They have meat and three options, dinner plates, large plates, sandwiches and bulk orders for get togethers/parties. I only spent $24 and had one of the best meals from a restaurant in months. (I came for catfish but had to try the ribs when I smelled the bbq smoke. And then I figured I might as well try the burger too.) It was all well worth it and great portions for the prices. The smell of the bbq hits you as soon as you park and you can immediately sense the hard work and time that has been put into this place. It reminds me of places I would go to as a kid and places I've been longing to find again. They've been in business over 30 years and the hospitality and food shows exactly why. No fancy frills or crazy marketing needed. Just good food and good people working hard to continue their legacy. The employees and owner were so kind even while busy with multiple orders. It's a warm nostalgic feeling being here. I will absolutely be back to try the smoked chicken, fried green tomatoes, and desserts. I can't stop thinking about this place, it's on my top 5 Tuscaloosa restaurant list now. 100/10. read more

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Great Food! Great service! Our church group loved it!! Recommend the place highly!!

When we pulled up and walked in, I was greeted by a "community" of food lovers. GUYS, THE FOOD IS ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL!!! I ate 4 ribs, baked beans, and fried okra. Our waiter made the environment cheerful and light. If you're looking for the TRUE heart of the south this is the place to go. You may not see it at first, but after going, it'll be the reason you go down to Northport. If you are reading this, you must be considering where to eat... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! To those who work at The Brown Bag: Thank you for all you do for your community and for the people around you. The Lord be with you! ""O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart;"" 1 Kings 8:23 ESV read more

Amazing Service, Quality Food, Great Prices! I love their food and it's a real staple in Northport! If you're from the area and haven't tried it what are you waiting on! read more

From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but this place is a gem. The service is great. Phyllis greeted us with a big smile told us to take a seat while she brought out our tea. The moment I looked at the menu, I knew I was in for something good. I ordered the chicken and dumplings dinner with 2 sides--macaroni and cheese and a salad. I got the salad because balance, but everything else was really good. It's like how my grandma would cook chicken and dumplings. There aren't many family places like this around anymore. On top of that, everything is very reasonably priced. We will be back! read more

The Brown Bag Restaurant - Chicken and dumplings - Soul Food Near Me - Northport, Alabama

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We moved to Northport about one month ago and finding The Brown Bag has been one of the best parts about it. We have already been twice. It would have been three times but they were closed the week after Independence Day. This is definitely a family-owned operation. Everyone is so nice! They truly make you feel like you walked into someone's home for a meal. In that respect, the food very much tastes like traditional home made soul food. My only caveat is that if you are dining it, DO NOT BE IN A RUSH. The staff is obviously working as hard as they can, but this isn't fast food. But trust me, the food is worth the wait. You can, however, call ahead and order food to-go. The first time we came, I ordered the double cheeseburger and buttermilk pie. The second time, I ordered the baked chicken with greens and mac & cheese. EVERYTHING was delicious. Now that we are in the neighborhood, we will definitely be regulars! read more

The Brown Bag Restaurant - Soul Food Near Me - Northport, Alabama

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I've lived in Tuscaloosa my whole life and this was my first time trying The Brown Bag- it didn't disappoint! The catfish was perfect! Okra was cooked just right (I like it crispy), the sauce on the ribs was on the sweet side but very very good. The creamed corn was delicious! I would choose The Brown Bag over City Cafe any day! read more

We visited the Brown Bag after being curious about it for quite some time. We had a lovely lunch there! You can smell the delicious smoke from outside the restaurant. It'll stick with you, too, after you leave. :) Walking in, the seating/ordering was a bit confusing. We stood around for 2-3 minutes wondering if we should order at the counter before being told we could sit anywhere we liked. The menus were brought to us shortly afterward. I think this place is mostly attended by regulars, so it's not surprising that the folks there would assume we knew what to do. My boyfriend and I had chicken and dumplings, lima beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, fried catfish, and fried okra, with sweet tea to drink. It sounds like a ton of food, but the portions and prices were reasonable. The lima beans were the bigger, mushier, brown kind, not the tender greener beans that I prefer, but these still had a nice meaty, oniony flavor. The macaroni and cheese was baked, I think; it had a bit of a crust to it, which I liked a lot. The sweet tea was diabetes-inducing, so I naturally loved it. Cornbread was savory but not too sandy or crumbly. The chicken and dumplings was just a little too mushy, but the flavors were very solid. The fried okra, though, was some of the best I've ever had. Fresh, crispy, and light (as fried food goes!). Catfish was also delicious -- even I liked it, and I usually won't touch fish! One of the highlights of our visit was the service. There was one particular man with a heavy beard who had one of the most genuine, kind smiles. He was absolutely lovely and it was a pleasure to get to speak with someone so friendly and positive. Check this place out when you're itching for a drive on a sunny day. read more

The Brown Bag Restaurant - Macaroni and cheese, fried okra, cornbread, chicken and dumplings, and lima beans. - Soul Food Near Me - Northport, Alabama

This place lives up to the five star rating. Catfish, meatloaf, creamed corn, fried green tomatoes, field peas, cabbage, yams, and greens were all terrific. Everything was brightly seasoned and tasted made to order. Don't miss the crunchy, peppery fried green tomatoes. Warm buttermilk pie was a perfect finish. Phyllis came out from the kitchen to chat and see if we enjoyed everything. This restaurant makes you a guest in the kitchen of a local family. It's very special. We felt cared for. The only more ordinary dishes were the bland chicken and dumplings and the lemon pie (I prefer a more curdlike filling; this is more of a whipped, chiffon filling). But believe me, we ate those up -- they were just three-star moments in a five-star meal. read more

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Excellent food and service!. The staff at this restaurant are always super nice and welcoming.

Great owners and staff!!..The food is great I recommend the fish being that's the only thing I always get my wife has had the bbq she loves it also the Mac n cheese is bomb..The dining area is very home welcoming like grandma house I highly recommend also the prices are fair check them out!! read more

The Brown Bag Restaurant - Catfish Sandwich...Catfish platter - Soul Food Near Me - Northport, Alabama

Delicious BBQ, and I'm not a BBQ fan! I like it better than Archibald's! Friendly people; a lot of locals came in, which is a recommendation on its own! read more

Don't look all that from the outside but it's the most friendly place I've eaten at. the food? don't even get me started it's delicious

Amazing! Will go back soon. Great food and service from very nice people!!!!!!!!!!

We sought out the Brown Bag on a recent trip to Alabama and were not disappointed. Between us we had the fried green tomatoes (Excellent!), cornbread (delicious), catfish sandwich (mouth-watering), buttermilk and key lime pies (heavenly). Our host was Jabaris and he exemplifies Southern hospitality. Don't let the outside fool you; The Brown Bag is a gem! read more

The best restaurants are sometimes the most out of the way. You won't accidentally run across this place, but finding it is worth it. I went in for lunch in the middle of the week. I asked what they were known for, and he said the ribs and fried catfish. I got the catfish platter. Starting with the sides. The fried green tomatoes were sliced thin and fried to perfection. Also, the tomatoes had a tartness but were just right. The mac and cheese came out piping hot and was excellent. The fried catfish was great too. Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. The portions are generous, and I considered it a good deal for the price. I'll be back and will make sure to bring the family next time. read more

Love the Brown Bag ! Cory's spare ribs are better than any of the more well known Tuscaloosa ribs. Phyllis and Mrs. Mary stir up some great mac and cheese, turnip greens, fried okra, chicken and dumplins...terrific out-of-the-way meat and three place. Great food and really nice people. read more

Some thing that was said to me when I walked in the door I did not appreciate it so I decided not to go back there. That's not the way you talk to your customers. read more

Great Food Great People you will be satisfied with the choices they have I definitely recommend you try them

Great food. Catfish best in city. Country Friendly service. Great prices. Little put of way.

Great spot in the middle of nowhere. We use it for takeout. The ribs have an interesting mustardy type bbq sauce. The fried catfish is also very good. All of the sides we have tried were what you would expect, didn't particularly care fir their fries green tomatoes (but that could have been bc you weren't eating them right there). Until COVID is over, maybe getting it to go and eating it in the car way to go? read more

Great experience! The food was really good and the owners (the Browns) were exceptional! Cannot say enough kind words about the or the food! So if you like home cooking...don't miss this treat. I wanted to order so much more to try. We had catfish, turnip greens, pinto beans, creamed corn, purple hull peas etc. so much more on the menu. This place is often the beaten path, but worth it! read more

Looking for a good hole in the wall restaurant? I am an electrician doing service work all over Tuscaloosa and working in northport , needed somewhere quick to eat. I found it. Very friendly greeting upon entry by a family put together staff. I like to see people take pride in their businesses. This family does. I will be back to try those fried green tomatoes! Pulled pork was excellent! read more

The Brown Bag Restaurant - Wow!! Meatloaf/ baked beans/fried green tomatoes/ and steamed squash. - Soul Food Near Me - Northport, Alabama

I went with a group of friend and we tried everything on the menu! The food was delicious! The desserts were simply sublime! Thank you for such a great lunch! read more

Hidden gem in Northport! The lady was so sweet!! The food was amazing and probably some of the best pork I've ever had in Tuscaloosa/Northport! read more

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The veggie plate was absolutely delicious. This place is a little hole in the wall but definitely worth the drive. Collards: 10 out of 10! Reminds me of my grandmother's. read more

Wow. The food was amazing. I had the fish plate with cheese slaw and collard greens. I usually order collards when at restaurants that serve them and they were the best collards I've eaten so far in Tuscaloosa county. My friend got the ribs and they were very good as well! Sweet tea taste just like at grandmas house. 10/10 would recommend! Hidden jewel in Northport! read more

I went here for lunch the other day. It's way off the beaten path and wouldn't have known about this place if I hadn't found it on Yelp. The fried catfish was really amazing and tasty. It was cooked very well with it being crunchy and not soggy. Very glad I found this place and will return again! read more

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This "off the beaten path" restaurant is worth the trip. Like being in your mama's kitchen. Food was hot, tasty and delicious! Service is superb! Phyllis, Mama & Corey will take good care of you. The fried green tomatoes are not on the picture because I ate them too fast. The fried okra is off the chain! Everything is good! It's not hard to find. Put it in your GPS and thank me later ! Also very clean !! read more

The Brown Bag Restaurant - Soul Food Near Me - Northport, Alabama

After a disappointing night eating at Taco Casa, We came here for lunch and wasn't disappointed at all!! I had the 2 meats 2 sides which my choices were pulled pork and meatloaf wit side creamy corn n mac n cheese! Dont forget to ask for dessert!!! read more

They say the best restaurants are the hole in the wall places in the middle of no where. If that's what you're looking for then Brown Bag is the place for you! They have really good fried fish and meat loaf. I would have never know about this place if I hadn't found it on Yelp. You have to be on the lookout for it when going there or you will miss it. All of the staff was nice and friendly. It's no where convenient but worth the drive and try this place. I can't wait to go back! read more

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We came from California and found this place on yelp after the Bama game, a hole in the wall but I've found thOse are the best. Anyways we were craving some real southern soul food and my god did we find it. The collard greens were perfection. The smoked ribs omg I basically ate the bone, and the Mac n cheese was to die for. We ordered butter pie and DROOL! So bomb. Their hospitality was my favorite part. They talked to us about our travels and their family and wished us safe travels back. All of them. So kind. You'd be missing out if you passed this up. read more

Don't miss this off the beaten path gem. Nothing but fresh ingredients here. The quarter chicken arrived cooked to perfection. The veggie plate hit home with collard greens, green beans, field peas and cabbage. Nothing was greasy. Cornbread rounded it all off. Fried okra is worth the calories. Tea is on-point, southern deliciousness. Chocolate cake should not be missed. We'll be back! read more

We just had a slab of ribs, baked beans and Cole slaw. I called it in, and it was ready to go when I got there. The ribs were great !, and the slaw was very good also, but it was the baked beans that made me want to log into Yelp and give them their props. We're going to be having the Brown Bag more often ! read more

So, you're in the mood for a little meat-and-three? Tucked in the back of Northport, there's a solace - The Brown Bag. True Southern food and fabulous Southern hospitality abound here.....once you find it! :) It's a little tricky to get to, but once you're here, order some really tasty goodness. While everything I've had has been excellent - nicely cooked with just the right amount of flavor/fat, I still dream about their fried green tomatoes. They're the thin, crispy kind that come in orders of three with a meal and are just stellar. So, turn on the Garmin or Google Maps or whathaveyou, and turn into the gravel parking lot of The Brown Bag. You'll be pleasantly surprised.....and full! read more

This place SHMACKS. No question about it. Great prices for even better food. My boy and I have been touring Tuscaloosa area looking for delicious cheap eats, and this is one of the best yet. If you like soul food, catfish, and a dope little lowkey spot to dine, this is your place. Home made southern cooking at its finest, you can tell this stuff is made with love. Go to this place and eat right now. read more

Absolutely go out of your way to eat here. This is my definition of delicious southern BBQ the way it 'should' be. We had a more-than-kind mother/son duo greet us with smiles the moment we walked in. Get the collards, I dare you to find better. The flavor of the pulled pork matched the deliciousness of Smokey smells wafting about the premise. Top notch read more