There are lots of places to get a great lunch in town. These three made the cut because of their options, prices and overall tastiness. Next week, I’m ranking Tuscaloosa’s best casual dinner spots, so tweet @AveryDriggers with your suggestions!
- 1. Maggie’s
1307 Ty Rogers Jr. Ave.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 366-0302
Few people have heard of Maggie’s and even fewer have eaten there. Tucked away in an old brick building next to the railroad tracks, Maggie’s is the best meat-and-three in town. This cafeteria-style lunch spot serves up fried chicken, meatloaf, pigs’ feet, collards, yams, cobbler, cornbread and the biggest cinnamon rolls I have ever seen. You’re more likely to run into your biology professor than lab partner here; it’s almost exclusively a locals’ spot. If you want huge portions of down home cooking, a break from the campus scene and a long nap after eating, Maggie’s is for you.
2. Tazikis
1800 McFarland Blvd E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 344-6444
Keith and Amy Richards visited Greece on vacation and fell so in love with the food and culture that they opened up the very first Taziki’s in Birmingham in 1998. I’ve been eating there ever since – Taziki’s chicken rollups carved out a good chunk of my childhood diet. I even remember when the Friday special was only served on Fridays. So when word spread that they were setting up shop in Tuscaloosa, I was hard-pressed not to break into song. Why? Taziki’s menu is stacked with delicious options. The food is fresh, homemade, healthful and reasonably priced. Taziki’s is the place to go if you want a satisfying meal that won’t weigh you down.
- 3. Bento
1306 University Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 758-7426
To know Bento is to love Bento. Most students’ affection for the Japanese steakhouse ranges from casual attachment to borderline obsession. Bento is best at lunch because of their lunch box specials. All lunch boxes are served with either the house soup or salad and steamed or fried rice for a fraction of what it would cost you at dinner. Bento also has some of the best ginger dressing and shrimp sauce you can get for the price. The sushi is also a standout. The portions are large and the selection even larger. Now, I don’t know how authentic the deep-fried Sunday morning roll is, but it sure is tasty.
Honorable mention:
-Hooligan’s for their cheap burgers, delicious hummus and refreshing mint tea
-FIG for their interesting sandwiches and healthy options
