Last minute Tuscaloosa dining recommendations...

I know it's fashionable on here to crack on Tuscaloosa dining (and Alabama dining in general on this board) but there are actually a few nicer Tuscaloosa restaurants to check. Since most Bama fans rarely suggest anything other than the good (but overrated) Dreamland, I thought I suggest a few places you may not be familiar with along with links to customer reviews:

Fine to nice casual places:

1) Evangelines - Might be the best "unknown" fine dining restaurant in the state of Alabama. Located on McFarland Blvd directly across from Indian Hills CC (about a mile north of river bridge).

2) Kozy's - Another fine dining option. Popular formal date/engagement restaurant in town. Also gets excellent reviews.

3) Nicks(in the Sticks)- Don't let the name scare you. This place has the best steak in town. Very good. Think Doe's Place in a hole in the wall outskirts of town location. Be sure to get there right at 5 tommorrow when they open as it packs out early. Try a Nickodemus (along with a Gallette's Yellowhammer if you go there) which is Tuscaloosa's answer to a New Orleans Hurricane and/or Hand Grenade.

4) Chuck's Fish - One of the better downtown restaurants. Have heard good things. Haven't been yet myself but usually gets very high marks.

5) Ephiphany - Close to Chuck's Fish (downtown near Univ/Greensboro Ave intersection) and another very solid high end casual/fine dining place. Gets high marks also. Much like Kozy's but with a more creative menu.

6) Depalmas - Downtown (on Univ Blvd) very close to Mellow Mushroom. A personal fave of mine. Very solid authentic Italian restaurant. Can be a little loud and feel a bit crowded but go here if you want good Italian.

7) Cypress Inn - Solid casual restaurant that can be hit or miss but usually pretty solid. Great location on river. Had a suprisingly fresh blackened Grouper dish last time there that was spot on.

8) Yazoo's Grill - On 7th Aven which is just off Bryant Drive within a pitching wedge of BDS and Tutwiler dorm. Another nice casual restaurant (very convenient to Coleman Coliseum RV tailgaters) with a cool little outdoor patio courtyard.

For Mexican food lovers, try Pepito's on McFarland just over the river bridge. It's a good late night option as they typically serve until almost midnight on ballgame weekends.

I'll post some review links that may be helpful

PARKING HELP: If any of you are unsure of where to park, get off of McFarland Boulevard exit head towards campus and when you get to the intersection the Rite Aid is on (1st red light on Univ Blvd past the the Shell station by DCH Medical Center)turn RIGHT and drive down to REC center parking lot (you'll see the soccer field as well). If you get there before 10 AM ish there should be plenty of spots left ($10). It is well worth it as you are literally right where shuttles pick up people and carry them on a 5 minute ride to the Quad. You can carry coolers and a resonable amount of equipment on the shuttles with you and carry to Quad. I park there every time and it's very hard to beat the convenience.

Getting out of town (for those heading to Bham after game). Either leave with about 5 minutes left (after Bama puts the game out of reach
or wait a good 3 hours for traffic to even out. When leaving (VERY important), head WEST on McFarland Blvd, cross river bridge on McFarland and go like you heading towards Columbus, MS. When you get to the intersection of McFarland/Highway 69 (sign will say Tuscaloosa left and Fayette north) turn left towards Ttown. This will eventually turn into I-359 and at least give you smooth sailing out of Tuscaloosa. If you're heading towards Miss, you'll get there in no time.

You're welcome.