Seven buzzworthy restaurants that opened in 2023 in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa's food scene continued to expand in 2023, with new eateries focused on burgers, coffee, Cajun cuisine and Asian fusion added to the Druid City's lineup.
Here's a recap of some of the more buzzworthy restaurants that debuted in Tuscaloosa this year:
Starbucks
A third Starbucks on the University of Alabama campus opened in Tuscaloosa.
The new drive-thru-only Starbucks is at 325 University Blvd., near Newk's Eatery and Arby's.
According to UA's website, the 1,000-square-foot facility includes a one-story, traditional-appearance Starbucks designed to serve customers through the drive-through window and with an alternative pick-up option for customers who choose to order via Starbucks' mobile ordering app. There is no interior café.
The two other Starbucks on the UA campus are inside the UA Student Center, 751 Campus Drive, and at 807 Paul W. Bryant Drive next to the Corner Supe Store and within walking distance of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Outside the UA campus, Tuscaloosa has Starbucks locations at 816 Veterans Memorial Parkway, 804 Skyland Blvd. and inside the Target store at 1901 13th Ave. E.
Scooter's Coffee
This Nebraska-based drive-thru coffee shop opened its first Tuscaloosa location in August. The restaurant is at 632 15th St. in the Parkview Plaza Shopping Center.
Menu items include a variety of specialty espresso beverages, single-origin coffee, fruit smoothies, Red Bull infusions, cold brew, baked-from-scratch pastries and savory breakfast options.
According to its website, Scooter's signature drink is the Caramelicious, which is described as a "rich, velvety, caramel gem"
Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooter's has more than 550 locations across 28 states. Scooter's Coffee has 12 locations in Alabama.
The Tuscaloosa restaurant is open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Strange Brew Coffeehouse
This Starkville, Mississippi-based coffee shop opened its first Tuscaloosa location on the Strip near the University of Alabama campus in January.
Strange Brew was founded in 2006 by Kaitlin and Shane Reed.
The coffee shop offers a large variety of lattes, frappes, espresso drinks, smoothies, teas and baked goods.
Notable drinks include the Albino Squirrel, the Capt'n Crunch Latte and the Sea Turtle Frappe. The website boasts about the signature Strange Brew hot chocolate and "the best caramel apple cider in the galaxy."
The baked goods on Strange Brew's menu include chocolate croissants, muffins, scones and coffee cakes, with vegan and gluten free options available.
The Tuscaloosa location marks the fourth Strange Brew, with two existing locations in Starkville and one in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Chip
This gourmet cookie delivery company opened its first Alabama location in Midtown Village beneath Planet Fitness.
According to its website, owners Sarah and Sean Wilson came up with the idea for the restaurant out of pregnancy cravings in the middle of the night. That's when Sean Wilson went to work on a business plan that would deliver warm, gourmet cookie directly to your door.
The cookie shop offers weekly flavors and is best known for their signature chocolate chip cookies. Chip’s Cookies also offers a cookie bar where customers can craft their own cookie.
We'Dat's
Louisiana-based restaurant We Dat's Chicken and Shrimp opened its first Tuscaloosa location on the Strip near the University of Alabama campus.
The restaurant is at 1130 University Blvd. in the former home of Little Italy, inside the University Town Center.
According to the Visit Tuscaloosa website, former UA basketball star and NBA standout JaMychal Green is at the helm of this new restaurant.
With multiple locations in New Orleans, the We Dat's restaurant specializes in Cajun-style chicken, shrimp, catfish and wraps. Guests can also purchase a variety of seasonings and sauces to take home.
We Dat's was founded by Greg Tillery and began as a food truck in the New Orleans area. After forming a partnership with the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans, We Dat's opened multiple locations.
Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint
Jack Brown's burger restaurant officially opened its first Tuscaloosa location in October at 403 23rd Ave.
Restaurant founders and childhood friends Aaron Ludwig and Mike Sabin opened their first Jack Brown's location in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 2008.
According to its website, the owners said the burger menu is purposefully simple. Offerings include the Greg Brady, a burger topped with house-made macaroni and cheese, American cheese and barbecue potato chips, and the Elvis, a burger topped with peanut butter, mayonnaise, applewood smoked bacon and American cheese.
The restaurant also offers a variety of craft beer, ranging from local favorites to rare beers from around the world.
Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint has other Alabama locations in Birmingham, Huntsville, with an Auburn location also in the works. Other Jack Brown's restaurants are in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio.
Teriyaki Madness
This Asian fusion, fast casual eatery opened in the North Square Shopping Center, 3250 McFarland Blvd., in Northport.
The restaurant offers a wide selection of made-to-order Asian fusion bowls with chicken, steak, salmon, tofu and more.
This is the first Teriyaki Madness in the Tuscaloosa area with locations in more than 20 states.
Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Seven buzzworthy restaurants that opened in Tuscaloosa area in 2023
