Downtown Tuscaloosa's American Grill
Tuscaloosa's downtown dining scene has expanded in the last decade as the University of Alabama's growth has brought the city's residential population back to the streets around University Boulevard. Side by Side has emerged as one of the more reliable rooms in that revival — a confident American grill that handles the Tuscaloosa diner-out crowd without the chain-restaurant compromises.
The cooking is Southern-leaning American grill: properly-rendered burgers, careful seafood, slow-cooked meats, the kind of starter-and-share menu that handles a busy night without forcing any one table to feel rushed. The bar is one of the better cocktail programmes in central Tuscaloosa; the beer list handles the regional craft scene confidently.
What to Order
The burger — Side by Side's version is built on properly-rendered patties and considered toppings. Fresh fish in the day's preparation, handled simply. Slow-smoked meats when the kitchen has them. The starter list runs through the Southern-grill expected — pimento cheese, deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes — and each plate is built more carefully than the format demands.
The Setting
The dining room is comfortable; the bar is large enough to absorb a meeting that runs long; the patio handles the long Alabama-evening season. The crowd is mixed — university faculty, downtown professionals, Tuscaloosa residents — and the room never feels like a single-demographic destination.
Best Occasion: Team Dinner
Side by Side is one of Tuscaloosa's most natural team-dinner rooms. The bar handles a starting drink; the dining room absorbs a party of ten; the menu is broad enough that dietary requests resolve quickly. The price point is honest; the staff manage a group celebration without making it embarrassing. For University-related team dinners in particular, it is one of the most reliable choices.