NashTide

In the words of Samuel L Jackson….goooood muthaf*ckin choice muthaf*cka.

It warms my heart that I might have planted the Hokkaido seed. Hope you guys enjoy yourselves and Tuscaloosa treats you well. Should be a hell of a game and atmosphere, and it also won’t feel like you’re broiling on the surface of the sun like you have in Texas all summer. Safe travels, and let me know if you all have any last min Tuscaloosa questions. I am headed into town tomorrow and my liver is prepared for this shit show.

Really the only town of any size between the two is Anniston unless you get to Bham, and I don’t know that there’s a whole lot worth stopping for in Anniston besides chains. It’s only a 2 hour drive to Birmingham so I’d recommend just getting to Bham and finding something. I can make plenty of recs there.

My favorite breakfast in Birmingham is Dimitri’s in Homewood. It’s a BBQ joint by day and their lunch is great too, but they do a good breakfast and it’s always filling. If you’re downtown, Frothy Monkey. I’ll defer to others on the donut scene. Ruby Sunshine is another favorite. Highly recommend.

It's a neat enough spot, but it's definitely over there by itself. I miss the old Innisfree. And the Booth. And the old Houndstooth. And... The problem with Innisfree is it's not next to anything, although plenty walkable to other spots, but they charge ungodly covers on bigger game weekends.

Nicely done here. I feel like anything west of Innisfree is downtown and the strip is the "campus corner" type area. This is a very good graphic representation. Parking will be much less of an issue downtown and you can walk between the two if that's your thing. Its sidewalked the entire way. Also...if you don't try the smoked wings at Moe's BBQ, you're doin' it wrong.

that steak sandwich and the strawberry sriracha with goat cheese burger at AP....on point.

The sideline upper decks are fine. I would avoid anything above row 15 in end zone upper deck if possible. Very high up.

Yep. Rabbit Hole is an interesting place. Several little local spots but theyre all tiny. If your group goes down that way, other than just walking around, try Buffalo Phil's and the Houndstooth. Both a little bigger places.

After a quick Google Maps study, it looks like downtown and the strip are 1 street away from each other? We're staying at the Embassy Suites which is definitely within stumbling distance to either. Can be a little confusing, as University Blvd is "The Strip" but only a certain district. That road goes all the way to downtown but theyre distinct areas. If you google the Waffle House on University and then move from that east toward the stadium, that is the area known as The Strip. Theyre appx 3/4 a mile or a mile apart. Easy 10-15 min walk if you are at Embassy Suites. It may be worth walking down to the Strip just to see the "fun" in person, but it wont get going until closer to midnight. Best I can do is Hokkaido hibachi bar! Japanese, but....potato-puh tah toe.

Where does the 30+ crowd hang? Is the strip generally college-aged whereas downtown is alumni? I always say the people who can drink legally go downtown, and the people who drink with fake IDs go to the Strip. The Strip will have plenty of eye candy, but expect long lines and it can get a little "rough" the later in the night it gets. Strip has more of a frat/sorority/college vibe. I would park somewhere downtown and just plan to bar/restaurant hop there. Plenty of fun to be had down there and some really good restaurants (for Tuscaloosa).

Ha. I should say the same for you all if you are coming into town this weekend re: the shit show! Will be fun, I promise you that. I think it will rival the 2011 LSU game (Game of the Century Number Whatever). We had 40,000 people in town who *weren't* going to the game, and if you've ever been to Tuscaloosa, you can imagine the logistical nightmare that was. This could rival that. Thanks for offering to validate the sale - I can provide my cell number via PM for anyone interested and glad to hop on a call to prove I am real. Not trying to make much on these and willing to sell a little below FMV. Just want to sell them and thought UT fans would like to sit near their folks. My seats are immediately to the right of the traditional visitor section downstairs. You are sort of staring at the corner of the visitors sideline if that makes sense. For Friday night, 60 is a lot of people. If you are looking for a bar, I would avoid The Strip which is the main area along University Blvd. It will be a mad house. Go downtown instead. The Strip tends to cater to a younger crowd while Downtown is a little more chill. My favorite personal bar is Innisfree (expect to pay a lofty cover, but that is prob true anywhere that weekend). For casual bar/dining, Avenue Pub is great - I can make some recs on what to eat. Mellow Mushroom pizza has a bar area and decent food. I am a big fan of FIVE restaurant, though their bar area may be a bit small for your crowd. Other downtown bars are Rhythm and Brews, Copper Top, and Tavern 1831. I'd walk around in that area. If you need other dining recs, hit me up. Glad to validate by phone and can send screen shots of tickets to anyone interested with specific seat numbers and row.

Bama fan here - I am selling two lower level tickets in the corner where visitors sit (seems most Texas fans have purchased in that area). Section N8, Row 42. These are in the corner on the Texas team sideline. These are going for $400-500 before fees on SeatGeek and more on Ticketmaster. Would be willing to sell for $350 per and can instant transfer by phone or email. These are my season tickets, and I will be using some others Saturday. Hope this is OK to post here. Also - glad to answer any other questions you all may have about Tuscaloosa, parking, dining, gameday, etc. We are looking forward to welcoming another Blue Blood to town. Weather looks to be incredible. Hope you all have a nice trip if you're traveling.