Nestled in the corner of 15th Street and Greensboro Avenue is a quaint little house painted the appropriate shade of red. The canvas awnings boast houndstooth print, and the window chalk proclaims, “ROLL TIDE!” Everyone in Tuscaloosa knows about this place, and with good reason, too. The historic Waysider restaurant bleeds crimson and serves up the true “Breakfast of Champions.”
The Waysider is cozy, to say the least. I counted about 15 tables neatly packed into the tiny, old-fashioned building. For fans of the Crimson Tide, the place is a sanctuary. The walls are completely covered with Daniel Moore prints depicting Alabama’s greatest victories, players and coaches. The tables are just close enough to put you elbow-to-elbow with a friend you’ve never met. A friendly “Roll Tide” would go a long way in the Waysider (seriously, the place must be hell on Earth for people who root for anything orange).
Of course, The Waysider didn’t earn the title of Tuscaloosa’s oldest operating restaurant just by being cozy. The menu states they serve “The Breakfast of Champions.” Even though this could refer to the great players and coaches they have fed, including Paul “Bear” Bryant, this claim most accurately describes the food.
I’m pretty sure the first step in Coach Saban’s “process” is a hearty breakfast at The Waysider. I ordered virtually everything I could, including pancakes, bacon, sausage, ham, cheese grits (well worth the extra 55 cents), eggs cooked over-medium and the famous butter biscuits. Everything I ordered lived up to the hype. I was more than pleased when my bacon was cut thick and just crispy enough to keep from flopping around. By far the best part of my breakfast was the plate of soft, buttery biscuits. At first, I wasn’t sure why there was a pitcher of honey on each table, but when spooned that first bite of honey-soaked biscuit onto my tongue, I knew.
As many know, The Waysider only serves breakfast food. The restaurant opens at 5:30 a.m. (because City Café’s 4 a.m. thing is just too early, am I right?) I strongly recommend you get there as early as possible because as I mentioned earlier, the place is tiny and popular. To say The Waysider is always busy would be a colossal understatement. There is a door that separates the kitchen and the dining room. The door can swing both ways but never seems to stop. The entire time I was eating, someone was always either going in or coming out. Hungry customers were being seated just as satisfied champions were leaving their tables. The phrase “hustle and bustle” comes to mind.
All in all, the historic Waysider restaurant is classic Tuscaloosa. The people are friendly. The food is great. By the time you leave, you’ll feel like a champion.
Leading in today’s Crimson White:
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