As the Crimson Tide prepares for the upcoming SEC schedule, fans can anticipate the barbecue and down-home cooking of SEC country.
Fayetteville, Ark., serves as a perfect venue to start the SEC food schedule as it is home to one of the South’s favorite steak and barbecue restaurants, Herman’s Ribhouse.
“When you come into Herman’s, you are going to be greeted with a smile, and the owner is going to greet you at the door,” said chef and manager Nick Wright. “If you want to experience Fayetteville and what the hogs are about, you come to Herman’s.”
It is nearly impossible to come to Fayetteville and not hear someone talk about Herman’s Ribhouse. In fact, the restaurant has received so much praise they have never even had to advertise.
“We don’t advertise,” Wright said. “We’ve never ever advertised since we’ve been here. It is all word of mouth. That will tell you about our tradition right there.”
Over the years Herman’s has played host to many famous people, including Alabama’s own play-by-play announcer Eli Gold, who Wright says visits regularly when the Tide come into town.
“Every time we play Alabama, this is where Eli still comes,” Wright said. “He has my personal cell phone number and every time they come into town he calls me and says ‘Nick, can you fit us in?’”
One of the biggest appeals that Herman’s has to offer is the comfortable, home-style environment. From the red and white checkered tablecloths to wooden paneling on the walls, Herman’s provides a comfortable atmosphere for its guests.
“It has the feel of a down-home restaurant, a place where everybody feels comfortable,” said University of Arkansas alum Kyle Unser. “It is certainly not pretentious, but it has the food to be so if it wanted to.”
Wright said he wants to make sure that all guests feel right at home no matter where they come from or who they root for.
“Even if you are from Alabama, you are going to feel welcome,” Wright said. “You’re going to have a great time. Everybody is going to treat you great, win or lose.”
The friendly atmosphere is not the only reason to pay a visit to Herman’s. The restaurant is known for its fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs as well as its wide array of steaks.
“When I go to Herman’s during the day I always get the Philly; it is a good sirloin steak sandwich,” Unser said. “At night I prefer a strip, but I pretty much always get steak.”
“I’ve been told that my ribs are the best people have ever had,” Wright said. “Mine just fall right off the bone, you can pick the bone up and shake it and the meat falls off.”
Because Herman’s is so popular, guests who plan on attending the game should arrive early, as seating can take an hour or more on game day.
“With this game being so big and the excitement around it, we’ll open up at eleven,” Wright said. “The parking lot will be full before we even open. If you really want to come before the game, then I would say get here no later than probably 12:30.”
Herman’s is a must for any football fan or anyone who just wants to get a great meal in a down-home environment.
“You have to come try it when you’re in town,” Wright said. “I haven’t been anywhere else like it.”
