A newcomer to the Tuscaloosa culinary scene, Metro Diner serves up breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, all with a comforting taste of home. Meatloaf, chicken pot pie, hot turkey and fish and chips are offered at lunch and dinner. The Charleston Shrimp & Grits are a star on the menu with roasted red peppers and Andouille sausage. 

On April 11, Metro Diner located on McFarland Boulevard East in Midtown, celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting. Their menu boasts a variety of foods and flavors for every meal, but many customers have been returning for one item in particular. 

“Some of our most popular items ordered are chicken and waffles, which is a half of a fried piece of chicken with a warm waffle served with a side of strawberry butter and our signature hot sauce and syrup,” said David Charboneau, Tuscaloosa Metro Diner Managing Partner. “Our Bissell breakfast is another favorite, which is a choice of meat, eggs cooked anyway, hash browns, toast and pancakes.” 

Also on the breakfast menu are huevos rancheros, steak and eggs and breakfast pie, a creation exclusive to Metro Diner. A dish called “Yo Hala on the Square” – a twist on French toast with challah bread, bananas, brown sugar and hazelnut syrup, rounds out the breakfast menu.

Chicken and waffles are available on the dinner menu, too, but savory and hearty classics also fill the list. 

Along with the regular menu, this cozy diner offers daily specials, like pancakes for dinner. On the weekends all specials are available throughout the day. 

“Our founder, Mark Davoli, puts things together inspired by customers, other recipes, anything,” Charboneau said. “We have four specials a day and two dinner specials. On the weekends the specials are up all day.” 

This restaurant creates an atmosphere that allows customers to mingle and interact with each other. 

“We have no TVs, so everyone can come in and have a conversation,” Charboneau said. “They get to disconnect and enjoy their meal with the company of others.” 

The Tuscaloosa location is the diner’s first in Alabama. The franchise originated in Florida and was featured on “Diners Drive-Ins and Dives” with Guy Fieri on the Food Network. Since then, they have opened another location and will open two more in Alabama. 

“As a company we have opened between 40 to 45 diners,” Charboneau said. “We opened another Metro Diner on (Highway) 280 in Birmingham and will be opening one in Vestavia in October and the Madison location will open around January.”