It’s a Bama tradition. Crimson Tide fans have gone to the Waysider Restaurant in Tuscaloosa for decades for breakfast or lunch. On weekends of Alabama home games, it’s hard to get a table there, so fans get on a waiting list and wait outside along Greensboro Avenue.
The Waysider is not just a delicious southern breakfast and lunch café. It’s also a veritable museum of Alabama football. Photos. Lots of Bama photos. In fact, the entire eatery has dozens of photographs of Crimson Tide magic moments over the decades. There are classic Daniel Moore paintings of Crimson Tide memories.
About three years ago, some Bama players started a Waysider tradition of their own. Quarterback Jalen Milroe and other Tiders started having a breakfast fellowship at the Waysider on home game weekends. Usually, it was on the day before the game.
On April 12, it was the Tide's spring practice game, for years called “A-Day.” The players, who won’t be playing in the spring game or ever again for a college, decided to hold a going-away breakfast – their final fellowship at the Waysider.
The Waysider posted this farewell on their Facebook page:
They ate the traditional breakfast at the Waysider on Sunday: Unique biscuits (ain’t nothing like ‘em no where”). Local honey. Country ham. Zeigler bacon. Eggs any style. Sausage gravy. Coffee.
The Waysider was the favorite breakfast place of legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. A table remains in the front corner of the Waysider where Bryant ate. The place is complete with Bryant photographs and memorabilia, including a Bryant houndstooth hat atop a bust of Bryant.
The Waysider’s building was built in 1906 and was a residence. The restaurant started in 1948, 77 years ago. It is the oldest restaurant in Tuscaloosa that is still operating.
Heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder, a Tuscaloosa native, is a frequent diner at The Waysider.
When national TV networks come to Tuscaloosa to cover major games, the broadcast staff usually comes and eats at the Waysider. Sometimes, the video crews take footage there.
The Alabama Crimson Tide is steeped in traditions: “Roll Tide.” Big Al. “Rammer Jammer.” “Yea, Alabama.” “Dixieland Delight.” “Sweet Home, Alabama.” The Million Dollar Band. The cheerleaders.
One long-standing Alabama tradition is the Waysider Restaurant. Breakfast of Champions.
The Waysider is located at 1512 Greensboro Ave. near downtown Tuscaloosa. More information here.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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