GREAT EATS HAWAII: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE FOOTBALL

BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

920 PAUL W BRYANT DRIVE

TUSCALOOSA, AL 35401

205-348-2262

www.rolltide.com/facilities/bryant-denny.html

Cannot imagine a better college football experience than being in Tuscaloosa to watch Alabama on game day. The excitement around Bryant-Denny Stadium is electric. The fans all wear their team colors with pride and there is an abundance of alcohol flowing in the bars, on the streets and at tailgate parties throughout the small university town. This was my second visit to Tuscaloosa to witness Alabama football and I can tell you that I love it. Absolutely the best college football atmosphere and experience ever. Love Alabama football and the fans. We began our adventure in Birmingham where we hired a driver to take us to Tuscaloosa. Driving was not an option as we wanted to enjoy a few beers and delve deep into the tailgating and bar scene around the stadium. Upon arriving in Tuscaloosa we headed straight for a store and bought Alabama gear so we could look like we fit in. It worked as we walked right onto Fraternity Row and entered several Frat Houses. Probably did not hurt that we had Alabama shirts/jackets on complete with Hello my Name is badges on our chests. Picked up the badges at a local bar that was giving them out as a joke. Seems that Alabama coach Lane Kiffin used a fictitious name the week before to meet girls in a local bar so that made up name tags and gave them out on game day. The Fraternity houses were complete with large bars set up outside where you could purchase beer, wine and cocktails. The lines were long but well worth it on a hot Alabama afternoon. We grabbed some beers and headed into the Frat House where one of the brothers happily showed us to the bathrooms. There was a bit of a line so he said to follow him downstairs to where there was another bathroom. He guided us through the house and into a huge room packed with people talking and drinking. There was an actual night club below the house and the bathrooms were fairly empty and filled with empty beer cans and cups. This was the party room and we were happy to be there. We ventured back upstairs and out to the front lawn where the crowd was beginning to enter the stadium. Since there are no beer sales inside the stadium, the fans get pretty lubed up outside before going in. Pretty amazing to see the crazy partying fans sober up fast as soon as the team is announced. When it is time for football it seemed that everyone sobered up and got right into the game. Except for one gal sitting in front of us who could not walk to her seat. She wobbled about and then was escorted out by a friend. I tried a Hot Dog and Pretzel at the game and both were terrible. The Pretzel was one of the worst I had ever tasted. It was flavorless dough that even mustard could not help. The Hot Dogs come with something like onions or sauerkraut on them but there was no relish or onions at the condiment table. With 101,000 people in the fans I would think that they could at least serve a few decent menu items. But you know, this is hardcore SEC football and they probably could care less about a hot dog. After a tough first half the Crimson Tide rallied to beat Arkansas. Roll Tide Roll!!!!