The 15 Best Restaurants near Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama | Eater

"When Jheovanny Gomez followed his then-girlfriend (now wife) from Colombia to Tuscaloosa, he never thought he’d co-own four restaurants. But two years after he arrived to study at UA, Gomez helped open Jalapeños Mexican Grill, which has been serving the area since 2001. Aside from a standard array of Mexican dishes, the restaurant offers some more ambitious items, including the legendary fajita gumbo: seasoned chicken, shrimp, steak, and pico de gallo, all covered in cheese sauce. Jalapeño’s latest location, in Temerson Square, is home to the largest tequila menu in Alabama, ranging from flights to signature margaritas. On any given night, Gomez can be found helping out at one of his restaurants." - Jen Bowman