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I've been to Tuscaloosa, AL during our Midwestern Winter one time before in 2004. I was on my way to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and happened to stop in this College Football Mecca to fill the tank in my 1999 Ranger. At the time I seemed to think that stopping in a mall to get a Crimson Tide baseball cap would satisfy my need to show friends that I had been there. I have later come to realize that there are much better things to do when you are in a new city than go to a mall.
Fortunately, I was able to spend a bit more time there today while working on a couple of painting estimates on University Blvd. I was able to drive down Paul W. Bryant Dr. and see the Bear's lookout on the Alabama practice field, and then snap a few photos of Bryant-Denny Stadium. As I soaked in the 70 degree day, I decided I had time to go out of the way to get some good grub before I had to head to Mississippi to take-off a couple more paint projects.
I found my self following a winding rural road North of Tuscaloosa that led to an old sign pointing to a small block building calling itself "The Brown Bag" Restaurant. I had done a bit of research, and on a hunch, I felt this was the place I would be able to sample a real dose of the Deep South, catfish-style.
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I pulled in the empty parking lot, and initially thought the place was closed. I proceded to shut off my car and walk toward the half-opened screen door that led to what seemed to be the front entrance of the restaurant. As I approached the door, I was still sure the place was closed until I noticed a lady walking out the back of the building. She happily shooed me in. I walked into an empty restaurant, but was soon greeted by a very friendly gentleman behind the lunch counter. He handed me a menu, and instructed me to take seat at any table. After my initial reservations, he was able to make me feel right at home with his jubilant attitude.
The dining area was an example of folk art. Simple block walls, along with a couple of amatuer paintings of the local High School mascot (I'm guessing Tigers). Simple country-style table settings with a basket of peanuts and a brown bag of napkins made me feel right at home. I took a seat after grabbing a bottle of hot sauce and a magazine from the front of the restaurant. My server was very amicable. After pouring me a cup of sweet-tea, he explained "we have smoked cabbage today". I took a look at the menu and quikly stumbled on what I came for: the catfish platter. I definitely was not planning on getting too far from the restaurant after ordering a basket of 5 fried catfish fillets along with sides of turnip greens and smoked cabbage, but that is exactly what I came here for. I had never eaten genuine Southern Style catfish. I have had the ubiquitous Midwest catfish nugget or fish fry catfish in Indiana, but Alabama is catfish country. I was anxious to get to work.
As the plate came to my table, I could not believe the size fo the fish portion. 5 catfish fillets is not a joke. I was lucky the sides of greens and cabbage were dwarfed by the fish portion. However, that did not mean that they were insignificant. I was in heaven when I dug into the TENDER smoked cabbage. Seriously, amazing stuff. Turnip greens...enough said. Both perfectly prepared and seasoned.
Finally! To the catfish! Presented on a bed of white bread, the catfish fillets at first bite offered that familiar, almost metallic flavor that separates catfish from other seafood. It was my second bite that I realized what I had gotten myself into. Texture: perfect. Skin: perfect. Breading: Out of this world! The word seasoning doesn't even cut it here. I'm talking flavor that is able to lift a simple fish to excruciating delight. Was there cayenne pepper in there? Probably. Was there a perfect balance of salt and black pepper in there? Most likely. Did I eat all 5 fillets after telling myself that 5 fillets was unacceptable? Absolutely! I don't have a lot of experience with catfish, but I have always enjoyed this particular fish. I think The Brown Bag takes it to a level that is unknown unless you have been to or live in Alabama.
If you find yourself in West Central Alabama, it would be a mistake not to head up this winding road to experience The Brown Bag, located @ 9425 Jones Rd., Northport, AL.
Fortunately, I was able to spend a bit more time there today while working on a couple of painting estimates on University Blvd. I was able to drive down Paul W. Bryant Dr. and see the Bear's lookout on the Alabama practice field, and then snap a few photos of Bryant-Denny Stadium. As I soaked in the 70 degree day, I decided I had time to go out of the way to get some good grub before I had to head to Mississippi to take-off a couple more paint projects.
I found my self following a winding rural road North of Tuscaloosa that led to an old sign pointing to a small block building calling itself "The Brown Bag" Restaurant. I had done a bit of research, and on a hunch, I felt this was the place I would be able to sample a real dose of the Deep South, catfish-style.
.jpg)
I pulled in the empty parking lot, and initially thought the place was closed. I proceded to shut off my car and walk toward the half-opened screen door that led to what seemed to be the front entrance of the restaurant. As I approached the door, I was still sure the place was closed until I noticed a lady walking out the back of the building. She happily shooed me in. I walked into an empty restaurant, but was soon greeted by a very friendly gentleman behind the lunch counter. He handed me a menu, and instructed me to take seat at any table. After my initial reservations, he was able to make me feel right at home with his jubilant attitude.
The dining area was an example of folk art. Simple block walls, along with a couple of amatuer paintings of the local High School mascot (I'm guessing Tigers). Simple country-style table settings with a basket of peanuts and a brown bag of napkins made me feel right at home. I took a seat after grabbing a bottle of hot sauce and a magazine from the front of the restaurant. My server was very amicable. After pouring me a cup of sweet-tea, he explained "we have smoked cabbage today". I took a look at the menu and quikly stumbled on what I came for: the catfish platter. I definitely was not planning on getting too far from the restaurant after ordering a basket of 5 fried catfish fillets along with sides of turnip greens and smoked cabbage, but that is exactly what I came here for. I had never eaten genuine Southern Style catfish. I have had the ubiquitous Midwest catfish nugget or fish fry catfish in Indiana, but Alabama is catfish country. I was anxious to get to work.
As the plate came to my table, I could not believe the size fo the fish portion. 5 catfish fillets is not a joke. I was lucky the sides of greens and cabbage were dwarfed by the fish portion. However, that did not mean that they were insignificant. I was in heaven when I dug into the TENDER smoked cabbage. Seriously, amazing stuff. Turnip greens...enough said. Both perfectly prepared and seasoned.
Finally! To the catfish! Presented on a bed of white bread, the catfish fillets at first bite offered that familiar, almost metallic flavor that separates catfish from other seafood. It was my second bite that I realized what I had gotten myself into. Texture: perfect. Skin: perfect. Breading: Out of this world! The word seasoning doesn't even cut it here. I'm talking flavor that is able to lift a simple fish to excruciating delight. Was there cayenne pepper in there? Probably. Was there a perfect balance of salt and black pepper in there? Most likely. Did I eat all 5 fillets after telling myself that 5 fillets was unacceptable? Absolutely! I don't have a lot of experience with catfish, but I have always enjoyed this particular fish. I think The Brown Bag takes it to a level that is unknown unless you have been to or live in Alabama.
If you find yourself in West Central Alabama, it would be a mistake not to head up this winding road to experience The Brown Bag, located @ 9425 Jones Rd., Northport, AL.
