By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Editor
Walk into Rama Jama’s restaurant in Tuscaloosa, a touchdown’s throw from Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and you will quickly learn all you need to know about the University of Alabama.
The place is draped in crimson and white from floor to ceiling. There are National Championship banners, framed and autographed photos both vibrant and faded, tributes to legendary coaches Nick Saban and Paul “Bear” Bryant, locker replicas with helmets and even a couple of items that tease rivals. Nearly every inch of the walls are full of Alabama memories and memorbilia. Even if you had no idea about the school, you would know that football is very important at Bama.
At this locally famous place – some long-timers say Rama Jama’s has the best breakfast in Tuscaloosa – there’s often a slow-moving line well out the door. It was where broacaster Todd Blackledge did his “Taste of the Town” one year during an ESPN game broadcast and it’s as Alabama Crimson Tide as it gets anywhere in town.
And yet it’s just one of many such places at college campses across the country. Places like Rama Jama’s are a big part of what makes going to college towns in the USA so special. These are bars or restaurants that alumni put on their “must go to” list when back on campus and where they can relive moments when they were in school or even when they were kids cheering for the team.
At Clemson, there’s the Tiger Town Tavern where they will cut off your tie if you walk into the place wearing one, there’s The Brown Jug in Ann Arbor and The Swamp Restaurant in Gainesville. Those are just a few of the many places in college towns that have school memorbilia on the walls.
Most of the places are spots that have been there for decades, so long that they are part of the culture as much as the football or basketball team. They are usually come-as-you-are spots – dive bars and restaurants, some may say – but that is part of thier allure and tradition.
Now back to Rama Jama’s. I did not have its breakfast but I did have it’s burgers, which long-time CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist called “the best burgers in the SEC.” Well, I would not agree. Either that, or there are not many really great burgers in the SEC. For one thing, the wait was so long that by the time it got to my table, it was cold. And it was only mildly tasty. It was also small and did not fill me up at all. I opted for a side of onion rings and they were bland. I suppose I should have ordered the breakfast.
Still, the place is well worth going to and so, too, are the other traditional memorbilia bars and restaurants in college towns across the USA.
The Rama Jama is open only for breakfast and lunch. It does serve beer, I noted.
Rama Jama’s Tuscaloosa
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 1000 Paul W Bryant Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL
Adjacent to Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium
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