TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — New dining options are now available to Tuscaloosa residents.
Local Catch Bar and Grill opened in early March, and Cheddar’s Casual Cafe is set to open April 22, the restaurants’ officials said.
The Tuscaloosa City Council approved licenses for the restaurants to serve alcohol in a March 19 meeting. Council member Kip Tyner said bringing more restaurants to Tuscaloosa has been a goal of the Council’s.
“You can never have enough places to eat,” Tyner said.
Local Catch is located at 2321 University Blvd. Tyner said previous restaurants have not had success at that location, describing it as a “carousel of restaurants.”
“That’s about the fifth, sixth restaurant since I’ve been here on the council at that location,” Tyner said. “I don’t know why they never seem to do well, because it’s a great spot.”
Local Catch offers “Coastal cuisine with a Southern twist,” according to the restaurant’s Facebook page. The restaurant has a staff of about 20 people.
Cheddar’s is under construction near the intersection of McFarland and Skyland boulevards at the site of the former McFarland Mall. The Texas-based restaurant offers fresh, made-from-scratch food in a comfortable atmosphere, according to its website.
“We bring consistent, high quality food no place can compete with,” Cheddar’s Director of Operations David Reckner said.
Reckner said the Tuscaloosa cafe will become the franchise’s 140th restaurant. He said the restaurant will bring about 175 jobs to the area.
Tyner said many people have been eagerly anticipating Cheddar’s coming to Tuscaloosa.
“They say it’s like Outback, but about 15 to 20 percent lower price wise,” Tyner said.
Council member William Tinker said the restaurants will stop residents from having to travel to other cities for dining options.
“One of the things that I’m excited about is that Tuscaloosa will have a variety where people can go to and don’t have to go to Hoover,” Tinker said. “If you want it here in Tuscaloosa, you’ll have it here. I’m very excited about that.”
Mayor Walt Maddox and Councilman Lee Garrison were not present at the meeting.
In other action:
- Verizon Wireless is set to begin sponsoring the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.
- The Council set a hearing for April 2 to consider the develop plan of Riverfront Village.
- The Council authorized the Mayor to agree to pay Pyrotecnico almost $15,000 for a fireworks show on July 4, 2013.
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