Nick's in the Sticks

My four years at the University of Alabama have provided me many opportunities to look back with immense nostalgia. My experiences have all had an impact on shaping who I have become. In my unfortunate realization that I am graduating in May I felt that Tuscaloosa and I had some unfinished business. When I realized that time was quickly catching up to me I decided to make a bucket list and acquire as many checks as possible. My college bucket list includes (but is not limited to): visiting Old Bryce at night, sneaking into the stadium, singing karaoke at Jackie’s, attending a concert at the amphitheater, and eating at some of Tuscaloosa’s most notable eateries like The Waysider; Maggie’s Diner; Archibald’s; and Nick’s in the Sticks. As I embarked on conquering foreign territory I decided to start by eating my way through the list. First check, Nicks in the Sticks.

Although it is a part of the city’s roots it is by no means located in the heart of the city. Nick’s Original Filet House was affectionately nicknamed by locals as Nick’s in the Sticks. The name sums up the location of the restaurant because it is literally located in the sticks. To find Nick’s in the Sticks you must take 15^th Street about 5 miles past the University of Alabama and drive into the middle of nowhere. When you stop seeing signs of civilization you will approach a small cinderblock building with a small gravel parking lot. While the location might err on the side of sketchy but the food is anything but. The building looks and feels more a home than a restaurant. The inside of the Nick’s is as simple as the outside. The one dining room is plainly decorated with Alabama memorabilia, a large American flag hanging in the window, and a collection of dollar bills pinned on the ceiling. The simplicity adds to its hole-in-the wall charm. 

Before visiting Nick’s I was warned to get there right at opening because there will most always be a line. Most newcomers hear about this restaurant is popular through word of mouth from friends who have eaten there. When I arrived I was in company of the regulars. I was surprised to see how crowded it was on a Tuesday night. It is obvious that there is a core group of faithful customers that keep this place in business. They could actually get by all year on the business they have during football season alone. The couple sitting next to us was greeted by Spoon the waiter, with two sweet teas and lemons. He then asked the older couple “Will you be having your regular ma’am?” Spoon was so genuine and good natured that his presence added to the overall homey ambiance. This simple gesture made envy the inner circle; I wanted to be a regular.

 While I waited for our food I ordered a Nicodemus. The Nicodemus is one very important reason why this restaurant is on my bucket list. It is the house specialty drink and the recipe is a “secret”. Most can guess that it consists of fruit punch, vodka, rum, tequila, and Bacardi 151. This is Tuscaloosa’s spin on a Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane in a styrofoam cup garnished with a cherry. Fail a test? Drunkenly break up with your significant other? Lock yourself out of your dorm after all of your roommates have gone home? The Nicodemus will make you forget all of these problems. Apparently one will get you tipsy, two makes you lose memory and three gets you shirtless singing N’SYNC on a bar stool at Gallettes. Just kidding. Well, maybe.

My feast started with a small iceberg lettuce salad with two crackers packages on the side. You are given the option of three dressings: Italian, Thousand Island, and Ranch mixed with Bleu Cheese. I stuck with the ranch and blue cheese combination which is the regular favorite. By this time the Nicodemus started to take its toll. I felt happy, warm, and extremely hungry. Luckily after I finished my salad my steak burger and baked potato were brought out. It was my assumption that the low price the steak would not be high quality and that would was wrong. Not only does Nick know how to cook a perfect juicy steak but he cooks it to the customers order. It was delicious and cooked to perfection! I was pleased that my steak was cooked medium-well just as I ordered.

After I wrapped up my meal I went to the cashier to pay. There wasn’t a cash register or computer, just clipboards with scribbled paper clipped to them. I just pointed to my table and the cashier did the math by pencil. In honor of my bucket list I decorated my own dollar and asked to hang it alongside other loving patrons. I was proud to leave my mark on this establishment and have my bill join the array of other bills on the ceiling. Affordable steaks and drinks make Nick’s a winning combination. Leaving Nick’s I learned about some of the unwritten rules. Come early, because the tiny dive fills up fast. If you want to eat a healthy, low carb dinner keep on driving. Eating there on game days in nearly impossible and lastly be careful how many Nicodemus’s you drink. These intangibles are a part of the tradition in and of itself.

There are several must dos before leaving Tuscaloosa and being able to cross off some of these things from my list has provided me with some of my fondest memories at the Capstone. Nick’s is a not a gourmet steak house but a Tuscaloosa institution. With the campus ever changing, it is nice to know that I have something that will be the same when I come back to visit. For generations family and friends have gathered at Nick’s to feel a sense of home and nostalgia. I look forward to bringing my friends and children back to this Tuscaloosa Gem and reminiscing about my college years/