Are you a UA student who’s hungry but doesn’t want to spend any real money? Let’s be honest—Dining Dollars often feel like Monopoly money. You swipe your ACT card, the total drops, and you barely feel the sting. The trick is figuring out which spots around Tuscaloosa give you the best bang for your Dining Dollar buck. Luckily, we’ve done the research (and the eating) for you. After plenty of late-night bites, post-class lunches, and game-day dinners, we’re ready to share the Top 3 best meals you can buy with Dining Dollars.
3. Buffalo Phil’s Grown-Up Grilled Cheese
Buffalo Phil’s is a Tuscaloosa institution. Nestled right in the heart of The Strip, it has always been a go-to spot for students. The building itself screams “college town” with its sports memorabilia, dark wood booths, and that slightly chaotic energy that just feels like game day. The vibe alone makes you want to stay a while, but the food is what keeps everyone coming back.
The menu covers all the classics: hot wings, juicy burgers, and cold beers—all the makings of a perfect college diet. Best of all, a big chunk of the menu is Dining Dollar–friendly. But the crown jewel of Phil’s menu isn’t the wings or the burgers. It’s a sleeper hit that deserves way more attention: the Grown-Up Grilled Cheese.
This isn’t your average childhood grilled cheese. It’s Texas toast piled high with Buffalo Phil’s legendary “Fingers of Fire”—crispy chicken fingers tossed in their homemade hot sauce—layered with melted pepper jack cheese and served with ranch on the side. Every bite hits like a perfect storm: buttery toast, fiery chicken, gooey cheese, and a cool ranch finish to bring it all together. If you’re bold, swap ranch for bleu cheese—it adds a sharp tang that kicks the heat up another notch.
The sandwich itself is huge. Packed with chicken, it’s hearty enough to fuel you through hours of studying (or maybe just a long night on The Strip). Even though you’re paying with Dining Dollars, you’ll feel like you’re getting every cent’s worth in flavor and portion size.
Not into spicy food? No worries. Ask for your chicken fingers in one of Phil’s other signature sauces, like the Crimson BBQ (a honey mustard–style golden BBQ with Carolina roots) or the Crimson Lemon Pepper (bright, zesty, and peppery with just enough bite). Each variation creates a totally different experience while keeping the soul of the sandwich intact.
And then there are the fries. Buffalo Phil’s curly fries are legendary in Tuscaloosa. Seasoned to perfection and served in massive portions, they’re the perfect sidekick. Dip them in your ranch for the ultimate trio—sandwich, sauce, and fries.
Pro Tip: Start with their buffalo chicken dip. It’s a cheesy, gooey masterpiece loaded with shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch, and more cheddar than should be legal. One bite and you’ll know why it’s considered one of the best appetizers in town.
Buffalo Phil’s “Grown-Up Grilled Cheese” is comfort food elevated, and it’s proof that Dining Dollars can buy you more than just a quick snack.
2. Glory Bound’s Funky Meaters Pizza
A short walk from campus, Glory Bound is another Tuscaloosa favorite. Part sports bar, part Mediterranean grill, it’s a hybrid that somehow pulls it all off. With its laid-back vibe, colorful murals, and TVs covering every corner, it’s the perfect spot for game days, group outings, or just an easy meal with friends.
The menu is expansive—18 gyros, 10 pizzas, plus starters, dips, and more. And honestly, it’s hard to find a bad order here. The Pesto Pepperjack Gyro and Comeback Gyro are both Tuscaloosa legends, while the Grateful Chicken Pizza has a devoted fan base. But after years of “research” (aka eating here way too often), one dish stands above the rest: the Funky Meaters Pizza.
This pie is unapologetically loaded. Piled high with pepperoni, Italian sausage, Canadian bacon, and ground beef, it’s basically a love letter to carnivores. The crust is everything you want—crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside—and the cheese melts perfectly into every crevice of meat. Thin slices of onion add just enough sweetness and tang to balance the richness. Each slice is hefty, but that’s the beauty of it. One bite, and you’ll understand why this pizza holds a spot on our top 3.
Want to mix things up? Glory Bound makes it easy to customize. Toss on jalapeños for a spicy kick, banana peppers for tang, or even drizzle some ranch for a cool contrast. Every small change transforms the pizza into something new, but the foundation—the glorious meat mountain—remains.
As if that wasn’t enough, every pizza order comes with warm pita bread and a side of their signature hummus. It’s the perfect starter before tackling the pizza, and it makes the meal feel like an event instead of just dinner. Pair it with one of their local draft beers, and you’re set for the night.
Pro Tip: Always get the roasted red pepper hummus. It’s smoky, spicy, and ridiculously addictive. Order extra, because once your friends try it, they’ll be stealing yours.
Glory Bound’s Funky Meaters Pizza is indulgence at its finest, and the fact that you can snag it with Dining Dollars makes it a no-brainer.
1. Mediterranean Sandwich Company’s Dixie Chicken Panini
Finally, the crown jewel of our list: the Dixie Chicken Panini from Mediterranean Sandwich Company, better known to students as “MedCo.”
MedCo feels like the perfect mix between Buffalo Phil’s and Glory Bound, offering gyros and pizzas but with a distinctly southern college-town flair. Their menu is versatile—you could order 10 different items and walk away happy. But if we had to pick just one Dining Dollar meal to recommend, the Dixie Chicken Panini takes the win every single time.
This sandwich is an absolute masterpiece. First off, it’s stacked with grilled chicken and Alabama’s own Conecuh sausage, which gives it that smoky, savory punch. Next comes the red onion and a double dose of cheese—cheddar and gouda—for a rich, melty texture. But what really makes it special are the sauces.
The star is the barbecue harissa, a spicy, pepper-forward sauce mellowed by the sweetness of Alabama-style BBQ. It ties together the smokiness of the Conecuh and the chew of the grilled naan bread in a way that feels almost magical. Served with a drizzle of béarnaise aioli and a jalapeño confit, and you’ve got a sandwich that somehow blends Greek, southern, and smoky barbecue flavors into one perfect bite.
It’s bold, filling, and downright addictive. Honestly, writing this is making me want to order one immediately!
Pro Tip: MedCo is also the only spot we know of in Tuscaloosa where you can grab Ghost or Ryze energy drinks with your meal. Pairing a Dixie Chicken Panini with a Ghost is basically the ultimate college power move—perfect for fueling late-night study sessions or keeping the night rolling on The Strip.
The Dixie Chicken Panini isn’t just good. It’s one of those meals that makes you rethink what Dining Dollars can do.
Wrapping It Up
Putting this list together wasn’t easy. Tuscaloosa has plenty of Dining Dollar–friendly spots, and narrowing it down to just three felt like picking a favorite child. Still, these meals stood out because they combine great taste, great value, and that special something that makes eating out in college feel memorable.
Buffalo Phil’s Grown-Up Grilled Cheese is spicy, cheesy, and comforting in all the right ways. Glory Bound’s Funky Meaters Pizza is indulgent, hearty, and made for sharing. And MedCo’s Dixie Chicken Panini? It’s next-level flavor that hits every note perfectly.
On any given day, depending on your cravings, any one of these could take the top spot. But for today, we’re crowning MedCo’s Dixie Chicken Panini as the king of Dining Dollar meals.
So the next time your stomach is growling and you’re low on cash, remember: you’ve already got a Dining Dollar balance waiting to be spent. Put it to good use, and treat yourself to one of these three Tuscaloosa classics.
Trust us—you won’t regret it.
Don’t just take our word for it! Go out and try these dishes, and make sure to check out the menus below for more information about these foods!
Buffalo Phil’s:
https://www.buffalophils.com/files/gamedaymenu2025-pdf.pdf
Glory Bound:
Mediterranean Sandwich Company:
https://order.toasttab.com/online/mediterranean-sandwich-co-tuscaloosa-1130-university-blvd-ste-a1
