Who Needs a Home Cooked Meal When There's Flavaz?

Many on the road to better health have made dietary changes that exclude meat and animal byproducts. However, fish and seafood aren't always considered to be meat. So, pescatarians often opt for these as sources of protein.

Then there are those who wouldn't dare to stray from the way they were raised. They eat everything, as it is said in the country "from the rooter to the tooter."

Regardless of which category (or variation of such) into which you fall, there's something for you at Flavaz Seafood and Soulfood.

The restaurant first opened its doors in November 2019 and quickly became known in the Tuscaloosa community as a place to get great seafood. As other items found their way to the menu, the success of the restaurant took off!

Admittedly, I'm one of those who's quick to express that "I don't eat everybody's cooking," and I stand by that. I don't have to eat everybody's cooking as long as I can eat food from Flavaz.

In my first meal from the establishment, I chose a shrimp boil and one cluster of crab legs. The meal included sausages, an egg, corn, and potatoes, and it was delicious!

However, co-owner Ashley Williams told me I should come back to try their soul food on Sunday. I should have known that since she told me to come through that she was proud of her food and probably put an extra amount of "throw down" on it. Had I paid attention, I might not have been in the trouble I'm in.

I went by on Sunday and ordered the basics of soul food, thinking if fried chicken wings, mac and cheese, greens, and yams weren't good, I definitely wouldn't want anything else.

Let me tell you what ended up happening... I wished I'd ordered those sides and at least some pinto beans or okra. That food was so good that I convinced myself I shouldn't feel bad about how infrequently I cook.

I mean, I'm a busy mom who is always on the go, but I know how important it is to have vegetables and protein. I just don't always have the time to work in the kitchen, and now I'm not even going to press myself to do it.

Maaannnn, that food was so good I ALMOST wanted to take my mom by there, but I was afraid she'd be embarrassed by the fact that I don't cook like whoever is doing the cooking at Flavaz. I thought it HAD TO BE somebody's grandma in the back, but based on what I saw Sunday whoever it is just has some good home training. That's the kind of cooking you don't learn in Home Ec.

I rarely eat all of the food on my plate in one sitting. I did Sunday! (I had a little help from those who saw my plate as looking too good to pass up a taste.)

Since the restaurant didn't have a grand opening, they're planning a big celebration for their first anniversary on November 1st. Because that is a Sunday, it will be Soulfood Sunday, of course.

Co-owner Titus Brown said the celebration will also serve as a debut of an extended menu which will include meats and vegetables every day of the week and breakfast will soon be added. For now, the hours of operation are 11:30 a.m. to 7:00p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

I'm not as worried about my pockets as I am my waistline. Going there to eat will free me from being tied to the kitchen, which will give me more time to work, and since the prices aren't astronomical, I don't feel guilty.

Now if I can keep myself away from that macaroni and cheese I might be able to win the game, but for now I'm perfectly content with identifying myself as a loser.