NBA Star’s Cajun Restaurant “We Dat’s” Open Now on the Tuscaloosa Strip

A former Alabama basketball star still making millions in the NBA has brought the taste of New Orleans to the Tuscaloosa Strip at the now-open We Dat's Chicken & Shrimp.

The Thread has been on this story from its inception - we first reported in August 2022 that We Dat's would replace the short-lived Little 5 Pizza in the University Town Center at the heart of the Strip.

Months later, we confirmed that the Tide's own JaMychal Green was the force behind bringing the New Oleans-style chicken, shrimp and catfish to Tuscaloosa.

Green, an Alabama native and graduate of Montgomery's St. Jude Educational Institute, was a star for the Crimson Tide from 2008 until 2012. His professional career took time to develop, but since 2015 he has earned playtime in more than 400 NBA games including stints with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Denver Nuggets and currently for the Golden State Warriors.

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Now, the Thread is happy to report We Dat's is open for business in University Town Center's Suite Six, where a team works a wall full of deep fryers to churn out chicken wings and tenders, hand-breaded shrimp, french fries and more, all generously slathered in the sauces and spices of your choice.

The atmosphere is far different than patrons may remember at Little 5 or its longtime predecessor Little Italy. Green and We Dat's President and CEO Gregoire Tillery have modernized the space and made it into a crimson-tinted shrine to great Alabama athletes across multiple sports.

The menu is simple, featuring catfish, shrimp, chicken wings or tenders all served with fries that can be topped with bacon, cheese, jalapenos and ranch or loaded with all four. Just about anything can be prepared in We Dat's selection of a dozen different sauces.

One combo, the Brows Special, comes with two catfish filets and five shrimp. Another, the Double Double, pairs half a dozen wings with fried shrimp, and both are served with fries.

We Dat's Tuscaloosa is open now in University Town Center on the Strip - bring an appetite and extra napkins. As always, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for exclusive stories about restaurant and retail development in and around the area.