Late-Night Calzone Shop to Replace Smoothie King on Tuscaloosa Strip

A new late-night eatery is coming this summer to the Tuscaloosa Strip, where they'll specialize in serving premium Italian-style calzones.

Sharp-eyed readers may have already noted a new sign hanging at 1403 University Boulevard, where Smoothie King has permanently closed.

The sign is for D.P. Dough, a calzone company that began in Amherst, Massachusetts - another college town - in 1987.

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Jason Griffin, the Vice President of the company, spoke to the Thread about their plans for Tuscaloosa Thursday.

"We're open till 4 a.m. Every day. That's typical of a normal location," Griffin said. "We offer calzones, but no pizza. "We're 'The Pizza Alternative, that's a trademark we own. We cater to a lot of late-night crowds and offer dine-in, delivery or takeout and we just craft the perfect calzone."

These folded pockets made with pizza dough are typically filled with tomato sauce, cheese and add-ins you'd normally find topping a pie.

"We offer 25 different types of calzones. Our best sellers depend on the region, but around here people will love the Roni Zoni, a pepperoni calzone. The Buffer Zone buffalo chicken calzone is always a favorite in college areas, we have a chicken bacon ranch," Griffin said. "But our number one seller is the Construction Zone, and that is one where essentially the customer can choose any ingredient they want that we have on the menu and add it to the calzone in.a build-your-own situation."

Griffin said calzones are priced at $8.95, appealing to college students and anyone looking to grab lunch, dinner, or a late-night craving without breaking the bank.

The menu also includes both traditional and boneless wings, baskets of potato tots, and breadsticks that can be ordered in sweet and savory varieties.

He said the plan is to have D. P. Dough open and serving customers when University of Alabama students return to campus in August.

For more exclusive coverage of restaurant and retail development in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.