AJ McCarron Opening "AJian Sushi" (Get It?) In Tuscaloosa

The Crimson – AJ McCarron knows how to roll with the Tide, but now he’ll be delving into a new kind of a roll – sushi, that is.

After winning his second national championship in 2012, few doubted McCarron would ever forget his time in Tuscaloosa. Two years later, he’s still rolling with the Tide, but this time it’s in sushi style. Co-opening Tuscaloosa’s first ever “build-your-own” sushi bar, McCarron will leave a mark on more than the football field.

“You walk into our fast-casual atmosphere and you’ll design your own roll every time,” said Pete Zimmer, co-owner and main operator of Ajian Sushi. “At the hit of a button we’ll have white or brown rice, and from there you’ll pick your proteins, vegetables, toppings and sauces for close to $8 a roll.”

After spending 30 years in the restaurant business, Zimmer hopes to offer both the usual and unusual rolls one might expect from a classic sushi bistro. Ajian Sushi will maintain the traditional proteins like smoked salmon and spicy tuna, but will also provide options like the flamin’ hot Cheeto roll, peanut butter and jelly roll and the banana and Nutella roll for more daring customers.

Does this look like the face of a guy who is an expert in all things omakase?

All the most classically trained sushi chefs come from Alabama.  Trust me, I’ve seen Jiro Dreams of Sushi.   You spend a few years as an apprentice perfecting the rice then a few more preparing maguro and hamachi and sake nigiri in Mobile until you finally earn your double dragon headband and move on to set up your own shop in the mecca of fresh fish: Tuscaloosa.

Oh and almost forgot, crucial part – make the name a cutesy play on words.  The Japanese will love that shit.  Nothing pays homage to a culture like Americanizing their cuisine with your douchey initialed first name.