our story
IT ALL STARTED WITH A LOVE FOR TACOS, TEQUILA & TUSCALOOSA
Craig Williams opened Central Mesa in the summer of 2017 in the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa. His vision was to create an elevated Mexican-inspired dining experience.
In October of 2021, Brandon Tribble, who worked under Craig at The Avenue Pub and helped create the Central Mesa brand before opening, bought the restaurant with long-time friend, and self-declared Sauce Boss, Scott Harless.
​
Tribble and Harless quickly got to work after purchasing Mesa with two goals in mind: showcasing reimagined takes on classic Mexican cuisine and updating Central Mesa’s interior to decor that’s heavily influenced by Dia de los Muertos in a way that’s fresh and unique from any other place in town.
​
...and they've been delighting palates ever since. Come visit the new Central Mesa today!
meet the team
brandon tribble
OWNER + OPERATOR
Brandon Tribble has been in the restaurant & bar industry for 16+ years. What started as a means to pay his way through college quickly grew into a fiery passion for all things food & beverage. It's that same passion that made staying in the field the obvious route to follow after finishing school. From Tuscaloosa to Gulf Shores, to Broadway in Nashville, Tribble has rolled up his sleeves & filled every position in the industry. In that time he absorbed all the experience & information he could, which led him to where he is now: fulfilling his dream of being a proud owner & operator.
​
Central Mesa, which reopened under his ownership in 2021, now features an inventive, all new menu that’s packed with bold, reimagined takes on Mexican classics. Also featured is the restaurant’s updated interior, which is hugely inspired by Tribble's interest in the rich, colorful culture surrounding Dia de los Muertos. Come visit the new Mesa today & try one of Brandon’s favorites: the Steak Birria Machete or the Tinga Chicken Chimichanga.
megan hefty
GENERAL MANAGER
Megan Hefty, of Seattle, Washington, moved to Tuscaloosa in 2018 to pursue her Bachelors in Marketing and Management at the University of Alabama. After settling in to the South, Megan began working at Central Mesa as a server in 2020. It wasn’t long after that that she quickly fell in love with the fast-paced and ever-evolving service industry.
Megan continued to work there as a server, then bartender and eventually earned the title of shift leader while enrolled at UA. When she considered what path to take after she finished school, Megan knew for certain she wanted to use her degree towards her new found passion: restaurant management. After graduating in May of 2022, her enthusiasm for the industry and years of hard work led her to the role of Central Mesa’s General Manager.
When looking ahead, Megan dreams of opening her own bar one day, where she can utilize the expansive understanding of the industry shared with her by Brandon Tribble and Scott Harless, who bought Central Mesa in 2021. Stop by to say hello and try a few of her favorites at your next Central Mesa visit: the Strawberry Habanero Infused Margarita and the Mr. Harless.