This feature originally ran in the November 2025-January 2026 issue of Community Matters, the quarterly magazine produced by The Cullman Tribune.
Drifters Bar & Grill is a family run restaurant shaped by prayer and persistence, set right on beautiful Smith Lake.
Owners Tanya and Jason Veres said the idea for the restaurant didn’t come easily, only after months of conversation, research and, as Tanya put it, “doors that weren’t opened, they were all kicked open.”
With Jason Veres’ background in food service, stemming from his mother’s work and their shared memories of life on the lake, the couple knew they wanted to build a place that reflected both quality and community. The name “Drifters” honors those evenings drifting on the water with their kids, watching the sun sink over Smith Lake.
The Vereses wanted Drifters to feel like more than a restaurant. “We strive to make everybody happy,” Jason Veres said. “You’re going to have a good experience at a reasonable price. Families should be able to come out, enjoy themselves and want to come back.”
That commitment to quality meals is evident in the menu. Steaks are hand cut in-house, burgers are ground fresh and pork chops are prepared on-site. Local favorites include the ribeye, redfish and pork chops, along with appetizers like gator bites and the crowd-pleasing street corn dip. Seasonal items rotate in and out to keep the menu fresh for returning guests, and desserts like bread pudding keep people coming back for more.
What truly sets Drifters apart isn’t just the food but the culture. The Vereses said they consider their employees family, and the restaurant as an opportunity to invest in the lives of young people. “When our kids head off to college, I feel like I’ve sent 15 kids off at once,” Tanya Veres laughed. “They become one big family here.”
The local community has continued to support the restaurant, and residents form the backbone of business year-round. With live music on weekends, seasonal events like pumpkin-carving contests and catering options for private parties, Drifters continues to grow as both a gathering place and a destination.
“If you just want to get out of town, we’re only 10 minutes from the interstate. Come eat by the water with us,” they said.
Drifters Bar & Grill is located at 173 County Road 312 Cullman, AL 35057. Find it online at Facebook/Drifters Bar & Grill Smith Lake.
