Two “American Idol” veterans, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, were spotted in Alabama this week, dining at Joe’s Italian in Alabaster.

The restaurant — which specializes in pizza, pasta and other hearty Italian fare — posted a photo of the two singers Thursday night on its Facebook page, saying, “Looky Looky, Looky who joined us for dinner tonight …. @Ruben studdard and Clay Aiken @american.idol.winners.”

Studdard and Aiken became inextricably linked in the public’s consciousness in 2003, when they took first and second place on “American Idol” during one of the reality show’s most popular seasons. Studdard, an R&B crooner from Alabama, and Aiken, a pop singer from North Carolina, vied for the “Idol” title with good humor and easy camaraderie, drawing fans to the series in droves.

When Studdard took the crown that year and performed his emotional coronation ballad, “Flying Without Wings,” Aiken was right beside him, cheering him on.

It’s unclear why Studdard and Aiken are spending time together in Alabama, but the two singers, now 44, have stayed in touch over the years and maintain a cordial friendship. They’ve performed together on occasion and starred in a Christmas show on Broadway in 2018.

Also, Studdard and Aiken are planning to tour together this spring, marking 20 years since their time together on “Idol.” The tour starts on April 12 in Troy, New York, and ends May 16 in Wausau, Wisconsin. The agenda includes a half-dozen dates in the South, including a May 7 show at the Oxford Performing Arts Center in Alabama. (Tickets are $29-$55 via the venue’s website.)