Tailgating SEC Style Podcast: The Grove at Ole Miss

Hey Y’all, in this episode of the Tailgating SEC Style podcast, we’re talking about the number one tailgate scene not only in the SEC but the entire nation. Several years ago, the Sporting News called it the “Holy Grail of college tailgating sites.” And as a writer, I can’t think of a better description.

Join Ole Miss alum Geoffrey Yoste and me to discuss the Ole Miss tailgate scene at The University of Mississippi in Oxford. We’ll chat about where to stay, eat, drink, sights to see, and how to immerse yourself in the nation’s best college football tailgate.

 RELATED: Tailgating SEC Style Podcast: Tennessee Vols

We’re talking about the University of Mississippi, affectionately known as the Ole Miss Rebels and The Grove. Tailgater Magazine just released their Top 25 best college tailgates, and to no one’s surprise, Ole Miss retains the number one spot.

In a few minutes, I’ll talk with my good friend and Ole Miss faithful tailgater, retired Army Major Geoffory Yoste. Geoffrey grew up tailgating at Ole Miss and remembers when fans drove their cars into The Grove. The Yoste family has a great tailgate spot and always welcomes visiting fans.

Oxford’s population is around 30,000. However, its town square is gorgeous, and the culinary scene rivals larger southern cities like Nashville and Charleston. A journey to Ole Miss and Oxford is a journey back in time. You’ll find plenty of contemporary options from dining to literature, combined with the slower, gracious hospitality you can only find in the South. It’s one reason for the area’s growth and rise in population. 

Speaking of growth, whether you’re looking to purchase a home around Oxford or just looking for short-term rentals on a visit to Oxford, Mark Hodge and his team at Crye-Leike Oxford are your one-stop-shop for any real estate need. Mark is an Ole Miss alum and an avid tailgater who knows everything about life in and around Oxford.

Crye-Leike Oxford always has a large inventory of existing and new homes. From older Antebellum-style homes to more unique contemporary ones to condos and townhouses, the experienced agents at Crye-Leike Oxford can help you find the primary or secondary home of your dreams. Their agents also handle commercial real estate from locations around Oxford’s historic town square to industrial warehouses. 

For those of you looking for short-term rentals when attending an Ole Miss sporting event, visiting your son or daughter, or simply wanting a relaxing vacation, Crye-Leike Oxford has you covered. 

Call Mark Hodge at (662) 234-9868 or visit their website at oxford.crye-leike.com.

You may wonder why Ole Miss is such an incredible tailgating venue. In my opinion, it’s the ideal combination of tradition, location, and hospitality. A common theme around any Ole Miss tailgate is, “We may not win the game, but we’ll never lose the party.” How true that is!

Visiting Oxford, MS & The Grove at Ole Miss

Located in the heart of Dixie, Oxford, MS, is a quintessential southern town. Home to the great writer William Faulkner, Oxford sits squarely in the middle of the northern third of Mississippi, about 70 miles from the Memphis, TN International Airport. 

Southwest, Delta, American, and several regional airlines all offer flights to Memphis. Fortunately, it only takes about an hour to reach Oxford. However, if you’re traveling to a football game, give yourself some extra time since the last 20 miles of the drive are on a two-lane stretch. 

Most routes into Oxford are via four-lane highways. Oxford has several regional and national hotel chains. I also recommend that visiting fans check out short-term rentals, and there are plenty in the area. Don’t forget to first check with Mark Hodge at Crye-Leike realty in Oxford. You can also check Airbnb and VRBO.

Places to Stay For An Ole Miss Tailgate

The center of any visit to Oxford is its town square. There you’ll find the Graduate Hotel, whose ownership group includes the Manning family, who, by the way, is as close to royalty as you can get in Oxford. The Graduate only builds or acquires properties in college towns. The Graduate Oxford is a short distance from the town square and is a popular hangout for studying. Also, their bar offers a stunning view of the square, especially at night, and should be a must-stop for cocktails while in Oxford.

Also situated just off the town square is the Chancellor Hotel. This upscale, boutique hotel has stunning rooms and a fabulous bar. Plus, it’s right next door to one of my favorite stops in Oxford, and that’s Spring Street Cigars. Please make sure you stop in because they carry an outstanding selection of quality cigars. They’re open from 10:30 am to 10 pm and 1-6 on Sundays. Ask for my buddy Teddy and he’ ‘ll help you find the perfect cigar. Teddy also makes wooden bowties. That’s right, so don’t forget to ask to see a few.

Another hotel option is The Inn at Ole Miss. This hotel is on the Ole Miss campus and is a popular hangout for alumni and die-hard fans. Plus, it’s only a short walk to The Grove.

If you’re having trouble finding lodging in Oxford, try Tupelo or even the suburbs of Collierville and Germantown, near Memphis.

Places to Eat In Oxford

You’re dining options in Oxford are nothing short of fantastic. Come of my favorites on the town square include:

• City Grocery
• Boure
• Ajax Diner
• Saint Leo
• Proud Mary’s (best bloody mary)
• Abner’s Famous Chicken  

A short distance from the square are some other delicious favs:

• Handy Andy Grocery (one of Garden &Guns top barbecue spots in MS)
• Snack Bar
• Big Bad Breakfast (the original)

For nightlife, check out the bar above City Grocery, Boure, and of course, The Library. It’s the only college bar I know of that increases the cover charge based on demand. On game day weekends, it can easily hit $100 per person.

While you’re on the square, don’t forget to check out Square Books and Hinton and Hinton. For more info about Oxford, check out visitoxfordms.com.

Tailgating In The Grove at Ole Miss

Now let’s talk about The Grove. I always recommend that visiting fans arrive on campus 3-4 hours before kickoff. Since Oxford is a small town, parking is at a premium. Speaking of parking, ALWAYS put money in the meter and don’t park in unauthorized areas. Parking is usually not a problem around Oxford, and you can either walk or catch an Uber from the town square. 

One thing that makes The Grove so unique is its location, which is a 10-acre, tree-filled area in the middle of campus and a short walk to Vaught Hemingway stadium. Located next to The Grove is The Circle, which is also a popular tailgating spot. Both are next to each other, and you won’t know when you’re leaving one and entering the other.

Practically every Ole Miss tailgater or group uses a service to construct their tents. The Grove is off-limits until late Friday evening when a flurry of trucks and trailers converge to set up a sea of mainly red and blue tents. 

Ole Miss fans know style, and it’s apparent in everything from their dress to the decorations in the tents. Don’t be surprised when you see sterling silver, chandeliers, fine china in some tailgates. 

One point of confusion is the school’s mascot. The Rebels is the Ole Miss mascot. Before 2003, the Ole Miss mascot, Colonel Reb, roamed the sidelines during football games. Due to the political correctness movement, the school retired Colonel Rebel and used the Black Bear mascot. Today they use the Landshark. I have no idea how either mascot applies to Ole Miss ( and neither do Ole Miss fans). But make no mistake, the legacy of the Ole Miss Rebels is alive and well in The Grove. And don’t be surprised if you see Colonel Reb walking around.

And yes, Ole Miss fans tend to dress better than most other tailgates. Naturally, it’s usually hot in September, so there will be plenty of shorts. However, the ladies at an Ole Miss tailgate are always stylish – ALWAYS. 

One of the more popular tailgates tents and the easiest to spot is The Zebra Tent. My friends Jane and Lance Foster, along with several friends, throw one of the largest tailgates in The Grove. Its black and white Zebra print stands out in the sea of red and blue and located along the Walk of Champions sidewalk, where the team and band march about two hours before kickoff. The Zebra tent team loves to host visiting fans, and you see one of the best spreads of food in the history of tailgating. There’s also a champagne fountain in the rear of the tent.

The hospitality at Ole Miss is incredible. Let me stay its southern hospitality at its finest. Practically every Ole Miss tailgate tent loves to chat with visiting fans. The decorum rules are simple. Be friendly, and you’ll be treated like royalty. It is, however, considered rude at Ole Miss to chant or sing your school’s fight song when in an Ole Miss tailgate. Remember, you are visiting someone’s home so be nice.

Tons of fans remain in The Grove during games to continue the festivities while watching the game on TV. Almost every tent has a TV. 

Even after the game, many Ole Miss fans hang around. There’s no better person to explain the Ole Miss tailgating scene better than my friend, Geoffrey Yoste. 

If you enjoy this podcast, leave us a great review. Also, please shoot us an email at paul@onesouthernman.com and tell us about your tailgating experience.