3. Oby's
Hello to the Mississippi State faithful!!
13 years ago, three of my best friends and I started a tradition we call Fall's Cathedrals Tour. Essentially, we pick a stadium that we haven't visited previously, and plan a boys weekend, with the sole intent of getting to experience game day as if we were old alumni on a pilgrimage back to our alma mater. This year we are headed to Starkville to watch our (newly) beloved Dawgs beat the crap out of Arkansas on November 17th!
We have had some absolutely epic adventures and encounters during the last 13 years. Previous trips include: Penn State, Tennessee, Michigan, Alabama, Notre Dame, Mizzou, Wisconsin, Florida State, Auburn, South Carolina, LSU, and Texas A&M.
Our plan is simple, arrive in town blazing MSU gear, and try to cram as much bulldog experience into a 3 day weekend as humanly possible! This year we are flying into Memphis on Friday and driving straight to Starkville for Friday Saturday- returning to Memphis on Sunday to explore Beale Street.
Over the years what we have learned, is that our very best trips have been the ones where we have been able to connect with the local fans, to tailgate and talk college football with people that truly love their team. One of the best byproducts of this trip is the friendships we have developed with football fans across the country, and the confirmation that while this country can be divided by a multitude of political/social issues, what we have in common is way more important than what divides us. The people that we have met have absolutely become the best part of our trip!
Previous years adventures have included: Picture on the field with Chief Osceola at Florida State, Inside tour of the football facilities at Penn State, Holding the banner the team runs under at Auburn, drinking moonshine out of a mason jar in Tennessee, insider tour around ND, and even the local paper followed us around Tuscaloosa to document our trip http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/articl.../606118466/TL/
A little more info about us: We are all close to 50 in age, 3 Oregon State Beaver fans, and 1 Duck (we let him come with us despite his obvious character flaw), we enjoy a beer (or 6), and LOVE college football!!
So here is where we need your help:
1. We would love to have a few tailgaters to stop by and talk MSU football with!! Do you have a an epic tailgate party we can join? We are not freeloaders, we would want to bring our fair share? maybe some Portland Bourbon?
2. Ideally we find a tailgate we can use as our base camp on game day?
3. What restaurants do the locals go to? From great dinners to hole in the wall breakfast places? we want it all!
4. What do all MSU fans do on game day weekend? What traditions should we know about on both Friday and Saturday?? what else?
5. Anything we should stop and see on our drive between Memphis and Starkville?
6. Where do the students party on Friday night and after the game?
7. What am I not asking that is important?!!
I?m looking forward to getting some input from the experts, thanks so much in advance for making the boys from Oregon feel welcome!! GO DAWGS!!
Dave
DL@TEAMLIVINGSTON.NET
Two Brothers Smoked Meats just off University Drive. It's kind of small though so you'll want to get there early. I recommend the pimento cheese fritters, wings, and pulled pork grilled cheese. Plus there are multiple restaurants within easy walking distance if you opt for something else. And after the game, this area is definitely the place to be when the sun goes down.
The Liberation will not be televised--- when it arrives like lightning in the skies!
1. The Junction has all the tailgating. The Ark game should be a good one. Bring beer and some snacks and just let people know you are from out of town and want to experience the MSU tailgating scene.
2. If I am tailgating, I will contact you and let you know where I am setting up.
3. Restaurants, depends on what you want for food. Restaurant Tyler is nice, Little Dooey has barbque but is over played if you ask me, Bulldog Burger, Two Brothers, Commodore Bobs, the Grill, Harveys, Veranda (my personal choice) and City Bagel.
4. Hang out at restaurant bars for Friday night, get to campus 5 hours before the game on Saturday. Campus is always rocking because the majority of our tailgating happens in the Junction and there always is an atmosphere. I would also add that our team does the dog walk in the Junction 2 hours and 15 minutes before the game.
5. Between Memphis and Starkville go through Tupelo and see Elvis birthplace. Eat at the Neon Pig while you are there.
6. Cotton District party after the game.
7. SEC football is awesome. Everyone is inviting and friendly. Be ready to talk football, women, and be ready to talk shit about Ole Miss. I wish you were coming into town for a different SEC game, but Ark shouldn't be that bad.
Downvotes_Hype
1. I don't tailgate so I can't help you there. You won't have any trouble finding one though.
2.
3. Two Brothers Smoked Meats and Restaurant Tyler are my favorites. Obie's is an old staple from way back. Mugshots and Bulldog Burger are great for burgers.
4. The Junction and you need a cowbell. The Barnes and Noble next to the stadium and The Lodge in HWY 12 can fix you up.
5. If you are driving down I 22 to hit US 45 at Tupelo, the way I would go, don't miss the Tupelo Automobile Museum if you like cars. It's is NOT something you would expect to see in a place like Tupelo. It's a VERY impressive collection, no matter where it is.
6. I'm too old to know any more, lol!
7. I'll have to think on this. Maybe where to park, and good luck on that!
3. What restaurants do the locals go to? From great dinners to hole in the wall breakfast places? we want it all! You?ll want to focus on BBQ & Southern Cooking.
5. Anything we should stop and see on our drive between Memphis and Starkville? Elvis? birth home in Tupelo, Shiloh Battle Field isn?t too far off the path, &, if you want to contract syphilis, Oxford & Ole Miss are between Memphis & Starkville. Anthony?s in West Point is a great dinner place on your way in
6. Where do the students party on Friday night and after the game? Drink in the Cotton District
7. What am I not asking that is important?!!
Are you Dave Bartoo?
Last edited by ShotgunDawg; 09-19-2018 at 04:57 PM.
CAN'T PUT A SADDLE ON A MUSTANG
Quit Your Bi$&$&?!, He's Not Going to Run the Ball More
Beale Street is good place to visit. A few pick pockets and beggars...so be alert. And.....don't be there real real late in the evening. I would leave around 10 pm. Gangs come in after that and cause trouble....including MS13.
A special suggestion from me would be to take the trolley ride from near Beale and head north to the Pyramid Arena which is now the new Bass Pro store and hotel. Amazing if you fellas are outdoors types who like hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, canoeing, camping, etc. Not sure what their hours of operation are on Sunday, but if you get there early Sunday afternoon, I would make an effort to go there and visit for a few hours. Amazing experience!
Damn, y'all sound like a fun group to hang with. We are honored that MSU was chosen and you all picked a great year to come; we are good this year. How good? We should know in a few weeks.
The best restaurant is not actually in Starkville, but West Point, which is on HWY 45 alternate on the way from Tupelo abut 20 miles from Starkville. You need to get a reservation now if it is not already too late
1. We would love to have a few tailgaters to stop by and talk MSU football with!! Do you have a an epic tailgate party we can join? We are not freeloaders, we would want to bring our fair share? maybe some Portland Bourbon? The Junction is your place for tailgating. It's right by the stadium on the south end.
2. Ideally we find a tailgate we can use as our base camp on game day? Try to get to know some fans, I'm sure somebody will let you.
3. What restaurants do the locals go to? From great dinners to hole in the wall breakfast places? we want it all! Breakfast: Starkville Cafe or City Bagel. Brunch: Restaurant Tyler. BBQ: The Little Dooey (they're the most famous), they also have good catfish. Burgers: Bulldog Burger Co or Mugshots. Pizza: I like Daves Darkhorse Tavern. They will probably have live music but it usually takes a while to get your food. If you don't mind the wait then it could be a good place. They also have pretty good lamb gyro's too. Stromboli's is another good pizza/calzone place, it is a small place though. Steak/Seafood/Southern: The Veranda, Restaurant Tyler, or Harvey's. They're all very good and you won't be disappointed. Sandwich/Po'Boy: Obys is good. Nothing great but it's consistently good. The alligator po'boy is pretty good. Sweet Peppers is another sandwich place, it's basically McAllister's.
I know a lot of people will suggest Two Brothers, and it is good but be prepared because it's a tiny place and there will probably be a lot of people there over the weekend.
4. What do all MSU fans do on game day weekend? What traditions should we know about on both Friday and Saturday?? what else? Go to the Union and get some MSU ice cream. MSU makes their own and probably the only place you'll find muscadine ice cream. I'f possible go to the MAFES store across from the Junction and get some MSU cheese, it's legit. You have to bring a cowbell with you in the stadium, if not then you're not doing the game right. In fact, just carry the cowbell everywhere you go. Usually it's tradition for someone to buy your first cowbell but idk if you'll find someone to do that and if not then just buy your own. You ring the bell at opposing fans as they pass by to let them know they've been seen and are about to get their asses kicked. You also ring your bell when passing by another Bulldog as a greeting. Inside the stadium you respect the bell. That means you ring the hell out of it unless the opposing team's center is over the ball or when State is on offense.
5. Anything we should stop and see on our drive between Memphis and Starkville? Go from Memphis to Tupelo and see Elvis' birthplace and then on your way back to Memphis on Sunday stop and tour Graceland. Graceland is really cool and the museum has a lot of Elvis' old cars and motorcycles. Beale is a cool place and if you've got time I'd recommend touring Sun Studio. Tupelo also has a great car museum to check out if you've got time. If yall like to play golf, see about going out to Old Waverly. You can check out the Tennessee Williams home in Columbus which is pretty close by. Also, check out the the Ulysses S. Grant presidential library on campus. Oregon St seems to be a baseball school so check out our new baseball stadium that is the best in the country.
6. Where do the students party on Friday night and after the game? Cotton District
7. What am I not asking that is important?!! Parking
A. What an awesome idea
B. Someone post junction pics for the 3 beavs (and 1 duck)
If you like a Muffaletta sandwich then Obys is the best you will get outside of New Orleans.
This question depends on how shitty you want to get and wether you plan on having someone bail you outta jail. I recommend you get your party on during Saturday all day at the Junction tailgate scene right in front of the stadium. You'll have a blast and eat/drink as good as you can handle 100 yards from the football stadium. You can't miss it.
This video gives you a good view of how easy and laid back it is to just walk around throughout the entire tailgate scene with zero hassle. This is several hours before the game. You can tell because it isn't like walking through a night club just yet. Notice all the red cups. Keep your alcohol in a cup and you won't get any hassle from the cops. Technically it's a dry campus but in reality it's as dry as the atlantic ocean.
The Automobile Museam in Tupelo is worth a visit if you have the time, it's supposed to be the largest private collection east of the Mississippi. Elvis birthplace is cool if you are a fan and doesn't take but a minute to see all two rooms! Tailgate tents can't be set up until the chapel bells chime 4 pm on Friday, the set up rush is pretty interesting. Since we are playing the Hogs, you are guaranteed to see at least one whole hog on the grill and enough pulled pork and ribs to feed an army. Southern hospitality originated in Mississippi so don't worry about a welcome place to eat and drink. You would probably get more invites wearing Beaver and Duck gear than you will wearing Bulldogs gear, we are a curious bunch. We are real concerned about how ya momma an nem been doin! Be sure to check out the new baseball stadium and see where your baseball coach could have spent his golden years.
Great idea about wearing Beav and Duck attire but make sure NOT to wear jerseys. This isn’t an NFL or Big 10 game - jerseys are fine for kids but a collard Beav/Duck shirt and/or sweat shirt with jeans is what you’ll want to wear to the game.
Anthony’s in West Point is where you’re going to want to have dinner Friday night - best restaurant in the Golden Triangle (this part of the state). Not sure if they take reservations but I’d call and check and get one if they do. https://www.anthonysgoodfoodmarket.com/
Hold off on any BBQ until you get back to Memphis Sunday. Little Dooey’s is ok but nothing great. Memphis is got some awesome BBQ.
Breakfast has been covered - Starkville Cafe one morning and City Bagel the other morning. http://www.thecitybagel.com/
Before leaving town, swing by The Lodge and get an MSU hat/t-shirt. I'd probably do this Saturday morning early after breakfast cause it gets crowded over there and I don't know that they are open on Sundays. Largest variety of MSU merchandise in town. https://thelodgeonline.com/
After The Lodge, be sure to walk down to the end of the strip mall and get you a blueberry caked donut at Shipley's https://www.shipleydonuts.com/
Be sure and eat at Two Brothers - thought they moved into their new/bigger location but maybe they haven’t. Maybe call ahead and get it to go and eat it on University Dr. http://twobrotherssmokedmeats.com/
Oby’s is another place you’ll want to eat if you have time. https://www.obys.net/index.php
Stop in and have a late night beer at Dave’s Dark Horse to say you’ve been there (bit of a dive in an old motel but a great place with good pizza by the slice late) http://davesdarkhorse.com/
Someone let these guys know what time last call is in town on Friday and Saturday - I can’t recall but think it might be different each night.
There is also a small speak easy downtown in the basement of Restaurant Tyler called The Guest Room. Cool place to check out and grab a cocktail or beer. http://eatlocalstarkville.com/wp/cocktails
Y'all absolutely need to go by and take a look at Dudy Noble Field....would be nice if someone on here with some pull could get y'all a tour Saturday before the game.
I’m jealous - wish I could get a few of my friends from college to start doing something like this.
One last thing. When someone says to you “Hail State!” you reply “Hell Yeah!”
Y’all travel safe, have a great time down here and let us know how your trip went once you get back to the PNW.
Last edited by InTheIttaBenaHotSun; 09-20-2018 at 01:41 AM.
What game will yall be making the trip?
From the OP...
"13 years ago, three of my best friends and I started a tradition we call Fall's Cathedrals Tour. Essentially, we pick a stadium that we haven't visited previously, and plan a boys weekend, with the sole intent of getting to experience game day as if we were old alumni on a pilgrimage back to our alma mater. This year we are headed to Starkville to watch our (newly) beloved Dawgs beat the crap out of Arkansas on November 17th!"