With input from the Saturday Down South audience, we’ve aggregated the best restaurants across the SEC.
Whether you’re visiting a hostile environment for a SEC road game or just passing through during the offseason, these are the must visit restaurants in each SEC West town:
Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Photo Credit: Twitter
#1 – City Cafe
408 Main Ave, Northport, AL
The Tuscaloosa must is best known for its yummy and inexpensive southern comfort food. The frills are lacking on both the exterior and the interior, but you’ll go home stuffed without stressing out your wallet. The downside is that City Cafe is only open on weekdays, so if you’re in town for a game, try to make Friday lunch.
This joint is a Tuscaloosa must. Wether you’re going in with all the locals at 4am for an early morning breakfast or headed there for lunch with friends, it’s a great place to grab a bite. The food is what I would call good old fashioned southern cooking! Each day is different, so you may want to check the menu and choose a certain day if you’re an overly picky eater. But there is so much offered you’re bound to find something to try! [
Yelp]
#2 – Rama Jama’s
1000 Paul W Bryant Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL
This restaurant is located in the shadow of Bryant-Denny Stadium and is a favorite among game visitors. Alabama memorabilia line the walls, and the southern hospitality is on full display. Most go for southern breakfast items, though some go for the burgers and milkshakes.
A Crimson Tide Tradition! I highly recommend having breakfast here! All of it was delicious! The eggs, hash browns, bacon, and biscuits! Very kind and friendly service and you receive your food very quickly! Being located right next to Bryant-Denny Stadium makes it a really neat spot to enjoy eating here! Of course, it can get REALLY CROWDED on game day so keep that in mind if you plan to visit! This is a great place for big college football fans to eat! Make sure to try the sweet tea too! [
Yelp]
#3 – Baumhowers
4251 Courtney Dr. Tuscaloosa, AL (recently moved)
Named after the football star Bob Baumhower, this Tuscaloosa sports bar is a good spot to eat some wings and watch a game.
Hard to go wrong with this place, if sports, nice atmosphere, wings and American fare food are what you’re looking for. The service is always pretty good, and it’s an excellent place to watch any sporting event. Check out the loaded Cheese Fries… they’re awesome. They have tons of TV’s, a nice size bar area, lots of Bama memorabilia scattered around the place, etc.
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Yelp]
Auburn – Auburn, Ala.
Photo Credit: @NiffersPlace / Twitter
#1 – Niffer’s Place
1151 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL
This family-style, college town, burger restaurant is a must visit when visiting Auburn. You’ll experience good service, a wide range of burger options and lots of talk about corn nuggets.
The place is a typical college hangout replete with American classics (hamburgers, chicken, fried chicken, fries, sandwiches, and the quintessential corn nuggets). We had the corn nuggets, and a couple different types of burgers. The burgers were pretty good. Not dry, but not overly juicy and moist either. Toppings were pretty well-balanced. The corn nuggets were pretty tasty. [
Yelp]
#2 – Momma Goldberg’s
500 W Magnolia Ave. Auburn, AL
While this popular deli has expanded to many locations even outside the state, the original location in Auburn, Ala., still remains at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Donahue Drive.
This is Auburn’s original Momma G’s. This is also the one that’s the busiest. Great prices, decent steamed subs, and cold beer. What more could a college kid ask for? This is the one with the most Auburn flavor, with old Auburn football clippings all over the walls. However, its small parking lot does make it a tough place to visit before the student parking lot across the street opens to the public after 5pm. After that though, it’s okay. But beware before 5pm, the parking services at the university WILL ticket you, and it’s not cheap!
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Yelp]
#3 – Acre
210 E Glenn Ave. Auburn, AL
A more upscale and trendy location compared to many of the restaurants that made the list, Acre has quickly become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike in Auburn, Ala. As noted on their website, Acre aims to highlight fresh, modern cuisine inspired by a southern heritage.
The backstory of Acre is pretty intriguing. All of the old salvaged wood above the bar and scattered around the restaurant is from David Bancroft’s family farm in Texas. I may have the details a little off, but I believe it’s from his grandfather’s old farm that he drove all the way to grab the wood from. As for the food and the staff, top notch all the way around. The wait staff and kitchen staff came from some of the best restaurants in Auburn and it shows. Add in the flexibility of the ever-changing menu and you have a truly unique experience from week to week. It doesn’t get much better than this in Auburn! [
Yelp]
Arkansas – Fayettevile, Ark.
Photo Credit: @BearcatNeal / Twitter
#1 – Catfish Hole
4127 W Wedington Dr, Fayetteville, AR
You’ll be hard pressed to leave this Fayetteville staple hungry. Whether you love fried seafood or not, Catfish Hole should be on your list to experience. The hushpuppies alone are worth the visit.
If you love catfish, this is the place to go. The Hush Puppies are the best, make sure you ask for the honey butter dipping sauce. Great Catfish and a lot for the price. Service is the best, they always keep your glass full and the side items are never in short supply. They feed you here. [
Yelp]
#2 – Hugo’s
25 1/2 North Block Avenue, Fayetteville, AR
In business since 1977 and located in the basement of a business location at 25 1/2 N Block Ave off the historic Fayetteville square, Hugo’s has a selection of popular burgers and eclectic items such as the beer cheese soup and grasshopper crepes.
Hands down, best sandwiches in town. Some reviews seem to complain that it’s always busy, but I don’t understand. Isn’t that the sign of a good restaurant? People wait to eat at places worth the wait. Fayetteville Arkansas is short on local restaurants that continue to excel over time, but Hugo’s has it figured out. Simply put: Hugo’s is worth the wait. [
Yelp]
#3 – Doe’s Eat Place
316 W Dickson St, Fayetteville, AR
In the mood for steak? Head over to Doe’s Eat Place and bring your appetite. Doe’s is a popular, local restaurant and easily the top recommendation when you ask a local where to head for a good steak.
If you love steak this is the place to go! The smallest steak they have is the filet 8oz and it’s twenty three dollars comes with your choice of homemade fries or boiled red taters and salad. The steak was very much worth the price very tender and seasoned very well. The fries are homemade and very good! The salad has great light dressing and just something to curb your appetite while you wait about thirty mins for a second. Worth the wait! My husband got one of the huge steaks. [
Yelp]
LSU – Baton Rouge, La.
#1 – The Chimes
3357 Highland Rd, Baton Rouge, LA
This local favorite is ideally located adjacent to LSU’s campus. The cuisine features southern and cajun/creole items. If you’re a beer drinker, Chimes has an incredible selection of bottled beers and beers on tap.
We stopped here for lunch while visiting LSU and had a wonderful feast!! Never having been to Louisiana before, we ordered a bunch of stuff of the menu — the blackened alligator, hushpuppies, seafood stew, red beans and rice… it was all awesome. The service was great, and the restaurant itself is really cozy and well-decorated. Super convenient location, right across the street from campus. [
Yelp]
#2 – Walk-Ons
3838 Burbank Dr. Baton Rouge, LA
Walk-Ons is a Baton Rouge staple with cold beer and a typical bar pub menu with a cajun flair. Walk-Ons can indeed get busy on gamedays as it is a great place to catch the other games going on around the country.
The atmosphere screams typical sports bar with lots of TVs. The do have an excellent selection of beer on tap with about 30 different brews on tap. The food was a surprise though. The three guys I was with each raved about their meals: hang-over burger, the stuff burger, and a grilled mahi-mahi all with fries. Each one said good things about the fries.I had the duck and sausage gumbo. Very flavorful not too hot. I also had the Ahi Tuna Salad. Colorful and very good. It was a welcome, fresh tasting alternative to the typical bar fare. [
Yelp]
#3 – TJ Ribs
2324 S Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA
With two Baton Rouge locations, TJ Ribs is a favorite for folks looking for Louisiana styled BBQ offerings. Whether you’re looking for ribs, BBQ chicken or catfish, TJ Ribs is a must visit.
An out-of-towner passing through, I enjoyed both the excellent authentic Louisiana cuisine and the attentive service, right near close of kitchen on a Sunday night, by Taylor at the bar. He and the other staff whom I met were gracious and friendly. The catfish with shrimp étouffée was excellent, and the apple cobbler, a la mode, which I shouldn’t’ve had but did, was outstanding. You get the feeling that this is one of those special places – a local treasure and institution. [
Yelp]
Mississippi State – Starkville, Miss.
#1 – Little Dooey
100 Fellowship Street Starkville, MS
Since 1985, The Little Dooey has been a Starkville favorite featuring slow cooked BBQ meats, Mississippi catfish and a selection of seafood offerings.
Some of the best crawfish I’ve ever eaten. Set-up like a fast-food restaurant. Order and have a seat, they bring it to you. Also tried fried catfish, Bar-B-Q chicken, and beef brisket; all of which were delicious. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Thanks for a great dinner. [
Yelp]
#2 – Veranda
208 Lincoln Green Starkville, MS
Foodies might be surprised that Starkville is home to a unique restuarant such as Veranda. Visitors will find traditional soul food items combined with a progressive mix of ingredients such as Hawaiian tuna and high grade Angus steaks. Veranda also has an extensive wine list.
Class and relaxation or intimacy and privacy or family togetherness is where eating in style and high class combines to celebrate fine dining. If you desire seafood their crab cake is absolutely amazing! If you like beef, their steaks are grilled perfectly the way you want it well, medium well, medium, rare and on and on. If you are a vegetarian their salads, tomatoes, and asparagus is fantastic! The Veranda is an establishment of the best in fine dining in Starkville with class and comfort! [
Yelp]
#3 – Oby’s Cajun Dining
504 Academy Rd, Starkville, MS
If you’re looking for some cajun cuisine while in Starkville, Miss., Oby’s is your place. Whether it is the shrimp poboy or the jambalaya, you can’t go wrong.
Oby’s offers some great food, serving up their take on cajun cuisine. Their po’boys are the main attraction, offering a great variety of sandwiches. While living in Starkville, my personal favorite sandwich seemingly changed on a week-to-week basis. You can’t go wrong with any of the following: the roast beef, the catfish po’boy, the Philly cheese steak, the Around the World (which combines some of the different sandwiches into one), the Kickin’ Chicken, and my all-time fave, the Muffuletta. A sandwich, a side of waffle fries or red beans & rice, and a sweet tea is a great meal. [
Yelp]
Ole Miss – Oxford, Miss.
#1 – Ajax Diner
118 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS
Considered by many to be the best that Oxford has to offer, Ajax Diner surpasses expectations of Oxford visitors again and again. It’s not often that a local favorite lives up to the hype, but Ajax does just that.
All hail Ajax, the king of southern cuisine! If you’re coming to Oxford, this is almost a mandatory stop. Adorned in local folk art, this staple is hands down the best restaurant in Oxford town. Be prepared to wait for a table, but don’t expect to sit idly by for too long. Try the meatloaf or the big easy if you’re particularly hungry. For day to day affairs sample some of the delicious vegetables and snag a veggie plate. My particular favorites are the fried eggplant and the broccoli rice casserole. [
Yelp]
#2 – City Grocery
152 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS
A killer venue with food and drinks that will knock your socks off, City Grocery has received praise from a number of national publications such as the New York Times and Southern Living.
I was in Oxford on a visit for the first time and I couldn’t get enough of this place. I tried the steak salad and I enjoyed it as it was presented in it’s own unique way. Outside of the food, this is my #1 hangout to have a beer and socialize. Indoors on the 2nd floor, I have nothing but positives to say about the bartenders and the clientel this business brings in. On the balcony on the 2nd floor, nothing beats the best seat and views of the Square in the evenings any day of the week.[
Yelp]
#3 – Taylor Grocery
This popular restaurant is known for its ambiance and its catfish. Wait times can get long on Friday and Saturday nights especially in the fall, but it’s worth the wait. Settle in and enjoy the live music.
This place oozes awesome. If you don’t know what this place is like, stop right now, go to the website, and read the ‘our story’ section. In short, it is a former grocery store on the outskirts of Oxford, MS. There is practically nothing on the way to the place from the city. All of a sudden you come to an intersection and there is a little village. Here lies Taylor Grocery. It’s exactly what you’d hope it would look like, dumpy but so cool. Everyone signs their name on the wall, and there is live music. It’s not so much a restaurant as it is an experience. [
Yelp]
Texas A&M – College Station, Texas
#1 – Dixie Chicken
307 University Dr, Bryan, TX
Long referenced as the must visit venue in College Station, Texas, Dixie Chicken will remind you of your college days while you gorge on great burgers and drink cold beer.
Absolutely love the chicken. This is a Texas bar that is a must if you are visiting. Aggie Tradition. Great food (pickle chips are amazing), great prices on drinks (always running specials), and a great quality atmosphere. Friendly folks to have a beer with! [
Yelp]
#2 – Freebirds World Burrito
319 University Dr. College Station, TX
If you’re looking for a College Station take on Chipotle Mexican Grill, stop by one of the Freebirds locations. The food is quick, inexpensive and delicious.
Best burrito bar in town, love both the burrito’s and nacho’s. Has tons of options and the staff is always friendly and helpful. Plus they have a frequent card so you can get free food or shirts. Evey College town should have at least on Freebirds in it. [
Yelp]
#3 – Fuego
108 Poplar St, College Station, TX
If you’re more in the mood for tacos, rather than burritos, head over to Fuego which has been feeding locals around the clock for years. The breakfast tacos are popular.
The ultimate taco stop in College Station. In college, my husband and I would eat here an embarrassing amount of times a week and now we have to eat here every time we go back to CS. They’re open 24hrs so it’s a great place to go once the bars close or in the morning for a hangover cure. The queso is the best queso I have ever eaten, which is saying a lot. My favorite tacos to order are the fish taco on corn, the grilled shrimp taco, and the El Presidente taco which has a fried avocado with chicken, cheese, and pico. [
Yelp]
