Road Trip to Oxford

First of all, this will help: http://www.olemiss.edu/gameday/tailgating.htm

The Grove is a first-come-first served. That being said, “first-come” is usually the night before (10 pm according to the website), and often they are spots where a certain group or family has tailgated for YEARS. They now even hire companies to come and set up their tents for them. Which reminds me, it’s not really a true “tailgate” in that there are no vehicles allowed on the Grove itself (they tore up the grass, killed some of the oaks and once they put in the irrigation system in 1990 or so that was it). It’s a SEA of tents.

Walking around is allowed and encouraged and is SO fun. It might be nice to hook up with some folks beforehand so you have an invite to at least ONE tent. RCR has a tent most games, I think.

Like I said above, Grove opens at 10 pm Friday but what you REALLY want is to hit the Square and barhop. Bars are open til one on Friday nights (last call is usually around 12:35), midnight on Saturdays (because at 12:00 am it’s Sunday, and that’s for the Lord [rolleyes]). Somewhere in the archives is a list of bar and restaurant recommendations but I’m too lazy to look it up.

Usually I’d say forget getting a hotel room in Oxford but IDK, Fresno St. you might luck out. My parents live in Oxford so I always have a place to stay…I’m the WRONG person to ask (BTW, I’m sure you’re a great person but no you can’t stay at my parents’ house).

I guess everyone flies into Jackson because of Southwest, but honestly Memphis is WAY closer, less than an hour and a half away (Jackson is more like two and a half). The only caveat…you have to drive through Memphis.

Well that’s all I got. In short, Grove is fun and doesn’t need a reservation, but nice to have at least ONE tent to go to. Friday bar scene is sick (don’t know your age so I feel I have to emphasize “sick” in a GOOD way). Hotels: can’t help you. Oh, and Memphis is closer. Good luck!

And if you’re particularly clever, you don’t have to do that much driving through Memphis itself. You can sneak down Airways Blvd. pretty much to Hernando, hop on I-55 from there and you’re set.

/Memphis International Veteran

because Oxford / Ole Miss is the greatest place on earth, in my deeply biased opinion.

Queen is right about Memphis, it’s over an hour closer to Oxford. You should fly at least the night before though, because trying to drive into Oxford on Saturday is awful. It’s a logjam.

And you might look into hiring someone from a website to set up a tent for you if you really want a spot (somoene else on this site can help you with that, we’ve always set up our own), but if you don’t end up with one it’s no problem. You will have an amazing time walking around and taking in the sights and culture in the Grove.

A couple of rules you should know about regarding the Grove: It’s a brown bag atmosphere. The rules are strange though. Liquor is allowed if you keep it in a cup and the bottle hidden from view. Honestly. I suggest bringing a few red solo cups (to fit in, of course), and bourbon or whiskey with coke. It’ll put you in the right state of mind, and that’s also what about 70% of what everyone else is drinking. The thing is, beer is illegal in the Grove, which is actually fine because you don’t want to be running to the bathroom every couple of minutes. Liquor is easier to carry if you don’t have a tent to reside under. Bring a cooler.

Hotel rooms – Jalakin is right too. But this late in the game, take what you can get. If the Inn at Ole Miss has any rooms left, snatch them up now.

Ok, now for Friday night/post game: The Square is the place to go. Best bars – Rooster’s Blues Bar, City Grocery (balcony), Rib Cage, Downtown Grill, and Proud Larry’s (if you don’t mind paying a cover.) These bars also have good food.

As far as food in Oxford goes, if you want a nice meal, City Grocery, Downtown Grill, Snackbar, or Waltz. All are on the Square. Rib Cage and Abner’s are also delicious and sell bbq and chicken respectively. Phillips Grocery down South Lamar sells one of the best burgers you will ever eat and it’s byob. Last but not least (and I am not joking in the slightest), if you are on the Square late on Friday or Saturday night, go to the Chevron on the corner of South Lamar and University Avenue and get chicken-on-a-stick (I also suggest the pizza sticks, egg rolls and tater logs).

Since the Fresno State game is in late September, it should have started to cool off in Mississippi, but the humidity will still be there, so prepare for that. Hope y’all have a good time.

We will be doing the Memphis route.

Great to know about the no beer rule, being a brown guy I have a feeling I’ll fit in.

How does one hide the bottle if they are roaming around the Grove with no set location? If you are carrying but drinking it out of a cup work?

Two Stick offers amazing sushi (if you’re into that). Their spicy soft shell crab roll is awesome!

Red House has killer burgers too. I personally like the pizza burger which comes with marinara, provolone, parmesan cheese, and oregano.

My new favorite place is Irie, a Cajun/Caribbean place that offers the best seafood I’ve ever had besides coastal areas. Their coconut shrimp, crawfish, gumbo, and Jamaican jerk wings are all top notch.

The Rib Cage is a great place to try Memphis style BBQ.

Nagoya isn’t on the square, but if you’re big into Asian cuisine Nagoya is a great Hibachi restaurant.

It might be worth mentioning that the Bottle Tree Bakery has really good baked goods if you’re looking for some breakfast. They’ve been mentioned on the Food Network Channel more than once.

All of this is on the square except for Nagoya… I’m hungry now.

Ajax Diner (on the western side of the Square) for southern food.
Talluah’s kitchen (on the eastern end of University Ave across from Kroger’s) for soul food sort of cheap.
Boure (on North Lamar near Square) for shrimp and grits.
Honey Bee bakery (in Belk Shopping center off of Jackson) has a great lunch, but it can take a while.
Blind Pig (on North Lamar very near Square) for sliders.
Taylor Grocery (middle of Taylor, get directions and get there early with your own adult beverages) for catfish and a unique dining experience.
Yocona in Exile (in Abbeville, get directions with your own bottle of wine) for a filet and a hot, but unique dining experience.

In general, if it’s a chain, avoid it while you’re in Oxford. There are a ton of great independent restaurants and you don’t want to waste a meal on Chili’s.

1. The bars stay open until 1 am on Saturdays of game weekends. (I guess God doesn’t mind as long as there’s a game in town…)

2. While technically true, the whole “liquor is legal in the Grove but beer isn’t” thing really doesn’t matter. Bring whatever libations you wish. Be it beer, liquor or otherwise. The bottom line is keep it in a cup and don’t walk through the Grove with a case of beer on your shoulder. Ice it down in your cooler before bringing it on campus.

3. Renting a house is THE way to go. I’d suggest jumping all over 18mph’s house if it’s really that close to the square. You could basically leave your car parked most of the weekend. Easy walk to the square and not a bad walk to the Grove/Stadium depending on what you’re carrying.

4. I highly recommend hiring a tent set-up company to get your spot in the Grove. You’ll want to maximize your time in Oxford Friday and you certainly don’t want to leave the square to go claim your stake Friday night. Some outfits offer full-service packages where they’ll provide food, coolers of beer, etc.

5. Another option is to simply make friends with some Rebels Friday and let them know you’re visitors in town to experience Ole Miss. This is a good way to secure a home base in the Grove without all the hassle. Hell, you can probably accomplish this right here on RCR.

6. A few food recommendations would be: 208, Snackbar, Waltz, City Grocery, Boure’, Taylor Grocery and Big Bad Breakfast. As for bars, just go to the square and explore. There are probably around 25 or so places on and around the square from which to choose.

HERE is a good place to find set-up companies and weekend house/condo rentals.

THIS is a good link for basic info on the restaurant/bar scene in Oxford – although it could stand to be updated.

John Currence is kind of responsible for really jumpstarting the food scene in town with City Grocery. He now has four restaurants and all are oustanding. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

1. Set up tent night before (10pm) to reserve spot.

2. As neutral visitors, I would suggest not setting up a tent. Instead walk around and introduce yourself as road-trippers. You will be cared for.

3. Thursday @ 9-10pm, Friday @ 6pm, Saturday @6:30am

4. Either stay in Batesville or rent a house in Oxford. Just have a driver if you stay in Batesville.

5. Jackson is 2.5 hours. Memphis is about 1 hr. Up to you depending on price difference.

6. Fresno will be good atmosphere. Better is we’re 4-0 (should be) and Best if it’s a night game and we’re 4-0. Most are excited about Fresno because they are new to us.

7. Food – Some new places now, but I’ll list the old staples: Ajax (Southern – great sides), City Grocery (Shrimp & Grits), Old Taylor Grocery (A Must – Catfish & More), Phillips Grocery (Burgers), Handy Andy’s (BBQ & Burger plates) Abners (Grilled/Fried Chicken Tenders & Abners Sauce), Chevron Chicken on a Stick (post-bar food. I recommend the crispitos). Reserve or get there early for places in Bold.

Hope this helps. Message when it gets closer if you have more questions…

but if you don’t want to deal with the 15 minute drive and the hour-plus wait, then try to go on Friday for a plate lunch. You get to see the place, great plate lunch for around $6 and can say you’ve been. I still suggest taking a cooler Friday night and waiting it out. Square doesn’t really start hopping until 9-10 anyway. Anything before that will be dinner-goers trying to get in and out.

About 2 hours before the game, the players will walk through the Grove starting at the Student Union and proceed south along a brick walkway. You’ll want to see this. It gets very crowded but I think it’s a really cool tradition.

About thirty minutes after that, the band will play in the Grove. This, too, is awesome.

Here’s a somewhat outdated writeup of Oxonian establishments we put together for a few blogs last season. Give it a look-see, will ya?

Do not show up in a t shirt, you will be immediately recognized as an outsider. It’s hot, shorts are fine (but not jorts), khakis are better. If you are bringing a date, sundresses are standard fare. The reason why the Grove is such a big deal is because it’s a major social event, so most of us dress accordingly.

At the end of the day, everyone looks better sipping bourbon when they’re dressed for the occasion.

I would like to extend an invitation to you and your friends to stop by our tent, essentially the RCR tent on gameday. The Mr. will message you to explain where to find us.