🍻 Tailgate & Taprooms
Unc’s Guide to Starkville Game Day Grub
Written by somebody who’s actually lived it in Mississippi, not just read Yelp reviews
If you’ve spent years in Starkville, you know there are two kinds of people on football weekends:
- The ones blindly walking into the first spot they see because the sign says “BBQ.”
- The ones who know where the smoke, grease, and sweet tea actually hit different.
This is for group #2.
Starkville might be a small town, but it feeds an SEC-sized crowd like a pro. On game weekends, the food scene shifts into overdrive — equal parts Southern comfort, barroom chaos, and enough fried options to test your cholesterol.
The Unbeatable Five
Restaurant Tyler – Still the king. You go here for the fried okra, stay for the brunch, and end up justifying a $50 steak because the game doesn’t kick until 6.
Two Brothers Smoked Meats – Smoked Southern Soul Food. Pulled pork that tastes like it came from somebody’s uncle’s backyard, smoked chicken that disappears in minutes, and pork rind nachos that somehow feel like a full meal and an appetizer at the same time.
The Older Brother – Same ownership as Two Brothers, but it’s the boutique sandwich cousin. Tiny space, big flavors, zero chance of waltzing in without a wait on game day.
Bin 612 – The definition of Cotton District chaos. Cheese fries, tacos, and pizzas keep rolling until somebody yells “last call” — and if you’re here after midnight, you’ll probably make bad life decisions.
Stagger Inn – Where fried food and bad ideas meet. Order the Topless Hot Chick Dawgy Style (Texas toast, tenders, fries, queso, and Dawgy Style dry rub) and cancel whatever plans you had the next morning.
Local Mainstays
Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern – Pizza, gyros, and “Crack Dip” that’s spinach-artichoke-sriracha magic. The beer list is as good as the food.
Bulldog Burger – If you think a burger’s just a burger, the Freshman 15 (with fried mozzarella) will change your mind.
Oby’s – The Starkville comfort-food anchor. Catfish, Cajun plates, chicken tenders you’ll remember the next morning.
Starkville Café – No-frills breakfast that fuels farmers, students, and hungover fans alike.
Boardtown Pizza & Pints – Stone-fired pies with creative toppings. Hot honey + sopressata is the move.
Taste – Upscale Italian that’ll make you briefly forget you’re in a college town.
Locals-Only Favorites
Stromboli’s – Sweet-dough pizza and calzones. The cookie dough bites? Mandatory.
Georgia Blue – Duck gumbo over potato salad. Sounds strange, tastes perfect.
Arepas Coffee Bar – Venezuelan arepas for when you want a break from fried everything.
Proof Bakery – Morning game? Grab their breakfast sandwiches early or you’ll miss out.
Game Day Survival Tips
Get There Early – If you roll up to the Cotton District at noon for a 2:30 kick, enjoy your 45-minute wait.
Match Your Mood to Your Meal – Feeling fancy? Go to Tyler. Want loud and rowdy? Bin 612. Want to smell like smoke for the rest of the day? Two Brothers.
Don’t Skip Dessert – Stromboli’s cookie dough bites or Tyler’s sweets are worth the extra lap around the Junction.
Starkville isn’t just a game day stop…it’s a full-blown food gauntlet. From cowbells echoing down Main Street to pork shoulders smoking in the distance, this isn’t just eating… it’s part of the Mississippi State soundtrack.