Food for Thought: Top Five SEC Tailgating Universities

Southern-style cooking in the heart of the Southeastern Conference is where some of the best food is in the entire United States.

Zesty and spicy flavors are some of what gives the SEC its tailgating pride in cooking some of the most delectable food masterpieces.

Along with having some of the best football in the country, the SEC tailgating team leads the way with the most popular and mouthwatering munchies in all of college football. Here are the top five SEC tailgating universities.

Bon appetit!

No. 5: University of Georgia

Between the hedges is where hungry Georgia fans go to enjoy one of the greatest tailgating experiences. If there is any place with a variety of grilled and marinated poultry, it would be the University of Georgia.

A hands-down favorite of most football fans is steak. In Athens, steak is one of the main dishes on campus chosen by Bulldog fans.

One of the best ways to cook steak is to first marinate it in different tangy sauces, which vary depending on the cook. The final product comes out as a soft, juicy, and zesty steak that anyone would enjoy.

Roast beef is another very popular addition to the "Dawg" menu. Roast beef works perfectly on any sandwich bun, especially with barbecue sauce or other condiments.

Roast beef, steak, and beer—who doesn't love that?

No. 4: Auburn University

Right down the road from the University of Alabama is the Crimson Tide's rival, Auburn University.

Tigers fans try hard to make some of the best food and best experiences to give the SEC a good name. They hold true to that cause.

Baked beans are a classic at any deep South football game, especially at Auburn. With a side of baked beans, smoked pork makes for a delightful lunch before any game. This delicacy is made with an emphasis on secret barbecue sauces, which can be either very sweet or sour (depending on how much vinegar you add to the mixture).

It is not uncommon to see Tigers fans in the tailgating area with large smokers and grills of all shapes and sizes.

No. 3: University of Alabama

Many sports fans would agree that when their team played the Alabama Crimson Tide, they had a great time before and after the game.

Crimson Tide fans try hard to put some South in everyone's mouth with vast amounts of grilled and fried foods that will stop anyone's arteries dead in their tracks.

Tuscaloosa, home of the University of Alabama, is full of some of the most famous barbecue restaurants in all of the Southern United States. One of these places is Dreamland. Any barbecue lover who has been to the great state of Alabama knows that Dreamland is talked about from Birmingham to Mobile.

One of the best dishes of Alabama tailgating is barbecued pork and ribs. Topped off with spices and secret sauces, barbecued ribs and pork makes any fan's stay in Tuscaloosa one of the most memorable.

Many would agree (including myself) that Dreamland's style of barbecue opens a whole new realm to how food is prepared and grilled. Ask any person in Alabama, and they will tell you how good the food is at Dreamland, or in Tuscaloosa for that matter.

No. 2: University of Mississippi

One of the strangest tailgating settings in the SEC, the University of Mississippi is known for providing the most unique tailgating experiences.

One of the biggest traditions at Ole Miss is proper attire and formal dining, which is shown even in the open field tailgating area in Oxford.

The unique dining setting that Rebels fans have practiced for generations is the use of chandeliers underneath the different tailgating tents. Some chandeliers are very elaborate and decorative, while others are plain with a rugged style.

This is not all that makes Mississippi so great. How could someone forget the Southern-fried delights?

Fried chicken is a dish that people of all ages can appreciate. It's probably not the healthiest choice a person could make, but it certainly is backed up by its delicious taste.

All in all, the unique atmosphere of Ole Miss, its delicious fried food, and proper tailgating routine make it one of the most memorable college football experiences.

No. 1: LSU

Louisiana has some of the most unique and delicious morsels in all of the United States.

When you combine the flavors of the French Quarter with the heart and soul of LSU football, there is an atmosphere that is one of the most memorable in all of college football.

Great tailgating and football are the staples of what makes the sport so spectacular and what keeps the fans happy.

One of the most recognized Cajun foods in Death Valley is gumbo. Gumbo is basically a soup-like dish that includes a variety of different creole spices mixed with different types of seafood like shrimp, crawfish, and fish.

To top it off, gumbo can be filled with chicken, rice, sausage, peppers, and tomatoes. This mixture creates one of the most well-known food items in all of tailgating.

Another Cajun favorite is jambalaya, which can be made with shrimp, crawfish, white or brown rice, tomatoes, peppers, chicken, beef, and pasta noodles.

As the SEC's best tailgating school with the best food choices, Tiger fans create a very unique partying environment with great football and fantastic food creations.