A Taste of College Football in Texas

By: Gabi De la Rosa

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In Texas, football season is about much more than what happens on the field. Across the state, each game day comes with its own edible traditions. From Dr. Pepper and Blue Bell ice cream in Waco to giant Bavarian pretzels in Austin and corny dogs in Dallas, food is woven into each experience, making every kickoff a chance to eat, drink, and cheer on the home team.

University of Texas

Since the University’s first-ever undefeated football season in 1893, fans have gathered at Scholz Garten, the oldest operating beer garden in America. Before games, fans pack the historic beer garden to indulge in giant Bavarian pretzels, brats, and cold draft beer before walking to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium to watch the game. The pregame party has become so synonymous with UT football that it has earned its own name, the “tailgarten.”

ScholzGarten courtesy of ScholzGarten — Image courtesy of Scholz Garten

Texas A&M University

In College Station, each gridiron showdown at Texas A&M University starts at the Dixie Chicken, a favorite Aggie hangout just across the street from campus. Founded in 1974, the bar, known as “the Chicken” to regulars, became famous for serving the most beer per square foot in America. In addition to cold Lone Star beer, the bar dishes up its bestselling Freddy Burger and loaded Tijuana fries piled high with melted cheese, bacon bits, and sliced jalapeños. Before opening kickoff, crowds of fans sing the Aggie War Hymn before making their way to Kyle Field.

Red River Rivalry

Arguably one of the biggest rivalries in college football is the over-century-old Red River Rivalry between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma. Each year the teams match up at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas at the Texas State Fair, and for fans, the pregame ritual that is almost as important as the game itself is eating a corn dog from Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs. Purists insist on calling it a corny dog and line up as early as 8 a.m. to ensure they get their pregame treat hot from the fryer and slathered with yellow mustard. During the 24-day fair, Fletcher’s sells more than half a million corn dogs, with more than 60,000 sold on Cotton Bowl day alone. It is the unofficial breakfast of champions during the Red River Rivalry.

Southern Methodist University

Dixie Chicken Freddy Burger Credit Dixie Chicken — Dixie Chicken Freddy Burger, Image courtesy of Dixie Chicken

At Southern Methodist University (SMU), game day starts long before kickoff with “Boulevarding.” On Bishop Boulevard, the main thoroughfare winding through campus, Mustang football fans turn tailgating into a full-fledged feast. Students, alumni, and fans fill the boulevard with tents, grills, food trucks, and all the classic tailgate fixings. One of the best parts is that the party is oftentimes communal, with fans opening their tents and inviting others to taste what they’ve got cooking.

Baylor University

In Waco, one of the longest-standing traditions at Baylor University comes with a cold Dr. Pepper topped with a heaping scoop of Blue Bell ice cream. This sweet pairing began in 1953 when Coca-Cola was served with ice cream before Waco-born Dr. Pepper became Baylor’s official soft drink. Students can enjoy this nostalgic treat all year during Dr. Pepper Hour held on Tuesday from 3 to 4 p.m. During football season, the energy in Barfield Drawing Room is even livelier when student athletes, coaches, and Baylor’s mascots, Bruiser and Belle, make appearances.

Texas Tech University

For more than a century, family-owned Slaton Bakery has been serving sweet treats in West Texas, many of which have become a part of Texas Tech’s Red Raider tradition. The bakery’s Guns Up donuts are a game day favorite, along with red-and-white thumbprints, petit fours, and iced Texas Tech cookies. Slaton Bakery opens at 6 a.m., and for fans ahead of the big game, one of the biggest challenges is getting there in time to grab Guns Up donuts, which usually sell out before 11 a.m.