225BatonRouge.com

(Editor’s note: First of two parts-—Tennessee and Arkansas to follow in the October issue.)

It’s going to be a glorious season for Tiger fans and tailgaters: LSU plays eight home games. On top of that, the road games are sure to be barn-burners against some of LSU’s stiffest rivals. If you make the road trips, you’ve got to do it in style.

Here’s 225’s guide to show you the way.

Sept. 16 Auburn, Ala. – Auburn Tigers

BEST EATS

Auburn City Limits

2450 Hwy. 14 West • (334) 821-3330

Excellent cuisine and a Wine Spectator magazine award-winner. Reservations are recommended.

STUFF FOR THE GRILL

Bruno’s

1530 E. Glenn Ave. • (334) 466-8847

Beer. Meat. Charcoal. They’ve got everything you need for tailgating success.

BEER FOR THE BELLY

Olde Auburn Ale House

124 Tichenor Ave. • (334) 821-6773

They offer live music in the evenings, a complete menu and even brew their own beer. It’s family-friendly—pints of beer for the big Tigers and homemade root beer for the Tiger cubs.

LOCAL FLAVA

Toomer’s Drug Store

100 N. College St.

(334) 887-3488

Situated just outside the Main Gate, this drug store (right) is reputed as serving the best lemonade in the country. Legend has it, John Heisman, namesake of the Heisman trophy, used to frequent the place for the refreshing beverage.

THE COLLEGE BAR

The War Eagle Supper Club

2061 S. College St. • (334) 821-4455

It was voted one of Playboy magazine’s Top 100 college bars in the country. And, you can tell by the name there will be a lot of orange and blue in this quintessential Auburn bar. They boast hot rock and cold beer. Tiger fans can expect no mercy from (the other) Tiger fans.

AFTER THE GAME

Toomer’s Corner

Corner of College Street and Magnolia Avenue

If it’s an Auburn victory, you don’t want to be anywhere in the vicinity of College and Magnolia on gameday. This is where Auburn fans unite. They even have a live Web cam broadcasting from Toomer’s Corner.

Oct. 7 Gainesville, Fla. – Florida Gators

BEST EATS

The Top

30 N. Main St. • (352) 337-1188

Whether you’re an omnivore or veg-head, you’ll find something you love here. Try the chimichurra steak or the pecan-encrusted tofu with shitake-brandy-rosemary cream sauce. Good prices.

STUFF FOR THE GRILL

Ward’s Super Market

515 N.W. 23rd Ave. • (352) 372-1741

Great selection of meat and fresh veggies, but not so much for the seafood. Also has a wide selection of natural foods. (For charcoal and such, hit a supermarket chain for better prices.)

BEER FOR THE BELLY

Gator Beverage

1126 W. University Ave. • (352) 336-6128

If you plan on bucking tradition and imbibing alcohol during a college football game, go here. The locals call this Gator Bev. Best beer selection in town.

LOCAL FLAVA

Satchel’s Pizzeria

1800 N.E. 23rd Ave • (352) 335-7272

Serving the best pizza in town, Satchel’s caters to families with two outdoor playgrounds, and an indoor play area. It’s quirky, serves great beer and has a toy museum and retro gift store out back. Cash only.

THE COLLEGE BAR

Salty Dog Saloon

1712 W. University Ave. • (352) 376-5153

Before and after the game, squeeze yourself into this aged watering hole, if you dare mingle with the orange-and-blue faithful. Right across from the stadium.

AFTER THE GAME

Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub

208 W University Ave • (352) 374-9567

An Irish pub with (shockingly) a wide selection of beer. It’s one of the few places you can still smoke indoors in Gainesville.