Reliant Stadium Named NFL’s #1 Tailgating Venue

While this is old news (about a month old), I figured I would save it until the bye week to write about it.

In a review written by Scott Bowen of Forbes Traveler, he names the confines of Reliant Stadium the cream of the crop when it comes to NFL tailgating festivities. Being a season ticket holder and avid tailgater for years, I may be a little biased when I say I have to agree with him.

I have only tailgated at a few venues other than Reliant, honestly. The Georgia Dome in Atlanta and The Superdome in New Orleans being the only other pro ones I have had the joy of tailgating at. I have been to several college stadiums before, but this review is about the pros, so I will stick to that.

Bowen graded the venues on parking space, family, tradition, fan intensity and of course, great food. Now, food should be a given. This is Texas, after all. While he gives credit to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City the most credit on food, it is closer than you think. "One place that could give Arrowhead’s chefs a run for their money are the grill-masters down at Reliant Stadium, in Houston, where the Texas-style barbecue rules," Bowen claims. I am quick to agree with him. The people I have met in the Yellow Lot know how to cook.

The parking in Yellow Lot is spectacular as well, being one of the only places to have grass instead of concrete for its tailgaters. And if you get there before 10 a.m. usually on game days, there is plenty of space on said grass. Fan intensity is never in question. There are so many groups out there doing whatever it takes to get fans rowdy and making sure everyone is having a good time. "Raging Bull" is said to be the best tailgating group out there, but I am not sure what lot they are in. In the Yellow Lot, the highlight is Texan Mojo. This group is big supporters of Miller Lite and every 30 minutes, they provide free Miller Lite shotguns for any who are willing. This is accompanied by a usually hilarious speech by "The Preacher." You should certainly check them out if you get a chance.

All in all, I am not surprised that Reliant is getting this kind of national love. Because you know the tailgating has to be amazing for us Houstonians to suffer through the heat and humidity to do it every Sunday. It’s a great time and every fan should try it at least once. If you are ever in the Yellow Lot, stop by and have a Shiner. We are there every home game. Because there ain't nothing like cracking open a beer while the sun is coming up over the stadium.

Also, in case you missed it, Tim is putting together a meetup tailgate for the upcoming Monday Night Game. Hope to see you guys there!