Texas takes tailgating as seriously as the games themselves. Having attended game days at every major Texas school, here is the definitive ranking.
1. Texas A&M -- Kyle Field, College Station Nothing compares. Midnight Yell Practice the night before games draws 30,000+ people. The 12th Man standing tradition, the Corps of Cadets, the yell leaders (not cheerleaders -- yell leaders). Kyle Field at 102,733 is the loudest stadium in college football. The tailgating lots open at dawn and the barbecue pits are smoking before sunrise.
2. Texas -- DKR Stadium, Austin Bevo Boulevard has transformed UT game days. Live music, longhorn steer appearances, burnt orange everywhere. The Drag (Guadalupe Street) is lined with fans. Post-game on 6th Street is part of the experience. Source: Texas Athletics -- Bevo Boulevard events page.
3. TCU -- Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth The most underrated tailgate in Texas. The grass lots around the stadium feel like a massive backyard party. Fort Worth's Western culture means brisket, boots, and cold beer. Smaller crowd means more intimate and more fun per capita.
4. Texas Tech -- Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock The Raider Walk where players enter through the crowd is electric. Lubbock does not have much else to do on a Saturday, so the entire city revolves around game day. Broadway Avenue tailgating is legendary. And yes, tortillas are thrown.
5. Baylor -- McLane Stadium, Waco The stadium sits on the Brazos River. People tailgate on boats. Sailgating is a real thing and it is spectacular. The setting is beautiful and unique in college football.
6. SMU -- Ford Stadium, Dallas Boulevard tailgating on a beautiful campus 5 miles from downtown Dallas. The most accessible game day experience for DFW residents -- no 3-hour drive required.
For DFW residents: You can attend TCU and SMU games on the same weekend without leaving the metroplex. Fort Worth on Saturday afternoon, Dallas on Saturday evening. No other metro in America offers two Division I game day experiences within 35 miles of each other.
Sources: Personal attendance at all venues, university athletics websites, Google Maps