While football is the main event, food is the true star of tailgating culture. Tailgating recipes have become integral to the football season experience, creating traditions that bring people together. Some fans are so devoted that they roll in the night before, setting up camp in trailers or motorhomes, just to fire up the grill at dawn and get the feast started.
The cultural significance of tailgating food
Tailgating food reflects local culture and traditions, from regional specialties to family recipes passed down through generations. In the South, tailgates often include barbecue due to its deep roots in the region. Sometimes you will even see large pit barbecues on trailers. Making barbecue takes time so cooking may start in the middle of the night depending on game time.
In the Midwest, you will often see barbecue, brats and cheese as well as several different flavors of wings. Michelle Goth of the food blog, Blackberry Babe, says “In Kansas City, we take tailgating — and our football team — seriously that when you pull into the parking lot, you will smell barbecue in the air! Our most popular tailgating foods are smoked brisket and burnt ends, and you’ll almost always find a heaping bowl of buffalo chicken dip. Meat is smoked the night before and warmed on portable grills at the stadium. If you’re visiting Kansas City, walk up to any tailgate and you’ll be welcomed in and offered samples.”
The Italian sub is a staple of tailgates in the Northeast. It has several different names including hero, grinder, wedge, po’ boy, hoagie and sub. No matter what it’s called, it’s filled with Italian meats and cheeses and can be served as a large party sub or as small sliders.
Kristin King of Dizzy Busy and Hungry says, “In Philly, in addition to the obvious cheesesteaks, roast pork sandwiches are a tailgating staple. People go all out, slow-cooking the pork for hours until it’s tender and flavorful. Folks even lug their own slow cookers or portable roasters to the stadium parking lot, cook the marinated pork right there, and then load up Amoroso rolls with the pork topped with sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe. Philly sports fans take great pride in their roast pork sandwiches.” You will find chili, hot dogs and burgers no matter where you go. The type of chili and the toppings on hot dogs vary based on the region.
Another way tailgating food reflects local culture and tradition is by using family recipes like grape jelly and chili sauce meatballs. Tailgating recipes are often passed down through generations and can be a source of pride like a mom’s potato salad or a dad’s secret chili recipe. Those recipes offer a taste of the past, connecting fans to those that came before them.
Classic tailgating recipes: A culinary tradition
When tailgating began in the 19th century, tailgaters would bring picnic baskets filled with portable food like sandwiches and fruit. As games became longer and more intense, fans needed more hearty meals to sustain them.
The invention of the grill revolutionized tailgating as it allowed people to cook in stadium parking lots. Hamburgers and hot dogs have been a staple at tailgates for several decades with people often transporting grills in the back of their pickup trucks.
Chips and dips, like hot chipped beef dip, are portable and often enjoyed at tailgates. Chili, stew and hearty soups are also common tailgate staples as they help keep people warm in the chilly fall and winter weather. These dishes are often prepared in large batches and shared with other tailgaters. Chili often has optional toppings that fans can add so a folding table is set up with all the choices, allowing each person to customize their own. Finger foods like chicken wings, meatballs and pickle wraps are made in large batches and served on platters, making them easy to share.
The role of food in building tailgating communities
Sharing food at tailgates fosters a sense of camaraderie among fans and helps break down social barriers and create lasting connections. Food is a universal language and it provides common ground for people to connect despite their age, background or team affiliation. The relaxed atmosphere of a tailgate can lower social inhibitions and make it easier for people to start conversations and form new friendships.
Potluck-style tailgates are a popular tradition that brings people together and helps foster a sense of community and belonging. According to a survey conducted by Hormel Foods, 84% of respondents believed that every attendee should contribute at least one item to the tailgate. Potlucks also make tailgating more affordable as each person or family only has to contribute one dish and gets to enjoy a wide variety of foods. Sharing food is a natural icebreaker and it creates a way for people to connect with one another.
The economic impact of tailgating on local food businesses
Tailgating offers a unique opportunity for food vendors and small businesses to showcase their products and generate revenue. With such a large crowd, vendors can expose their brand to a wide audience and generate immediate revenue. Some tailgaters prefer to purchase food in the parking lot due to traveling a long distance or looking forward to certain vendors.
According to the National Consumer Panel, “tailgating contributes $35 billion in food and beverage sales.” Since most food is purchased ahead of time, local grocery stores and delis benefit from these sales. Some stores have special tailgating promotions for popular foods like hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages. Deli meat and pre-made dips are common options too. Restaurants that are close to stadiums cash in by offering food and drink specials before the game, encouraging people to eat at their establishment instead of preparing their own food in the parking lot.
The enduring legacy of tailgating food
Classic tailgating recipes are more than just food, they are a symbol of community, tradition and the shared experience of football season. Food will continue to be a central part of tailgating culture, bringing people together for years to come.
Heidi is a vintage recipe blogger at Real Life of Lulu, where she focuses on recipes that are at least 50 years old, many from her grandparents’ kitchens. She loves preserving the flavors and culinary traditions of the past.