Tailgating in the South is a treasured tradition, commonly known as a pre-game activity to a sporting event, usually football, but we’ve come to realize that tailgating can take place for any reason. We tailgate before concerts, football and baseball games, lego conventions and even weddings. What once was cracking a quick beer while sitting on a truck tailgate to cut down on overpriced stadium beverages, has evolved into a parade of mobile feasts where friends and even strangers bond over food/drink and their unwavering dedication to the hobbies they love. Here are our suggested essentials and bougie extras that will make any tailgate great!
Essential Equipment:
Tailgating can take place anywhere, literally in a hotel parking lot before you walk two miles to the stadium, in a premier corner spot of a parking deck or in a pre-purchased spot designated for pop-up tents and generators. Make sure you have the essential equipment such as 10×10 Ez Up Tents to protect you from the elements, folding tables for your chips and dips and a good cooler that can keep items cold for days along with wheels to transport your beverages. Don’t be trashy, get trash bags to clean up the mess and folding chairs that inevitably no one sits in because they are too busy mingling. A small propane grill is also suggested if you are tailgating longer than two hours so the food-to-beverage consumed ratio is balanced.
Elevated Experience:
To elevate your tailgating experience to the next level, bring a generator for a TV to watch pregame highlights! If it’s chilly, mini propane heaters keep your hands toasty or if it’s hot, a battery-operated fan can cool down the crowd. A generous host will always provide a bar set-up, elevating your crew’s experience with a pop-up bar that has a clean ice container for all the cups/drinks. Cover your tables with stretch linens for a polished look along with a pop-up trashcan. The grillmaster needs a grilling caddy with all the necessities: paper towels, grilling tools, oil, seasoning, foil, platters and food “tents” to keep the flies away. Don’t forget a Bluetooth speaker with pre-game vibes to get the crowd hyped for the main event!
Pro Tip: Pack a large plastic bin the night before (because inevitably you will be rushed getting out the door) with the essentials to make it easy to carry everything and easy to grab in case your guests need something. Stock it with hand sanitizer, extra trash bags, a portable phone charger, extra koozies, plates, paper towels and cups, a first aid kit (for some stupidity), a bottle opener, bug spray, sunscreen and hand warmers. EXTRA toilet paper is a must as porta-potties are the go-to mode of defecation while tailgating outdoors.
Enjoyable Eats:
Dips: A bag of chips and premade dip is the easiest and most convenient tailgate food available. No fuss no muss. You can’t go wrong with Publix’s deli selection of dips.
Dishes: Parking lot tailgates make it easy to throw meats on the grill with the safety of a blacktop. Hot dogs and hamburgers are a standard staple, but if you visit Patton’s Meat Market you might be enticed to level up your grilling game with a variety of unique cuts of meat. They have a great wing recipe and shopping list for Patton’s-bff-a-que Wings that is perfect for tailgating. If you want to sit back and enjoy the day without breaking a sweat under the flames, New South Tailgate & BBQ which is veteran-owned and operated in Lawrenceville makes it easy to pick up BBQ and sides that are ready for game time! Another easy peasy pick-up is a classic sandwich platter from Main Street Deli in Buford.
Drinks: Beer, bottled water and sweet tea for the DD. Grab some RTD (ready-to-drink) canned beverages to eliminate the need for extra mixers. Don’t forget a cooler for “clean” ice to pour over. (No one wants ice that 50 hands have rummaged through to find a cool beer.)
Desserts: Don’t sleep on the sweets. Choc-Corn (white chocolate covered puff corn) is sure to be a hit to munch on before the game, grab a large bag at Special Kneads Bakery. Pound cake is a perfect cake for tailgating because it satisfies the sweet tooth without the mess of a fancy cake. Grab a mocha, lemon or blueberry pound cake from Hansel and Gretel Bakery (3 locations in Gwinnett).
Exquisite Eatables: Elevate your game by pre-ordering a charcuterie tray to graze on while sipping on bougie beers. If you’re into quality not quantity, pick up a 32oz Crowler from StillFire Brewery to elevate your day drinking from past blue ribbon to craft!
Good Morning Sunshine: For those afternoon events…make Bloody Marys with Third Rail Distillery’s Val’s Vodka and Charleston Bloody Mary Mix and some Hooch Pickles that you can pick up at Wilks Meat Market. Grab some donuts from Donut Worry on your way to the event and you are all set!