The fall brings football with it, and Saturdays in the fall are particularly special in the South. Tailgating is part of the tradition, and every home gameday of the season, the smell of hamburgers and popcorn waft around the stadium and the Quad gets drowned in a sea of crimson and white tents. Thousands flock to The University of Alabama’s campus hours before each game for one reason: tailgating.
Southern Living magazine voted the University as one of the top 20 schools for “The South’s Best Tailgate.” When you start to hear that “rollllllll” rumbling from every corner of Bryant-Denny Stadium, you know you will be satisfied, stuffed with wings, dips, hamburgers and nachos. Victory.
Football brings phenomenal food, and here are my top tailgating favorites. Whether you are relaxing on the couch or mingling on the Quad before the game, you can prepare and enjoy these tailgating treats.
You can’t have a tailgate without some sort of messy finger food, and nothing is messier (or more delicious) than chicken wings. I’ve had a lot of wings in my lifetime, and buffalo wings remain at the top of my list. The Food Network website has a simple recipe for making them that only requires 12 whole chicken wings, some unsalted butter, a small clove of garlic, hot sauce and kosher salt. All you need is an oven and two hours.
If you feel like ordering the wings, then I suggest getting Wing Zone to cater. They are located on McFarland Boulevard, and you can view their menu and order online at their website. Their Buffalo Bliss wings are my number one pick.
My second staple for football tailgating is chips and dip. There’s nothing better than warm, melted cheese with some crisp bacon on a chilly football Saturday, and that is why I love Swiss Bacon Dip. This dip requires no on-site preparation and is always an easy crowd-pleaser. Rachael Ray has my favorite recipe that can also be found on the Food Network’s website. It only takes half an hour to whip up, so you can make Swiss Bacon Dip even if you’re in a hurry. You can grab a bag or two of Frito’s chips at the grocery store and dip with that or slice up and toast a whole grain or rye baguette.
You can’t have a proper tailgate if there is no one grilling out. A good way to change things up and put a spin on the classic hamburger/hotdog scenario is to grill hamburger sliders. They are easier to eat and more manageable to make than a full-sized burger. You can buy ground chuck, mini hamburger buns and any toppings of your choice at your local grocery store.
When you’re considering a tailgating dessert, you have to choose something that can be transported easily and does not require refrigeration. You could go with something simple like cookies or brownies, but my favorite tailgating desserts are Pecan Tassies. These mini pecan pies are perfect melt-in-your-mouth finger deserts, and the ultimate symbol of the fall. You can get the recipe on myrecipe.com. Pecan Tassies are inherently Southern and the perfect way to top off a tailgate meal.
