An Italian style food fest. Meatballs, pasta, antipasto, italian sandwiches, etc.

I'm jealous!

Mexican fiesta!

sandwhiches are so cute! MINI SANDWHICHES!

I like Eliza's idea, it sounds fun!

You should do all things new orleans - gumbo, muffalettas, bbq oysters, shrimp. Drool.

I'm torn- one pot meals are so brilliantly portable, but those barbecue oysters sound like heaven.

At Ole Miss we call tailgating "Groving" since it all takes place in the Grove, a gorgeous tree filled expanse in the middle of campus. On gamedays you'll find a sea of tents complete with linens, chandeliers, floral arrangements, and a good bit of fashion from the attendees. It's definitely high class tailgating, and the menus can be that way as well. Still, as an old pro at it, I voted for a one pot meal simply because the gumbo my family serves for the Ole Miss/LSU game every year always draws a crowd, and as mentioned, one pot meals are sooo much easier to transport and serve. You can't go wrong with gumbo and a few great cajun sides. Muffalettas could be made in advance and transported pretty easily too.

Brats, marinated burgers, red potato salad, and plenty of beer! That's how we do it at the Raider games!!

ok ive never been tailgating but I'd really love to go. I just moved down south and it seems like a big deal down here!

Go gourmet! Thats good times.

How do we feel about smoked oysters/fancy crackers and such?

mmm

I say less is better, make a couple of crock pots of chili, or stew, taco soup.

i say do a gourmet twist on the classics!

best tailgating food i had were ribs, corn on the cob, and tons of beer (newcastle)!

I relate with katiejane since I attend the University of Alabama which is very much like Ole Miss -- nothing beats tailgating in the South! To answer your question - keep it simple with a one pot meal, at Alabama we usually grill (chicken one time, ribs another, even gator for the Florida game) and then have a few easy sides.

classic football food for sure, uninspired but sure to be a hit!

So many factors determine the decision!!!!

1. Weather? is it cold or warm were you live? I think it's SF, so I wouldn't go with hot foods that sit out and wait for people to eat them...

2. Who is coming? Kids? Finicky eaters are the worst... especially if they're hungry and see nothing they like. Snobby friends? hot dogs would not suffice...

3. What are you tailgating for? any old reason? depends on the event...

Choose wisely, have fun

Totally Tailgate Gone Gourmet!

Can't beat the basics of burgers and dogs. Down on the farm (Stanford) you can tailgate right next to the stadium. It turns into an all game party since the team is so lousy nobody goes into the stadium so we bring double the food and beer. And we bring paper plates and plastic utensils so I don"t have to wash any dishes.

I'm hosting a tailgate Saturday, and we're doing Bratwursts, 5-cheese tortellini salad, deviled eggs and iced pumpking cookies! Yum!

HonestMuffin, 1. I do live in SF but the big tailgate will be down at Stanford in December so you never know.
2. No kids will come just a bunch of my friends and parents friends are on the guestlist.
3. It's the big game (Cal vs. Stanford). Although I went to Cal I always host a tailgate at the Stanford game because they have a great field for tailgating. But more on all of that next week!!

harperjs, would you be willing to share your recipe for 5 cheese tortallini salad?? It sounds divine.

The gourmet sounds pretty good but is it a little over the top for the party you've got planned?