What are your favorite tailgating foods?

[Capt. Obvious]

We got a big game coming up in 11 days and tailgating is always the best part. We're just starting to brainstorm some ideas for this year.

My large extended family goes and everyone brings a dish or two.

I mix it up every year - kielbasa, onions and ginger ale on the grill 2 years ago; a giant Italian sandwich on focacca loaf last year.

My first idea for this year's brainstorm was fried chicken.

So what are your favorite tailgating foods?

[sir pball]

1. Beer n/t

[Capt. Obvious]

8. Will bring beer

[cbayer]

2. While not technically "tailgating", Mardi Gras parades present the same opportunity.

Of course, in New Orleans, Popeye's Fried chicken is the number 1 choice, so I'm giving a thumbs up to the fried chicken idea.

I like an antipasto plate with hard sausages, cheese, pate, olives and a good loaf of bread.

[BillyRibs]

3. If I bring the Fryer!

Hot dogs, Fries, Sugar zepolies, even a Panzerotti or 2.

[Capt. Obvious]

10. We have a lot of kids going

so there will definitely be dogs and burgers on the grill.

They don't eat the fancy food.

[pinto]

4. Tapas?

All sorts of combo possibilities. Good finger food.

[Capt. Obvious]

11. Too fancy I think

We may make the giant Italian sandwich again. Cut up into small bites will be our best shot at finger food.

[msanthrope]

5. Chili in the crockpot. It can be served in disposable coffee cups with cornbread. nt

[Capt. Obvious]

12. I do love chili at the game

My favorite are the people who hang the pot over an open fire.

[grasswire]

6. muffaletta

It just seems right.

[Capt. Obvious]

13. I'd love that

but the olives might get be banished.

[JBoy]

7. I'm from Canada. What is this "tailgating" thing?

Actually, I know what it is, but it's not a part of Canadian culture. It appears to be a strictly American thing.

This story tells the sad attempt at Canadian tailgating, when a Buffalo Bills game was played in Toronto:

To most Torontonians, tailgating is something you do to someone who cuts you off on the 401 or who won't move out of the fast lane. It's something else in the NFL. Be aware that right now, as Canadians, we're being laughed at by Bills fans for today's lame attempt at an NFL tailgate party on Front St., spoiled by corporate sponsorship.

They should know. Bills fans are No. 9 in the 32-team NFL when it comes to tailgating excellence, according to one ranking. As such, they are incredulous that there are no T.O. parking lots that will allow any form of regular tailgating, with open containers, grilled vittles, lawn chairs, etc. Toronto the Good taken to the extreme.

As for corporate involvement with the age-old art of tailgating, it's like sponsoring sex in the hot tub. Some things are meant to be spontaneous. Tailgating is one of them. This is something Bills fans have right.

......

http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2008/08/14/tailgating_in_toronto_yeah_right.html

[Capt. Obvious]

9. Heh, that's a good read

A major change is that no longer will anyone be able to sit in the parking lot during games and party hardy once the opening kickoff occurs in the absence of a ticket. No ticket, no parking. However, you will be allowed to return after the game. That's like asking salmon to swim downstream to spawn.

For decades, people used to go to Sullivan/Schaefer/Foxboro Stadium to just tailgate - didn't buy tickets. They just hung out in the parking lot partying.

When Gillete opened they actually check tickets (at least at the lots on the stadium side of Rt 1) to make sure you have one for every member in your vehicle.

Funny thing is, people now buy $100 tickets and never set foot inside. They still hang out partying in the parking lot.

[Jenoch]

14. A lot of tailgating seems to end up

similar to any other kind of cookout with burgers, brats, and hotdogs. I like to make pork ribs ahead of time and then throw the racks of ribs on the grill to reheat them.

[Capt. Obvious]

15. I like to raise the bar for tailgating

We'll make that for the kids though.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

16. I keep being asked to bring hummus

And I've yet to take any home.