Despite my complete lack of football knowledge or excitement for the game, I can’t deny that I live in a city which bleeds scarlet & grey and turns every knick-knack imaginable into a Block O. Walk down any street in Columbus during football season and you’ll be greeted with a friendly, “O-H!” in which you are expected to return with a hearty, “I-O!” Standing in line at the grocery store, waiting at the dentist office, mailing a package at the post office, all become perfect times to chat your neighbor up about the upcoming game.

In an effort to not be a social outcast, it has become necessary to find some part of football that I can get excited about.

Well, I found it. Tailgating.

In college, I would actually sell my OSU game ticket every week in order to continue the tailgating portion of the day. The trend didn’t catch on too well, however, as most people preferred to be in the stands cheering on their team.

Anyway, for me, one of the best parts of tailgating is the food. Obviously. With so many games to tailgate for this season, it will be important to switch up your menu to keep the hungry fans happy – especially if their favorite team is losing. Here are a few favorites outside of the usual hamburgers & hotdogs:

1) Make meatballs the day before, keep them warm in the crock-pot and bring along some sub rolls & parmesan cheese for warm meatball subs.

2) Have a chili cook-off with your friends for the ultimate bragging rights. Switch it up by making a white bean chicken chili to clinch the win.

3) Use leftover cake or pie (especially the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas!) and cut into bite size pieces. I did this with pumpkin pie one particularly frigid Sunday morning for a Browns game and it was a huge hit.

4) Bring a portable fire pit and make grilled cheese or pizza sandwiches with those cast-iron sandwich pie makers.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to great tailgating food.  My sister, for example, is an ambitious tailgating culinarian, and has even made chicken paprikash to kick off the game! All in all, when the food is delicious, everyone wins.

Happy Tailgating!

And… oh yeah… Go Team.

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