The Best Tailgating Foods to Fire Up Your Game Day

Nelson’s BBQ – Bringing Flavor to Your Tailgate

When it comes to game day, tailgating isn’t just about the jerseys, the music, or the team spirit—it’s about the food. Great tailgating food brings people together, sets the tone for the day, and fuels the cheers (and maybe a few groans) once kickoff starts. At Nelson’s, we know tailgating because we’ve been serving up legendary eats for over 58 years. From timeless classics to our one-of-a-kind Port-A-Pit specialties, we’ve got everything you need to make your next tailgate unforgettable.

Classic Tailgating Foods Everyone Loves

When you think of tailgating foods, there are a few all-time favorites that instantly come to mind:

• Buffalo Chicken Dip – Creamy, spicy, and perfect for scooping with chips.
• Buffalo Wings – Crispy, saucy, and just the right amount of heat.
• Deviled Eggs – A retro favorite that still wins every crowd.
• Potato Salad – A cool, creamy side that balances out the BBQ heat.
• Meatballs – Bite-sized, flavorful, and always gone too soon.

These classics are a must-have at any tailgate. But when you bring Nelson’s to your party, you get so much more.

Nelson’s Crowd Pleasers You Can’t Get Anywhere Else

Sure, you could settle for “ordinary” tailgating food. Or—you could wow your crew with Nelson’s signature crowd-pleasers:

• Pit-Tatoes – Our legendary potatoes, slow-cooked under the Port-A-Pit flames until they’re smoky, buttery, and unforgettable.
• Port-A-Pit Chicken – Tender, juicy, and infused with our famous flavor. It’s the kind of game-day main course that makes everyone stop mid-bite and say, “Where did you get this?!”

These aren’t just foods—they’re traditions, and they turn every tailgate into a celebration.

Stress-Free Tailgating with Nelson’s

We make it easy to bring the best tailgating foods to your party:

• Order Online – Select your menu, set your guest count, and let us handle the rest.
• Pick-Up or Delivery – Swing by to grab your order, or have us deliver
• Crowd-Ready Packaging – Our innovative packaging keeps food hot, fresh, and ready-to-serve—even if you’re rolling into the stadium lot.

So whether you’re feeding 25 of your closest friends or fueling a whole fan club, Nelson’s has you covered.

Let’s Tailgate Together

This season, don’t stress about what to bring to the lot—let Nelson’s handle the heavy lifting. From buffalo wings to Pit-Tatoes, we’ll make sure your game day is filled with the best tailgating foods around.

👉 Order online today or call us at 574.862.2184 to lock in your tailgate menu.

Because at Nelson’s, it’s not just about feeding fans—it’s about creating legendary game-day memories.