It’s a Tiger’s most cherished time of year again: football season. University students, alumni and fans alike are eager to watch their home team step onto the fresh green grass of Death Valley. Before the game, however, comes the equally anticipated tailgating.
Nothing brings people together quite like food, and having the right food at your tailgate can make or break the entire day. Here is a list of some of the most Gameday-worthy foods that are essential for your next tailgate.
Mellow Mushroom
All the way from Atlanta, Georgia, Mellow Mushroom has brought stone-baked pizzas to stuff people to the gills. Each Mellow Mushroom is locally owned and operated to ensure every location possesses its own distinct vibe. Its menus are as eclectic as its atmospheres, including not only pizza, but items like pretzel bites with beer cheese dipping sauce, calzones and, of course, its signature pies. Best sellers include specialty pies like the House Special, the Mighty Meaty and the Buffalo Chicken.
Mellow Mushroom on Burbank is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
The first Fuzzy’s Taco Shop took up residence in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2003. From there, it has grown to more than 100 locations across the nation. By providing mouthwatering Tex-Mex cuisine and a fun-loving, enjoyable atmosphere, Fuzzy’s makes you never want to leave.
Fuzzy’s menu is all-encompassing, including items such as specialty chips and dips, tacos, burrito bowls, nachos and, of course, its famous frozen margaritas. One of the unique features about Fuzzy’s is its catering options include a build-your-own taco bar. Fuzzy’s also provides appetizer trays and fajita buffets to add some extra flair to your gameday dishes.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop on West Lee Drive is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Since its debut in 1996, Cane’s has been serving up quality chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, homemade coleslaw and signature “Cane’s Sauce” by the thousands daily. Cane’s also serves its famous tea and lemonade. Both are made in house daily, the lemons squeezed by hand every morning.
Cane’s has been a staple at tailgating events for years, and now it’s time to bring it to yours. Its chicken fingers are available in trays of 25, 50, 75 or 100, Cane’s Sauce included. Cane’s also has jugs of both its tea and lemonade available for purchase.
Raising Cane’s in Baton Rouge is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Kolache Kitchen
University alumnus and owner Will Edwards felt one thing was missing from his experience in Baton Rouge: kolaches. The simple, yet delicious kolache is created by wrapping billowy, cooked-to-perfection dough around an array of different fillings. One of the first of its kind, this restaurant provides sausage, cheese, bacon and even boudin kolaches. Remaining close to campus has always been a priority, providing students with an easy, filling breakfast or lunch, however, due to its increasing popularity, Kolache Kitchen opened its second location in April 2015.
In terms of what one would bring to their tailgate, the possibilities are endless. Each item on the menu is hand crafted in-store every morning, whether it’s pastries or scrambled eggs. Not only are the kolaches packed with savory fillings, but they also have a variety of fruit-filled options. Buy them in bulk, and Kolache Kitchen is sure to fill your tailgaters stomachs and keep them smiling.
Kolache Kitchen is open Sunday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pluckers Wing Bar
Baton Rouge is one of just six cities in the nation to have a Pluckers in town. Its story begins with owners Dave Paul, Mark Greenberg and Sean Greenberg, during their freshman year at the University of Texas in 1991. After a long night out, the duo craved chicken wings, but no restaurant was open at the late hour. Thus, their idea of a late-night chicken joint was born.
The menu includes obvious items like chicken wings; however, its 23 flavors are anything but ordinary. Pluckers also has renowned specialty boneless wings and has received high praise for their “Holy Macaroni,” a fried macaroni and cheese appetizer.
Pluckers Wing Bar on Nicholson is open Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Insomnia Cookies
It’s never too early to get dessert going, and Insomnia Cookies will have everyone at your tailgate asking for more.
While Insomnia has a brick-and-mortar spot, it specializes in delivery cookies and milk. From humble beginnings in a college dorm room in 2003 at the University of Pennsylvania, Seth Berkowitz has grown Insomnia Cookies into more than 90 locations today. Insomnia knows that sometimes, even when away at college, all you want is a warm cookie and a glass of milk.
Insomnia serves traditional cookies like chocolate chunk, sugar, peanut butter cup and snickerdoodle in addition to its deluxe cookies like triple chocolate chunk, s’mores and chocolate peanut butter. Their cookie orders range from six to 300; Insomnia can handle whatever order proposed.
Insomnia Cookies on West Chimes Street is open Sunday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Whatever type of food needed for your tailgate, Baton Rouge has you covered. Only a few miles outside campus lies all the essentials for the perfect game day grub.
