The tailgate experience is always fun, but hosting a successful stadium tailgate takes a lot of work. There’s the shopping, the packing, the travel, the setup, the breakdown, and I haven’t even mentioned the cooking yet. However, many fans get a similar tailgating experience, but with some of those steps cut out, keeping the festivities in the comfort of their own home.
Homegating is a popular way to recreate that ultimate game day atmosphere in your own home or backyard, and if you’re trying to bring that experience to Chicago with you, then there are a few specific items you should get.
First, find yourself some delicious Italian beef that you might have cooked or made yourself in a crockpot or on the stove. It’s a perfect take-home meal because you remove the beef, have the French bread sliced and ready, throw in some sweet peppers or some spicy giardiniera and you’re good to go. And bring some Italian salami to the party for a beef and salami combo to take your sandwiches to the next level.
Chicago-style hot dogs are another great nod to your next house party because, like corned beef, this is another simple item that will bring smiles to your guests’ faces. But don’t just grab any dog, get a quality beef sausage like the one from Vienna Beef. The hot dog not only has to come close to it to get that full Chicago experience, but it has to be on a poppy seed bun. As for toppings, the traditional Chicago style is mustard, relish, onion, tomato, kosher pickles, sport peppers, and celery salt, though some go without tomatoes, kosher pickles, and celery salt.
Ketchup is not optional; it’s banned.
Another great nod to your spread at home is Maxwell’s Polish Street Sausage. I love my kielbasa charred and split and served on a french roll, but a poppy seed bun is good too. Mustard and grilled onions are all I need, but some sport peppers will do the trick.
Corned beef and sausages are a can’t miss for your home, not only because it’s such an easy meal to prepare for a party, but also because it tastes incredible.
All of the above can be found in most grocery stores, so even if you’re not in the Chicagoland area, you can enjoy the good stuff wherever you live. But if you really want to take all the work out of your doorstep, you can find all that (and more) by getting it all delivered to you from a Chicago original, Portillo’sthat ships to all 50 states.
I can’t mention Chicago-style food without failing to bring up pizza.
I know Chicago is known for its deep dish pizza, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but most of the pizza consumed in the country is tavern style. It is thin, has a crispy crust and is cut into squares. But whether you have a taste for deep dish or tavern style, plenty of local spots will get you going for your Chicago Bears home party.
If you sense a theme in my food choices, it’s that I want to keep things as easy as possible, but I’ll pass on an actual recipe that was recently shared with me that will It was a fun addition to your home portal.
Pickle wraps were mentioned in one of our recent podcasts (The Hopium Den with JB and his mom!), so I had to get the recipe.
Take some deli meat like ground beef or pastrami – but anything would work – spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the slices, add a dill pickle, roll and slice. If you want to make a fancy piercing, pierce each roll with a toothpick.
A classic Midwestern appetizer is served!
Now it’s your turn.
When you have some friends or family over for a housewarming, how do you prepare for your party?
And I’m looking for some recipes!
Presented by Coca-Cola.