The best college football tailgate foods from around the country

Chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, potato chips, and all our favorite fried foods and snacks are staples for watching college football. The fall season is all about comfort food that gets us through the shorter and colder days, and when it comes to cheering on our favorite teams, sharing delicious food with friends and family amplifies game-day excitement during the wild tailgates and festivities!

With food norms and customs varying by region, exploring different tailgate cuisines is another fun way to get into the football spirit. Whether you're spending this football season in your hometown or find yourself in rival territory, be sure to sample these top tailgate foods!

1. Texas barbecue: We can’t mention barbecue without Texas, and because of the Lone Star State's massive size, Texas barbecue rightfully takes the spotlight for the country's best tailgate foods. From baby back ribs, fried funnel cakes, and corn dogs to various Tex-Mex combinations, attending a tailgate at any of the state’s colleges, like Texas A&M, will almost make you forget the score with the aroma of some of the country’s best grilling.
2. Louisiana Cajun: Louisiana is famous for its Cajun gastronomy, and at Louisiana State University, you can find RVs loaded with jambalaya, gumbo, and the obligatory spicy chicken, shrimp, and seafood, requiring football fans to hydrate just as much as the players before the big game!
3. Philadelphia cheesesteak: The iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich is a must-have at any campus in Pennsylvania. Whether you’re cheering on Penn State or UPenn, the savory bites of a large, greasy sandwich will get you through pre- and post-game excitement, especially after those long after-parties.
4. Wisconsin cheese (everything): Producing the most cheese in the United States, it’s no surprise to find the University of Wisconsin's favorite tailgate food drenched in all sorts of gooey, delicious cheeses. Enjoy cheese soup, cheese curds, cheese sticks, and even the state's famous macaroni and cheese pizza! All these cheesy delicacies pair perfectly with a few bratwurst sausages.
5. Illinois hot dogs: While Chicago is praised for having the best hot dogs in the country, you don’t have to be in the city to enjoy a few tasty footlongs. This is especially true for fans strolling the University of Illinois’s many food trucks scattered on First Street before the game, where you’ll find the state’s best hot dogs and other foods like pizza and ice cream that make up the typical college student diet.
6. Idaho finger steaks: Tired of chicken fingers? Try the quirky Idaho creation, finger steaks, which mimic chicken fingers but are made entirely of beef. Dipped in cocktail sauce, this finger food is a must-have when tailgating a Boise State game.
7. Iowa sweet corn: The fertile fields of Iowa produce one of the state's favorite snacks: street corn. Delicious, healthy, and easy to hold, you can spot many fans with a bouquet of sweet corn during late summer and early autumn Iowa State football games.
8. Michigan pastries: These Cornish meat pies have roots from immigrant copper miners and are a University of Michigan fan favorite for their warm dough, savory meat, heavy potatoes, and onions—a hearty snack to warm you up during the cold Michigan nights.
9. Florida Cuban sandwich: Latino culture in Florida heavily influences the state’s delicious cuisine, and it wouldn’t be a tailgate at Florida State University without a few meaty Cuban sandwiches. Made of heated ham and roast pork topped with cheese and pickles between two robust pieces of Cuban bread, these snacks are readily available and a requirement for football viewing.
10. California sushi rolls: Crunchy, compact, and easy to bring to many of the Golden State’s best football festivities like USC, UCLA, Stanford, and Cal, Asian-infused cuisine is a California staple, and Californians take tailgating food culture to the next level with a few delicious sushi rolls, from tiger to spicy tuna.
11. Washington fish and chips: The natural waters of Washington create a thriving fishing industry, and the iconic fish and chips platter borrowed from the United Kingdom, composed of fried fish and French fries, pairs perfectly with a University of Washington game.
12. Oregon marionberry pie: A sweet treat goes well with a few touchdowns and penalty shots, and Oregon’s famous marionberry pie, made with locally grown Chehalem and Olallie blackberries, is a blast at Oregon and Oregon State tailgates and potlucks.
13. New York pizza: The country unites over its shared adoration of the cheesy, greasy sensations of freshly baked pizza, and college football parties wouldn't be the same without a pie or two. New York is known for its pizza, and Syracuse fans may even use it as fuel to take out their rivals.
14. Arizona chimichangas: The southwest dessert is known for its many takes on traditional and modern Mexican dishes and cuisines, however, the state's favorite post-party snack would have to be the chimichanga. A deep-fried burrito, originating from Tuscon, is what you will see in the mouths of tailgaters across Arizona and ASU campuses during football season.
15. Georgia sweet tea: While it’s not a food, this unique combination of tea and lemonade, rightfully called “sweet tea," blissfully washes down the state’s many fried foods and is the go-to beverage before, during, and after a game in Georgia.
16. Alabama fried green tomatoes: Anything fried is a suitable tailgate snack, but Alabama gets creative with its state creation of fried green tomatoes. As the name suggests, these battered slices of green tomatoes are fast to grab in between the touchdowns of Auburn and the University of Alabama, which could perhaps distract from this intense rivalry!
17. Utah fry sauce: Ketchup and mayonnaise are the two main ingredients that create fry sauce, an invention credited to a Salt Lake City chef whose saucy blend spread across fairs and restaurants in the state. Like any tailgate, you will definitely find french fries, but if you catch yourself at a University of Utah game, you'll find different variations of the sauce to pair with your snack.
18. Missouri ice cream cone: We all scream for ice cream, but did you know the original ice cream cone made its debut at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904? December may be a bit cold for back-to-back ice cream cones, but the tailgates and stadiums of the University of Missouri in early autumn set a pleasant backdrop for America’s favorite frozen treat.
19. Mississippi boiled peanuts: Boiled peanuts, cooked while still green upon harvesting, are plentiful in the South and are spotted roadside, at fairs, and especially at tailgate parties. Easy to make and tidy to eat, boiled peanuts are a wonderful addition to University of Mississippi game-day cuisine.
20. Kansas Z-Man burger: Picture your typical burger consisting of beef and cheese, but topped with golden onion rings and smoked brisket, and painted colorfully with barbecue sauce. This burger can be found at any University of Kansas tailgate.
21. Ohio Polish boy: Eastern European immigrants brought several dishes that have become staples of Ohio cuisine, like the coleslaw-covered kielbasa sausage topped with barbecue sauce—a tasty upgrade from your typical hot dog. Available everywhere in Ohio, a Polish boy and some fries hit different when cheering on an Ohio State game.
22. Oklahoma fried onion burger: Another state-specialty burger topping the tailgate food list, these burgers are drenched in caramelized onions, a practice believed to originate during the Great Depression era to spread out meals during the meat shortage; however, today, they are anything but depressing when added to University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State football watch parties.
23. Tennessee fried pickles: As evident by the number of friend dishes available in the South, anything fried is suitable for a tailgate, and a favorite for fans of the University of Tennessee and the University of Memphis who love chowing down on a few pieces of fried pickles.
24. Nebraska reuben sandwich: Legend has it this popular American sandwich originates in Omaha from a Lithuanian-Jewish grocer who requested a corned beef and sauerkraut sandwich during a poker game in the 1920s. The chef topped the sandwich with Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing, all sitting between two pieces of rye bread. Regardless of its true origin, the Reuben is the sandwich of choice in Nebraska, and you can find them at any University of Nebraska tailgate.
25. Colorado rocky mountain oysters: These are a controversial but tasty snack popular at festivals. They aren’t actually oysters but instead deep-fried bull testicles, and they’re a must-try for adventurous eaters. While it may be unheard of in other states, no one will bat an eye if you happen to try a few at the many University of Colorado gameday celebrations.

If your plate is looking a little empty at the next tailgate, fill it up with some of these local treats. Not only will it be delicious, but it’ll give you that extra hype you need to cheer on your favorite team on their home field!