Dawg Tailgate

09/12/2025

A tribute to the Dog.
We love Smokey, and so this menu is inspired by a cute dog with great ears: We are smoking everything!!
EXCEPT the amazing cookies at the end.
Those are 100% in honor of our Best Vols Friend Karen Lampley who never fails to bring the sunshine - often in the form of the best Lemon Cookies from Knoxville’s Ham’n Goodys. When I saw this recipe this summer, I knew it would be as close as I could get without a trip to Knoxville or a visit from Karen.
My Tennessee Game Day Tailgate will never be without them!
(I can put the recipe in the comments but you have to have Karen in your life for the full effect!)

09/07/2025

Game day highlights!
It was so fun to cheer the Dawgs with the Lehmans. And while the rain delay was no good, it was great to catch the US Open women’s championship 🎾🎾🎾.
On vacation, I spotted the best representation of my favorite island in SSI Lifestyle. These are my new tailgate staples!

09/03/2025

A few years ago, my friends moved just far enough away to make day trips for UGA home games not-so-fun. When they weren't going to make the drive, we often bought their tickets in the South end zone close to the Redcoat Marching Band and the most spirited student section. Those were magical Saturdays with my growing Dawg Fans. Tailgates with friends. Never missing the Dawg Walk. Stopping to pet Uga on the way out of the stadium after the game.
Fast forward and my family also moved just out of day trip driving range - to the same town as those wonderful friends and former season ticket holders. All of the tickets they shared - and then our piggy back moves to Chattanooga - are the true source Dawg Tailgate. I began planning these menus for my family in the Fall of 2015 to bring game day fun to my family of UGA ex pats. No Athens road trip this Saturday — just ESPN+, these beloved friends, and a whole lot of love for Chattanooga, Macon, and the Game that brings us home. Go Dawgs! 🐾

08/25/2025

Planning a season of Tailgate Menus from the Spiritual Home of the Bulldog Nation.
I can’t think of anywhere better.

Stay tuned for the stuffed pepper recipe.

08/25/2025

Here we go!
What game has your attention???

05/24/2025

Tailgate season planning is underway.
If you want to play along with dog tailgate this season, get yourself to Trader Joe’s and grab this barbecue rub with coffee and garlic.
I’m pretty sure I bought the chutney last fall and I’m probably going to spend some time figuring out how to re-create it over the summer.
So far… These are standout ingredients that I expect to play a starring role in the Tennessee game !

09/07/2024

Here’s what’s up for game time! Check out the recipe for Cheese Slaw in the comments!

08/26/2024

This Dawg just married one of the Fighting Irish so we are planning TWO tailgates this week. For all who will enjoy ESPN Game Day’s Game of the Week, here’s an Irish-Tex mash up menu.

08/25/2024

Recipe Links are up on the Blog!
What are you cooking?

Since I’m not headed back to school this month and I’m not sending someone off to school this month, I sure am glad there is Football to let me know Fall really is here and newness is on the horizo…

08/24/2024

It’s TIME! And we don’t even have to wait for a prime time game in Week 1. This week’s menu is a celebration of Southern favorites - brunch style!

08/04/2024

Opening Day… We can almost see it from here!

09/23/2023

The Hame Day Cookie is on clearance?