Saturdays on college campuses is as good as it gets, and it typically kicks off with friends and family gathered around a tailgate enjoying delicious food. In that spirit, Indy chefs will be showcasing their talent as they present weekly tailgate tastes inspired by the location of ESPN College GameDay. Each week when the GameDay location is announced a new chef will be challenged to blend ingredients and inspiration to tempt your tastebuds. Dishes will be available on menus for the duration of the college football season so get out and get your appetite into the game.
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: Restaurants in Michigan have been serving coney dogs since as far back as 1914. Just as Iozzo's serves time-honored family recipes, it felt appropriate to pay honor to this longstanding tradition by integrating components of coney sauce into this incredible ragu served over cavatelli.
Favorite College Team: We cheer for all of our in-state teams.
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: We #LoveIndy because of the people and spirit of the city. We love to share our city with others and can not wait to have the CFB National Championship game hosted just eight blocks away from our restaurant!
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: We've combined flavors and dishes that are well-known in Ohio like Goetta and Baby Swiss cheese. (Who knew baby swiss was invented in Ohio?). Made of sausage, oats and spices, Goetta is German-inspired dish popular throughout most of Ohio, and we're making it into a hearty burger that pairs perfectly with crisp fall days of tailgating! We're topping it with brown beech mushroom sauce, baby swiss cheese, arugula and garlic dill aioli. It's served on a pretzel bun like most of our other German-inspired dishes.
Favorite College Team: We've got many Butler grads on our team!
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: We love how the community is so supportive of small businesses. It’s a welcoming, small town feel with big city amenities and opportunities.
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: When my team and I heard we had Oxford, Mississippi we instantly thought of pulled pork, whiskey, and buttermilk biscuits! At Cleo's Cafe we try to bring a twist on every dish. We put our spin on a classic, bringing you a sweet teriyaki barbeque sauce pulled chicken, toasted on buttermilk bread with Chef Oya's OG Garlic & Herb Trap Buttah, topped with a broccoli coleslaw.
Favorite College Team: Alabama Crimson Tide! Road Tide!
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: Indy is home and with the work that Flanner House and Cleo's is doing to strengthen the community around us is why we at Cleo's love Indy! #LoveThyNeighbor #ChillinAtCleos #FoodJusticeInitiative #CommunityCentered #MinorityBusinessSupport #FlannerFarms #FlannerHouse #WEAREINDY
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: You are not truly tailgating without a plate of nachos on the table. Cincinnati is known for its distinctive chili with spiced meat. Healthy Soul is paying homage to this vibrant city with a pile of homemade tortilla chips with topped with Cincinnati red chicken chili with corn and heirloom tomato salsa sizzled with a smoked Blanco cheddar sauce. Dig in, because now we’re tailgating.
Favorite College Team: Michigan Wolverines
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: The people are so welcomin and the food is amazing! The AMP food hall is home to some of the best chefs in Indianapolis.The city is the epicenter of collegiate sports and there is always something going on, from concerts to arts to music. I love this city.
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: Some things in life are polarizing and this week's Tailgate Taste is no exception. The olive burger was born in Central Michigan and is a signature dish in the region. Even amongst the locals, it is either beloved or loathed. We think you'll agree that this combination of patty, bun, and distinctive olive sauce (with optional toppings) is worth cheering for. The Severin Bar has put a unique spin on this dish by using feta to compliment the olives. You're invited to dig in and judge this Michigan classic for yourself.
Favorite College Team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: The growth of diversity in both food and culture.
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: The trip-tip steak, or Santa Maria steak, highlights what used to be one of the most underutilized cuts of beef. In Pasadena and throughout California, this cut is second to none when enjoying Latin cuisine with Spanish influences. My toast to Pasadena is this BLT on an artisan sourdough, flavored with guacamole and simple jalapeño salsa. To top off the dish, the chipotle tomatoes bring the heat and can be best quenched with one of our great craft beers or a unique red blend.
Favorite College Team: Tennessee Volunteers - Good ole rocky top, rocky top Tennessee – and home of our Peyton Manning.
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: It’s a little big city, it’s inclusive, and it feels like the heartbeat of America.
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: Charlie Daniels and his fiddle may as well be the soundtrack for this dish paying homage to the GameDay battle between the Bulldogs and the Wildcats in Athens. It starts with a southern staple: deviled eggs. We take it another level by adding another Georgia classic: pimento cheese. Top that with bacon, spices, and a tater tot before finishing with micro greens to arrive at what is sure to be a tailgate favorite.
Favorite College Team: Ellison has roots in East Lansing so we have to go with the Michigan State Spartans.
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: At Ellison we love sports. We brewed Lady Victory Lager in 2020 for the Indy Eleven and our proximity to both Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse put us in the heart of the action.
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: The state of Texas has a lot of culinary hallmarks, but two favorites have to be slow cooked beef brisket and armadillo eggs (jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese wrapped in sausage and bacon). For this dish we're smashing these two iconic dishes together into three delicious sliders and serving them with a side of Texas BBG sauce.
Favorite College Team: Downtown GM Jeff Huron is a Texas Longhorns fan but Co-Owner Bob Sort cheers for the Indiana Hoosiers.
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: No city is better at hosting sporting events, conventions, and concerts and the District Tap LOVES being in the middle of it all!
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: The recipe for fried salmon bites originated in France but become a staple of southern cooking and was sure to be featured regularly on dinner tables across the state of Georgia. These tender bites of salmon feature a delicately breaded crust and our flavor-packed house aioli for dipping.
Favorite College Team: University of Michigan Wolverines
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: I love Indy because this is where my family is from and we have a large close knit family. Our restaurant was established as a testament to being tight knit. We are very loving and filled with joy. Every dish we prepare at Maxine’s Chicken and Waffles is cooked with a “taste of love in every bite."
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: What's better than gravy? Beer cheese! I wanted to take a traditional poutine dish to a new level, tailgating style. Using tater tots for the base, we've built a delicious combo of beer cheese, sport peppers and hot dogs topped with poppy seeds. Chicago loves a good hot dog and we love a good way to enjoy beer cheese with tots and drink good beer.
Favorite College Team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: Indy is family!
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: Since 1921, the Utz “Crab Chip” – featuring crispy potatoes topped with Chesapeake Bay crab seasoning - has been a Pennsylvania staple. Geraldine’s is coupling those chips with another unmistakable product of Pennsylvania, cream cheese. Philly Cream Cheese is taken to another level on this unforgettable crowd pleaser.
Favorite College Team: IU Hoosiers
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: The developing culinary scene and availability of wonderful products.
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: This sandwich is based on an Iowa classic, the Maid-Rite sandwich. The original Maid-Rite sandwich was invented in Iowa when a local butcher steamed hamburger instead of frying it and slurried in some spices. Unlike a sloppy joe, the Maid-Rite does not use sauce, but rather spices to carry the flavor.
Favorite College Team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: Indy has been a great place to set down some roots, have a family, and be a part of a thriving culinary community.
Inspiration for Tailgate Taste: When I think of tailgating I think of BBQ lines of trailers with hamburgers, hotdogs and everything. To pay homage to the tar heel state, I developed Sweet Carolina BBQ Boomerangs. These grilled wings carry forward a uniquely Carolina vinegar zing.
Favorite College Team: My alma mater the Murray State Racers.
Why Do You #LoveIndy?: Indianapolis has been home for me since 1997 and I love all the sporting events and people that flood the city year round.
