@kojoe Truthfully I'd rather not have a TV anywhere closeby.  Kinda nice to just be with people.  I guess some people bring a TV to watch games at haltime or afterwards or pregame for late kickoffs?

@zeke4ahs not sure my paella is unique enough but it's damn good.

You all have a preference for kickoff time when tailgating?

@eppy99 3:30

We usually just bring fried chicken and potato salad, then walk around the grass lots. Sometimes we check out the band across from the stadium on Woodlawn.

@thehoosierhuddle here’s an unrelated question for you.  The weekend of the UCLA game I have a commitment I can’t get out of.  I think I can hit the road between 1:00-1:30.  I’m praying that since it’s a west coast team the kickoff won’t be until the afternoon or an evening game.  Do you recall how the west coast playing east Big 10 team kick offs were handled?  You think I should be ok?

@eppy99 There were a handful of noon games… IU played Washington at Noon, UCLA played PSU at noon. Oregon is playing at northwestern at noon.

not what you wanted to hear, I know.

@thehoosierhuddle  hmm, crap that would put a dent in my plans.  Hoping for a later kickoff.

I love tailgating and there are a lot of good ideas here. Since securing the SEZ suite, we have all the food anyone could possibly want during the game. That puts a real damper on bringing/cooking any food for tailgating. Usually means it's just drinking in the lot. I know, I know, first world problems.  

@walt542 Last year since it was our first tailgate, we had no idea the band would be marching through right near our spot.  That was pretty cool.  Really added to the atmosphere.

I picked up a single burner butane stove at JL Waters a couple of years ago and have been loving it for tailgating. I've done everything from heating up large pots of soup during games, to pan frying on a large cast iron griddle. The thing is awesome and best of all, super easy to clean up and takes up very little room (almost like moving a laptop around).  Just way easier to use than some of the larger rigs I've had in the past. Last year we took a monster pot of chili (20 quart pot maybe) to the IU beatdown of PUke in the cold.  I was wondering how it would work...literally had the cold chili to a boil in less than an hour and kept it going from 3 hours before kickoff until the end of the game. Only used 1.5 cans of butane the entire time. 

This is what I bought last year.  Love this guy.  Can make Paella and add whatever protein we like.  Chicken, seafood, etc.

https://a.co/d/41jIv23

Well where do I start.  Been doing tailgates for 30 years.  Mostly on South Bend as it's closer and my family has had season tickets since the 60's. I've done many in Bloomington as well. 

my top ones of all time :

1. deep fried turkey with all the fixings.. everyone loved it. Did it at a ND game in late November.  Injected the birds with bourbon.  

2. crawfish boil with gumbo and many sides. Red beans and rice.  Was a Cajun theme obviously 

3. crab legs and Italian beef. 

4 BBQ.  This one I had catered. Was awesome. Ribs , wings , sausages , pulled pork and brisket. All the salads to boot. 

5.  Hot days = deli bar galore.  Prosciutto to roast beef to turkey etc.  

all always have fully stocked bar .. mixers etc. never leave anything out.  Never know who will show up. 

always have plenty of bottled water for hydration. 

always have sweets.  Women love that part bowl of candy , cupcakes , cake etc. something 

always a snack.  Cheese and crackers to meatballs to shrimp cocktail to chip and dip  7 layer taco dip 

had a taco bar many times too.  That always works. 

the proverbial brats, burgers, dogs. Haven't done that in a long time.  

once did an Italian sausage , with pasta , marinara with shrimp and calamari. 

always have to have the Coleman stove and Coleman griddle grill.  Both with a minimum of 3 tables and likely 3 coolers. Depends on how many people intend to feed.  

And if little ones are coming.  Juice boxes and grilled cheeses or hot dogs. Perhaps a premade Mac and cheese. 

lots of this has to be prepped ahead.  

the Paella sounds great.  Nice idea.  Never did that one 

You've have my mouth watering that's for sure.

@hoosiers94

That’s impressive!  I need to just visit your tailgate.