What Your Tailgate Food Says About You - Iowa Edition

In Iowa, tailgating isn’t just a pre-game activity it’s basically a lifestyle. Whether it’s college football, a county fair, or just a Saturday with decent weather, we’ll find a reason to fire up the grill, crack a Busch Light, and act like it’s not too windy to keep the paper plates from flying.

And you know what they say: show me your tailgate plate, and I’ll show you your soul.

Here’s what your go-to tailgate food says about you - Iowa style.

Steak

You’re here to grill, not gossip. You didn’t come to play.

You came to cook meat over fire and talk about which bbq sauce is superior. You probably brought your own tongs and wore a Carhartt vest. Everyone else brought dip but you brought dominance. You’re slicing sirloin while everyone else fumbles with plastic forks and pasta salad.

Ranch

You’re everyone’s favorite and you know it.

Fries? Ranch. Wings? Ranch. Pizza? Ranch. Burgers? You know the drill. You’re chill, dependable, and good at making people feel at home. You’re the glue of the friend group, the type to carry an emergency cooler in your trunk just in case. If there’s ranch nearby, so are you.

Corn Dip

You’re low key the life of the party.

You don’t demand attention but your dip sure does. People hover near you like moths to a buttery, cheesy flame. You bring Midwest warmth, a good sense of humor, and probably homemade seasoning. You also casually mentioned it’s “just something I threw together” but we all know you tested it three times and added extra Rotel.

Busch Light

You don’t take yourself too seriously, and we love that for you.

You probably rolled up in a truck, popped the tailgate before you even parked, and had a cold one open before the speaker finished saying, “Welcome.” You don’t do drama. You do beer, beef sticks, and belly laughs. You’re basically the Iowa version of a golden retriever in human form.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

You’re competitive and a little unhinged.

You’ve had this recipe locked and loaded since high school. You don’t share your secrets and when people ask if it’s homemade, you just humbly nod but deep down you know you crushed it. You brought tortilla chips, crackers, and celery because you understand the assignment.

Puppy Chow

You are pure nostalgia.

You’re sweet, but not boring. Reliable, but never basic. You probably had a mom who packed your lunches just right and now you’re out here recreating those vibes for everyone else. You brought it in a gallon-sized Ziploc, didn’t measure anything, and it’s still perfect.

Scotcharoos

You ARE the Midwest.

You showed up with a pan of pure magic, cut into oversized perfect squares, and casually dropped them on the table like it was no big deal. But it is a big deal. These are the dessert equivalent of a warm hug and a “drive safe, watch for deer” text. You win. Always.

Crockpot Lil’ Smokies

You’ve been tailgating since birth.

You know the power of a good slow cooker and your sauce recipe has been passed down like a family secret. You brought toothpicks, backup napkins, and folding chairs. You’re a legend and you don’t need Instagram to prove it. (You probably don’t even know what Instagram is)

Pickle Wraps

You’re bold, briny, and pure Midwest.

You rolled these up like a champ, brought way too many and somehow they’re gone in 10 minutes. You’re cool under pressure, no-nonsense, and you know damn well you are everyone’s favorite. People act like they don’t like them, but they still eat six (+)

In Iowa, we don’t need fancy menus or trendy apps to make a tailgate memorable. Just give us some meat, a little ranch, a pan of scotcharoos, and a cooler full of Busch Light, and we’ll call it heaven. So, who’s bringing what to the tailgate this season? (DM me if it’s pickle wraps)