Intercept Tailgating Wisdom for your SEC Championship Playbook

Digest Mandy’s Tailgating Wisdom on Sumptuous Living, and you’ll be voted MVP of your SEC Championship fan league. “Top 10 Game Day Recipes” scores extra points in the munchy, meaty mouthful zones, and coach Mandy points out sideline secrets such as “Tin foil is your best friend when packing a tailgate. Don't forget paper towels or baby wipes -- especially when chicken wings are involved!”

Field a Hall of Fame-Worthy Football Feast with Atlanta Restaurants on Your Team

Football season is here, and football parties rack up the first down on any game day. Atlanta restaurants are key players, taking the field with everything you need to host the perfect tailgate or home-front pigskin party.

For antipasti and panini platters and primi, secondi and dolci courses, Bellina Alimentari at Ponce City Market will definitely score points with discerning guests. Place orders at least 48 hours in advance; allow 72-hour notice for parties of 30 or more. For information and ordering, call 404-330-9933.
                                                          
Go for the gusto of the gourmet meat and cheese sandwich platter Ray’s in the City builds with domestic house-cut deli meats and artisanal cheeses, house-made pickles, vine-ripened tomatoes, Bibb lettuce and assorted breads. Two side displays (choose from whole fruit, artisan field greens salad, red bliss potato salad, Southern-style macaroni salad and house-made kettle chips) and one dessert display (graham cracker lemon squares, house-baked cookies, a seasonal fruit platter or chocolate fudge brownies) are included. Serves 12 for $80; $6.75 per additional person. To order, call 404-524-9224.
 
Smokebelly BBQ, Atlanta’s top destination for chef-crafted barbecue, offers three mouthwatering catering options complete with barbecue sauce and buns:  “The Baron of BBQ” ($14 per person) with pulled pork and two sides of your choosing; “The Duke of Smoke” ($17 per person) with choice of two meats and three sides; and “The King of ‘Cue” ($19 per person) with choice of three meats and three sides. To place an order, call 404-848-9100.

Yell a cheer and spell out your favorite team with custom letter-shaped doughnuts (select flavors only) from Sublime Doughnuts. Requires 24-hour advance notice; 404-897-1801.

Georgia pigskin calls for Southern-style barbecue from Kevin Gillespie. Terminus City is serving up an unbelievable whole hog barbecue cooked on-site by chef Andreas Müller with four sides, dessert and paper products. Requires a two-week lead time. Visit the Facebook page for more information, and place orders by emailing terminuscity@gunshowatl.com or calling 404-380-1886.

Let Tin Lizzy's Cantina turn your big-game bash into a spicy FlexMex fiesta with the stacked taco bar, which includes two soft flour tortillas per person, choice of grilled chicken, grilled steak or seasoned pork, and lettuce, rice, black beans, pico de gallo, jack cheese, grilled onions and peppers, sauce, guacamole, chips and salsa fresca for $11 per person. You also can’t go wrong with the ever-popular chicken finger platter ($4 per person), cantina salads, margarita mix (sorry, tequila not included) and other fiesta faves. Deliveries require a $100 minimum order; delivery fee applies outside 10-mile radius. Prices exclude taxes and gratuity, and 24-hour notice is appreciated. For more information, email catering@tinlizzyscantina.com or call 404-668-8757.

Sack those stale chips and dull dips and send in crowd-pleasing catering all-stars from Willy's Mexicana Grill: Willy’s build-your-own taco, fajita or nacho bars, cheese dip, guacamole, salsa, chips, burritos and more. Ten-person minimum on catering orders. Read the whole roster of Tex-Mex flavors on the menu at willys.com/catering-menu. Order online or call 404-422-7107.

Falcons vs. Saints Tailgate Party and Backyard Games on December 21

Hold up on the reindeer games. At Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland, a tailgate party, Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints football viewing and backyard games will be going strong on Sunday, December 21 beginning at 1 p.m. Hoisting Goose Island beer at the pre-game tailgate and during the game keeps your throwing arm limber for the cornhole, ring toss and KanJam competitions that kick off in the tavern's backyard when gridiron action ends. Winning teams take home an official Falcons smoker, a Bud Light cooler and a KanJam set. No cover or fee to play games.

Atlanta Restaurants Run Long with Viewing and Tailgate Party Catering Ideas

Touchdown! It’s finally fall in the South. And you know what that means - football season is upon us! Our Atlanta Falcons kick off their season against the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 7.

Cheer on your team at the tailgate party at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland and get the best views on their new 120-inch big screen in the family friendly dining room. Specials off of the Big Green Egg and Goose Island brews will have you feeling like you’re tailgating at the Dome. Join in on the raffle benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and stick around after the game for a Cornhole ATL tournament.

Partying at your place with friends for the game? Bantam + Biddy's farm-to-table mains and sides would be the perfect addition to your party.Pizza is always an option! Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs is offering a sweet to-go deal: Purchase four large pizzas with one or more toppings and receive one complimentary pizza with one topping.

Change up your typical tailgate and order catering from RA Sushi.  Their to-go sushi platters including maki maki with spicy yellow tail, Philadelphia and California rolls will be sure to be a crowd pleaser. Down-home cuisine from Terminus City will make your viewing party a hit. Menu items include whole-hog barbecue, fried okra, Brunswick stew and slaw. Make this order in advance! Visit their Facebook page or call 404-380-1886 for more information.