There are many things to love about living in Gainesville…beautiful weather, lots of green space, friendly people, and small town living. But, when the kids head back to school and fall is upon us, we find ourselves in the midst of another great tradition – football! Football in the South is a religion and Gainesville tailgates are some of the best around. Whether it’s tailgating near campus or hosting a gathering at your home, everyone enjoys a great gathering with family and friends. For someone who is looking to elevate their level of tailgating, Haile Kitchen & Bath has some great options.
Excellent food is a must at any tailgate or gathering. In fact, it might be our favorite thing about tailgating. Having great food offerings and libations will keep everyone’s spirits up, even when the “bad guys” come away with the victory. Items like Bourbon Molasses BBQ Sauce, Maple Bacon Aioli, Dragon’s Breath Rub, and Bourbon Smoked Garlic Salt are delicious additions to your burgers or steaks. Looking for some tempting side dishes? Why not serve some Spicy Corn Relish, Garlic Pepper Jelly, or Mango Lime Salsa to go with your chips and crackers.
Not sure what to cook. Cookbooks like “Bourbon & Bacon, Pure Pork Awesomeness,” and “Party-Perfect Bites” are sure to give you some new ideas. Our “Mac + Cheese” book offers some great variations to this traditional side.
When tailgating starts early, brunch options are a must. We have all the fixings for a great Bloody Mary bar. Start with Whodini Bloody Mary Potion as your base. Add your favorite tomato juice and sample our lines of Dilly Beans, Pickled Garlic with Jalapeno, and Pickled Okra. Really spice it up with Ghost Pepper Sea Salt, Hot Steve Salt Mix, or D’Evereux Fantome Pepper Sauce. Did I mention that the potion is a great marinade as well? If tomato juice is not your thing, try some of our flavored simple syrups. Ginger Rosemary, Peach Basil Nectar, or Strawberry Rhubarb will make a nice addition to anything from seltzer water to vodka. Drop in a bourbon cherry for the finishing touch.
Football Saturdays in Gainesville are notoriously hot! However, with the right beverage container, you never have to worry about serving our guests warm drinks. Our S’well thermos bottles keep drinks cold for 24 hours and do it with style. This is definitely not your mother’s thermos. These come in vibrant colors, hand painted designs and you can even write on them. That means, no one will mistakenly end up with your drink.
Along the lines of keeping cool, a standard cooler just won’t do. One option is to keep your beverages cool in a rolling cooler that looks like a piece of art! Our coolers are replicas of old vehicles and hold a large number of items. All these works of art are mainly composed of 44 gallon oil drums, so they are a recycled product as well. Gainesville is all about being green and these coolers do their part.
Another festive option is a Gator bucket with matching accessories. There are matching ice scoops and bottle openers, plus various size containers to hold anything for your event. These items are not only functional, but also show your Gator spirit.
Speaking of team spirit, no tailgate is complete without the perfect decorations. Line your walls, tent, and tables with Gator signs, vintage coasters, pennants, plus a football field table runner. The UF game day ticket placemats and pennants are not only festive, but practical as well. Since they are food safe, it makes for easy clean up at the end of a long, hard day of tailgating.
Let’s hear it for fall, football, friends, and fantastic tailgates! No matter what team you root for, let Haile Kitchen & Bath help you tailgate in style. Go Gators!
Whether you’re looking to build, remodel, accessorize or just pick up a unique gift, visit Haile Kitchen & Bath at 2725 SW 91st St., Suite 150, Gainesville, Florida, in the Haile Market Shopping Center. Showroom Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 6:00 Saturday: 10:00 – 4:00. www.hailekitchen.com. (352) 745-3456.