Join the Club

05/08

The first rule of tailgating is that as your tailgate grows, so does your grocery bill. Even if you throw a "pot luck" style 'gate, you'll find yourself inevitably bringing more (and therefore spending more) as word gets around that your crew's got a kickin' party.

So, if you broke down in tears at the sight of your total the last time you went through the checkout counter, we've got one thing to say to you – Join the Club!

Store Loyalty/Club Cards

While the little plastic "club cards" many grocery chains now offer can be the subject of heated debate about customer privacy and actual savings, our experience is that if you really shop with the cards you can actually save 15-20% on your bill. That means reading the weekly ads when you're planning your tailgate menu. If you've got cards for all your local stores then you can find which one's got the best deal on ribs this week, and shop there. We often pick up our whole chickens for .60/pound using our club cards, and that means we can cook up a whole case of beer can chickens! Then, once you're in the store, forget about brand loyalty. Look for the tags on the shelves and pick up more savings. Sometimes you'll discover a new favorite you might not have tried otherwise. Also, take advantage of the "stock up" sales they often run on the club cards, where you can get bigger discounts or even earn free stuff when you buy multiple items. Eventually, you know you'll use the three bottles of barbeque sauce, and over the long term you'll save money. Sure, big brother might be tracking what you buy, but let them try to figure out how you go through all that pork and whiskey and still have a functioning liver and open arteries!

Membership Warehouses

It might not seem like it when you look at the bottom line of a foot- long receipt, but you really can cut costs by getting a membership to places like Sam's Club or Costco. Think bulk items, like plates and napkins. Buy them at the start of the season, and don’t worry about it again (or at least until you run out!) Plus, you can't beat Costco's butcher shop for deals on meat. Not only do they have the larger cuts you need to feed a crowd, but they've got quantity packs of burgers, dogs, and brats when you want to go fast and easy.

SShhhh! Best Kept Secret of the Tailgate Pros

Dallas Cowboys tailgate guru Bart Beaudry turned us on to this trick, and we've been addicted ever since. Restaurant Depot (or similarly Jetro) is a wholesale supplier for the food industry. While typically they are only open to food service businesses (able to provide a valid license) they will grant membership cards to non- profit organizations as well. If you've got one of these gems nearby, it may be worth the trouble to organize your tailgate crew officially into a non-profit (it doesn’t mean that you're a charity, or obligated to do fundraising or anything like that.) You can get incredible buys on paper products, cooking equipment, and vast quantities of food. Typically, the pork butts we buy there come in 40 pound packs, but the quality is great, and the price is even better. Restaurant Depot also carries a lot of "portion controlled" products, which might cost a little more per unit, but save you money in the long run because it's easier to purchase and serve the proper quantities. This is restaurant grade meat at unbelievable prices. And don't even get me started on the fresh seafood!

Try these Hot Tips, and see for yourself. When you save bundles, you can invite us out to your tailgate party to celebrate!