Correction: This article has been updated to correct the date of the Arkansas vs. LSU matchup.
It’s a well-established phenomenon that seasoned LSU tailgaters coordinate home game menus like sorority girls choose outfits—with lots of thought and serious precision.
What to cook is influenced by a variety of game-day factors, from the opposing team’s mascot and geography to the weather and expected crowd size.
This year’s at-home face-offs against Arkansas and Florida mean there’ll be plenty of whole hog and alligator on offer. But between those obvious eat-the-opponent guardrails, lots of creativity will ensue. Here’s a look at what you might see.
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Sept. 8
Grambling Tigers
High temperatures; two in-state, tiger-repped teams
All-Louisiana menus led by jambalaya and red beans and rice
Sept. 23
Arkansas Razorbacks
Wooo, pig, sooie!
Pork-centric, from whole hog to cracklins
Oct. 14
Auburn Tigers
Large crowd sizes; likely a day game
Think volume—easy dishes like chicken wings and pulled pork
Oct. 21
Army Mules
Feel the patriotism.
All-American hot dogs and hamburgers, flag cakes
Nov. 11
Florida Gators
A team Tiger fans love to beat, with a mascot that brings Louisianians joy to eat.
Grilled gator, gator sauce piquant, fried gator bites
Nov. 18
Georgia State Panthers
Smaller crowd sizes mean niche menus with limited-supply ingredients.
Duck sauce piquant, venison chili
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Nov. 25
Texas A&M Aggies
Thanksgiving weekend; Lone Star culture
Beef brisket, chili or fried turkeys and Thanksgiving sides
This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue of 225 magazine.