Local Chefs Share Their Favorite Tailgate Foods — From Wings to Vinegar BBQ
We asked local chefs their favorite tailgating dish
Tailgating season isn’t just about football — it’s about food. And who better to weigh in than the Lowcountry’s top culinary pros? We asked local chefs from Hilton Head and Bluffton what they crave on game day. Their answers? Bold, simple, and full of Southern flavor. From vinegar-based barbecue to crispy chicken wings and no-fuss hot dogs, these chef-approved picks prove that great tailgate food doesn’t have to be complicated — just delicious.
Hudson’s Seafood on the Docks
“I haven’t tailgated in a long time, but I love a good chicken wing. I like a dry rub or honey barbecue kind of wing.”
– Andrew Carmines
Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe:
“Barbecue. North Carolina, vinegar-based barbecue because that’s what we used to tailgate with at NC State.”
– Leslie Stewart
The Sea Pines Resort
“North Carolina barbecue — Eastern style. Second to none.”
– Chef Benjamin Harris
Hampton Hall Club
“I like hot dogs for tailgating because it’s something simple where you don’t need a lot of extra stuff to make it good. Just some simple hot dogs, ketchup and mustard are all you need.”
– Chef John Huffenberger
Holy Tequila
“My favorite tailgating dish is barbecue because it’s ‘America.’”
– Chef Michael Beeler
