Photos: Chris Emeott
One local man launches a line of tailgate-inspired seasoning blends to enhance any pregame party.
Ben Theis describes himself as a diehard Minnesota Vikings fan—and that includes every element of Game Day, from watching the action at U.S. Bank Stadium to enjoying the tailgating festivities with his family and friends. Theis, who lives in Plymouth, says, “The reason I love football so much is because of my dad. Going tailgating with him and having those traditions—celebrating the wins and processing the losses—we’re still able to have that together today.” Those “game before the game” memories of gathering around a grill or a minivan tailgate are at the heart of football season for many Americans. “It’s a great time to come together and share food, share drinks and share the optimism we have for the game,” Theis says.
After many years spent perfecting their own tailgating activities and recipes, Theis and a few friends brainstormed something new: Could there be a market for spice blends designed for tailgate food? The answer was yes. Theis and two business partners launched Tailgate Spices almost four years ago in Plymouth, focusing on a core group of gourmet cooking blends they developed in their home kitchens. The blends complement classic tailgate dishes like chicken wings, steaks and burgers and are mixed and bottled by a local copacker, Theis says.
The punny spice blend names—like Intentional Grounded Beef and Kale Mary—were originally inspired by a tailgate fumble. “One of my friends tossed someone else a chicken wing, and he dropped it,” Theis says with a laugh. “Someone else joked that it was a ‘personal fowl.’”
Tailgate Spices seasoning blends pay homage to their tailgating roots with double entendre names like Red Zone, Personal Fowl, Intentional Grounded, Get Blitzed and Pigskin.
Theis and his partners wanted to create spices that were not only flavorful but that had recognizable ingredients. “A lot of spices have fillers in them and extra glucose,” Theis says. “All of our formulas are gluten-free and with no MSG. Most of our flavors also have no sugar.” The spices have launched successfully into the foodie scene—and they’re available online and at more than 60 retail stores locally.
Tailgate Spices arrived on the scene at the same time as a cultural high point for tailgating, when technology and inspiration from social media are making pregame gatherings bigger and bolder. Gone are the days of cans of beer and a few hot dogs on a portable grill; 21st-century tailgaters bring elaborate setups to their parking lots of choice, hauling expensive smokers, from-scratch Bloody Mary ingredients and even hookups for big-screen TVs.
“Tailgating is much more extravagant than it used to be,” Theis says. “My friends and I will even create themes for our menus based on who the Vikings are playing. If it’s a ‘bird’ team, we’re having chicken wings. If we’re facing the [Chicago] Bears, we’ll sometimes actually bring in bear meat. If we play Philly, we’re having Philly cheesesteaks.”
Theis notes that, for some fans, the tailgate is even more fun (and often more affordable) than the game itself. “It really enhances the experience for some people,” he says. “It’s morphed into its own thing.”
For a stellar tailgate, Theis recommends having enough of the essentials: drinks, food and games. In Minneapolis, he and his crew tailgate near U.S. Bank Stadium, but he says nearby venues like The Corner Bar and Crooked Pint Ale House offer great Game Day experiences, too.
Planning your own Sunday night football gathering, or looking for a dish to bring to your own tailgating event? Theis shares a few of his own go-to recipes.
Tailgate Spices
Facebook: Tailgate Spices
Instagram: @tailgatespices
