The Old Way

Thanks to millions of dollars spent annually on ads selling cheap beer, tube-shaped BBQ meat and charcoal, we get the message that the corporate machine wants to shove down our throats (literally) — tailgating is the time to buy their wares, in bulk, and lather, rinse, repeat until their taste (or lack thereof) is washed away in a sea of suds.

But why endure that macabre scene if you don’t have to? That’s the question the Patina Group (Patina, Cafe Pinot, Nick & Stef’s) is asking (and resoundingly answering) with their pregame Tailgating Block Party, before every USC home game this season.

Each week there’s a different theme for the meal — from gourmet breakfast burritos before San Jose State’s mid-day start to burgers, sausage, hot cakes, tacos — they are getting it done and putting the Hillshire Farms sausages, Johnsonville brats, and Ball Park franks to shame. Just take a look at this spread:

The New Way

Oh, and did I mention the flatscreen TVs? They’ll just be blasting pregame action and other games, and when the game inside kicks off, you can stay and eat and drink and watch it from the comfort of the tent (not a bad option if your friends all scored tickets and you didn’t).

As for pricing — Patina will hook you up with a discount if you buy for all six games ($35/game) or three games ($40/game); the price jumps up a little bit if you just buy for a single game ($45) — but that’s still a great deal for gourmet food, all-you-can-drink libations, and a spot to watch some pregame coverage, or catch the last few minutes of the morning’s best game.

For more information, visit the Patina Group’s Tailgating Block Party site or click here to contact a Patina representative and order your golden ticket today.