We’ve Got What You Need To Be a Top Sports Fan Foodie

If you are a Detroit sports fan, then you know there is no better time to tailgate than right now! While last football season may have been a banner year for our Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Lions, this year is even more exciting! The Detroit Tigers  did us proud in the playoffs, creating a reason to celebrate with some serious tailgating.Whether you are tailgating in downtown Detroit or rooting for your favorite college sports team (Go Green, Go Blue!), Nino's has all of your tailgating needs to make any sports fan foodie come back every weekend. 

Here’s a list of our top tailgating food and drink picks for this 2024 fall sports season to make your tailgate the winner! 

FOOD PICKS

Northern Smoke

Northern Smoke is Nino’s Authentic barbecue. From tender char-grilled baby back pork ribs smothered with our Northern Smoke Sweet & Tangy Barbecue Sauce to Pulled Pork Sandwiches, you can't go wrong at your tailgate with these meaty options. 

If making your own pulled pork sounds daunting before game day, try our Pulled BBQ Pork Platter. This platter includes 4 pounds of Nino’s homemade slow braised Pulled Barbecue Pork, 16 buns and your choice of either potato salad, macaroni salad or coleslaw. Great for casual meals, backyard picnics or tailgating, we also provide our microwaveable service bowl so this tasty platter can be served hot or cold.

Our Northern Smoke collection of products makes for an easy hearty option.

Steak & Egg Breakfast Burritos

Tailgating often starts early in the morning and why not surprise your guests with Steak & Egg Breakfast Burritos. Choose your favorite cut of beef from Nino’s Butcher Shop to get started. When you’ve made your decisions and you’re ready to buy those tasty cuts, Nino’s Butcher Shop’s meat cutters are standing by to help you pick out just the right steaks and even to hand-cut a whole NY Strip or Tenderloin just the way your fans want it. We also offer a wide variety of tortillas at Nino’s to provide the perfect wrap for your breakfast burrito of choice. 

Need a tasty drink to help wake you up for that noon weekend kickoff? Pair this breakfast favorite with our Nino’s Tailgate Bloody Mary Recipe or a Classic Mimosa, as featured on Allrecipes.com

Sandwich Station

Whether you want to offer your guests a DIY sandwich bar with our extensive selection of meats and cheeses from Nino’s Deli and Artisan bread from Nino’s Bakery or save time by ordering from our Catering Department, we are on your team. Our catering department scores a touchdown every time with our Nino’s Sandwich Trays & Deli Platters.

Here are some options for Nino’s Sandwich Trays, ready to go, and ready to order!

Mini Italian Subs: Our fresh baked Italian sub buns are filled with a mouth-watering selection of Italian meats and cheeses including: mortadella, capicola, salami, imported ham and provolone cheese. Crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, red onions (pepperoncini, olives and Italian dressing on the side) finish this colorful and tasty sandwich tray favorite.

Croissant Sandwich Trays: An assortment of meat and cheese filled mini butter croissants that will both please and delight your hungry crowd. Roast beef & muenster cheese, ham & American cheese, and turkey & Swiss cheese croissants (mayonnaise & mustard provided) surround your choice of either potato salad, macaroni salad, or cole slaw.

Our sandwich trays are convenient and tasty.

Serving Vegetarians? We also offer a Vegetarian Croissant Sandwich Tray.

This tray features seasonal roasted vegetables with black bean hummus, tofu Caesar, and grilled eggplant with feta cheese.

Salad Sandwich Trays: Our fresh baked Luv-Em soft rolls filled with your choice of Chicken, Ham, Tuna or Egg Salads, or a combination of all 4, finished with ripe tomato and leaf lettuce. Each tray comes with your choice of either potato salad, macaroni salad or coleslaw.

Our Signature Deli Platter “The Party Plus” A very generous portion of sliced deli meats, cheeses and fresh baked breads are just the beginning of our deluxe Party-Plus Platter! Mix and match your choice of four meats (choose from: roast beef, corned beef, imported ham, hard salami, turkey) and two cheeses (choose from: American, Swiss, colby, provolone, muenster) plus your choice of either potato salad, macaroni salad or cole slaw. A relish tray of olives, peppers, pickles and tomatoes completes this delicious party picture.

Sweet Endings For The Win

No tailgate is complete without a sweet win at the end. That is why we love to finish off our tailgate menu with dessert that satisfies any sweet tooth. Brownies, cookies and even caramel apples make for a great option this fall to bring to your tailgate. 

Any connoisseur of sweets will love our Nino’s Cookie & Brownie Tray. This 10 flavor assortment of our most popular cookie and brownie flavors makes for the perfect choice for picnics, tailgating and casual parties of all kinds. Our tray has 68 pieces and serves 30-35 people. 

Looking for a healthier option for dessert? Nino’s Fruit Trays are simply the best in town. 

Select from a variety of Nino’s Fruit Trays to make any fan happy, especially those looking for an all natural sweet treat, at any time of day. 

Our Signature Fresh Fruit Platter: Every occasion is ripe for this delectable selection of fresh, in-season fruit served in a tantalizing arrangement. Bite-sized pieces are accented with strawberry fluff dip for a truly refreshing taste sensation.

Fresh Fruit Kabobs: Perfect for casual entertaining, picnics and informal gatherings, this colorful platter of kabobs tastes as good as it looks! The Fruit Kabobs also come complete with our strawberry fluff dip.

DRINK PICKS

Michigan Beers

From the hops to the wheat, from the brewers to the bloggers, the beer industry is employing more and more Michiganders every day. What’s more, our state is making waves in the beer community worldwide. If you go to Ratebeer.com, you will see that not only does Michigan hold the #2 and #3 spot for the best breweries in the world–Bell’s and Founders respectively, but the very local Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. also rounds out the top ten! Nino’s carries a variety of Michigan Beers including Founder’s, Shorts and Old Nation Brewing. Support your Michigan teams by celebrating with Michigan beer at your next tailgate party. 

Get In the Lions Spirit

If you want to get in the football spirit with a Detroit Lions-themed spirit, stop by Nino’s and grab a bottle of Limited Edition Grit City Premium American Vodka and Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It's something they've released with craft distillery, BOTLD. To learn more, check out the recent Detroit Free Press write up HERE. You can also enjoy a smooth Lions-themed offering from Crown Royal, providing another great option to keep you warm!

Regardless of which team you are rooting for, we are on yours! Our goal is to make your sports experience robust with incredible friends, family, and food. At Nino’s, we are here to assist with all of your tailgating needs whether you’re creating your dream tailgate menu yourself or want input from our Chefs. If you are interested in learning more about how Nino’s Catering Department can help you for all your tailgate catering needs, contact the Catering Planner at your preferred Nino’s location.