8 tailgate spreads worth copying this Sunday

On home game Sundays, Panthers fans start filling the lots on Mint Street as early as 8 or 9 a.m. By 11, the parties are in full swing with music blasting, fans high-fiving and tons of food adorning card tables. And we’re not just talking your standard, run of the mill cook-out fare or fried chicken takeout (although a perfectly grilled hot dog or a Big Bo Box of crispy chicken and all the fixin’s are excellent football go-tos).

Go @panthers! Never too early to get the tailgate going…

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These eight tailgate spreads will have you pumped up (and mouth watering) for Sunday’s game.

Alan Wallwork

Alan has been a Panthers season ticket holder since day one, and has never missed a home game. He also makes some mean shrimp ‘n grits that are practically famous.

Favorite Player: Wesley Walls
The Spread: Bacon wrapped crackers, beer cheese soup, Bloody Marys, and Panthers’ blue kamikaze shots (made with Burnett’s blueberry vodka and blue Curacao).
Tailgate Tip: When you melt butter, add a little olive oil to lower the smoke point.

Mark Chaparro

Mark has been a Panthers season ticket holder for 21 years, and he and his friends have a very impressive tailgate setup, including a big flattop grill and a TV running off a generator to watch other NFL match-ups.

Favorite Player: Luke Kuechly and Stephen Davis
The Spread: Grilled steak, asparagus and emapandas. Peach brandy, orange dreamsicle and apple pie moonshine.
Tailgate Tip: Peach brandy is a necessity for cold games.

Corey Hunt

Corey has been a Panthers season ticket holder for two years. He won the giant paw on Twitter a few years ago.

Favorite Player: Greg Olsen
The Spread: Corey and his friends were tailgating around a fire pit (awesome) and had an impressive assortment of snacks. The star: ham and Swiss sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls with onion, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
Tailgate Tip: Get to the lot early to get a spot, and be respectful (that was a kind tip, Corey).

Kirk Sherrill & Mike Wolfe

Kirk has been a Panthers season ticket holder since day one and drove from Clemson for the games the first season (he says the traffic sucked). Mike has been a season ticket holder for 15 years. Mike really liked the Axios Charlotte koozie because “it fit his beer better” than the koozie he had been using.

Favorite Player: LUUUUUKE and Sam Mills.
The Spread: Venison sausage (“Isn’t it good? You wouldn’t know it was deer unless I told you!”). Brats, Bojangles’ Bo Box, stromboli, meatballs. The venison sausage was really good.
Tailgate Tip: Arrive early and don’t sell your tickets to the competition.

Barry Sheen*

Barry has been a Panthers fan for 12 years, has some impressive fake blue hair and tailgates with an RV called “The Cats’ Ass.” The Cats’ Ass has strict beer rules: The only person allowed to pull a beer from the tap without a wristband is the “Big Cat” Jerry Richardson.

Favorite Player: “I’ve been drinking!”
The Spread: Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken stew and oyster stew. Beer on tap.
Tailgate Tip: Start drinking at 10 a.m. Drink heavy and have fun!

Jon Gilbert

John has been a Panthers fan for 20 years and had a truly impressive setup with a low country boil and full bar in the back of a pickup truck.

Favorite Player: Greg Olsen
The Spread: Low country boil and full bar.
Tailgate Tip: Make enough food.

Mike Oruska

Mike has been a Panthers season ticket holder for 20 years. Each week, his tailgate menu is based on the Panthers’ opponent—he makes gumbo for New Orleans, cheesesteaks for Philly and brats for Green Bay.

Favorite Player: Thomas Davis
The Spread: For Washington Redskins week, Mike was the appetizer guy: He made hot wings, jalapeno peppers and mulled wine. These reflect Washington because “Washington is full of hot air.”
Tailgate Tip: The earlier you get to tailgate, the better.

Jack Ellison

Jack has been a Panthers season ticket holder since 1996. He went to the Panthers’ only Super Bowl appearance in 2003 in Houston. He and his friends drove to Houston from Charlotte in a motor home.

Favorite Player: Jake Delhomme
The Spread: Fried turkey (two of them), and two tables’ worth of Thanksgiving and Southern sides.
Tailgate Tip: Get a good cook.

*Barry Sheen is in the witness protection program, a member of the CIA or on the lam. This is not his real name.