Tailgatin' the SEC (Part 2)

Since the corner where we had tailgated for years after graduation had been deemed "off limits" by some unknown and unnamed official at the University, my friend Shane Hill and some of his fellow tailgaters went into action.  Now I have known Shane since the Fall of 1989.  We had a freshman english class together back then.  I joined the Army in 1990 and came back four years later, joined the Army ROTC there at Bama and who do I run into but Shane.  I think he was still a Sophomore at that point but I digress.  Fortunately for me, I got to spend the next 2 years keeping "The Strip" in business with him and since we have both graduated we continue to see each other every year during football season at the tailgates.  It's not just Shane that we get to see it's all sorts of guys and gals that we went to school with, their parents and some grandparents that are still with us, and all our kids now.  It seems like our huddle just keeps getting bigger and it's like a family reunion everytime we are all together.

Well, about 4 years ago when the University made their changes to the way things were done when it came to tailgating, one of the gentlemen who tailgated the same corner as we did, Mr. Jarmon, took the matter into his own hands.  He went to looking at real estate near the University and after much research found an older house about three blocks southwest of the stadium.  He purchased it, refurbished it and turned it into the ultimate tailgating crash shack.  Since then, this has become the rally point for everyone that used to call the old corner home.  This brings me back to my friend Shane.  Back in college, this was a guy that couldn't boil water but in the years after graduating...Shane has become quite the cook.  Shane develops all his own recipes and he and his sidekick Pat are always cooking it up at Mr. Jarmon's place every home game and I'm here to tell you folks, this ain't hamburgers and hot dogs we are talking about.  Like I've said before, I've been fortunate to have been all over the world and sampled all sorts of food.  The food that you get at one of these tailgates makes some "sit down restaurants" jealous!  Take the menu for this weekend's Bama-Florida game for example:

Swamp Juice

Caramelized Corn Grits topped with Shrimp Rockefeller

Fried Gator Bites (seasoned gator meat lightly fried)

Hot Sauce Marinated Onion Straws

Cuban Sandwiches

Ropa Vieja (see recipe)

Cumin Scented Rice

See what I mean!  These boys are serious!

Shane and Pat usually tailor their menu around whoever we are playing.  For instance, if we are playing LSU then you can plan on some gumbo or something cajun.  For Arkansas a couple of years ago, they cooked a whole hog and as you can see for this coming weekend, you gonna be eatin' some gator! Folks, this is food that makes your tongue want to beat your brains out!  If it's a night game, they'll usually have brunch and then a late lunch.  For an afternoon start, lunch and something after the game.  We always have plenty to drink....plenty and a couple of big screens out back to catch all the other major games that weekend.  Regardless of when we are playing, you can guarantee that you will have some good grub to get you ready for the big game.  They have even started compiling their recipes for a book that they want to publish!  If you want to see more and actually see some of their recipes check out their site at http://alabamatailgate.com/ and let 'em know what you think.  If you are planning on being in Tuscaloosa for a game, stop by their tailgate and tell 'em I sent you.  Don't forget to donate some cash to the cause though...cause Gator ain't free!