So that's what they mean by windy...
The greatest thing about tailgating at Soldier Field is the location: a beautiful stadium surrounded by tidy parks and beltways along a stunning strip of lakeshore, all with breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline.
And on this day, the worst thing about tailgating at Soldier Field was the location. Parked out on sliver of land that juts out into Lake Michigan (in the lot for the Adler Planetarium), we were completely unprotected from the icy winds that whipped across the lake.
Nothing was secure, as gusts pushed tables, chairs, and grills across the blacktop.
Tailgaters dumped lighter fluid over their charcoal to try and keep grills lit, while enlisting their buddies to form human walls to try and block the wind.
But, they all assured us, it is usually not that windy.
Still, the die-hard Bears fans toughed it out, grilled it up, and showed us some of the finest cooking we've seen yet.
The blacktop chefs made their way over to the Tailgating Tour Coach with their recipes for the Taste-off, and waited patiently as our judges, season-ticket-holders Bubba and Laura, worked their way through an assortment of dishes that included Rack of Lamb and Beer-Basil Shrimp, Shore Lunch Potatoes, Crabby Chicken, Chorizo Omelette, Baby Back Ribs, and Goose Kebobs!
Team Blacktop tossed out give-aways to the crowd while they waited for the judges decision.
John Moroni's mouthwatering rack of lamb, nestled on a bed of fresh herbs, made the crowd gasp.
But in the end, Tim Shanley's rotisserie beef, homemade mashed potatoes and dirty rice stole the show.
Tim wasn't in it for a new grill, though. (He'll take the glory!)
He had his eye on the cast iron Lewis & Clark edition dutch oven from Camp Chef. So after a little negotiating, he traded his new Explorer Grill to runner-up Jeanette Weber (we're sure she'll cook up plenty of her tasty ribs on that!)
So, maybe the best thing about tailgating at Soldier Field is really the people. These fans really love their Bears, and it shows. From the clothes that they wear to the vehicles they drive, the orange and the blue colors all that they do.
We saw fans walking into the stadium wearing actual bearskins on their backs, and found bear figures of all kinds (stuffed, sculpted, and otherwise) throughout the lot. Bear blankets and bear bowls, bear BBQs... and a multitude of the most retro-chic macrame lawnchairs boasting the iconic Chicago "C".
Many of the tailgaters in the RV lot stayed in their vehicles during the game, watching the action on their television screens with Soldier Field sparkling in the distance. The sounds from the stadium could be easily heard, and every time the Bears scored the lot would erupt in honking horns.
People kept right on cooking, refilling their grills for halftime, and again at the end of the game.
But all that eating (and drinking, we presume) can really take it's toll. Some Bears fans have to resort to hiring a shuttle or bike taxi to take them back to their cars. (This guy must have really felt like a dunce.)
Photo of the Week !
Loyal Bears Fans... this guy (in the white) has only missed one home game since the Bears have been at Soldier Field!
Photo of the Week !
Notre
Dame vs. Navy?
Not
in this picture! This Irish fan plants a kiss on the cheek of
one of the Navy's. (That's the customary price a girl pays for
putting on a Midshipman's cover!)
More
photos from the tailgate... click here
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