Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the greatest sports cities in America. Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mavs at American Airlines Center. Mavericks. Stars. FC Dallas. If you live in DFW, you know there are roughly 50 Sundays a year that deserve an epic tailgate. Here's how to throw one that nobody forgets — and why a rental grill delivered to your party is the smartest move you can make.
1. Pick Your Tailgate Spot
In DFW, your options are endless. The AT&T Stadium lots in Arlington are legendary — get there 3–4 hours early to stake out a prime spot with shade. Globe Life Field has a great tailgate culture on the east side of the park. But don't overlook the backyard tailgate: hosting at home with a delivered grill means unlimited space, no parking headaches, and full control of your setup.
For backyard watch parties, a rent-a-grill service like Tailgate2Go lets you skip buying, owning, and storing a grill. We deliver it, set it up, and pick it up. You just show up and cook.
2. Choose Your Grill Wisely
Not all grills are created equal for tailgating. Here's what to know:
- Charcoal grills — great flavor, but slow to heat, messy ash, and often banned in stadium parking lots.
- Propane grills — fast and easy, but propane tanks are a hassle and open flame rules vary by venue.
- Pellet grills (our specialty) — the best of both worlds. Smoky flavor, precise temperature control, and our Pit Boss® PPG Micro is battery-powered with no open flame — approved at venues where propane/charcoal are banned.
For AT&T Stadium lots, the Pit Boss® PPG Micro Grill is your best bet — battery-powered, flame-safe, and incredibly easy to use. For backyard tailgates, go big with the Heritage Mega Grill.
3. The Perfect Game Day Tailgate Menu
DFW tailgaters don't mess around when it comes to food. Here's a crowd-pleasing menu that works great on a pellet grill:
Before the Game (The Spread)
- Smoked queso with brisket — set it and forget it at 250°F
- Grilled jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon
- Smoke-roasted corn on the cob
Main Event
- Smash burgers — high heat, quick sear, crowd favorite
- Hot links and jalapeño cheddar sausages (Texas staple)
- Bone-in chicken thighs with dry rub — cooks in under 45 min
- Brisket burnt ends if you want to be a legend
The Sides
- Grilled street corn (elote)
- Smoked mac & cheese in a cast iron
- Coleslaw and pickles
4. Timing Your Cook
The #1 tailgate mistake is bad timing. Here's a game-day cook schedule that works:
5. Must-Have Tailgate Add-Ons
Food is the centerpiece, but a great tailgate needs the right gear. When you rent from Tailgate2Go, you can add these to your order:
- Cornhole boards — because no tailgate is complete without it ($25)
- Folding tables & chairs — fully furnished setup
- Large cooler + ice bags — keep everything cold
- Bluetooth speaker — for the pump-up playlist
- Service kit (plates, utensils, napkins) — no running to the store
- Grill Assistant / Party Host — a dedicated person to manage the grill so you can actually enjoy your party
6. Cowboys vs. Rangers vs. Mavs — Venue Tips
🏈 AT&T Stadium (Cowboys) — Arlington
Open flame rules are strict. Use our battery-powered PPG Micro. Arrive by 10am for 1pm games to get a good spot.
⚾ Globe Life Field (Rangers) — Arlington
Great tailgate atmosphere. Lots open 2-3 hours pre-game. Plenty of space for a larger setup.
🏀 Home Watch Party — DFW
For Mavs or Stars games, the backyard watch party is king. No parking, no crowds — just your crew, a delivered Heritage Mega Grill, and all the smoked brisket you can eat.
7. Why Renting a Grill Beats Buying
A quality pellet grill costs $500–$2,000+ to buy. You need to store it, clean it, maintain it, transport it, and set it up every time. With Tailgate2Go:
- We deliver it clean and ready to cook
- We set it up and make sure it's working
- We break it down and take it away after
- You never clean a grill grate again
- Starting at just $99 for 4 hours