Food

Beat the Spread

Broncos. Seahawks. You. Chocolate Salami.

Years from now, when people talk about the 2014 Super Bowl, they’re only going to remember one thing: that you had the vision to see beyond seven-layer dip. On a related note: you might want to start working on that vision now. With these.

GET DIPSY

The Tailgater Package at the Local

The Usual: Something, anything, smothered in Velveeta.
The Upgrade: Something, anything—but preferably chicken drumettes—smothered in Maytag blue cheese. Also some USDA Prime sliders, cheese-and-truffle-oil fondue chips, lobster quesadillas and jalapeño cornbread just to keep the meal balanced.

MEATHEADS

Party Trays from Chop Shop

The Usual: A tray of hot Italian beef.
The Upgrade: A tray of skirt steak in pineapple teriyaki from a butcher shop. And since you’re at a butcher shop... grab some trays of meats and cheeses, meatballs and three-foot Italian party subs. You don’t want to leave the Italians out completely.

LINKS IN

Craft Sausages from Artizone

The Usual: Sausages.
The Upgrade: Sausages with a pedigree. This site brings together some of this town’s best craft-sausage purveyors and makers (Gepperth’s, Big Fork, Pasta Puttana) for convenient one-stop shopping. It also has the only salami-shaped chocolate. So there’s that.

CALLING FOWL

Get Stuffed Things from Frontier

The Usual: Smoked wings; pork something or other.
The Upgrade: Smoked wings served with boneless chicken filled with cornbread-crawfish stuffing and a 40-pound porchetta. And if your guests aren’t happy with 40 pounds of porchetta... wow, your friends are animals.

SUPERFANS

Partying Like Bill Swerski

The Usual: Hosting a party at your place.
The Upgrade: Joining a slew of Bill Swerskis at a rib joint for Paulina Meat Market smoked sausages, pulled-pork sliders, a $50 gift certificate for the best Superfan costume and complimentary sunglasses and mustaches. Though feel free to wear your own ’stache.