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Business & Tech

Tailgater's Scores a Touchdown and More During NFL Season

Free halftime buffet during Bears games; sound system tailored to your favorite team; and fun for the kids. Is there any other reason why you shouldn't be at Tailgater's this NFL season?

has game watching Chicago Bears games down to a science,

No, really, we’re not joking — the Tailgater’s staff runs the whole NFL-game-watching experience with as much precision as an astrophysicist at a moon landing. 

There are 40 high-definition TVs to rest your gaze—no matter which direction your eyes may roam, chances are pretty good you’ll still catch the most thrilling parts of a given game.

And what’s more, seating is sectioned off so that customers can not only watch, but also hear the game of their choice.

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It's a veritable sensory bender of football, really.

“Our sound and our TVs are better than everybody’s. We’re a real sports bar,” said Bob Zalewski, who has owned Tailgater’s for the last 7½ of its 13-year existence.

There is Wi-Fi for folks who want to keep track of their fantasy leagues, and the staff occasionally will raffle off a jersey just for fun. There are also occasional trivia contests, video games and beanbags for the kids.

Yes, kids are welcome at this bar and grill.

“If you like variety, it’s a good time,” said bartender Kimmie Dennis. “It’s a different variety of people, all different ages, and a full halftime buffet.”

Buffet, you say?

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Indeed, the most enticing part of the whole experience may be the buffet offered for customers at halftime during Bears games. 

With pizza, pasta and meatballs as standards, the selection also has included stuffed peppers, nachos, potato skins, chili or brats, depending on the day.

And the best part? It's free.

We’ll pause and let you comprehend that part. It’s free!

“It’s a good time here to watch the game when you have all that energy, and especially when you have different teams playing — you have a bit of banter back and forth. But it’s always good-natured. We have a lot of Bears fans but we have a lot of Packers and Steelers fans, as well,” Zalewski said.

And as anyone who’s ever watched the game at home, where someone inevitably will decide to run a chicken carcass down the garbage disposal at the most crucial moments, it’s a lot more fun to get out and share the experience with the likeminded. 

“Do you really want to stay home and high-five your mom? There’s a good vibe in the room when you have 150, 200 people watching the Bears play,” Zalewski said.

Tailgater's is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Follow them on Facebook HERE.

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