UF students tailgate religiously, and nothing follows a tailgate more naturally than the quest for the perfect post-party meal. If you are among those who have been searching tirelessly for the best way to settle your hunger before cheering on the Gators - look no further. I am going to say it, unapologetically, with the utmost confidence: Sigma Phi Epsilon has the best tailgate food on Fraternity Row, and you should have been there this football season.
You'll Get More Than What You Asked For
It's pretty run-of-the-mill to find hotdogs and hamburgers at a tailgate, but the chef at Sigma Phi Epsilon, or Sig Ep for short, really goes all out. Chef Erin does not play when it comes to game day. This season, her spread has included gooey mac and cheese and tomato mozzarella pesto pasta. There's nothing like carbo-loading before screaming at the top of your lungs over thousands of football fans!
If you're looking for nutrients after making any questionable game day decisions, you can also find fruit salad and slices of watermelon laid out. In addition to the expected barbecue staples, Sig Ep has crispy chicken tenders and hearty barbecue chicken. Their steak is grilled to perfection, and their pulled pork sandwiches are a must-try.
The Pièce De Résistance
There's another reason to go to Sig Ep during football season. And it's a big one. I'm not sure if you're ready. Okay, you're ready. Every game day, at Sigma Phi Epsilon, you can find - drumroll, please - a chocolate fountain. I'll say it louder for the people in the back: A CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN. There's good food, and then there's good food dipped in chocolate.
At Sig Ep, you can dip chocolate chip cookies, marshmallows, brownies, strawberries and whatever else you can find into a beautiful cascade of melted chocolate wonderfulness. These guys really know what they're doing. Other desserts you might find at Sig Ep include lemon bars and chocolate bread. I'd also dunk those in the fountain if I were you.
Food Made With Love
Eric, a brother of Sig Ep and sophomore at UF, said that Chef Erin is always checking in on the boys to see if the food is good, and she's always open to requests. He enjoys the variety of the food they receive at Sig Ep, and the way they spice up the options is one of the reasons so many flock there during football season.
"I was really surprised when I came to dinner and saw Feijoada, a Brazilian stew, and it tasted very similar to how my mom makes it," he said.
Don't just take my word for it. You can be sure to find many students at Sig Ep on game day very content with stuffed plates of food in front of them. These munchies really know how to put a smile on someone's face. Laura, a third-year UF student, can't stop coming back for the food and the good times.
"My friends and I don't tailgate without a trip to Sig Ep. The churros are amazing, and it doesn't hurt that the guys are cute too," she said. Churros and cuties? Sounds like the recipe for a great day!
Get Yourself to Sig Ep Next Season
The dudes at Sig Ep are lucky to have such great food served to them daily, and we're lucky to have about seven days a year to take advantage of that. See you next football season, Sig Ep.