Quick Tailgate Eats: 5 Top Local Takeout & Catering Spots for Penn State Games
Legendary tailgates in Happy Valley boast signature dishes, but if you're mixing it up this season, State College offers exceptional takeout and catering options. The food is outstanding, and choosing local spots saves time for pre-game fun.
Discover five trusted local establishments to elevate your tailgate experience.
Tait Farm Foods
179 Tait Rd., Centre Hall
www.taitfarmfoods.com/
Located seven miles east of State College and Penn State, Tait Farm has been family-owned since 1950, offering 70 artisan products. Their sharing boards are ideal for tailgates or home watch parties.
Top picks: best-selling Honey Mustard for dipping, Sweet & Sour Meatballs with Pepper Jelly, and Apple Chutney with a football-shaped cheddar cheese ball.
This season's Tailgater Deluxe Gift Collection features Penn State Creamery Nittany Sharp Cheddar, Citterio Salami, Herlocher’s PS Mustard, Tait Farm Artisan Crackers, Cranberry Pepper Jelly, PSU Peanuts, Champs Wing Sauce, and Suhey Peppers—a perfect local assortment.
Happy Dishes
200 Mill St., Milesburg
www.facebook.com/HappyDishesFoodTrailer
A fresh Happy Valley favorite, Happy Dishes serves comfort foods like southern BBQ and Cajun seafood. Highlights: loaded pulled pork fries, shrimp po' boy, lobster roll, and the Happy Burger—an 8 oz. Angus beef patty on brioche with pulled brisket, applewood bacon, bleu cheese, sweet pickled slaw, and Happy BBQ sauce.
Catering shines for tailgates with full trays of pulled pork and brisket.
Harrison’s at the Mt. Nittany Overlook
559 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Centre Hall
www.mtnittanyoverlook.com
This family of businesses includes The Overlook Grill, Harrison’s Eat Well Catering, and the Mt. Nittany Overlook Event Center, meeting all culinary needs.
For Beaver Stadium tailgates, popular items: BBQ Pulled Pork, BBQ Brisket, Chicken Skewers, Potato Skins, Mac & Cheese, salads, and appetizers. Tailgaters rely on convenient pre-game pickup.
Doan’s Bones
3507 McAlevys Fort Rd., Petersburg
www.doansbones.com
Started in 2002 as a roadside BBQ, now at a permanent spot 20 minutes from Beaver Stadium. Award-winning smokes on-site include baby back ribs, BBQ chicken, beef brisket, pulled pork, pork tenderloin, pulled chicken, sides, and a mobile wood-fired pizza oven for 40+.
As they say, it’s fallin’ off the bone or it’s not Doan’s.
RE Farm Café at Windswept
1000 Fillmore Rd., State College
www.refarmcafe.com
Emphasizing sustainability and local sourcing, RE Farm Café delivers farm-fresh meals.
Tailgate handhelds: grilled marinated vegetable kabobs, Windswept deviled eggs, roasted shishitos. Order online for game-day curbside pickup. Also offers multi-course dinners and a full bar with local drinks.
