Tailgating with YaJagoff

A tailgate party in the parking lot before NFL games is a tradition — and no one does it like Pittsburgh.

Besides fans waving Terrible Towels and sharing beers, tailgates in the ‘Burgh are known for hometown characters such as Steelers Jesus and Pope Yinzer. If you know, you know! 

But else takes a black-and-gold tailgate party from good to great? For that answer, we turned to Pittsburgh expert Rachael Rennebeck, who co-hosts the popular YaJagoff podcast with John Chamberlin. 

To her, a Pittsburgh tailgate is personal — and relatable. 

“YaJagoff likes to make a tailgate out of everything because everything in Pittsburgh deserves a tailgate, better known as a celebration of community,” she says. “We create and video celebratory tailgates weekly capturing events to personal milestones, with a yinzer spin of course.”

The food is also more elevated. While grilled hot dogs and burgers (only topped with Heinz Ketchup, of course) and Iron City beer are classics at tailgates, Rennebeck also loves sampling Bistro to Go’s corn-and-black bean salsa; her co-host John prefers Bistro’s turkey burger as his go-to favorite on game days.   

“We adore Chef Kevin and Nikki for their hospitality and they were recently on YaJagoff Late Night sampling the salsa,” Rennebeck says.