What's new at Tailgate this year?
Everybody’s favorite foodie extravaganza, Ultimate Tailgate, is back and better than ever. This October 23, 30+ of the region’s best restaurants gather to craft mouthwatering bites in support of our food recovery and hunger relief mission.
While many iconic Tailgate touchstones will be returning this year (like Capo’s decadent gelato cart, one-of-a-kind auction items, and signature cocktails), we’re turning up the party with some brand new offerings. Read on to see how we’re keeping our signature fundraiser fresh in our 15th year.
New Restaurants
From modern Asian cuisine to classic Italian comfort, eight restaurant stations making their Tailgate debut this year are promising to bring the flavor to our 2025 lineup.
Bernadette & Settler
Sister restaurants hailing from Salem, Bernadette brings a thoughtful approach to sophisticated French cuisine, while Settler reimagines local ingredients to transport diners to the Mediterranean.
Gufo
Gufo brings a blend of café charm with refined Italian fare to East Cambridge with coffee and pastries by day and handmade pastas by night.
Lê Madeline
A modern Vietnamese gastropub winning awards like Boston Magazine’s Best of Boston: South Boston, Lê Madeline serves inventive, flavor-forward dishes inspired by Southeast Asian classics.
Little Sage
A fresh take on the beloved 1990s, Boston restaurant, Sage, Little Sage fuses traditional Italian staples with modern flavor.
Mamaleh’s Delicatessen
Mamaleh’s gives new life to old-school deli charm, serving up iconic Jewish dishes: latkes, pastrami, blintzes – you name it!
*Mr. H
Mr. H has quickly gained a reputation for impressing customers with inventive, Chinese-inspired dishes like scallion pancakes with fried egg, American cheese, pickled peppers, and fresh basil.
Standard Italian
Opened by our friends at Eastern Standard, Standard Italian brings an accessible spin to delicious Italian fare and ice-cold martinis.
*Urban Hearth
Urban Hearth curates farm-to-table contemporary American cuisine through a cozy open-kitchen experience.
*Featured in VIP only
New VIP experience
Our VIP experience is getting a makeover this year: VIP ticket holders have the opportunity to enter Roadrunner early to enjoy an uninterrupted hour in the exclusive VIP mezzanine, complete with specialty bites, craft cocktails, and a sake bar from Koji Club. VIP attendees get access to VIP-only restaurant stations like Mr. H, Sarma, and Urban Hearth. Plus, once done indulging upstairs, VIPs get the first opportunity to explore every restaurant station before they’re open to general admission. Very important, indeed.
Why Tailgate?
Hear from some chefs making their Tailgate debut about why they’re participating at this year’s signature fundraiser.
Chef Peter Nguyen of Lê Madeline
Paying homage to Vietnamese classics, Chef Peter Nguyen reimagines flavors customary to dishes like shaking beef and bánh khọt at Lê Madeline, bringing experimental culinary excitement to Quincy – and now to Tailgate! We’re just as thrilled as Chef Nguyen: “I’m excited to join Spoonfuls in their mission because food should nourish people, not end up in the trash. As a chef, I see firsthand how powerful it is to turn what might be wasted into something that feeds and connects our community.”
Chef Erin Miller of Urban Hearth
One of the finest farm-to-table gems the region has to offer, chef and owner Erin Miller creates seasonally driven, inventive dishes from the fresh goods she forages herself at Urban Hearth. On making a Tailgate debut, the Urban Hearth Team shares: “Chef Erin of Urban Hearth has been guided by a simple concept; that there is much to be learned and joy to be had when we gather around the table together. She diligently applies this philosophy beyond the dining table to her relationships with local farmers and producers, her team and her neighborhood community alike; bringing responsibility and care towards every step in the food system. That is why we are so proud to announce an ongoing partnership with Spoonfuls Food Recovery.” We’re delighted to welcome Chef Erin and Urban Hearth to our fall foodie fest!
Moving to a Thursday at Roadrunner
We’re thrilled to be hosting Ultimate Tailgate at Roadrunner in Brighton on a Thursday night this year! Just steps from the Boston Landing train station and surrounded by plenty of parking, the venue offers easy access for all. While you may know the venue for hosting your favorite artists, Roadrunner will transform into the perfect backdrop to kick off your weekend early: Show up with your coworkers for an after-hours pick-me-up, meet up with your squad to bid on your favorite auction items and discover exciting activations, and connect with foodie friends old and new. With great food, great drinks, and all in support of a great cause, Tailgate is your weekend’s new opening act—minus the Sunday scaries.
From beloved Tailgate staples to exciting new bites, Ultimate Tailgate 2025 has something for everyone, whether it’s your first year or your fifteenth. In a time when safety net food programs are under threat, your ticket purchase helps us continue to recover fresh, healthy food and get it to neighbors who need it most. We hope to see you there!
