The BBQ Blog

Tony Roma’s wants to know - are you ready for football season? If you’ve volunteered to host a game day party, you may be feeling some pressure right about now. Don’t worry - you’ve got this! Just take a few tips from the experts at Tony Roma’s.

• Leave yourself plenty of time. Start planning five days or more in advance, to leave yourself plenty of time to invite guests, plan the menu, shop, cook and clean. When you’re planning your guest list, think about which guests are fans of each team, and try to keep your numbers fairly equal. Prepare as much food as possible ahead of time, so you won’t be exhausted when guests arrive.
• Choose a couple of signature dishes your guests will remember. Let something fun and tasty, such as these Pulled Pork Sliders, made easily and quickly using Tony Roma’s pulled pork, take center stage. Match it with a few yummy side dishes, some staples like chips and salsa, a variety of beverages, and you’re all set! You can also choose to go potluck, providing a dish or two and letting your guests bring the rest, to add variety and really get people involved.
• Consider the allergies and preferences in the room. Are any of your guests vegetarian? What about gluten-free? If you aren’t aware of allergies, it might be good to ask, because some allergies can be quite severe. To play it safe, offer some dishes that avoid common allergens such as nuts, shellfish, eggs and gluten, and provide a meatless option for the vegetarians.
• Remember to decorate appropriately. Game day parties don’t have to be elaborately decorated, but simple touches can make them more fun. Try a football field table runner, made of appropriately marked green paper, with coasters shaped like footballs. Use paper plates and plastic utensils in each team’s colors, to make for easy clean-up.
• Make space for the non-sporting guests. Set up an area away from the television, where those who are uninterested in the game can chat and have a good time. If children will be present, make sure there’s a designated play space, so they can entertain themselves during the game.

No matter what else you bring to the table on game day, don’t forget the Tony Roma’s barbecue. It makes throwing a great party easy, with dishes that can be on your table in about 20 minutes and are sure to please the crowd. To find Tony Roma’s at a grocery store near you, visit the store locator on our website. To connect with the online community, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our mouthwatering Pinterest boards.

Are you planning a Labor Day barbecue? Almost everyone loves those savory meats and sauces, but some people are limited by dietary restrictions. If you’re trying to eat a gluten-free diet, or simply want to provide options for your guests, we have some suggestions for delicious, gluten-free dishes to include at your Labor Day barbecue.

• Some dishes, such as salads, are easy to keep gluten-free, and you may not even need to alter your original recipe. If you need some inspiration, salads such as this Zazou Carrot Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing or this Sweet Corn, Tomato and Feta Salad are anything but boring and are naturally free from gluten. You can also make Huevos Diablo (deviled eggs) without too much effort, and they don’t have gluten, either.
• Try a variety of side dishes to keep a barbecue interesting. Try Paleo Potato Salad, Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges, Grilled Baby Artichokes with Chipotle Mayo or Summer Pea and Pancetta Salad.
• Confused about gluten-free desserts? Don’t be! Keep it simple with fresh fruit, or go all out with recipes such as this show-stopping Cherry-Blueberry Cloud Pie or this warm and filling Plum Slump. No one will complain about the lack of traditional cakes, pies and cookies when you offer them these delicious options!
• Now you can even get gluten-free Tony Roma’s barbecue! Whether you prefer ribs or pulled pork, Tony Roma has got you covered with savory goodness that’s also free from high-fructose corn syrup. You can even choose from great flavor options such as Kansas Style Sweet Hickory BBQ, Kansas City Style Kickin’ Sweet & Spicy BBQ and Blue Ridge Sweet & Smoky BBQ.

No matter what you decide to serve at your Labor Day barbecue, Tony Roma’s makes it easy, with dishes that can be on your table in about 20 minutes, any night of the week. To find Tony Roma’s at a grocery store near you, visit the store locator on our website. To connect with the online community, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our mouthwatering Pinterest boards.

What do Tony Roma’s ribs have to do with football season? We’re surprised you even have to ask! Tony Roma’s ribs make for some of the easiest, most delicious tailgating experiences you could want. Want to make it even easier? Try some of these tailgating hacks, and you’re sure to have a good time.

• Plan ahead! Keep a toolbox with tailgating supplies in your trunk at all times. That way you’ll always be prepared. When game time is coming up, make sure to marinate your meat the night before. (Of course, if you’re using pre-cooked Tony Roma’s ribs, you can skip this step!) You can also pat out burgers ahead of time and pack them between sheets of wax paper, and slice and pack your burger toppings. On game day, show up 4 hours early, so you’ll be ready for fun.
• Be sure to pack these essentials. Bring two coolers to your tailgate – one for drinks and one for keeping your meats chilled. Paper towels, wet naps, paper plates and plastic ware will also make your get together easier and more fun.
• Bring along your grill! Obviously, you’re not lugging your full-sized grill to the game, but have you heard about GoBQ Grills? Lightweight and compact, these grills can fit in a backpack, yet deliver all the barbecue fun of a big grill. Don’t forget your grilling tools and plenty of propane or charcoal too!
• Plan a menu that’s easy to prepare and easy to eat. Make a loaf of sandwiches for people to pull apart and eat at their own pace with this recipe for a Grilled Ham and Cheese Pull Apart Sandwich Loaf. Finger foods are a great choice – it allows guests to hold a cool beverage in one hand and your tasty food in the other! Want to make it even easier? Bring Tony Roma’s ribs. They just need to be heated, not cooked, which makes serving up perfectly delicious barbecue a much simpler affair.
• Don’t forget to hydrate. Keep plenty of cool beverages on hand, including water. One great tip is to freeze bottles of water the night before; they’ll keep other cold items cool and, as they melt, they’ll become the perfect refreshing drink.
• Plan for “after.” Bring a large plastic bin with a lid to carry home dirty dishes and a metal container for still-hot coals. Use an empty laundry detergent bottle and two gallons of water to set up a convenient handwashing station. And, while it may seem a pessimistic preparation, don’t forget your jumper cables!

Whether you’re tailgating or barbecuing at home, Tony Roma’s ribs make it easy to have restaurant quality barbecue any time you’re in the mood. To find Tony Roma’s ribs at a grocery store near you, visit the store locator on our website. To connect with the online community, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and check out our mouthwatering Pinterest boards.

Tony Roma’s ribs have been your friend this summer. When lazy days turned into savory nights, this mouthwatering barbecue satisfied your taste buds on hot summer evenings. Why stop now? The end of summer may have come too quickly, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of succulent barbecue. With Tony Roma’s ribs, back-to-school dinners are a snap, and your busy school nights are easier and more delicious.

• Your nights are about to become hectic, but that doesn’t mean weeknight dinners have to be boring. Use Tony Roma’s ribs in fun recipes or pair them with side dishes that even the pickiest eaters will love.

o   Skewers are easy when you make them with Tony Roma’s ribs. As an added bonus, vegetables are more fun to eat when kids can pull them off a stick with their teeth!

o   Does your family love Taco Tuesday? Expectations may be forever changed when you raise the bar by serving these Sweet Spicy Pulled Pork Tacos with Grilled Pinapple Salsa.

o   Is there anything better than a good grilled cheese? How about a Grilled Onion Barbecue Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese? You may not want to have to say it three times fast, but you’ll love serving it to your appreciative family.

o   If you’ve got adventurous eaters in your house, try this recipe for Sweet Hickory Pulled Pork Stuffed Peppers. The best news about this recipe is how easy it is to prepare: only 4 ingredients!

o   Get your leafy greens with these Boneless Ribs Lettuce Wraps. Not only are they healthy and delicious, they’re also easy and fun to eat!

• Gluten free? No problem! You can still enjoy Tony Roma’s barbecue, which now comes in gluten free varieties.
• Tony Roma’s ribs and pulled pork can even make school lunches easier. Are boneless ribs too messy to put in the lunch box? Consider some pulled pork sliders to bring the great taste of barbecue to the school cafeteria.

No matter how busy your school nights may be, Tony Roma makes dinner easier with ribs and pulled pork or chicken. They’re so mouthwatering that they’ll make any meal a fun family affair. To find Tony Roma’s ribs at a grocery store near you, visit the store locator on our website. To connect with the online community, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and check out our mouthwatering Pinterest boards.