Saints fans across Louisiana have their own gameday traditions … and for many, that means having friends or family over to watch the black and gold while chowing down on some of the region’s best food. NOLA.com food writer Ian McNulty says that Louisiana’s unique relationship with the team along with its unique relationship to food make for a special combination for Saints fans. “The Saints season has been a tough one so far … we’re 0-4, there’s no sugarcoating it,” McNulty says. “But, I’m not tuning out. That’s because, for me, Saints Sundays have become this sacred social time with my tribe of friends who come together around football,” he went on to add.
Plenty of Saints fans have watched plenty of years of less-than-stellar play on the field, but that never seemed to whittle down the fanbase. New Orleans’ culture of food and celebration has seeped into the city’s football fandom as well, it seems. “We often cheer and sometimes we laugh at what’s happening on the field. But, we always laugh with each other because it’s supportive to get together away from all the rest of what’s going on in the world, and have this weekly check-in,” McNulty notes. That communal camaraderie can make even an unsavory season a fun one with loved ones.
While bar food is a gameday staple, many around Louisiana prefer to cook up their favorites and invite friends or family over (who often bring their own dishes). That traditional get-together centered around Saints football is invaluable to the local culture according to McNulty. “I look forward to these certain days, getting together with these friends and the specific dishes that are going to be had,” he says. “I think about bringing things to the (Saints watch party) that are delicious and will delight my friends because you want to make them happy through food. It’s game day. It’s special. Even if the team isn’t playing so special Sunday to Sunday, the game itself is special because of the gathering,” McNulty went on to emphasize.