Tabletop Pot Luck: What Do You Bring to the Table?

What’s on the menu this week?

That’s a question asked regularly in most tabletop groups. Sometimes, it’s bring-your-own, with everyone making a stop at the drive-thru or convenience store. Most commonly, everyone chips in for delivery. My favorite option, however, is the pot luck. Everyone has a say in what we’ll be munching on during the session. And everyone contributes in some way. Here’s how we break it down with my groups.

The Main Dish

This is usually, but not always, provided by whomever is hosting the game. Everything else typically revolves around it. Spaghetti, chicken fried rice, fajitas, and many other dishes can be fixed quickly and easily in the kitchen. During the summer, break out the grill for burgers, hot dogs, or brats. When it gets colder, use the slow cooker for chili and stews.

Fixin’s

You can’t forget the toppings for the main dish. Buns, tortillas, and bread; ketchup, mustard, or salad dressing. Everything and anything that someone might want to dress up their meal should be available. Oh, and cheese! Don’t forget the cheese!

Sides

Side dishes aren’t just for sitting on the plate next to your main course. It’s what usually gets munched on during game play. Chips are the easy choice, but remember that a good bratwurst needs potato salad, and chili needs cornbread. Other great sides include fresh fruits and veggies – something us older gamers appreciate as our dietary needs start to change.

Drinks

The best bet here is to bring enough to refill throughout the session. Tea by the gallon. Soda in two- or three-liter bottles. Make sure to have ice, and enough cups with lids for everyone at the table. Another great option is to have the coffee machine running, along with hot water for tea and cocoa.

Desserts

There are no wrong choices for sweets. (Well, maybe leave out the oatmeal raisin cookies.) Mini cupcakes, brownies, cookies, candy. Bring a cake if it’s someone’s birthday. Banana pudding, ice cream, and (again!) fresh fruit are big hits, too. You can make dessert yourself, or make a stop at the grocery store. Easy peasy.

Alternatives

Just because my tabletop groups prefer the pot luck option, doesn’t mean that it works for everyone all the time. Sometimes, sessions come at the end of a long work day, so BYO or delivery is the easiest route. Maybe the game is after an evening meal, so chips and sodas are the way to go. No time to cook – grab a party tray or two for finger-food snacking. Life happens. Food accommodates.

Also be mindful of nutritional needs or dietary restrictions. It’s not difficult to make adjustments for dairy-free, meatless, or gluten-free players. At one of my tables, we lean towards low-sodium, low-carb, and low-sugar because…well, because we’re just getting old.

The most important thing to remember is to plan ahead for food. It’s one thing if everyone stops at the same taco truck to bring what they want. It’s something else entirely if there’s six bags of chips, but no drinks or dips.

So fuel up, Adventurers! We’ll see each other again soon!