Tackle Football Season with Dining Specials around Chicagoland

Nothing screams football season more than jerseys, face paint and cool fall weather, but game day at your local watering hole also brings out the half-priced drinks, cheesy appetizers and juicy burgers. With an endless list of specials and team affiliations around the Chicagoland area, it can be nearly impossible to decide how to spend football season. Luckily for you, we've rounded up the spots around town guaranteed to have everyone cheering for their favorite team. 

Calling all Notre Dame and Dallas Cowboys fans, Commonwealth Tavern is sure to become your new "home away from home" this football season with their specials. According to CableTV.com, Commonwealth Tavern was named one of the "Best Bars Outside of Dallas for Watching the Cowboys". The bar is packed every Cowboys game day with fans who can treat themselves to $4 Tecate cans, $4 Fireball shots, $5 vodka lemonades, and $5 Miller Lite stadium cups.

During Notre Dame games, guests can catch the action on one of 12 TV's stationed around the restaurant, guaranteeing a perfect viewing angle for all fans. While cheering, attendees can munch on $10 Fighting Irish Nachos while throwing back a Jameson shot for only $5.

Wisconsin Badgers fans can bring their tailgate to River North this season for $8 Allagash Beer Battered Wisconsin Cheese Curds, paired with house ranch, and $7 Badger Bombs at Parlay. The new sports bar on the first floor of Joy District is offering multiple 100-inch TV's and a 200-inch projection screen for fans. Other specials include $20 domestic buckets, $25 import buckets, $11 Beer Braised Brats, and an $8 Soft Pretzel with beer cheese fondue and mustard.

Chicago Bears fans are invited to join Roanoke Restaurant this football season for "Fan Zone" specials every Sunday. Specials range from $6 Tito's mixed drinks to $7 Bloody Mary's. Roanoke will also offer Monday night football specials like half-priced select bottles of wine and a $16 Griddled Burger and "Roanoke Brew" pairing. 

Nothing pairs better with football season than a smörgåsbord of grilled food. For the occasion, Weber Grill in River North is serving up tailgate favorites at happy hour during all NFL games. Guests can nosh on $5 mini grilled brats, $6.50 char-grilled chicken wings, $6 hickory smoked beef brisket nachos and $6 teriyaki glazed steak skewers, and wash it all down with $5 house made sangria, $3 domestic beer bottles and more.

If you're the type who likes to host at home, check out the class schedule at the new Weber Grill Academy at the Weber Grill in Schaumburg. Grill Academy Chef Klaus Lotter leads students through several tailgate-worthy items on both gas and charcoal grills. Upcoming classes include Burgers 1.0 on September 28, Steaks 2.0 on September 29 and Backyard Classics on October 5.