1. When responsibility for handling transfers
For drop-off orders, the customer or designated adult recipient takes over the food’s transport, storage, temperature control, serving and leftover handling at handoff. If staff are included, we remain responsible for the tasks and service period agreed in your booking; the organizer takes over the food when that service ends.
Follow the instructions below and any product-specific directions supplied with your order. Contact us before serving if directions are missing or unclear. These instructions do not reduce our responsibility to provide safely prepared food and perform our agreed services with reasonable care.
2. Food holding and serving instructions
These are consumer handling instructions based on USDA guidance. They are not permission to bypass health-code requirements for commercial food service.
- Keep hot food at 140°F or hotter and cold food at 40°F or colder. Check with a food thermometer; insulated packaging alone does not guarantee safe holding.
- Without safe hot or cold holding, do not leave perishable food out longer than 2 hours total, or 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F. Include transport and serving time. Discard food that exceeds these limits.
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly in shallow containers; use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days or freeze them. Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
- Keep hands, serving utensils and surfaces clean, protect food from contamination, and keep raw foods separate. Do not mix a fresh batch into food that has been sitting out.
- If you do not know the food’s holding time or temperature, do not serve it. Appearance, smell or reheating cannot reliably make mishandled food safe.
3. Customer handling and illness disclaimer
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TAILGATES BBQ & PARTIES IS NOT LIABLE FOR FOODBORNE ILLNESS, SPOILAGE, INJURY OR OTHER HARM TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY FOOD BEING LEFT OUT TOO LONG, IMPROPER TEMPERATURE CONTROL, CONTAMINATION, UNSAFE STORAGE OR REHEATING, OR FAILURE BY CUSTOMERS, GUESTS OR THIRD PARTIES TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER HANDOFF OR AFTER OUR CONTRACTED SERVICE ENDS.
This is not a blanket waiver of food-safety duties. It does not excuse our own negligence, gross negligence, intentional misconduct, unsafe food we supply or any liability the law does not allow us to exclude. We do not decide the cause of an illness simply because food was delivered.
4. Allergens and dietary needs
Menu items may contain milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish or sesame, and shared preparation or serving equipment can create cross-contact. Discuss allergies before ordering; an accommodation is accepted only when we specifically confirm it. We cannot promise that every meal or serving environment is free of every allergen.
The organizer must communicate confirmed ingredient and allergy information to affected guests and avoid cross-contact while serving. If an ingredient or accommodation is uncertain, do not serve the item to a guest who may be affected; contact us first.
5. Safe use of rentals and party effects
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and our setup directions. Use a responsible adult operator and keep children away from controls, hot surfaces, electrical connections and moving parts.
- Use canopies only in approved conditions with the required anchoring. Do not move or alter setup without approval. Canopies are shade or event cover, not protection from lightning, high winds or severe weather; stop use and seek a safe building when conditions are unsafe.
- Use smoke and snow effects only where the venue permits and ventilation is suitable. Effects fluid is not food; keep it away from meals and drinks. Do not disable fire alarms. Protect walkways against slippery residue and electrical hazards.
- Do not add alcohol or other ingredients to drink equipment unless permitted by its instructions and the applicable booking. The organizer remains responsible for lawful alcohol service, age checks and guest supervision; a machine rental alone does not include bartending or authorization to sell alcohol.
- Stop using malfunctioning or unsafe equipment and call us. Do not attempt unauthorized repairs.
6. Weather and acts of God
Outdoor events carry changing weather and site risks. Severe weather, flooding, lightning, road closures, utility interruptions, government restrictions or other events outside reasonable control may require a delay, shutdown or change of plan. Safety instructions and stop-use directions must be followed.
Cancellations, refunds and rescheduling are reviewed individually. There is no automatic weather-related forfeiture or fee under these website terms. The force majeure and cancellation provisions in the Terms of Service apply.
7. Report concerns promptly
Call or text (469) 715-3181 with the order number and facts about any food or equipment concern. Stop serving suspect food or using unsafe equipment. If someone may need medical help, contact an appropriate healthcare professional or emergency services. Reporting a concern does not require you to waive a claim or legal right.