A decade ago, tailgates for Bears games consisted of a cooler, small grill and a couple friends for Rafael Gomez and Ray Maali.
Hours before Saturday’s playoff game against the Bears’ historic rival Green Bay Packers, music from their tailgate in a South Loop parking lot echoed down the block.
A bar, a table filled with beers, a food truck and an open fire pit served the dozens of fans, most dressed in Bears jerseys, some with cheese grater hats, a fur coat and someone dressed as the pope. Even a Detroit Lions and a Miami Dolphins fan were welcomed.