Mikey's Kitchen

• Food For Poker Night Party Ideas
• Food Ideas For Poker Night

Get a pizza delivered for quick sustenance that minimizes card-playing down time. Or put together a simple spread of appetizers. Make your own or get a big box of warm-in-the-oven hors d’oeurves at a warehouse club store. Just keep the food away from the playing table. If you’re playing poker, you might be thinking martinis. If you are going to include poker at your casino party, we recommend you give out these hand-rank sheets. You can also hire slot machines for the night. A local party store. What's better than food eaten out of hand for a night of poker with your buddies? Guy's throwing caution to the wind with this menu. Put out extra napkins. No pretzels allowed!

This blog covers food recipes for guys, though it offers great food tips for everyone.

Drink of the Week

Every week Bob Westal whips up a new drink recipe, from the classics we all love to new recipes to try out when you're out or at home.

Best Burgers

What's beefy, cheesy, and greasy all over? Thrillist takes a look at America's most bodacious burgers.

Games to Avoid During a Hangover

Here’s a great list of games that aren’t a great fit with a hangover.

Food & Drink Home Grub for Guys Beer Reviews Drink Recipes Essential Cocktails Fast Food Romantic Dinners Snacks Tailgating Wine Reviews

Food & Drink Channel / Bullz-Eye Home

One of the easiest ways to impress a date is to cook her a great meal. For those of you who cringe at the thought of cracking a recipe book and dicing vegetables all afternoon, Mike Farley has two words of advice: chill out. There are all sorts of easy meals and snacks that you can cook up for your girl or, yes, for poker night with the boys. That's right -- why not ditch the chips and pretzels and offer your buddies some loaded potato skins or grilled buffalo tenders? After all, while whipping something up in the kitchen takes more work than grabbing a couple bagged snacks off the grocery store shelf, your guests and your taste buds will all agree that it was worth it. Dig in!
You can also get more ideas on grub for guys by checking out Mike's food blog at Mikey's Kitchen and on Twitter @FoodForMen.

March Madness Spread
March 19, 2013

It's too late to change your bracket, but you can still mix things up in the kitchen with these quick and delicious snacks.

Holiday appetizers
Updated: December 19, 2012

Food For Poker Night Party Ideas

If your idea of holiday party food is a bag of flavored potato chips and the good pork rinds, let Mike help you make some awesome holiday appetizers that will knock the socks off your guests.

Super Bowl Spread IV
February 2, 2012

Mike Farley spices up your party with our Super Bowl Spread IV, featuring queso meatballs, pizza potato skins and more.

Beef Tenderloin
December 19, 2011

Treat yourself this Christmas with a memorable meal like Mike's beef tenderloin with horseradish dipping sauce.

Green Chile Burger
June 24, 2011

Add some Southwestern flair to your next cookout with Mike's spicy Green Chile Burger.

Super Bowl Spread III
February 3, 2011

Chips? Pizza? Burgers? Your stomach and your guests will thank you for getting a little creative this year with some Buffalo Chicken Nachos or Brat and Wisconsin Cheddar Mini Pizzas.

Chili for Dudes 101
November 4, 2010

The calendar has turned to fall, a chill is in the air, football season is in full swing...must be chili time! Mike's traditional chili and white chicken chili both bring plenty of flavor and heat.

Quesadilla Fiesta!
September 28, 2010

Quesadillas for breakfast? Check out Mike's instructions for making a Breakfast Quesadilla as well as Spicy Chicken and Cheeseburger versions.

Cajun chicken fettuccine
August 26, 2010

It may be a clogged artery waiting to happen...but damn, is fettuccine alfredo good! If you like your meals with a little kick, try Mike's Cajun chicken fettuccine.

Peanut Butter and Banana Burger with beer greens
July 29, 2010

Burgers are the most basic of summer foods, but they can get a little stale if you're just dealing with meat on the grill. Mike adds peanut butter and bananas for an unusual but tasty burger.

Fourth of July Hot Dog Spread
July 1, 2010

Instead of serving the same ol' dogs at your Fourth of July party, try dressing them up a bit. Mike lays out his Chili, Chicago-style and Buffalo dogs.

Pasta salad trio
June 3, 2010

Think pasta salad is too girly? Dude-friendly dishes like buffalo chicken pasta and cold sesame noodles will put hair on your chest and pleasure in your belly.

Chicken-fried hamburger
April 27, 2010

They say it tastes like...well, try it and see! Mike channels his inner good ol' boy with this recipe.

St. Patty's Day reuben
March 16, 2010

Corned beef takes center stage this time of year, and Mike delivers a St. Patty's Reuben using coleslaw instead of the traditional sauerkraut. Eat, drink and be Irish!

Chicken, bean & spinach stew
February 24, 2010

With winter winding down, Mike offers up a stew that will warm up the remaining chilly days while helping you burn off the spare tire you've been working on all winter.

Super Bowl Spread II
February 4, 2010

The food is almost as important as the game on Super Bowl Sunday. Spice up your party with Mike's Buffalo Turkey Meatballs, Steak Bites, Olive Poppers, Smoky Chipotle Dip and Fiery Snack Mix!

Hot meals perfect for cold months
December 30, 2009

Mike offers up a Dude Stew and Kickass Chicken & Rice knowing that you'll need something to keep you warm and nourished when you're watching all the bowl games and NFL Playoffs.

You've got all that leftover turkey. Now what?
November 25, 2009

Don't waste that bird when Turkey Day passes. Mike offers a five-pack of recipes for your leftover fixin's, including breakfast hash, a Big Easy-style sandwich and pizza topped with potatoes.

Halloween candy special(10/27/2009)
Candy is dandy, especially around Halloween. Mike names the best, worst and healthiest candy of the season, in case you want to cherry pick your kid’s treat haul.

Ham, olive and three-cheese grilled cheese sandwich(09/23/2009)
Add a cup of tomato soup to this variation on an old favorite, and you've got hearty comfort food in a flash. Mike's buddy Matty pounds them down three at a time, but your cardiologist says a little restraint never hurt.

Meat and Potatoes II(08/27/2009)
Ready for the next level? Mike started out slowly, teaching you the basics of meat-n-potatoes cooking. Now he brings recipes for Flank Steak with Grilled Tomato Salsa and Twice Baked Potatoes, tasty twists on the old standards. Fire up the grill, oven and food processor, as you add to your culinary repertoire.

Fresh Summer Grilling(07/30/2009)
Summertime cooking isn't just all dogs 'n' burgers, or some type of meat slathered in BBQ sauce. Mike presents recipes that add sweetness and spice, like chicken with pineapple and jalapeno salsa, and that other white meat (pork, of course) marinated in lime juice and served as a taco.

Guy guzpacho(06/29/2009)
Cold pizza? Sure. Cold meatloaf sandwich? A real treat. But what about cold soup? If you thought it was only for orphans and prisoners in a dungeon, think again. Mike's Guy Guzpacho recipe is an intentionally cold tomato-based soup that makes for a great summer meal.

Meatball stuffed eggplant(05/28/2009)
No, an eggplant doesn't come from a chicken, but you can use poultry in this recipe that brings together an unusual vegetable with turkey meatballs. Mike shows how a little time in the kitchen, along with a prepared food, equals homemade goodness.

One healthy turkey sandwich(04/17/2009)
Mike marries tasty turkey with good-fat avocado (via guacamole) in this sandwich on whole-grain bread. Add crispy bacon and lettuce and you've got a meal that's crunchy, smooth and not too bad on the arteries. Limit yourself one or two beers and you're happy while eating healthy.

Slow cooker beef stew with beer (Yum, beer!)(03/03/2009)
A slow cooker isn't the first appliance you think of when imagining a guy's kitchen gadgetry, but Mike says crock pots aren't only for girls. His beef stew with beer recipe fills the air with a hearty aroma and the stomach with a tasty meal, and best of all, it can cook while you watch the game!

Super Bowl Spread I: Slow Roasted BBQ Ribs, Spicy Salami Sliders, Killer Taco Dip, Veggie Panini and Savory Cilantro Chili Corn Muffins(01/28/2009)
Aren't you tired of serving the same old grub at your Super Bowl party? Chips, pretzels, pizza, wings...blah, blah, blah. Mike's Super Bowl Spread will help you get creative for this year's game with easy recipes for BBQ ribs, Spicy Salami Sliders, Killer Taco Dip and more. Eat up!

Looking To Lose That Holiday Weight? Mikey's Cobb Salad, Grilled Buffalo Tenders, Cheese/Peanut Butter Squares and more(01/16/2009)
Chances are you put on a few (or more) pounds over the holidays. For those looking to shed some of that extra weight in the New Year, Mike offers up a tasty selection of low-carb options that will make life a bit easier when you're trying to shrink that gut.

Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy for the common dude(11/20/2008)
Guys usually leave the cooking to someone else on Thanksgiving, but Mike presents recipes for the classic turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and ensures us that it's not too complicated, even for the novice cook. Just be sure to save room for pumpkin pie.

So you have a hangover? Hangover Soup and Bloody Mary(10/23/2008)
What helps when your head feels like it's packed in a vice with a bag of cotton balls in your mouth? Some protein, some fluid and a bit o' the hair of the dog. Mike Farley comes up with recipes for Hangover Soup and a Bloody Mary to turn down the volume on the boom-boom-boom of the morning after.

Chipotle Mac & Cheese and Tex-Mex Meatballs with Spicy Tomatillo Sauce(09/25/2008)
The term 'comfort food' conjures up images of mac and cheese, chicken soup or maybe meatloaf and mashed potatoes. But comfortable doesn't mean bland. Mike adds a spicy twist to a couple of old favorites in dishes that bring the heat while satisfying the soul: chipotle mac & cheese and Tex-Mex meatballs.

Cheeseburger Wellington(09/04/2008)
It sounds damn fancy, but hey, it's just a cheeseburger. Mike dreams up a taste treat and emerged from the test kitchen with his Cheeseburger Wellington, using puff pastry instead of a bun and ground beef in place of filet mignon. On the side, he adds home fries. Greasy, salty, but oh, so good.

Quick & easy grilling(08/12/2008)
Your backyard grill can become a source of interesting and easy foods, beyond the basics of burned beef. Mike Farley offers up recipes for chicken, pork and shrimp, and some marinades and spices to season them. And don't forget what Mom said: Eat your vegetables and fruit!

Real Man quiche and bistro pasta(07/07/2008)
A great date begins with you cooking her dinner and ends with you making breakfast the next morning. Mike suggests starting with Bistro Pasta with tomato and basil and then capping off your sleepover with Real Man Quiche. It may not sound very manly, but trust us -- she'll eat it up.

The Best Damn Chicken Wings, Period.(06/24/2008)
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em. Mike presents his recipe for chicken wings, a twist on the familiar fried or baked poultry pieces. Prepped in a range-top smoker, he then adds Cajun spices and grills the wings to crispy perfection. Added bonus: your house ends up smelling like bacon.

Mini pizzas: buffalo chicken and chili dog(06/10/2008)
Mini-anything doesn't sound like Grub for Guys, but duuuude, these mini pizzas hold two all-star male-oriented edibles: buffalo chicken and chili dogs. Mike advises that a knife and fork may be needed to chow down on these tasty tidbits, and, hey, no one said you can't have a half dozen of 'em.

He-Man fiery sausage and peppers(05/28/2008)
Are you the kind of guy who likes to singe his tastebuds with spicy food? Then Mike's latest Grub for Guys offering may be right up your alley. His He-Man Fiery Sausage recipe is the perfect dish for a get-together with the guys. Just make sure to have plenty of frosty beverages on hand!

The Morning After: Huevos Rancheros(05/13/2008)
After a night of imbibing, you may want a little bit of the hair of the dog, but try this dish instead: Mike’s quick and easy Huevos Rancheros. They are filling, high in protein and spicy enough to cut through the fur coat on your tongue. Maureen McGovern was right – there’s got to be a morning after.

Spaghetti Sauce 101(04/28/2008)
Put down the Prego, fellas. Mike offers up a killer spaghetti sauce recipe that you can whip up while watching the game or playing 'Guitar Hero.' Simple and, even better, inexpensive, Mike's Spaghetti Sauce 101 recipe is the perfect way to impress your lady.

Meat and Potatoes 101: Steak, baked potato and grilled vegetables(04/10/2008)
After waiting all winter, it's finally time to get back behind your grill. Mike Farley offers up a simple menu that will satiate any carnivore, whether you're grilling up something nice for your lady or just throwing together a filling meal for yourself.

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Is there a better way to lose money than sitting around drinking beers and playing poker with your boys on a Saturday night?

Of course, we’d all like to take home the pot at the end of the night – who doesn’t want an extra $200-$300 padding the wallet, but the concept of having a poker night itself is enough of a distraction from the monotonous day-to-day life that it makes any financial loss seem worthwhile.

In other words, poker can be one of a few motivating factors that get you up in the morning and get you to sludge through that mind-numbing routine people call a work week – and that’s when you lose.

But if you’re fortunate enough to win, poker night becomes better than New Year’s Eve or whatever “fun” holiday you can think of. (Seriously, who needs to be squished in a compact room with a bunch of drunkards you don’t know counting down from 10 to 1? Excuse my bluntness, but I’ll take the money and run every damn time.)

Aside from winning or losing, guys like poker nights because they are calm. There’s no obscene behavior from random people you don’t know; there’s no wild and uncontrolled screaming; there’s nobody ordering you to do something you don’t want to do; and there’s certainly no bad music being played in the background.

That’s what happens when 5-6 guys – or more depending if you’re doing multiple tables – who share similar interests and respect one another gather around a table to play poker.

It’s the bro version of a Thanksgiving dinner – everyone is cooperative and polite as long as everyone gets a plate and a place at the table.

Well, cooperative until there’s a dispute about the rules of the game – a staple of any poker night. That’s why it’s important that who’s ever hosting to create a set of house rules and print out whatever stuff can be found online that is valuable information. This hopefully will negate most arguments and conflicts – although as the night moves on and alcohol continues to be consumed, you can never truly predict how guys will behave.

With all that said, here are some of the essentials for having a poker night with your boys:

Alcohol (preferably top shelf liquor)

Going off that earlier point that poker night can serve as a quasi climax, or high point, of the week: there needs to be some respectable liquor brought and served. I’m talking Red Label or Jameson, at the very least. I didn’t work my ass off all week long to spend my three hours of complete freedom sipping on $10 vodka or gin – or worse, Busch Light.

If you’re going to do beer, I feel like cans are unacceptable. This isn’t a frat party – there’s no pong table being wheeled out once you’re eliminated. That means you need to have something that’s strong and tastes good to numb your sorrows.

Chewing Tobacco

I’m a big time believer that once you sit down, you shouldn’t get up (unless you have to piss). That means no group cigarette breaks – they ruin the pacing of the game and isolate non smokers. The happy medium is an endless supply of chewing tobacco. That way everyone who wants to get their fix can whenever they want without having to pause the game.

Plus, doesn’t it just feel like a badass move to say “I’ll re-raise ya” and then spit into a can. I feel like that’s always one of the best moments of any poker night.

Cigars

I swear we’ll get to some actual poker essentials soon enough – like the materials you need to play the game, but for now we’re trying to set the perfect mood.

Cigars go a long way in a poker night because they burn forever and they can be a topic of conversation within themselves in case the well of discussion runs dry.

Furthermore, they’re another good thing to have to keep players asses in their seats and not itching to go smoke a cigarette. Seriously, I hate when a game breaks for 15-20 minutes or when an individual player takes to automatically folding 3-4 hands.

True, this isn’t the World Series of Poker, but come on. Let’s have some discipline here boys.

Poker Case

This needs to have at least four different colored chips, a dealer chip and two fresh decks of cards. If any of these items are missing, so is the integrity of your poker night.

Seriously, if you’re so cheap that you can’t fork out $40-50 to buy one of these cases, then I question your manhood.

It’s a solid investment no matter how you look at it. It’s reusable, it makes others happy and it’s an essential part of playing a game that makes you relax and feel good.

Literally a win-win-win type of situation. You can’t go wrong.

Note: having a second case if you have multiple tables is a good idea. Inspecting the decks doesn’t hurt too. It sounds snobby but you are playing for cash here.

Boxed or Bagged Food

Some guys might here poker night and say fire up the grill. Wrong. You don’t cook meat for the dudes when they come over for poker, that’s what football Sunday’s are for.

For poker, you should order in a few pizzas or go shopping and get a bunch of chips and salsa. Anything more and you’re grossly overthinking it.

Like anything else, adding food can be a distraction to the night – don’t let it be.

Background Movie

I know I mentioned music somewhere up above in the introduction, but it has no place at a poker game. First, it’s distracting. Second, it’s loud regardless of where the speakers are in the room. And third, it creates more unnecessary arguments amongst players.

How can you avoid all of this you might wonder? DON’T PLAY MUSIC AT YOUR POKER NIGHT. It’s really that simple.

If one of your players wants it, tell him to go to the club.

Put on a sporting event and let that be your background noise if you deem having background noise a necessity (I don’t). If sports isn’t an option, throw on a background movie.

Any Martin Scorcese film should do just fine – Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed and, most recently added, The Wolf Of Wall Street. All of these movies are about greed in some form or another and they teeter on being three hours long. In other words, they are meant to be played during a poker game at a low volume.

I don’t know about you but after I lose, there’s nothing more consoling than seeing DeNiro and Pesci go at it or Leo, Damon, Jack and Wahlberg. I love that shit.

Money

Food Ideas For Poker Night

Well, that’s why everyone comes to play in the first place, right? You can’t have a legit poker game with IOUs and crap like that. Everyone needs to bring cash and put it on the table before the cards are dealt. Otherwise you’d be better off playing Monopoly.

An empty house (or apartment)

More essential than money; the poker chips, the decks of cards and Martin Scorcese is the serenity of an open house or apartment.

If your spouse or roommate is going to be there the whole time, you mine as well cancel for another weekend. There’s no reason to have the guys over for poker if you’re not going to have absolute freedom from everyday life.

Remember, poker night is like a vacation where you don’t have to go anywhere. Anything less and you’re not doing it right.