Game-Day Grub: NFL Stadiums Up The Game

NFL stadiums around the country are reinventing the fan experience, transforming typical game-time grub into gourmet feasts. Stadium fare nowadays no longer consists solely of hot dogs and nachos, but instead includes creative new offerings from big-name chefs in addition to the old favorites.

Fresh off a $70-million stadium revamp, Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium offers Browns fans a variety of new food options from celebrity chefs, including Jonathon Sawyer’s Sausages & Peppers stand with classic sandwiches, as well as unique creations, like a breakfast link sausage tucked into a waffle bun; Chris Hodgson’s fancy hot dogs with unique toppings like maple bacon and golden mustard barbecue glaze; and a Clevelander’s take on a Philly cheesesteak from Rocco Whalen.

Texans fans have more than a new coach and quarterback to celebrate this season with the addition of many new dining options at the newly renamed NRG Stadium. In addition to his Underbelly location with jalapeno cheddar dogs and tater tot casserole, James Beard Award winner Chris Shepherd added a Hay Merchant location, serving PB&J chicken wings with sriracha. Chef Grady Spears added three Grady’s Carvery stands, featuring a sandwich with smoked chicken, candied bacon, jack cheese and cranberry mayo on a jalapeno roll.

Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field boasts two new mini outposts of Marc Vetri’s popular Philly pizzeria that bakes pizzas on-site in custom brick ovens. The menu at the two Pizzeria Vetri locations offers Eagles fan the only three items a game-goer needs to fuel: margharita pizza, sausage pizza and rotolos, a Vetri signature dish of a pizza-dough rollup of ricotta, soppressata and marinara.

Dolphins fans visiting Miami’s Sun Life Stadium are hungry this season for wins and delicious meals with new offerings from Chef Michelle Bernstein’s Crumb on Parchment location, serving turkey sandwiches on pretzel rolls, as well as healthy bites like a kale and quinoa salad.

Though Levi’s Stadium is known as one of the most vegan-friendly stadiums in the country, the field also offers San Francisco 49ers fans a slew of tasty carnivore options, including classic steakhouse dishes. as well as reinvented pub fare at Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak & Pub.