For diehard National Football League fans and hardcore fantasy football players, there is really nothing better than Sundays during the NFL season. On the east coast games kickoff during lunchtime while west coasters can wake up and get their morning started by flipping on the day’s first slate of games.
No matter what time fans start tuning in to watch, food is going to be involved. What they are eating (and drinking) may depend on the time of day and what went down on Saturday night, but the gridiron and gorging usually seem to go together quite nicely.
If you’re looking for some inspiration about what you might want to create or somehow find a way to get your hands, here are some over-the-top foods that are being served around the country. These dishes cover the most important food groups and are sure to be huge scores even if not served up exactly as described.
Evan Bleier is a freelance writer based out of wherever he can plug in his laptop. You can send him questions, comments and Buffalo wing suggestions @itishowitis or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook
Eat Like A Man
-
1. Poultry
The Chicken Fried Bloody Beast from Sobelman’s Pub 'N Grill
So this colossal beverage is only readily available for Milwaukee residents, but ambitious home-cooks might attempt making their own version. This vodka-spiked breakfast beverage also can double as lunch or dinner because, in addition to being garnished with cheese, sausage, pickles, olives, onions, mushrooms, asparagus, scallions, shrimp, lemons, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes and celery, this drink is topped with a whole fried chicken.
-
2. Bacon
If that wasn’t enough, the CFBB also is served with bacon-wrapped jalapeno cheeseballs that are known as Baconadoes. If there was ever a way to ship it, this drink might replace beer as the best thing in history to ever be exported from Milwaukee.
-
3. Seafood
Crazy Crab'z Sandwich from Crazy Crab'z
It might be the wrong sport because it is served at the home of the Giants in AT&T Park, but this crab sandwich is a true San Francisco treat. The sandwich is basically Dungeness crab and tomato served on grilled sourdough and doused with enough butter to thoroughly coat an extra-large popcorn. The whole thing can be spritzed up with a bit of lemon, but that’s really not necessary to make it good.
-
4. Beef
The Protein Burger from Fatburger or your kitchen
Are you sick of trying to eat a burger and having those annoying pieces of bread get in the way? Take the power back this football season by chowing down on a burger that has its buns completely made out of beef. A California Fatburger location has started selling the stuffed sandwich – which comes crammed with lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles and tomatoes or other proteins like bacon, guacamole and eggs – but it’s easy enough to make at home; just pick up extra burgers and leave the bread on the shelf.
-
5. Starch
Python Chili Fries from Sammy's Wild Game Grill
Okay, so you might not live in Houston and it’s probably unlikely that you have access to a ton of mice to use as bait, but isn’t it nice to just think about eating French fries topped with python chili? Sammy’s also serves up gamey staples like ostrich and kangaroo, but coating starchy fries with snake, melted cheddar jack cheese and green onion may be their No. 1 stroke of genius. Celebrate it on a Sunday this year if you can (but please don’t grill anyone’s pet).
-
6. Pork
Pork Belly Patty Melt from Racks Downtown Eatery & Tavern
It would have been easy to simply go with a plate of bacon here (and surely no one would complain) but sometimes it’s nice to step things up a little bit. Named as one of the “Best Sandwiches in America” for 2014, this savory sandwich melt features grilled pork belly, caramelized onions, small-batch Russian dressing, a kale and apple slaw and Gruyere cheese all slapped together on thick-sliced marble rye. Whip up a version of this and no one will be asking “Where’s the beef?”
-
7. Vegetable
Rice Balls from Arincini Bros
On football Sunday, the closest thing to eating vegetables should simply be eating something that doesn’t contain meat. Even though they do make meat varieties, Arancini Bros. make a number of vegetarian rice balls as well – but that doesn’t mean they are healthy. These deep-fried risotto balls can be stuffed with veggie-friendly ingredients like cheese, jalapenos, tomatoes, corn, and other herbs and spices. They also should be available for delivery throughout the U.S. sometimes in the near future…(maybe not Alaska or Hawaii.
-
8. Fruit
Fool's Gold Loaf from Nick’s Café
Football is a dangerous sport and there’s no reason that fans shouldn’t have to live a little dangerously while watching from home. Indulge yourself with a sandwich that was fit for “The King.” Even though the Fool's Gold Loaf sandwich likely led to the early demise of Elvis Presley, there’s no reason that should stop you from eating it. Featuring succulent staples like bacon, peanut butter, grape jelly and French bread, the FGL is sure to be a serious hunk of burnin’ love in the stomachs of your guests. Here’s a recipe that can feed 8-10 regular people or one Elvis.
-
9. Dessert
The Donut Cheesesteak Burger from PYT
Unlike the other burger on this list, this version does come with buns. However, unlike most buns, these happen to be made out a grilled glazed donut. The donut is sliced in two and then loaded up with cheddar cheese, a beef patty, and a Philly cheesesteak with cheese wiz on top in the middle. This probably isn’t the thing to eat for people who are watching their waistlines, but hey, it’s dessert! Don’t forget to save room.
