Get ready for some football (and the halftime show): More than 110 million people are expected to watch Super Bowl XLIX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots this Sunday, with a performance by Katy Perry that's sure to be hot topic on social media. Catch the game — and load up on out-of-the-ordinary fare and drinks — at these 10 hotspots.
No Shrunken Tacos
Casual Mexican chain Berryhill Baja Grill (Post Oak, Revere, West University, The Woodlands) presents an appetizing matchup between two tacos: the New England Inflated Taco (with spicy beef, lettuce, tomatoes and sauce in a puffy shell; $2.99) and the Seattle Tossed Seafood Taco (tempura-fried fish, red cabbage, creamy housemade sauce and cilantro in corn tortillas; $2.99). Whichever side you favor, pair it with a frozen margarita ($3) or domestic long neck beer ($2).
Tailgate Affair
The Super Bowl party at downtown’s El Big Bad will include amped up stadium-inspired snacks from nachos (black beans, shredded beef or chicken, queso, pico de gallo, guacamole, crema; $10) to chili cheese fries (smothered with chorizo and beer chili, queso and pico de gallo). Sip on discounted house margaritas ($5 each) and draughts ($1 per beer; $5 off pitchers).
Wonder Bowl
Watch the game go down in the Dome-themed tasting room at 8th Wonder Brewery (12 p.m.). Kick off with a cold one (while supplies last): Brewston Texas Pale Ale will make its debut. Nosh on old-school Texas ‘cue from Houston-based smoked meat distributor, Feges Barbecue, plus fare from the Eatsie Boys food truck, like the No Sleep Til Philly sandwich (with sliced ribeye, sauteed onions, beer-based cheese whiz) and the Shazam (grilled chicken breast, arugula, feta, tomato, avocado puree and tarragon mayo on ciabatta).
Bet the Spread
Upscale seafood restaurant Tony Mandola's will host a killer all-you-can-eat buffet (5 p.m.; $40 per person) featuring four gigantic food stations (salad, cold items, hot entrees and dessert bar). Feast on items such as, oysters, boiled shrimp, fried chicken, lasagna and blueberry cheesecake.
Mandola's Fried Chicken
Cue and Craft Beer
Hit up The Hay Merchant this Sunday for craft beer (there are over 80 on roster here) and a plate ($12-$16) of barbecue including 44 Farms Texas beef ribs. The Montrose beer joint and eatery will also serve smoked sausage, boudin and creamed corn (6-11 p.m.).
Epic Buffet
Dance a touchdown jig at Revelry on Richmond. If you can still move after filling up on burgers, hot dogs, Frito pie, pulled pork sliders and more at the Game Day buffet ($20 per person) and imbibing any — or several — of the more than 40 craft brews on tap at the sports bar and grill.
Game-Time Indulgence
And you thought the Super Bowl ads were pricey ($4.5 million for 30 seconds). Try the Blue crab and caviar nachos ($100) at posh Midtown staple Brennan’s of Houston made with fire roasted corn, triple creme cow's-milk cheese, alligator pear avocado, pico de gallo and lime crema, all topped with an ounce of luxurious Petrossian caviar. For something a little lighter on your wallet, dig into items ($7 each) from the restaurant’s 7-7-7 Happy Hour menu (2-7 p.m.). We recommend the Louisiana oyster BLT (bacon mousse, cherry tomatoes, arugula and Creole mustard glaze) and Canadian Maple Fizz cocktail (maple whisky, fresh lemon juice, ginger ale).
Blue Crab and Caviar Nachos at Brennan's
Late-Night Fun
Midtown’s Gage Lounge will not only offer drink specials (3 p.m.) on domestic ($12) and import ($16) buckets of beer, but also on ruby red or lemonade vodka drinks ($5 each). Celebrate the winning team’s victory into the early hours – music from a DJ will keep things rolling until 2 a.m.
They’ve Got Game
Test your skills at ping-pong, bocce, beanbag toss and pigskin (throw the ball through a tire) at Brooklyn Athletic Club. Whether you’re a 12th Man Seattle Seahawks fan or you're rooting for Tom Brady to take home his fourth Super Bowl ring, you’re sure to enjoy the Richmond Ave. restaurant’s mac and cheese, braised short ribs, roasted mushrooms and peppers, American and Redneck cheddar cheeses and an herbed bread crumb crust; $9), delectable Clubhouse Burger (grilled beef, green tomato and jalapeno jam and the regular fixin’s; $11) and the likes.
Ain’t No Thing...
Get ready for some serious bites at D&T Drive Inn. Local restaurant group Treadsack will present a lineup of its top chefs competing for best chicken wing sauce (4 p.m.). Try them all ($10 for a dozen wings) with a craft beer. The regular menu will be up for grabs as well (think: $8 smoked chicken and Andouille gumbo and a $10 grilled Brie sandwich with pickled grapes and ham).
The Hay Merchant will serve up barbecue including beef ribs and smoked sausage.
For many, Barbs B Q represents the Texas barbecue vanguard. Now New Yorkers will be in on it, too.Photo by Bryce Gilbertson
Kirbee's will take over this cheerful space.Photo by Jonny White