Whether you're a Falcons or Patriots fan, Aramark is giving you something more to cheer for than just your favorite football team. The lineup of Super Bowl LI game day eats at NRG Stadium includes offerings from some local top chefs, and a killer bàhn mì sandwich created by a group of culinary students from the Houston Independent School District.
This marks the first-time Aramark and H.I.S.D. have collaborated from a sports and entertainment perspective, according to Joel Nash, district manager for Aramark. Dominique Jackson, Michelle Meadows, and Vivian Romero of Westside High School competed against numerous other student teams in the district for a coveted spot on the Super Bowl menu.
At a press event on Tuesday, Romero told CultureMap that the city’s diversity inspired the winning dish. “The bàhn mì was influenced by the Houston vibe. The culture has a strong Vietnamese influence, and a Mexican influence,” she said.
Even if you don't have plans to head to NRG Stadium for Super Bowl LI, you can still score some football-friendly treats. During The NFL Experience, which is open to the public the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and February 1 through February 5 at George R. Brown Convention Center, a special menu of Super Bowl-inspired fare will be offered up.
From a jalapeno cheese dog to waffle nachos, here’s the play-by-play highlighting some of the must-try finger foods.
Available at NRG Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday
Atlanta Fried Chicken Stak
The tasty tribute to the Atlanta Falcons boasts waffle fries and buttermilk fried chicken with sour cream and green onions. A peach marmalade barbecue sauce is added for good measure (sections 103 and 123).
Beantown Griller
This nod to the New England Patriots features slow-cooked tri-tip pot roast, sweet caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese on whole grain bread. It's served with a side of bacon-infused baked beans (sections 103 and 123).
Bayou City Bàhn Mì 51
This addictive Vietnamese sandwich gets a Houston spin thanks to grilled fajita steak. Avocado spread and pickled vegetables share the bun (section 121). Don't miss out.
All-American Pigskin Burger
Go big with a quarter-pound beef patty, flavored with barbecue seasoning, comes stacked with pulled pork, bacon, American cheese, barbecue sauce, and fried jalapenos (section 115). Bon appetit.
44 Farms Jalapeno Cheese Dog
James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd of Underbelly takes the hot dog to the way-beyond-stadium-food level with his jalapeno cheese dog. A premium beef hot dog, jalapeno cheese, and jalapeno bacon jam bring it home for a touchdown (club level).
Top chefs Ronnie Killen of Killen’s Barbecue and nationally acclaimed Grady Spears are also in on the action. Killen will serve up duo of barbecue sandwiches: burnt-end and brisket (sections 103 and 123) while Spears will offer a steak sandwich (sections 103 and 123).
Available at the George R. Brown Convention Center during the NFL Experience
Over Time Waffle Nachos
Nachos are a dime a dozen, but this version is anything but ordinary. Crunchy waffles are piled high with your choice of house-smoked brisket of chopped barbecue pork, plus nacho beer cheese sauce, black bean pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and a soy-barbecue sauce (exhibit hall/C8/launch test kitchen).
100 Yard Sub
The monster 100 yard sub comes with four meats: salami, ham, mortadella Italian sausage, and capicola pork, plus two cheeses: pepperoni provolone, and Swiss. As if it wasn’t already impossible to resist, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickled Italian relish, and dijon mustard seal the delicious deal (exhibit hall/Bud Light bar).
House-smoked BBQ Turkey Sandwich
The turkey sandwich gets an upgrade via fried onions, spiced apple fennel slaw, house dill pickles and raspberry jam (exhibit hall/C8/launch test kitchen).
Atlanta Fried Chicken Stak.
