As Super Bowl XLVII approaches, NFL fans need to decide where they will watch the big game and many make this decision based upon which restaurants in their area are having food and drink specials.
Whether you choose to embrace the restaurant atmosphere to cheer on, or against, the 49ers and the Ravens, or prefer to watch from a private residence, there are many food options to take advantage of.
Sports bars and restaurants are popular destinations on Super Bowl Sunday. Although the Pittsburgh Steelers nor the Philadelphia Eagles are battling for a championship this year, many places in State College provide the perfect opportunity for football fans to indulge in both food and drink specials while they watch the big game.
Damon’s Grill and Sports Bar, at 1031 E. College Ave., will have 30 wings for $20, 50 wings for $35, pulled pork with buns for $10 per pound, and 2½ rack buckets of ribs for $32. Specials for large parties will also be available. All specials can be picked up or delivered. Delivery begins at noon.
Champs Sports Grill, at 1611 N. Atherton St., will have $12.99 all you can eat wings and Bud Light bar specials. There will also be take-out combo packages available, which will include wings and ribs.
The Arena Bar and Grill, at 1521 Martin St., will have an all you can eat buffet for $9.99. Drink specials include $6 Miller Lite and Yuengling pitchers, $5.50 Bud Light pitchers and $2.25 Bud Light drafts. Happy hour is from 8 to 10 p.m. featuring $5 liquor pitchers.
Otto’s Pub and Brewery, at 2235 North Atherton St., will have half priced pizzas and $5 Bloody
Marys.
While a certain level of excitement exists when you watch a game in public, especially the Super Bowl, watching the big game at home gives food-lovers the opportunity to create dishes specific not only to cities of the clashing teams, but the game’s host city as well.
Although Baltimore and San Francisco lie on opposite coasts, both are abundant in seafood cuisine that can fit perfectly into a Super Bowl menu. Restaurant goers in these two cities will find dishes made with one very popular ingredient, crab, and it is no surprise that crab cakes are a favorite among many in both cities.
Mini crab cakes can provide a step up from typical appetizers while connecting fans to the championship teams. Classic crab cake recipes include an array of zesty vegetables like red and green peppers and onion, as well as mozzarella cheese, seafood seasoning and lemon juice. Depending on your spice tolerance, recipes can be found online to make your dish extra piquant or keep it rather mild.
Like any event or holiday party, a variety in food options for guests is key. Often, people want to have a little bit of this and a little bit of that to snack on. While mini crab cakes can have a kick to them, New Orleans cuisine features dishes that contain an array of spices sure to jump start the taste buds of anyone willing to try.
No matter which two teams are competing for the Lombardi Trophy or where the game takes place, chili is a common dish to have at a Super Bowl party. Since Centre County temperatures won’t be close to those in New Orleans on Sunday, chili can be the perfect way warm up by spicing up.
There are an abundance of online chili recipes out there, the most common being of the slow-cooked variety. Like crab cakes, most chili recipes include peppers and onions. However, many other ingredients are mixed in — like cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano and hot sauce —hitting spice lovers each time.
