#FoodieFriday: Eating Through Super Bowl LI Weekend

by Gabi De la Rosa on February 3, 2017 in Food+Drink, Living Texas, Houston,
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Super Bowl weekend is synonymous with a lot of things including partying with friends, commercials and halftime, but most importantly it is known for great food. Whether you make your own Super Bowl feast, stop in at your favorite restaurant or are one of the thousands of fans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, we’ve got you covered.

If you were lucky enough to snag a ticket to the biggest game of the year, you’re in for some really great football and some even better food. The Super Bowl LI menu runs the gamut from traditional stadium food to dishes created by Houston’s favorite chefs Ronnie Killen, famous for his Texas style BBQ and Chris Shepherd, James Beard Award-winning chef.

All local and all delicious for the fans wathing Super Bowl LI in Houston this weekend.
All local and all delicious for the fans wathing Super Bowl LI in Houston this weekend.

Chris Shepherd’s 44 Farms Jalapeno Cheese Dog with Jalapeno Bacon Jam is a dish that elevates the traditional stadium hotdog to a whole other level. The meat is from 44 Farms, famous for their tender and juicy steaks and a favorite of chef’s all over Texas, but this dish is all about the Bacon Jam. Wink at your server and ask for extra – believe me, you’ll want it. Just the right amount of savory and sweetness to offset the spiciness of the jalapeno; it is all you need to top off this great hotdog.

The Burnt End Sandwich, brisket sandwich and steak fries are so good they don’t need an explanation; all you need to know is that they were created by Ronnie Killen of Killen’s BBQ, so they are guaranteed to be fresh, juicy and full of flavor. Grab one of each and a cold beer and you will be set.

Meat isn’t your thing? Don’t worry there will be plenty of other offerings at the concession stands. Drunken Pear Salad, shrimp and crab buckets, Nutella empanadas and churros, as well as a variety of nachos and mac & cheese combinations (the smoked gouda mac and cheese with pulled chicken tinga is a must).

If you didn’t get a ticket to the big game, but still have a hankering for some good food, virtually every restaurant in town will have Super Bowl specials, but here are just a few to get you started.

A basket of chicken fingers with dipping sauce
BOGO Specials at PDQ Chicken and so many dipping sauces to choose from!

PDQ – Who doesn’t love chicken tenders during the Super Bowl? Enjoy a “Buy one get one free” offer on PDQ’s famous chicken tenders when ordering 25 or more. PDQ specializes in fresh hand-battered chicken tenders, made-to-order sandwiches, daily cut fries, hand-spun milkshakes and fresh salads and has more than 12 homemade dipping sauces to choose from.

SpringbokChef Seth Greenberg’s Blitz Boards, which will offer Houstonians and out of town guests a taste of each competing teams hometown food traditions, all arranged on wooden serving boards crafted in-house by sous chef Ivan Giani. For those wanting to get an early start on game day, join Springbok for a Kegs & Eggs Brunch, from 10 am – 3 pm.

Radio Milano – Try one of the $8 drink specials paired with Chef Jose Hernandez’s prix fixe, three-course, Super Bowl tasting menu for an elevated “tailgating” experience. Priced at $28 for lunch and $35 for dinner, menu highlights include Yellow Corn Chowder, Slow Smoked Wagyu Brisket, Honey-Chipotle Baby Pork Ribs and Texas in Glass dessert.

B&B Butchers & Restaurant – Starting Wednesday and running through Saturday you can visit B&B Butchers Exclusive Pop-Up Lounge, Social 51. The Lounge will offer a-la Carte dining from 4 pm – 10 pm and then enjoy tunes from DJ Senega until 2 am.

Chef Antoine Ware at Harold's in the Heights
Chef Antoine Ware offers not only a great Super Bowl menu, but some tips on how to cook for your own Super Bowl party.

Harold’s Restaurant & Tap Room has pizza and drink specials all day and even though the restaurant will be closing at 3 pm, you can still order Harold’s Touchdown Package which includes many of their famously tasty favorites:  12 Valentina Wings, 1 Rack of BBQ pork ribs, Creole Potato Salad, Red Beans and Rice, Jambalaya, Farmers Salad and Salted Carmel Popcorn with a Kick.

Chef Antoine Ware of Harold’s Restaurant & Tap Room has a few tips if you are going to tackle a Super Bowl feast at home.  “Preparing in advance is the key – plan what you are going to serve, then make your shopping list and, if you can, cook or prep some food in advance,” said Chef Ware.

“Focus on making finger foods they require less cleanup and are easier to eat. Salty and sweet flavors blend well together and are always a hit. Try making salted caramel popcorn for guests to munch on, or wrap shrimp with bacon and provide a honey chili sauce for dipping.”

Impress your friends by making Chef Ware’s famous Salted Caramel Popcorn (see recipe) and no matter where you are or who you are with – get ready to enjoy some good food this Super Bowl weekend.

 

Harold’s Restaurant House Made Salted Caramel Popcorn

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Eat My Pralines yummy nuts
  • 15 cups popped corn
  • 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons Steen’s Cane syrup
  • 1 ½ stick butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 200°F

Place the popped corn and the Eat My Pralines yummy nuts in large bowl, mix well. Place brown sugar, Steen’s Cane syrup, bourbon, and butter into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil slowly for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and baking soda. Pour over popped corn and yummy nuts mixture, stirring until well coated. Spread evenly on two large baking sheet. Baking for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. When ready sprinkle the sea salt all over. Cool and store in airtight containers.