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Gluttonous MLS Stadium Food Is More Than Enough Reason To Attend A Match

By Travis Yoesting March 3, 2020
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Some of the best stadium food in America is found at MLS games.
Levy

One of the best parts about attending a sporting event in the U.S. is the food. Unlike Europe, where they serve shit no one actually likes (prove I’m wrong), American stadiums are a Mecca of gluttonous foods and drinks. MLS stadium food is no different.

The best way to learn a city is through its food. One of the best ways to learn a city’s food is through the sporting arenas where thousands of fans gather every week. Nowhere is this more evident than at MLS stadiums, where food ranges from two-foot-long nachos in Texas to roasted cauliflower nachos in California. 

For years, baseball stadiums have been home to the most decadent foods in U.S. sports (because what else are you going to do at baseball games, watch baseball?), but MLS is catching up. As Major League Soccer’s 25th season kicks off, we wanted to highlight the best MLS stadium food for each of the 26 clubs. 

Best MLS Stadium Food 2020

Atlanta United — Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Butter Lemon Pepper Wings: Whole wings drenched with house-seasoned flour, fried and slathered with real butter and lemon pepper seasonings, served with crinkle fries

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

Shrimp Po’ Boy: House-seasoned, hand-breaded shrimp with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes, drizzled with our house-made creole sauce, served with French fries

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

Mercedes-Benz Stadium has become a fan favorite because of its fan-friendly concession prices. But the stadium, also home to the Atlanta Falcons, has some great specialties on offer as well, including the Butter Lemon Pepper Wings and Shrimp Po’ Boy.

Chicago Fire — Soldier Field

With the Chicago Fire moving back into Soldier Field for the 2020 season, Bears fans are well aware of the treats on offer at the iconic venue. From sweets like old-fashioned donuts and churros to savory pizza and gyros, Soldier Field doesn’t skimp on concessions.

Unfortunately, the Fire have yet to confirm which concessions will be open during MLS games this season (the home opener is March 21). So we’ll reserve judgment until we find out what all the stadium will offer. Until then, we can only suggest tall boys of Miller Lite.

FC Cincinnati — Nippert Stadium

Skyline Chili

The 2020 season will be FC Cincinnati’s second and final campaign at Nippert Stadium before moving on to West End Stadium. 

We can’t wait to see what the new digs will offer, but until then, you know you can get plenty of Rose Lavelle-favorite Skyline chili at Nippert Stadium. 

Colorado Rapids — Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

Craft Beer

If you live in the Denver area, getting out to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park out in Commerce City can be a bit of a chore. Fortunately, because it’s still technically Colorado, there’s plenty of craft beer available that will make any food you order taste just fine. 

This is actually a pretty good rule of thumb for all food in Denver: It’s fine and only becomes good with beer.

Columbus Crew — Mapfre Stadium

Beyond Meat Mini Burgers: Chargrilled plant-based burger, leaf lettuce, vine ripe tomato, and cheddar cheese, topped with a chipotle lime aioli on a toasted brioche roll

Black & Gold Burger: All-beef patty on a corn-dusted bun with black pepper bacon, cheddar beer cheese, and pickles, served with house-made chips

Summer Vegetable and Tofu Flatbread: Grilled zucchini, romaine, vine-ripe tomatoes, marinated and seared tofu, chipotle vegenaise and sun-dried tomato pesto on grilled flatbread

The Crew won’t be in Mapfre Stadium too much longer, but the venue holds a special place in U.S. soccer history as MLS’s first soccer-specific stadium. So if you make it out to Mapfre this year, be sure to appreciate the venue’s history with some of the fine fare on offer.

DC United — Audi Field

Beef Bulgogi Bowl: Steamed white rice, traditional bulgogi beef, kale and romaine slaw, Korean salsa roja, Gochujang glaze, lime crema, cilantro, and fried onions available at The Bowl Line near Section 119

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

Smoked Mambo Wings with Fries: 24-hour herb-brined, cherry wood-smoked and flash-fried wings, served with house-made mambo sauce and crispy french fries available at Citizen Smoke near Section 115

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

One of the newer venues in MLS, Audi Field served more than 21,000 hot dogs and nearly 16,000 pupusas in its first full season in 2019. While hot dogs are nice, we suggest going with the Smoked Mambo Wings.

FC Dallas — Toyota Stadium

Hot Cheetos Chili Pie: Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, chili, cheese, elote and green onions (Main Street Kitchen – Section112)

Green Chili Chicken Mac and Cheese Bites (Burgers & Beer- Section 133)

Elote Dog: Bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with Elote, hot sauce, green onions with crumbled hot Cheetos (Main Street Kitchen- Section 112)

The DFW Metroplex has plenty of competition for the best stadium food, but Toyota Stadium holds its own. One of the best features in the stadium is the Away Stand, which changes its menu based on the opponent.

You’ll want to wash it all down with some of the signature cocktails available, such as the Penalty Punch, a cherry limeade margarita that will go perfect with your sunburn in the shade-starved stadium.

Houston Dynamo — BBVA Stadium

Two-foot Ropa Vieja Nachos: Fried corn tortilla chips with braised beef, black bean relish, fresh cheeses, and sour cream

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

Chili Bread Bowl: Green chili and beef chili bread bowl topped with smoked cheddar cheese and fresh scallions

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

Classic Watermelon Margarita: Watermelon juice, tequila blanco, and fresh lime juice served with a salted rim, lime wheel and watermelon garnish

It should be no surprise to anyone who’s ever been to Houston that the city’s soccer stadium has giant nachos on offer. Last year BBVA Stadium served 560 gallons of cheese for 16,000 orders of nachos, and it’s no wonder with 2-foot-long Ropa Vieja nachos. If nachos aren’t your speed, which means we can’t be friends, the chili bread bowl will certainly hit the spot. 

The Classic Watermelon Margarita is just the refreshing drink you want for those hot, humid evenings in the Bayou City. 

Inter Miami — Inter Miami Stadium

The team just launched and has yet to host a match, so we can’t comment on the food just yet. David Beckham’s club has sold out its home opener against the LA Galaxy on March 14, so perhaps then we’ll know if the stadium’s food is any good.

LA Galaxy — Dignity Health Sports Park

Roasted Cauliflower Nachos

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

S’mores Churro Dip: Churros served with chocolate and marshmallow dips

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

Whether you want some slightly healthier nachos or some far-from-healthy desserts, Dignity Health Sports Park has you covered. It’s impossible to say no to churros, especially when you add chocolate and marshmallows. 

To drink, micheladas are one of the most popular options after beer, with more than 25,000 having been served in 2019.

LAFC — Banc of California Stadium

Fields LA

If you’re checking out LA’s hottest team, make sure to stop by Fields LA, which features nine different vendors each with its own style. From C.J. Boyd’s Fried Chicken to Piccolo Antico Pizzeria Focacceria, there’s something for everyone.

While not technically in Banc of California Stadium, Fields LA is open seven days a week, so you don’t have to wait for match day. But if you’re in the stadium, Seoul Sausage and The Roost are your best bets for good food and drink.

Minnesota United FC — Allianz Field

Brew Hall

Minnesota’s new stadium is a beauty and the 60-foot bar in the Brew Hall simply can’t be beat. 

Of course, with all that Surly beer, you’re going to get hungry. Fortunately, the stadium offers a wide variety such as burgers in the Brew Hall, Indian food, Elote, pizza and burritos and beignets, because everyone loves a good beignet. 

Montreal Impact — Saputo Stadium

Honestly, we couldn’t find anything interesting on the menu for Impact matches, so we’re just gonna move right along to the next club.

Nashville SC — Nissan Stadium

TN Southern Burger: Half-pound, grilled ground bacon and beef burger, topped with southern pimento cheese served on a toasted brioche roll

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

Fat Bottom Brewery Beer Series: Pitch Invasion Lager and Breakaway Session IPA crafted exclusively by the brewmasters at Fat Bottom Brewery for Nashville SC fans at Nissan Stadium

Best MLS Stadium Food

Photo Courtesy: Levy

The other 2020 newcomer will open its official home in 2022, but until then Nashville SC is playing matches at Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans. Based on the food available for the club’s debut match against Atlanta, we’re fine with Nissan Stadium for now.

If the pimento cheese and bacon on the TN Southern Burger don’t get you salivating, the Fat Bottom Brewery beer, with Nashville SC-specific brews, will do the trick.

New England Revolution — Gillette Stadium

Sam Adams

The Revs desperately need their own stadium, but at least playing in an NFL stadium means there are plenty of concession stands. 

Despite a large variety of concessions, even on MLS match days compared to NFL game days, there isn’t too much that stands out, so just drink plenty of Sam Adams.

NYCFC — Yankee Stadium

Nathan’s Famous

NYCFC plays in one of the most iconic venues in the world. While it’s not exactly a soccer stadium, as an MLB park there is of course plenty of food variety available.

While Yankee Stadium has plenty of offerings from sushi to wings during NYCFC matches, you can never go wrong with a Nathan’s Famous hot dog at Yankee Stadium.

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New York Red Bulls — Red Bull Arena

Fat Rooster Spicy Chicken Sandwich: Kings Hawaiian roll, dill slaw, honey aioli, house-pickled Kirby’s, spicy chicken breast

Deep-Friend Brownie Bites: Salted caramel, chocolate sauce

Red Bull Arena, while not actually in New York, is loaded with food options. You’ll probably want to check out the fare from Delaware North locations like Tacos Roqueros, Fat Rooster and The Boardwalk. 

You can’t go wrong with a spicy chicken sandwich on a Kings Hawaiian roll, but save room for deep-friend brownie bites at The Boardwalk.

Orlando City SC — Exploria Stadium

Empanadas

Cuban Bowls

If you’re at Exploria Stadium, you could go for the same old boring stuff like hot dogs, nachos and popcorn. Or you could head to City Bistro for empanadas or Esta Noche for Cuban Bowls.

Your choice.

Philadelphia Union — Subaru Park

Tony Luke’s Cheesesteaks

If you’re in Philly for a match, you kind of have to have a Philly cheesesteak. Fortunately, the venue formerly known as Talen Energy Stadium has not one but two Tony Luke’s locations for all your cheesesteak desires. Chicken cheesesteaks are also available for the chumps out there.

Portland Timbers — Providence Park

Killer Burger: A variety of burgers will be available like the Classic burger, Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon burger, and our Park exclusive “Striker” burger 

Tillamook Bacon Queso Nachos: Providence Park Executive Chef Garrett Boisture worked with Tillamook to develop this recipe, putting a local spin on a stadium classic available in the Main Concourse near Section 105

I don’t think we need to say anything more than Tillamook Bacon Queso Nachos.

But in case you’re one of those weirdos who doesn’t appreciate a good nacho, Zenner’s hot dogs and sausages are always a solid option at Providence Park, where fans are expected to consume 50,000 pounds of tubed meat in 2020. 

Real Salt Lake — Rio Tinto Stadium

Food Trucks

Rio Tinto Stadium offers some of the best views in U.S. pro sports. As for the food? It’s hit or miss.

Fortunately, The Plaza, open two hours before matches and during halftime during matches, features a rotation of 3-5 food trucks, which is your best bet to get a good meal at the stadium.

San Jose Earthquakes — Earthquakes Stadium

Churwaffle and Chicken: With butter, maple syrup and hot sauce

Carnitas Nachos: Pulled pork, green chili queso blanco, sour cream, cilantro

San Jose couldn’t get a stadium sponsor to replace Avaya in time for the 2020, but that’s OK because they’ve got churwaffles now. 

Is it a churro? Is it a waffle? Does it matter? You can get your churwaffle with chicken, syrup and hot sauce, a hotlink and honey or more traditional with cinnamon, whipped cream and powdered sugar.

Seattle Sounders — CenturyLink Field

Chicken Biscuit Sandwich: Featuring Ezell’s Famous Chicken

Grilled Cheese and Soup Combo

Our favorite thing about the concessions at CenturyLink Field is the value menu, which offers fan-friendly prices on everything from popcorn ($2) to craft beer ($7). The reigning MLS champs have some great combo deals that will save you some money, such as the Full 90 Combo — two hotdogs, one popcorn and two waters — and the Grilled Cheese and Soup Combo, both for $12.

But if want a little more to fill your belly, go for the Chicken Biscuit Sandwich. It’s no Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, but it’ll treat you right.

Sporting KC — Children’s Mercy Park

Road Hoss: Bacon, Wisconsin cheddar, onion straws, bbq sauce, potato bun

Burnt End Nachos: With molasses baked beans, cheese and onion rings

When it comes to food in MLS cities, Kansas City is no slouch. Children’s Mercy Park revamped the concessions menu for 2020, focusing on local foods, starting with BRGR Kitchen + Bar and Taco Republic. 

BRGR features the Road Hoss but don’t sleep on American Royal Barbecue’s Burnt End Nachos, because if you haven’t figured out by now, we love nachos. 

Toronto FC — BMO Field

The Big Boy Double Burger: 2 patties, 2 slices of cheese 4 slices of bacon, special sauce, potato roll

Honey Smoked BLT: Including thick-sliced, beer-braised, double-smoked bacon caramelized with hint of honey

Canadians don’t always follow the American trend of fatty foods, but Toronto FC makes a few exceptions. Stop on by Real Sport at the Game for the Big Boy Double Burger or Panini for the Honey Smoked BLT. 

For something slightly healthier, check out Frites for Belgian-style fries in a variety of styles including spicy chicken, kimchi, chili or nacho.

Vancouver Whitecaps — BC Place

Bacon Jalapeno Chicken Burger: House-made fried chicken, double-smoked bacon, coleslaw, house recipe sauce

Shrimp Tacos

The Vancouver Whitecaps may not be all that interesting since Alphonso Davies left for Bayern Munich, but that doesn’t mean BC Place isn’t an interesting place to attend a match. 

Whether it’s the Bacon Jalapeno Chicken Burger from Lionsgate Grill or the Shrimp Tacos from Beast Unleashed, there’s plenty to like. 

Last year, Boom Kitchen! made a Rainbow Grilled Cheese Sandwich for the annual Pride Match, which may just be the coolest item on this entire list.

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