Jeff Houck

The Tampa Tribune’s food writer since 2005, Jeff Houck covers the way people live through their food. He also hosts the Table Conversations food podcast and believes that everything crunchy is good.

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Are You Ready To Eat Some Football? [Going Long And Deep On The Food At Raymond James Stadium]

Posted Sep 13, 2009 by Jeff Houck

Updated Sep 13, 2009 at 07:52 AM

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off their regular season today at Raymond James Stadium. As my friend Bucified Bert (above) can tell you, every year the stadium’s food vendor Levy Restaurants adds something different to the menu at the facility’s concession stands, club area and luxury suite boxes.

Here’s what Levy says you can you expect to see this season:

* Football-themed Beverages: Levy Restaurants is debuting a variety of new football-themed drinks including the Hail Mary, (Similar to the one above. More on that in a moment.)  the ultimate Bloody Mary served in a souvenir mason jar with a pickle spear, blue cheese olive, celery stick and lime wedge; the Linebacker Lemonade made with vodka, lemonade, Chambord and fresh raspberries; and the Tahiti Touchdown, a blend of Midori, rum, sweet and sour and pineapple juice.

* Tampa Flavor: Local favorites fill the menu throughout the stadium, including the Cuban sandwich, sofrito chicken wrap and the Tampa dog, along with new menu items with regional flavor including Cuban coffee, sangria, and lechon asada, which was first introduced to the stadium at the Super Bowl.

* Gluten-Free Beer & Snacks:  Fans with gluten allergies will no longer have to sit on the sidelines when it comes to enjoying football favorites! Gluten-free beer, chips and candy will be available at The Galley.

* Victory Knot: A new item certain to turn heads is the Victory Knot, an extreme take on the traditional soft pretzel. Enough to feed several hungry fans, this giant pretzel is made with two pounds of dough, topped with sea salt and served with three dipping sauces—beer cheese, spicy mustard and a sweet vanilla cream. The Victory Knot is served in a full-sized pizza box and available at all four Pass the Pizza stands.

The name may prove problematic. If the team loses too often, the Victory Knot may become The Victory… Not!

Can’t make it to the game? Then try this recipe by Ketel One:

THE HAIL MARY

1 1/2 ounces Ketel One vodka
2 1/2 ounces tomato juice
1 dash of Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon Original Tabasco Pepper Sauce
Lime slices or celery stalks

Preparation:
Combine Ketel One vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice and Tabasco sauce in a cocktail shaker; shake well.

Serve over ice. Garnish with lime or celery.

And if you need some more inspiration, check out FoodNetwork.com’s tailgating section.

In videos on the site, Guy Fieri, host of “Ultimate Recipe Showdown” and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” (and pictured above at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa) gives instructionals on:

· TAILGATING 101 primer with helpful how-to
· SLOPPY JOE SLIDERS topped with crispy onion straws
· BACON-WRAPPED SHRIMP SKEWERS grilled in a spicy chipotle sauce
· TEQUILA BARS: a tangy and sweet dessert treat
· ARTICHOKE DIP made on the grill
· BUFFALO WINGS three ways

Fieri (pronounced “fee-ED-ee”) also offers a recipe for Silver Sangria. I’m guessing it matches his hair.