Chowing Down At Bucs Games
August 16th, 2014
Some of the new grub fans can buy at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway beginning tonight.
OK, this afternoon is devoted not just to the Bucs, but to #FGU. Not sure what that hashtag is? Follow Joe on Twitter or his good friend, @CommishOnline, Justin Pawlowski, and you will know.
In short, the hashtag is a celebration of good grub. Man food. There is no such thing as an #FGU salad. Such an item does not exist.
Earlier this week, Joe was invited to take part in the food tasting of the new offerings at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. The outlets are located on the 100 level concourse, the first concourse you get to when you enter the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
Let Joe just say the food there is a significant upgrade over the fare that was previously offered at Bucs games. Significantly. Below are just a few highlights of food that Joe really liked, saving the best for last.
Pastrami sandwich: You may think this is no big deal, but when have you had a loaded pastrami sandwich, grilled, at a football game? It was quite good and the best thing about it is this sandwich was loaded with kraut. So, in the first quarter if you have an annoying Dixie Chicks fan or a fan of the Stinking Panthers sitting next to you, go buy a pastrami sandwich (make sure it has kraut) and down a few beers. By the second half, you will have chased that a-hole fan away. Either that, or he/she is going to be hating life and will never want to return to Tampa Bay.
Andouille sausage: Not a sandwich, but put in the middle of a hoagie topped with trinity relish and creole mustard. New Orleans is the center of the #FGU universe. Need Joe say more?
Tequila pizza: Very good. Perfect crust. Not too soft or soggy, not too crisp. Joe could easily taste the lime on the pizza (which comes with a white cheese of some sort). The tequila? Not so much. Still, it’s quite good.
Soft serve ice cream: Need to keep your significant other happy or shut up the kids? Here you go. No further comment needed.
Sweet potato fries: Joe’s second favorite item. These were really, really, really good. Sweet, crunchy crust and tender on the inside. Just right. They go with anything, especially…
Ham and cheese bocadillo: This was outstanding! Joe had never, ever heard of a “bocadillo” and it sounded like either some rodent native to Texas or something you would find in an, ahem, adult store. The name alone sounded anything but appetizing. Ham and cheese? Eh, how boring?
It was dynamite!!! The cheese is melted manchego, the ham serrano and served on Cuban bread. The kicker here was the roasted red pepper. This was by far the best sandwich available. If the Bucs sold this on the street on weekdays, Joe would drive over there right now to buy one. It’s that damned good!
So there is a quick rundown on the upgraded grub at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. If you only get one item, buy the ham and cheese bocadillo and thank Joe later. You are welcome.
(Oh, and there four “Swashbuckler Bar” locations on the 100-level concourse that offer craft beers, wine and frozen drinks).
The absolute best item Joe sampled last week. It was delicious!
What would a sampling of Tampa food be without the staple that is the Cubano?
Pastrami loaded with kraut. Wolf this down in the first half and wash it down with a couple of beers, and it magically turns into anti-Bucs fan repellent.
Surprisingly good pizza here, including…
… the tequila pizza.
August 16th, 2014 at 3:43 pm
Joe,
Did you ever hear anything further from the Bucs regarding that not-so-good idea of season ticket holders being able to get a cheerleader come to your seat?
August 16th, 2014 at 3:48 pm
You could of listed the menu price of each item or is that the biggest surprise of all?
August 16th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
1. Joe didn’t have that information readily available; and, …
2. Joe doesn’t care. People groused for better food. They got it. Higher quality food comes with, often, higher prices. That’s a no-brainer.
People somehow expecting $1 hot dogs and $2 beers at NFL games are beyond naive. (Guess folks don’t know that vendors have to bid to acquire the rights to sell their goods at ballgames? Companies have to make up the cash somehow. Most businesses Joe knows of are not open to give away products at or below cost.)
No one is forcing people to buy grub or beer there. Fans may tailgate or eat before they arrive. Not sure why people have to fuss so much at the prices. If they are too expensive, always cheaper if not better to watch the games at home.
Joe walks by stores all the time that have high prices on stuff. Doesn’t mean Joe has to buy any of it.
August 16th, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Vaguely, but can’t remember what it was it was so trivial. Personally, Joe sees such a promotion as a helluva deal!
August 16th, 2014 at 4:01 pm
Was interested in seeing if one of the best burgers in town actually lived up to its name. If it really is one of the best burgers in town, then I wouldn’t mind spending 10 bucks for it. Guess I’ll just have to experience it myself.
August 16th, 2014 at 4:03 pm
“Higher quality food comes with, often, higher prices. That’s a no-brainer. People somehow expecting $1 hot dogs and $2 beers at NFL games are beyond naive.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself Joe! I think people just look for any reason to bitch and complain. Food at sports games is always expensive and overpriced, at least now it will be good and tasty.
August 16th, 2014 at 4:19 pm
Im in ohio [You can have someone email an addy to you but posting a URL to an illegal stream will get you run from Joe’s site. — Joe]
August 16th, 2014 at 4:29 pm
I’m paying over 1000$ to come to tampa for the bengals game. I think I can afford 11$ sandwiches. No big deal. In fact I’m glad to have a chance to eat good food at the game. Tkx Joe for the review
August 16th, 2014 at 4:45 pm
Thanks Joe I’m trying the Pizza Plank Tonight.
August 16th, 2014 at 4:49 pm
This is all interesting, but better food can be found in the surrounding area by businesses, nearby residences, and by tailgating.
August 16th, 2014 at 5:37 pm
They should get Publix subs
August 16th, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Looks like something Joey bag o’ donuts would eat. 🙂
August 16th, 2014 at 7:04 pm
That pastrami kraut sandwich looks just like a Ruben. Which means it looks yummy as sh!t!!
August 17th, 2014 at 12:14 am
Shawnbucfan Says:
August 16th, 2014 at 5:37 pm
They should get Publix subs
——–Yes they should!
The club still has HUGE issues with concessions. Fixing the lower deck and abandoning those elsewhere does not even put a bandaid over the problem.
The cuban was ok. I miss the cubans made by the old gentleman up in the press box near the dark room in the old sombrero though. Those in my opinion were better. 🙂
Heard half the stadium ran out of cubans before the game even started though. Wait times were excruciating. I actually took to kids with me tonight and passed on the typical drive through before the game we do (to save money) in order to try some of the delights tonight. The wait times were ridiculous though. Get to the stadium over an hour before the game starts and barely make it to your seat in time for kick off.