Home field advantage: Takeout options for the big game that aren’t pizza
Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just about football.
Most fan bases don’t have a horse in the race with 30 teams out of the running, so it’s as much about the event as it is the game itself. Having friends over, judging the commercials and waiting for the Kendrick Lamar halftime show are just as big a draw.
And, of course, the food. A quality spread can be the difference between a good and great Super Bowl party. Sure, it’s one of the busiest pizza-ordering days of the year, so you could go that route. But you can probably do better.
When the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 9, in search of their third straight Super Bowl win, what will you be eating?
Barbecue
Bub City in Rosemont offers a large party carryout menu with barbecue by the pound, slabs of ribs, smoked chicken wings, eight-packs of sandwiches and burgers, as well as sides, salads and more. Orders need to be placed 48 hours in advance and can be made by calling (847) 261-0399.
Chicago Culinary Kitchen in Palatine is elevating game-day spreads with globally inspired Texas-style barbecue. The Super Bowl Snacks menu includes stuffed chicken wings (smoked and grilled whole chicken wings stuffed with spicy Italian sausage and served with garlic aioli; six for $36); Texas Shotgun Shells (bacon-wrapped manicotti pasta stuffed with sausage, cheese and peppers and served with vodka sauce; six for $48) and cheesy brisket tamales (hand-rolled tamales stuffed with brisket and cheddar cheese accompanied by housemade salsa; six for $48). Orders, which can be placed at chicagoculinarykitchen.com/superbowl/, close Sunday, Feb. 2, with pickup from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9.
If you’re in the North suburbs or don’t mind driving to Evanston, Soul & Smoke has the goods for your watch party. The prime brisket slider kit ($95 for 2 pounds, $238 for 5 pounds) includes all the fixings to make your own sliders. Or you could go with smoked rib tips ($19 for 1 pound, $76 for 4 pounds), buttermilk-brined chicken wings ($86 for 5 pounds) or many other options. They also offer to-go cocktails, seltzers and local beers.
Chicago-style
The Bears might not be in the big game, but Chicago can still be the centerpiece of the menu. Buona’s game-day catering includes the MVP Pack (serves 10 for $159.99) featuring a two-entrée buffet with Italian beef, rigatoni and chopped salad or the Gameday Pack (serves 10 for $189.99) with sausage skewers, arancini, chicken tenders and a sandwich tray.
Indian
Indus Progressive Indian in Highland Park has an alternative Super Bowl catering menu. The unique but familiar offerings include a build-your-own phulka roti taco bar (chicken/paneer/beef), beef, lamb and vegan sliders, south Indian fried chicken, crispy okra chips, smoked eggplant dip with naan, gol gappa platters, smoked Malai chicken wings and naan pizza for the kids.
A bit of everything
You may not be able to replicate Old Town Pour House’s selection of 90 beers on tap at your party, but you can get a taste of the Oak Brook and Naperville restaurants with their Great for Groups menu. Grab boxes of a half dozen mini grilled chicken sandwiches, burger sliders or mini pulled pork sandwiches, a variety of tacos, or fancy it up a bit with entrées like salmon and sides.
L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge in Lincolnwood has a big game spread ready for carryout with specials including turkey chili, Buffalo chicken dip, pigs in a blanket and buttermilk fried chicken. Preorder through Tock by Saturday, Feb. 8, or order online for same-day carryout and delivery.
Atlas Chicken locations in Barlett and Geneva have you covered for all your chicken tender needs with a $59 bundle that includes 20 tenders, 20 wings, 10 rice balls and two bottles of sauce of your choice. Call Bartlett at (630) 855-3978 or Geneva at (630) 208-1588 to pick up between 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9.