So, the Vikings didn’t make it to the Super Bowl—again. That doesn’t mean you have to forgo this once-a-year chance to whip up a batch of chili, throw together some zesty dips, and eat yourself into a food-induced coma. Or, if that sounds like too much effort, head to one of these bars and let them do the work for you. Either way, Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner—let the eating (and games) begin!
Super Bowl Recipes
Dog Breath Chili: Winner of the International Chili Society’s “World’s Best Chili” competition in 2005.
Sun-dried tomato and goat-cheese pizza: A nice twist on a game-day classic.
Ricotta meatballs in tomato sauce: Meat and cheese—what more do you need?
Sweet-potato fries with garlic and sage: Classy fries.
BBQ Pork and Beans: You can never have enough beans.
BBQ dipping sauce: The perfect complement to all food that can be dipped.
Cheese fondue: A shout-out to Packers fans.
Hand-cut garlic oven fries: Who doesn’t love a good garlic fry?
Mini beef BBQ burgers: Bite-sized and full of flavor.
Best Places to Watch the Super Bowl in the Twin Cities
Downtown Minneapolis:
Anticipate a sea of green and gold, foam cheese heads, and lots of people shouting, “Go, Pack, go!” Special deals on Wisconsin beer and food all day. 8th Street Grill, 800 Marquette Ave., Mpls., 612-349-5717, 8thstreetgrill.com
LynLake:
Packers fans, unite! The party begins at noon at the “Lambeau Lot” on the side of the bar, where a big screen TV will be showing the game and fire pits will be keeping you warm. Two events to raise money for the Terry Gallagher Scholarship Fund will also be taking place: a cheese raffle (tickets are $1; the drawing will be one hour before the game) and a 12 p.m. bags tournament ($20 entry fee). The Herkimer, 2922 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 612-821-0101, theherkimer.com
Uptown:
Enjoy two-for-one prices on all drinks and food starting at 5 p.m. Also, register to win a happy-hour package for 10 people valued at up to $200. Bar Abilene, 1300 Lagoon Ave., Mpls, 612-825-2525, barabilene.com
Northeast Minneapolis:
All the makings of a successful Super Bowl Sunday: $1 off Jello shots and drinks, half-off appetizers, trivia, and the chance to win a $200 Stanley’s gift card for guessing the winning team and final score. Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room, 2500 University Ave., Mpls., 612-788-2529, stanleysbarroom.com
South Minneapolis:
It’s all about the wings. If you’re feeling up for a snack, get 15 for $12. Or, if you’re really looking to push your stomach’s limits, you can’t beat the 25-for-$14 special. All drinks and food will be priced for happy hour throughout the game. Rail Station Bar & Grill, 3675 Minnehaha Ave., Mpls., 612-729, 3663, railstationbarandgrill.com
Warehouse District:
Texas is far away, but it’ll feel a whole lot closer at Huberts. The place to be for Steelers’ fans—or anyone looking for cheap drink and food specials—deals include $1 Bud and Bud Lights, $3 on all drafts, 50-cent wings, and $1 tacos. Hubert’s Sports Bar, 600 First Ave. N., Mpls., 612-767-2960, hubertsmpls.com
Whether you’re wearing green and gold or black and yellow, The Ugly Mug will serve you, and serve you well. $3 drinks, $1-off all taps, and $3 and $5 appetizers. The Ugly Mug, 106 N. Third St., Mpls., 612-343-5930, uglymugminneapolis.com
Downtown St. Paul:
Nineteen TVs (including the 120-inch HDTV), $2.75 domestic bottles, $2 rails, free hors d’ oeuvres during halftime—the numbers add up for a great Super Bowl Sunday. Tom Reid’s Hockey City, 258 Seventh St. W., St. Paul, 651-292-9916, tomreidshockeycitypub.com
The official pub of the Steelers Fans of Minnesota club, McGovern’s doesn’t keep quiet about who they’ll be cheering for on Sunday. Food specials, called “Pittsburgh Originals,” include the likes of the Strip District Stacker and the Isaly’s BBQ sandwich, featuring Pittsburgh’s famed Isaly’s barbeque sauce. Other game-day deals: $10 pitchers of Miller Lite and Coors Lite, $4.75 Guinness pints, and trivia for free appetizers and shots. Patrick McGovern’s Pub, 225 Seventh St. W., St. Paul, 651-224-5821, patmcgoverns.com
Summit-University:
Eat well while cheering wildly. Food specials range from $5 chili, $2.75 game dogs, $2 off appetizers, and take-out wing deals (by the pound or increments of 25). To wet your whistle, there will be beer-bucket, 20-ounce keeper-cup, cocktail, and purple-people-eater-shot deals. Wild Onion, 788 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-291-2525, wild-onion.net
With a designated Packers room, it’s pretty clear where this bar’s allegiance lies. Buckets of beer, mini burgers, sloppy joes, bratwurst, and cheesecurds are just a few of the specials ready to fuel you come Sunday. Billy’s on Grand, 857 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-292-9140, billysongrand.com
