I’ll be the first to admit I am not into football. I know nothing about the sport and instantly fall asleep when Sunday games are switched on (I do love my Sunday naps). So when I was recently asked to attend a game at the new Levi’s Stadium, I only said “yes” based on the fact that the stadium serves great food and that Wi-Fi and wine are available on the Amtrak ride to the game. With those two promises, I couldn’t say no.
So on an unseasonably hot October morning, I donned my favorite blue sundress (completely team-neutral) and boarded the train to Santa Clara. Naturally, I headed straight to the dining car to get my bubbly. This would be the start of a delicious day.
Let’s fast forward through a relaxing train ride to arriving at the stadium. My first impression was that it was shiny and new, but the crowds were the usual rowdy bunch to be expected at any football game. Not really engaged in the whole sports side of this experience, I made a beeline for the food.
Unlike what you might imagine, the stadium does not feature foods that are necessarily regional to the area. In fact, besides the depictions of the Golden Gate Bridge and wharf on some signage, the stadium creates that sort of “I could be anywhere in the U.S.” feeling you get inside an airport.
However, the food is of high quality and they take special care to source local products from area farms and producers. I thoroughly enjoyed the first bite of the day, a Mexican torta with marinated steak. The meat was seasoned well and the sandwich had a great balance of flavors- acid, spice, salt- offset with a generous dollop of tangy crema. It was a perfect complement to my cold beer.
My next course was the Steamed Buns sampler featuring duck, shitake mushroom and pork varieties. All three had unique sauces and toppings, surrounded by a fluffy, chewy bun. These are a nice departure from usually heavy football fare, and, for a more comprehensive food and drink experience, they offer Kirin Beer at this station so you can enjoy a tailored pairing!
My last course was a nice cold scoop of rocky road ice cream. No words necessary for this guy other than it was a refreshing finish to a hot day in the Silicon Valley.
Who won the game that day, you ask? Of course I can’t remember, but what I can recall are the tasty treats I enjoyed that afternoon. They were so great, in fact, that I might even return one day to enjoy another taste of Levi’s Stadium.
Archives for November 2014
FREE PIZZA!
Did that headline get your attention? We thought it might.
The fast casual restaurant chain, zpizza, will be serving up free pizza samples at both of their Sacramento-area locations to hungry pizza-lovers this Saturday, November 22 from 1-3pm.
As a part of their “Pop Up City Tour,” zpizza will be sampling their most popular pies and giving those who stop by a chance to win coupons and gift certificates. So we’d advise getting there while it’s hot!
What: FREE PIZZA!
When: Saturday, November 22
1-3pm
Where: Two zpizza Sacramento-area locations:
Sacramento (Greenhaven Pocket)
7600 Greenhaven Drive
Sacramento, CA 95831
(916) 424-4222
Roseville (Granite Bay)
3984 Douglas Blvd
Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 786-9797
Sushi Burrito King
Ever since I have developed a love for sushi, I have noticed that you can never get enough of it. In other words, it doesn’t fill you up. Granted, I’m a full-grown American man who does realize that being full after every meal isn’t always good. But, every time I venture out for sushi, it just kind of leaves you hanging. That’s why there seems to be a frozen yogurt shop somewhere close by sushi restaurants, because they know you’re still going to be hungry after chowing down on three sushi rolls.
My first reaction as I pulled into the drive-through was, “Wow, they weren’t kidding. These are actually burrito-sized sushi rolls!” I was there, I had to order something, and personally I just wanted to see if this potentially-amazing new food creation actually, physically existed.
“Hello?” squawked the drive-through box.
“Um, yes I’d like to order a Fried Soft Shell Crab Sushi Burrito please.”
“Anything to drink?”
“Uhhh, sure I’ll have a Peach Boba Tea too while you’re at it.”
“That’ll be $11.94 at the window please.”
“That’s it?” I thought as I pulled up to the window. “That’s either really awesome or really bad for sushi.”
I pulled around to the one sliding window, handed the cashier my dough and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
“Oh my dear Lord! I thought this was fast food!”
But then it hit me, they were actually making it from scratch. They were frying the crab, cutting the vegetables and sushi burrito ingredients, and actually hand rolling it into an edible masterpiece.
“This is good,” I thought. “They are taking their time on my burrito, putting tender love and care (and seaweed) into my food!”
It wasn’t like an ordinary drive-through, in that the food wasn’t pre-made, sitting there waiting for someone to buy it. This sushi was made to order.
When I finally received my sushi burrito, I took it home and fell in love. It was everything I wanted it to be and more: I was actually full!
Now I make a point to go there every time I’m in Chico. I wish there was a Sushi Burrito King on every corner.
They have reasonably healthy, filling food for a good price. If you’re not adventurous enough for a burrito-sized sushi roll, they have regular sushi rolls and combination boxes as well.
Trust your gut on this one, not your instincts. Try this revolutionary American-sushi phenomenon and you won’t be disappointed.
Sushi King
2190 Esplanade
Chico, CA 95926