Local sports-themed restaurants and bars are ready for the big game
From a burger named after Julian Edelman — complete with six (onion) rings — to a hometown sports bar across from TD Garden pulling double duty before the Super Bowl with a Celtics game, to a Gillette Stadium venue stocking almost 1,000 pounds of chicken wings and tenders, local sports-themed restaurants and bars are ready for the big game.
The National Retail Foundation estimates 13 million Americans will watch Super Bowl LIII in a bar or restaurant, and that’s big business for the hospitality industry. Last month, the National Chicken Council projects an estimated 1.38 billion wings will be consumed during Super Bowl weekend, up two percent, or about 27 million wings, from 2018.
“As a whole, yes the industry benefits by all the success of the local teams,” said Steve Clark, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. “Most restaurants started planning their catering menu weeks ago, in anticipation of this weekend. As the Patriots have been in 9 Super Bowls, I think most operators are well prepared for what needs to be done.”
James Ferola, general manager at The Greatest Bar, across from TD Garden, said his staff is working around the clock to prepare for the Big Game.
“Obviously we’ve been incredibly fortunate where we’ve had a multitude of championships,” said Ferola. “It is just a regular thing for us now with three back-to-back Super Bowls.
