By Elizabeth Sims
This Sunday, America’s unofficial holiday, the Super Bowl, will kick off promptly at 6:30 p.m. In millions of homes across the United States, fans will gorge themselves on chicken wings, hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos and beer. However, if you are a college student, buying a plethora of food and snacks for the big game can be both difficult and expensive. So, we here at The Marlin Chronicle have compiled the top 10 best places to go for food on Super Bowl Sunday. Everything from local pubs, restaurants and even our own VWC events are here, providing a great list of places to go.
VWC:
Super Bowl Viewing, Boyd Dining Center
An annual tradition here at VWC, the Cafe will be showing the game on the big projection screen in the Boyd Dining Center. Perfect for those who can’t get off campus or are strapped for cash, the Cafe will be serving wings, fries and all the party food you could want. While the food may not be on par with the quality listed above, it is the only option that is buffet style, meaning you can literally eat until you drop. Or, until the team you’re rooting for loses.
Super Bowl Viewing, Village 3 Apartments
Coordinated by the Village Coordinators and Resident Assistants of Village 3, the first ever V3 Apartment Viewing party will take place in the common area on the first floor with plenty of wings, root beer kegs (supposedly) and other tasty snacks. A great option for those that don’t want to venture to the Cafe, but want better food, this atmosphere will undoubtedly provide a better environment for screaming at the TV than the Cafe. However, if you’re looking to find an atmosphere with a plethora of gargantuan TV’s, quality restaurant food and plenty of beer and drinks, this is not the place to go to.
Restaurants:
Lulu’s Smokehouse & Tavern, 2181 Upton Drive, Virginia Beach 23454
Opened in August of 2013, Lulu’s Smokehouse & Tavern has established itself as one the area’s best spots for food on game day. They have a dedicated football specials menu, which starts an hour before the big game and goes until the fourth quarter of the game. Featuring fried pickles, pork sliders and buffalo chicken tacos, the football specials offer fantastic game day bites that are all under $10. The real winner is the Pigskin Nachos, which, for $8, offers a plate of succulent, fried and crispy pork skins smothered in beer cheese, chipotle sour cream, lettuce and smoked tomato salsa. If the food isn’t enough, Lulu’s drink menu has over 100 beers and over 150 bourbons and whiskeys, which all, coincidentally, pair perfectly with the wide variety of ribs, brisket and other barbeque on their menu. As if that’s not enough, Lulu’s also allows you to call in your order for pickup in their restaurant, making the process of eating good food pretty simple. The only knock is that Lulu’s is a good 30-35 minutes away from VWC, so if you do plan on going, plan accordingly.
The Thirsty Camel, 394 West Ocean View, Norfolk 23503
Located in the parking lot of the Ocean View Fishing Pier, this restaurant may look a bit run down, but has some serious attitude that makes it a unique place to watch the big game. This dive bar features numerous flat screens, a local vibe and a life-sized camel replica at the front door. If a drink is what you’re after, they make their own Bloody Mary garnished with Old Bay Seasoning and a great selection of domestic beers. Some popular local favorites are the half-pound cheeseburger, prime rib sandwich or pound of boiled or fried shrimp. If you’re looking for a quirky place to grab some good food on game day, head on over to The Thirsty Camel.
Shorebreak Pizza and Sports, 2941 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, 23451
A local favorite for pizza, Shorebreak is also famous for its sports forward attitude. The pizza joint has 40 flat screen TV’s and three 8 foot high definition projectors, all dedicated to every sport televised. However, they’re just as serious about food as they are about sports. Whether it’s the “Build Your Own Burger” or their monster pizza sizes, the food is no joke. They’ve even been named “Best Pizza in Virginia Beach.” Unfortunately, their famous $7.99 Sunday pizza special isn’t available during football season, but their draft beers are always cold and they feature a “Super Bowl Sundae,” with Edy’s ice cream and hot homemade brownies. Head to Shorebreak if you’re looking for a loud, raucous atmosphere with fans of all ages.
Buffalo Wild Wings, all locations
It’s doubtful you need to hear us sing the praises of this popular restaurant chain, but in case you’ve never been, here’s the scoop on the game day hub known as B-Dubs. Founded in 1981 in Columbus, Ohio, this go-to wing joint expanded rapidly and has at least one location in every state. However, their true passion isn’t found in the opening of new restaurants, but in their motto: “Wings. Beer. Sports.” And it’s serious business for all three. Every location has a full bar, at least 30 flat screen TV’s, and a wide selection of wing flavors and sauces. You can keep it classic with their traditional bone-in wings or go boneless for an easier meal. They have over 20 sauce options, colored coded from dark green (not at all spicy) to deep red (terrifyingly hot in the best way), any of which can be added to wings or other menu items like quesadillas, wraps, or side items. They have vast and varied drink menu from non-alcoholic custom lemonades (we recommend the Huckleberry Lemonade) to alcoholic beverages such as local and craft beers. However, if B-Dubs is your game day hotspot, you should get there early. This crowd favorite fills up quick on Sundays.
Azalea Inn & Time Out Sports Bar, 2344 East Little Creek Road, Norfolk, 23518
One of the largest sports bars in Norfolk, this family run Greek establishment has more than one claims to fame that make both a fun and delicious way to spend any game day. Their pizza was named “Best in Hampton Roads” and the dough is all homemade in house. The staff is known for their friendly service and there 20 flat screens to enjoy any game. If you’re heading there with a group, you can call ahead and get prime seats when you make a reservation. For food and drink, we recommend the Azalea burger (a juicy burger with ham, mushrooms and Provolone cheese, paired with any bottle from their large selection of wines, including some Greek wines.
The Red Dog Saloon, 1421 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, 23517
You enjoy both the big game and some energizing nightlife at this downtown Norfolk bar. This busy location features numerous flat screens, a heated patio area, and custom made Bloody Marys. They also have a fantastic Sunday dinner special that gets you a 16-inch cheese pizza and four jumbo chicken drumsticks for $9.99. However, one thing that makes Red Dog a local favorite is the serving of Back Bay Brewing Co. beers. Try the Back Bay Beach Cruiser if you’re looking for a new beer favorite. Beware, this location will be jam packed for the Super Bowl, according to their website, so get there early if this is where you want to be Sunday.
The Dirty Buffalo, 4110 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, 23508
The Dirty Buffalo is a great place to go if you want great food and quick service before heading to watch the game. A quick service restaurant means you buy food at the counter and typically pick it up at a window, similar to what Five Guys Burgers does. You can stay and watch the game on one of their three TV’s while eating some of the best southern cooking in downtown Norfolk. Try one of their “dirty plates,” such as their Dirty Chick which is chicken tenders over mac ‘n cheese, home fries and smothered in their Dirty sauce. This is a great place to watch the game if you don’t want to be surrounded by rowdy fans, but instead prefer the company of the more soothing companion of BBQ and wings.
The Birch Bar, 1231 West Onley Street, Norfolk,23507
For those of you out there that really don’t care about men chasing after a ball, but want a fun night out regardless, we’ve got just the place for you. However, The Birch Bar isn’t your average wings, beers and karaoke type bar. Expect to spend a bit more money at The Birch Bar for some of the best grilled cheese in Tidewater. These aren’t your average grilled cheeses though. The finest cheeses and some interesting ingredients are paired to make these gourmet comfort sandwiches. We recommend the My Blueberry Nightmare, sourdough bread with smoked buffalo mozzarella, fontina, proscuitto and blueberry balsmic. Wash it down with any of their craft beers like the Kiuchi Hitachino Espresso Stout or the Green Flash Symposium IPA to finish a relaxing Sunday night.
