We don’t know what will fuel the San Jose Sharks as their quest for the 2019 Stanley Cup begins, but we know the fans in the stands will sure be eating well.
Chomp takes on new meaning this season as SAP Center and its culinary partner, Aramark, unveil a new lineup of food choices. Those include booths from such popular local restaurants as Konjoe Burger Bar, Scott’s Seafood, Nick the Greek, Organic Coup and CREAM as well as the National Hockey League’s first Nachos in a Hockey Helmet (coming in November).
Aramark’s chefs have created new dishes too; those will be available on the Club level. The restaurant additions are on the Concourse level, open to all fans.
Why all the new choices? It’s all about elevating the fan experience, especially for season-ticket holders, said Brian Tuscano, the new Aramark general manager for SAP Center.
“You don’t want to eat the same thing 41 games in a row,” Tuscano said — and that’s not counting playoff games.
We checked out the Aramark offerings during a tasting for the Sharks’ Club level fans. Here’s a roundup of what you can expect — starting tonight, when the puck drops at 7:30 for the first preseason game against the Anaheim Ducks — from that culinary team and the local restaurants:
Arena chefs: The Aramark team has created new sandwiches (smoked brisket grilled with pimento cheese and a bulgogi cheesesteak); a taco trio (roasted chicken, carne asada and heirloom cauliflower, each with a different salsa); a new hot dog (topped with French fries and a tomato escabeche); pulled-pork tamales; and new burgers (including a ground brisket one and the meatless Impossible burger).
Launch Test Kitchen: Every month, Aramark chefs will create something new, with the goal of finding a new signature dish by season’s end. That’s how the taco trio — popular during the last playoff season — joined the menu. This month’s dish from Section 115 is a poke bowl.
Hockey Helmet Nachos: This takes those little baseball stadium ice cream helmets to a whole new level. Picture an NHL helmet big enough for Brent Burns’ head, then fill it with a double order of brisket nachos.
Jane Dough: Aramark’s ice cream purveyor will scoop both that cult favorite, cookie dough, and ice cream.
NorCal Brewing: A new microbrewery area near Section 128 will carry 12 rotating beers on tap and 24 seasonal bottles from local breweries.
Scott’s Seafood: This longtime San Jose fish and seafood restaurant will finally make its way to the Shark Tank. Scheduled to open in November, Scott’s stand will offer lobster rolls, crab cakes, fish and chips and clam chowder.
CREAM: This shop will make its ice cream sandwiches fresh here. You select two freshly baked cookies and decide which ice cream you want sandwiched between them.
Nick the Greek: Look for beef and lamb pitas, chicken gyros, falafel and Nick’s fries from this fast-casual Mediterranean specialist.
Konjoe Burger Bar: The popular stand from the San Pedro Square Market will serve the Konjoe Burger, a basic burger, fried chicken sandwich and home fries.
Organic Coup: The nation’s first fast food to be certified 100 percent organic, this vendor is offering an all-organic menu: fried chicken breast sandwich, chicken tenders, tater tots, even organic beer and lemonade-vodka drinks.
THE VERDICT? After the Aramark tasting, 25-year season-ticket holders Patty and Tricia Brunetti of San Jose — “at one time or another, we’ve tasted everything here” — gave thumbs up to the burgers and cookie dough.
HOW ABOUT YOU? Check in after tonight’s game or during the season and add your thoughts to the article commenting below.