Here’s a look at the food at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Today, officials from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in partnership with the venue’s food service provider, Levy Restaurants, unveiled some specialty items that will be available to fans when the stadium opens to the public Aug. 26.
Menu items range from a brat burger ($10) to burnt end nachos ($10) to two tacos with your choice of barbacoa beef or ancho chicken ($7).
Sports lovers who prefer vegetarian fare to meat will find such offerings as a portobello mushroom burger ($6) and a vegetarian Cobb salad ($7 that sees layers of romaine, tomato, cucumbers, red onion, gorgonzola cheese and a chopped hard-boiled egg paired with a house-made Blue cheese dressing.
On the snack side, there are Bavarian pretzels ($6) and pretzel bites ($5) served with a house mustard made with Goose Island’s Goose IPA.
John Nicely, regional executive chef for Levy Restaurants said that numerous components will be made in-house. Working in the massive kitchen – twice the size of that of the Georgia Dome – in the underbelly of the stadium, his team will hand-pack burgers, smoke meat, pickle produce and whip up dressings.
In addition, Nicely noted the freshness of product and its provenance. Meat is sourced from Halperns’; the majority of produce hails from Georgia farms.
While a number of these items can be found at concession stands and carts on every level of the stadium, one station that is unique is the West Nest concession stand, located in Section 324. It is operated by local nonprofit Westside Works and lead by chef Julie Peters who helms its culinary arts program.
The chicken-themed West Nest stand will be manned by Peters and a team of her culinary arts graduates as well as current students. Look for a hand-breaded chicken sandwich made with Springer Mountain Farm chicken topped with local Doux South chow chow on a challah bun by local Engelman’s Bakery. Other items on the West Nest menu include a chicken and waffle bowl and the Hotlanta Chicken Sausage with sautéed peppers and onions on a bun.
When it comes to drinks, 16 bars scattered throughout the stadium will offer beer on tap as well as specialty cocktails ($12), including a couple frozen concoctions.
One thing that fans cannot do is bring in their own food or beverages, a policy that carries over from Georgia Dome days. “You don’t need to with prices like these,” said Mike Gomes, AMB Sports & Entertainment Group’s senior vice president of fan experience.
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About the Author
Ligaya Figueras is the AJC's senior editor for Food & Dining. Prior to joining the AJC in 2015, she was the executive editor for St. Louis-based culinary magazine Sauce. She has worked in the publishing industry since 1999 and holds degrees from St. Louis University and the University of Michigan.
