Check out the new foods you can try at 2022 Cardinals games: Birria burgers to mini tacos

Bahar Anooshahr, Arizona Republic
·2 min read

This year, football season has a new meaning for Arizona. Aside from watching the Cardinals playing, the city of Glendale will be hosting Super Bowl LVII.

“We are doing a lot of planning here for the season and the Super Bowl,” said Chef Sean Kavanaugh, the stadium’s executive chef from Craft Culinary Concepts. “We’ll be ready.”

“Oh my Gosh. I’m excited. I don’t even know what to expect,” said vendor Lola Olivares, “but I am humbled by this opportunity, especially for me as a Mexican-owned, woman-owned business, it’s a huge opportunity. To think I started with a skillet connected to an outlet at a gym at a pop-up and now be here is huge.”

Almost as exciting? New food options for fans. Here's what's on the menu at State Farm Stadium this season.

What new foods will be available at Cardinals games this season?

These are perfect for spice lovers. If spice intimidates you, just dip it in the cheese sauce to mellow them out a bit.
These are perfect for spice lovers. If spice intimidates you, just dip it in the cheese sauce to mellow them out a bit.

This year, Kavanaugh added three new items to the menu.

For those who like a little kick, there are Big Red’s mini tacos made with chicken, cheese and jalapeno. They come with a side of nacho cheese for $7. He also created an “upscale burger." The quesabirria burger is made of half a pound of grilled Omaha steak burger topped with slow braised beef birria, Chihuahua cheese and Jalisco salsa. It’s served on a brioche bun and comes with a side of consume and fries for $16.

Fellow sweet toothers, he has something for you, too. A dozen donut holes dipped in cinnamon sugar are available for $5.

These old favorites back on the menu

The Craft cheesesteak sandwich is back.
The Craft cheesesteak sandwich is back.

Kavanaugh said that they stopped making the craft cheesesteak sandwich during the pandemic since the meat was grilled in front of people. It’s back and still made with sliced beef ribeye, peppers, onions and melted provolone on a soft hoagie roll for $11.

In addition, he brought back Honey Bear's BBQ smoked barbecue chicken, brisket and pork sandwiches.

Also back are the famous pizza box nachos sold at the South Bridge Nacho cart.

Refillable souvenir cups of soda and large souvenir popcorn have returned as well. “It used to be $1 for a refill,” said Kavanaugh, “but we are offering them for free this year.”

A new vendor has moved in to State Farm Stadium

Lola Olivares, who just opened her brick and mortar, was asked to bring her food to the stadium.
Lola Olivares, who just opened her brick and mortar, was asked to bring her food to the stadium.

Another surprise addition to the stadium’s fourth floor is Lola’s Tacos.

Lola Olivares used to sell food from her truck, Big Red, parked outside the stadium. This year she’s inside, offering nachos topped with Sonoran carne asada for $17.50 along with tacos, three for $15.

“I had to bring tacos in here,” said Olivares, “because everybody gets burgers and hot dogs. I think they need some tacos as well.”

 Details: 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale. 623-433-7101, statefarmstadium.com.

Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2022 food options to try at the Arizona Cardinals State Farm Stadium