Going to a Sacramento Kings game? Try these 5 new dishes at Golden 1 Center concession stands

Benjy Egel
·2 min read

The Sacramento Kings are coming off a season in which the team not only busted its 16-year playoff drought, but finished third in a competitive Western Conference. Expectations are high for the 2023-24 season — on the court and in the stands.

Golden 1 Center’s concession options are considered some of the best in American pro sports, and chef Brien Kuznicki will look to maintain that reputation when the season kicks off next week. At least 90% of ingredients used by Kuznicki and his team come from within 150 miles of Golden 1 Center, no small feat for such a super-sized production.

“I’m always going to press the bar. Regardless of (a) win-or-lose season, the food options are always going to be on the high mark,” said Kuznicki, who’s cooked at Golden 1 Center since it opened in 2016 and took over as chef the following year. “But ... the vibe that’s inside here and the buzz that we have, I’ve never felt that before.”

Check out these five new Golden 1 Center food options when you attend Kings games this season:

  • Smokehouse BBQ’s kalua pork plate (Section 201): Shredded pork is slow-cooked for 20 hours, then served with macaroni salad, jasmine rice from Rue & Forsman Ranch in Olivehurst and a purple ube roll in this stadium take on Hawaiian plate lunch.

The kalua pork plate from Smokehouse BBQ is presented at the media food tasting event at the Golden 1 Center on Monday. It features shredded pork, macaroni salad, jasmine rice and purple ube rolls.
The kalua pork plate from Smokehouse BBQ is presented at the media food tasting event at the Golden 1 Center on Monday. It features shredded pork, macaroni salad, jasmine rice and purple ube rolls.

  • Petra Greek’s chickpea gyro (Section 210): One of Golden 1 Center’s better vegetarian options, this wrap from midtown restaurant Petra nestled spiced garbanzo beans, tzatziki, feta and what Kuznicki called “Greek pico de gallo” (tomato, onion and cucumber) in a whole wheat pita.

Petra Greek’s chickpea gyro is one of Golden 1 Center’s vegetarian options during the media food tasting event on Monday.
Petra Greek’s chickpea gyro is one of Golden 1 Center’s vegetarian options during the media food tasting event on Monday.
Cafe Bernardo’s double smash burger is a new menu item for the Sacramento Kings 2023-24 season. The burger is showcased during the Golden 1 Center’s media food tasting event on Monday.
Cafe Bernardo’s double smash burger is a new menu item for the Sacramento Kings 2023-24 season. The burger is showcased during the Golden 1 Center’s media food tasting event on Monday.

  • Centro Cocina Mexicana’s birria grilled cheese (Section 101): It seems like Golden 1 Center always has some birria option and grilled cheese with pulled pork or another meat inside. The two ideas have finally met in this juicy sandwich, created in collaboration with Paragary Restaurant Group chef/partner Kurt Spataro and served with housemade chips.

Centro Cocina Mexicana’s birria grilled cheese served with housemade chips is available at the media food tasting event on Monday.
Centro Cocina Mexicana’s birria grilled cheese served with housemade chips is available at the media food tasting event on Monday.

  • Sugar Coated Cupcakes’ chicken and waffle cupcake (Section 201): Mother-daughter team LaQueanya and Mechiala Henry won the Kings’ inaugural Capitalize: Food cooking competition this summer, landing their cupcakes in The Market Kitchen concession stand. This sweet-savory mix features maple-based cake with maple Swiss meringue, topped by a scratchmade mini maple waffle, buttermilk fried chicken and a maple bourbon pipette.

The chicken and waffle cupcake is presented at the media food tasting event at the Golden 1 Center on Monday.
The chicken and waffle cupcake is presented at the media food tasting event at the Golden 1 Center on Monday.

Sacramento Eats: Recipes from the Capital Region’s Favorite Restaurants and Bars

Pre-order your cookbook here to get recipes from 60 of the Sacramento region’s top restaurants and bars, plus photos and descriptions of what makes each business so exceptional.