What NHL arenas have the best and worst concessions?

[jetsforever]

Last time I was in Houston, I went to a Rockets game and wished that they had an NHL team because that arena was better than most of the NHL ones I've been to (in terms of concessions and such).

 

[LeafsNation75]

The lightning have PDQ for me and poutin for my brother haha. Very good concessions at the Amalie imo.

How good is the Outback Steakhouse concession? I'm going to the Leafs and Lightning game on December 13th in Tampa Bay and when I was looking at the Amalie Arena website, it looked like the best option for something to eat.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Best: Wherever it is, I haven't been there yet.

Worst: All of the arenas with RC Cola as an option...I get the business side of things but...that's just embarrassing.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

How good is the Outback Steakhouse concession? I'm going to the Leafs and Lightning game on December 13th in Tampa Bay and when I was looking at the Amalie Arena website, it looked like the best option for something to eat.

Not sure

 

[Inflict]

Bell MTS Place has some amazing food with lots of options, from hotdogs to perogies. I was never really disappointed with the food. My favourite is a cheeseburger platter with fries or onion rings (with a large pickle slice and coleslaw) costs 13.50 Canadian and it's a damn good burger. Beer and drink prices are ridiculous though.

 

[tucker3434]

It isn’t hockey, but the new sports venues in Atlanta are killing it on concessions. Many of the vendors are well known local restaurants. Arthur Blank did a great job with Mercedes on prices, and all non-alcoholic drinks are free refills. I assume Philips/State Farm has at least somewhat followed suit but I wouldn’t know, haven’t been in quite a while.

But it does seem like most venues have come a long way since the days of $12 frozen Aramark burgers being the only possible option.

 

[ccp14a]

The section in Bridgestone behind Preds the shoot twice goal (Bud Light Fan Zone) has a $15 all-you-can-drink beer wristband. That's enough to win me over. In terms of food though, Dallas actually has some pretty solid restaurants throughout their concourse.

 

[John Price]

There is nearly nothing noteworthy at Capital One Arena. There's just overpriced general fare like hot dogs and chicken tenders. I guess the Rita's Italian Ice is okay but there is not really much I would recommend for anyone coming to see a game in Washington DC. You are better off buying your food outside the arena, eating out there, and then going to the game.

 

[John Price]

I’ve been to all of the NHL and MLB barns on the West Coast and Southwest (Alberta excluded). And the worst I’ve seen of all of those plus the east coast now is the Washington Capitals arena (Capital One Arena).

WORST. FOOD. EVER.

Summation - Crappy Bread, crappy bread, beer, crappy bread, crappy bread, crappy bread and Dunkin’ Donuts.

They may have a championship team but their food selection is dog ****. No, dog **** tastes better than the food they offer there.

Go across town to the Nats ball park, one of the best in all of pro sports.

This needs more emphasis. The only good thing is the arena is plop in the middle of downtown so as someone who goes often to Caps games I find there to be no need to eat inside the stadium. You can easily get happy hour specials outside the stadium and food for less (and larger portions too).

 

[benjiv1]

The typical concession food at the Canadian Tire Centre is nothing to write home about, but they do have some pretty good specialty vendors:

Smoke's Poutine
Smoke's Burritorie
Farm Boy (personal favourite is a cold steak sub with cheese, onions, red peppers and old style mustard)
Fat Boy's BBQ
Golden Palace Egg Rolls

The prices are pretty outrageous though.

 

[Paperbagofglory]

Half of the NHL arenas i went to game me stomach problems. Its risky eating at those places as the health and safety inspections are sub par and the workers are there for minimal wage and don't give a crap if your pizza was dropped on the floor.

 

[Summer Rose]

Gila River Arena has some nice selections. They're good but not great. They're also only about 20% of what's available, and the rest of the offerings are pretty crappy, though I'm a pretty picky eater, so there's that. The booze selection is horrible. For reference, the "best" beer available is your pick between Heineken, Dos Equis, and Blue Moon. I personally prefer wine and the Barefoot brand of wine they serve always tastes like it's a few days away from turning into vinegar. I found a well drink stand once and got a rum and diet Pepsi (GRA serves Pepsi products but that means nothing to me since I'm not a soda drinker) and that was... okay, I guess. Let's just say I wasn't driving home from that game so I was a little gone when I had it. I'd give it an overall rating of slightly below mediocre. Also, they got rid of a fan favorite concession item (Coyotes fans will know what I mean, RIP Macho Nachos) for no good reason.

The same company caters State Farm Stadium across the street where the Arizona Cardinals play. When the Coyotes played at the then-called America West Arena (now called Talking Stick Resort Arena) it was worse though, and it's still bad. I never get anything at Phoenix Suns or Arizona Rattlers games because of it. In contrast, the selection at Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks) is stellar.

 

[fsanford]

Staples concessions suck but that is up from really suck just 4 or 5 years ago.. The moved the carved roast beef sandwiches over from the Forum.

They finally figured out that Budweiser is not the only beer available for consumption.

I believe it has the only McDonalds in the the US where Pepsi products are sold and not coke.

Just not a lot of good options, hopefully this year they moved in some new things, maybe with Lebron coming to town they will feel a need to bring in some new food ideas too..

 

[gearharb]

The Sabres just announced the new concessions at Key Bank Center for 2018-2019:

Buffalo Coney Dog
- Buffalo chicken hot dog w/bleu cheese crumbles + shaved carrots

Chicken/Pork/Shrimp Pho
- Choice of chicken, pork, or shrimp pho w/soft boiled egg, noodles, cilantro, fresh jalapneo, pickled red onion, and spicy veggie broth

 

[Bonzo111]

The typical concession food at the Canadian Tire Centre is nothing to write home about, but they do have some pretty good specialty vendors:

Smoke's Poutine
Smoke's Burritorie
Farm Boy (personal favourite is a cold steak sub with cheese, onions, red peppers and old style mustard)
Fat Boy's BBQ
Golden Palace Egg Rolls

The prices are pretty outrageous though.

yeeah they've gotten way better. used to just be crappy Pizza Pizza, popcorn, hotdogs, pretzels. Now they have Gabriel's pizza and all the new stuff. I like the eggrolls and Farmboy is great. The cold steak sub is amazing indeed.

 

[Jetcetera]

I dont know what you guys pay for beer at your arenas but 10.50 for a budweiser at the MTS center is too damn much

 

[Dolemite]

Gila River Arena has some nice selections. They're good but not great. They're also only about 20% of what's available, and the rest of the offerings are pretty crappy, though I'm a pretty picky eater, so there's that. The booze selection is horrible. For reference, the "best" beer available is your pick between Heineken, Dos Equis, and Blue Moon. I personally prefer wine and the Barefoot brand of wine they serve always tastes like it's a few days away from turning into vinegar. I found a well drink stand once and got a rum and diet Pepsi (GRA serves Pepsi products but that means nothing to me since I'm not a soda drinker) and that was... okay, I guess. Let's just say I wasn't driving home from that game so I was a little gone when I had it. I'd give it an overall rating of slightly below mediocre. Also, they got rid of a fan favorite concession item (Coyotes fans will know what I mean, RIP Macho Nachos) for no good reason.

The same company caters State Farm Stadium across the street where the Arizona Cardinals play. When the Coyotes played at the then-called America West Arena (now called Talking Stick Resort Arena) it was worse though, and it's still bad. I never get anything at Phoenix Suns or Arizona Rattlers games because of it. In contrast, the selection at Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks) is stellar.

Compared to what it was 5-6 years ago, it’s 5 star food.

 

[Cellee]

I dont know what you guys pay for beer at your arenas but 10.50 for a budweiser at the MTS center is too damn much

It should get you 24 budweisers.

 

[PuckItUp27]

MSG and Barclays are both average imo

Haven't been to MSG in a long time but BC is a joke with concessions. Has to one of the highest priced ripoffs in the league. The food selection is eh and the beer selection is AWFUL.

The new coliseum is definitely better. Has all local Long Island restaurants inside and a much better beer selection (including a lot of LI brews along with a beer garden). Beer is still a ripoff at $13 for a 20oz however a double of Knob Creek is $18 ($28 at BC I believe) and a much better value for your money.

Tailgate for 2-3 hours before game, 1 double of whiskey during the game and I'm good to go.

 

[PuckItUp27]

There is nearly nothing noteworthy at Capital One Arena. There's just overpriced general fare like hot dogs and chicken tenders. I guess the Rita's Italian Ice is okay but there is not really much I would recommend for anyone coming to see a game in Washington DC. You are better off buying your food outside the arena, eating out there, and then going to the game.

Hmmm I went there with a group of friends and paid $90 for a ticket on the Caps shoot twice side which included open bar and open buffet with pretty good food for 3 hours. Great deal imo

 

[tarheelhockey]

I dont know what you guys pay for beer at your arenas but 10.50 for a budweiser at the MTS center is too damn much

That's about what it costs at PNC Arena. IIRC, something like $9 for STH and $10.50 for single game ticketholders. That's for a 16oz cup, which is considered a "large". The small is something like $7-8 and I think 12oz.

Food at PNC Arena looks like this:

General concession stands - Same as everyone else, nachos, chicken tenders, pizza, hot dogs, etc.
Grill stand - Same sort of thing but burgers and chicken sandwiches
Market Place - Slightly upscale version of the general concessions, so paninis, gourmet dogs, big pretzels, etc.

NC BBQ Company - Probably the best bet for most people, a really solid NC style pork bbq sandwich for around $10
PDQ - Pretty decent option for arena food, a fresher more upscale option for sandwiches, salads, tenders
Top N' Go Walking Taco - what it sounds like
Sausage Stop - bratwurst and grilled sausage
The Carvery - fancy sandwiches
South Street Cheesesteaks - what it sounds like

Craft brewery stands - currently Foothills, Lonerider, and River's Edge Lodge. Each serves specialty food items as well as their beer.

Twisted Waffle - over-the-top ice cream desserts that are like $10 apiece and worth it
Dippin' Dots and Breyers - sane amounts of ice cream
Sinfully Sinnamon - off brand Cinnabon
Nutty Bavarian - eat some nuts

 

[DannyGallivan]

The prices are too stupid at the Jets' Bell MTS Centre to spend a lot, but if I didn't have supper I'll have a fancy sandwich (reubin or Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich) which a GREAT.

Generally, I'll buy one or two beers at most and maybe a slice of pizza. I can't believe the amount of drunks I see at the games at the prices they charge for booze.

 

[Cellee]

You guys get better prices as season ticket holders?!

 

[Cellee]

The prices are too stupid at the Jets' Bell MTS Centre to spend a lot, but if I didn't have supper I'll have a fancy sandwich (reubin or Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich) which a GREAT.

Generally, I'll buy one or two beers at most and maybe a slice of pizza. I can't believe the amount of drunks I see at the games at the prices they charge for booze.

We used to go to The Tavern across the street between periods, but they shut that down with their stupid re-entry policy.

 

[John Price]

Hmmm I went there with a group of friends and paid $90 for a ticket on the Caps shoot twice side which included open bar and open buffet with pretty good food for 3 hours. Great deal imo

Whilst true you did pay for the open bar and buffet seats. Most people don't which is where the complaints come in. The concourse food is mediocre at best. That being said if you do try Rocklands it is okay.