Sunday, August 20, 2000
Stadium chow gets standing ovation
By Chuck Martin
The Cincinnati Enquirer
There might be an argument that food and service at Paul Brown Stadium is more critical than throughout the rest of the NFL because Bengals fans have needed a distraction while watching the home team lose, at least for the last decade.
So they eat.
And if that's true, the fans may have some delicious distractions in store this season. The food service operated by ARAMARK on all levels of the new stadium appeared to go smoothly Saturday night, pleasing fans with the selection and quality of concessions, and fast, friendly service.
“The service was great,” said Clyde Hampton, 43, of New Paris, Ohio, while pol ishing off a bratwurst before the game outside the stadium. “They even dug down real deep (in the ice) to get me a cold Coke.”
The Bengals brag they have 400 points of sale for food and beverage at the stadium — creating a better concessions-to-fan ratio than any other NFL team. For those who attended Saturday's game, that wasn't difficult to believe. Every few yards, around almost every corner, there was a snack or drink stand, staffed with a gang of cheery vendors. They greeted customers with “Welcome to Paul Brown Stadium” and sent them off with a bright “Enjoy the game.”
“They're very friendly,” said J.B. Hutton, 38, of West Chester, who was polishing off a cheese coney on the plaza level.
"But let's wait and see what they're like at the end of the season,” added his wife, Paula, 35.
A season-ticket holder, Mr. Hutton thought some of the food prices were high.
“Four dollars for a Coke is a little steep,” he said.
Lori Willke of Harrison, agreed, rolling her eyes at the $2 price for a small tube of Pringles potato chips.
“Yeah, it's pretty expensive,” said her 12 year-old daughter, Brittany.
But at least before the game began, the wait at concessions stands was brief, so fans seemed to be more forgiving of the prices.
Mary Jo Bustle, 49, and her husband, Denny, 50, of Lebanon said they rarely eat more than peanuts at Bengals games. But Saturday night, they went directly to a food stand to buy Italian sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions.
“This is very good,” Ms. Bustle said. “Especially with beer.”
Up on the club level, chardonnay-sipping fans with sweaters tied around their shoulders selected from a more exclusive menu and dined with a stunning view of downtown Cincinnati.
A tall-toqued chef dressed in white carved adobo-flavored roast pork for those standing in the buffet line. He carefully arranged the moist meat on cilantro rice with colorful roasted peppers and juicy bits of orange.
“This is wonderful,” Debbie Pizzoferrato of Wil der said, between bites of the Mexican-influenced dish.
Added her friend, Gary Cobb of Alexandria, an offensive lineman on the 1960 Buffalo Bills: “We didn't have this kind of food when I was playing.”
Patrons on the stadium club level could also choose from upscale items, such as bourbon jack chicken sandwiches and antipasto salad. Cincinnati Police Sergeant Thomas Reid, 49, took a break from duty to swallow a chicken Caesar salad wrap sandwich.
“This was surprisingly good,” said Sgt. Reid. “And I've been to a lot of Bengals games.”
The only complaint Bette and Pete Feldhaus of Arlington Heights could offer was the lack of places to prop their sandwiches on the lower plaza level of the new stadium.
“If they could put some tables in here it would be great,” said Ms. Feldhaus, 52, while leaning on one of the stainless-steel islands equipped with condiments and napkins.
She admitted she is one of those Bengals fans who tend to eat more when the team is behind on the scoreboard.
This year, other fans might share her vice.
The Bengals like to boast the comfy seats in the new stadium are 20 inches across — 1 inch wider than other NFL stadium seats.
If the food and service at Paul Brown Stadium stay this good for the rest of the season, fans might need that extra inch of seat room.
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Stadium chow gets standing ovation