Top 8+ Classic Game Day Eats You Can Only Find At Southern Stadiums

Everything from authentic Louisiana po’boys to giant fried turkey legs.

Football and food are two things we take seriously in the South. Both are inherently tied to our emotions; a devastating loss to a rival can throw ardent fans into an extended funk, and the comfort that comes along with a home-cooked meal does wonders for the soul.

The two topics also inspire quite a lot of conversations. Most Southerners have an opinion on which team will make it to the SEC Championship this year, and we’ll debate at length about the exact brand of mayonnaise that should be used on a sandwich. 

With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the culinary options in both college and professional football stadiums across the South are second to none. Sure, there are the classic hot dogs, nachos, and soft pretzels, but you’ll also find some more unique takes on stadium food—like jambalaya, hot chicken mac and cheese, and an extra-special stadium dog topped with a secret tangy sauce, saurerkraut, and onions. Here are some of the fan-favorite eats you'll only find in the South.

Sanford Stadium: Chick-fil-A

Athens, Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs can get their boiled peanuts at Sanford Stadium, but a good old-fashioned Chick-fil-A sandwich and fries combo is a heartier choice. There are a few Chick-fil-A counters around the stadium—Gates 2, 6, 7, 8, and 10; Reed Plaza; Club Level; Sections 313 and 600—so you can snag your favorite item from this beloved Georgia-founded chain wherever is most convenient to your seat.

Lane Stadium: Lane’s Leg

Blacksburg, Virginia

The Hokies like to go big. Case in point: Lane’s Leg, a sizable fried turkey leg that nods to the Hokie mascot, served inside Lane Stadium. If you’re not interested in chowing down on that particular offering, you may want to get yourself a slice from Benny’s. Founded in Blacksburg, the pizza chain is known for its gigantic 28-inch pizzas, and there's even a “slice off,” where two people see who can eat the most pizza in 30 seconds, at each home game. 

AT&T Stadium: Pizza Burger

Arlington, Texas

The Pizza Burger at AT&T Stadium is not for the faint of heart—or anyone who isn’t hungry. The dish is made of a 16-ounce Angus beef patty, lettuce, tomato, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, and sandwiched between two pepperoni pizzas. It’s two stadium favorites in one, and you can get your hands on it while cheering for (or against) the Dallas Cowboys. 

Nissan Stadium: Hot Chicken

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville hot chicken comes in all forms at Nissan Stadium. Hattie B’s has its hot chicken tenders and hot chicken sandwiches for sale, and Tri Star Chicken whips up its hot chicken mac and cheese—a concoction covered in white queso and mixed with popcorn chicken—and serves it cone-style.

Caesars Superdome: Po’boys and jambalaya

New Orleans, Louisiana 

New Orleans has its fair share of must-try dishes—and you can find quite a few of them while watching the Saints play at Caesars Superdome. Make your way to the Bayou Kitchen & Market stands for shrimp baskets, po’boys, a red fish sandwich, and muffuletta. Tony's Chachere's, on the other hand, is known for its alligator sausage po’boy, Cajun sausage po’boy, jambalaya, and crawfish pie. 

Bryant–Denny Stadium: Stadium dog

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The stadium dog associated with Bryant-Denny Stadium and the University of Alabama is legendary. The famed game day food is made with a mustard-and-ketchup-based sauce and topped with a mixture of sauerkraut. Each one is wrapped in foil and placed in a warmer. The secret is in the sauce, but its recipe remains, well, a secret. A new addition to the culinary lineup, however, might shake things up. This year, “The Tusk,” a footlong Conecuh sausage with grilled onions and its own “secret sauce,” is featured on the menu.

Northwest Stadium: Crab rolls

Landover, Maryland

Home to the Washington Commanders, Northwest Stadium recently revealed its concessions for the upcoming season—and there are a few standouts. While some stadium dishes have been around for years, firmly solidifying their place in football fan canon, others are relatively new to the scene (but just as delicious). DMV Crabrolls, located in Section 141, is a particular favorite among fans; the carryout-style egg roll, filled with crab, hits the spot at halftime. 

Bank of America Stadium: Empanadas

Charlotte, North Carolina

When it comes to football season, fans fill Bank of America Stadium to watch the Carolina Panthers face their rival teams. They also come to enjoy a decent food spread, which includes loaded nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, pizza, and empanadas. The latter option is courtesy of Sabor Latin Street Grill, located in Section 101.