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University of Minnesota Athletics
New Food Options Flooding Into West Plaza
8/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 23, 2017
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Gopher Athletics recently hosted its Fan Advisory Board inside one of the kitchens at TCF Bank Stadium for an exclusive food-tasting in advance of debuting four new, Minnesota-based food partners and a host of new menu options in the West Plaza of the stadium at the Aug. 31 season-opener against Buffalo.
The four new food vendors, which will operate out of storefront shells and tents in the West Plaza, include: Ike's Restaurant, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, Curds & Cakes, and Jax Café. These new vendors will add dozens of new food items to the existing TCF Bank Stadium menu. The West Plaza will also be serving a greater variety of soft drinks, beer and wine than ever before. Additional high-top tables and a drink rail overlooking the field will provide fans with new ways to enjoy the game from the plaza.
The new menu items are part of an effort to address feedback from fans asking for more food options at Gopher football games. The West Plaza was a natural fit to host these new options as TCF Bank Stadium's largest and most popular gathering space.
A listing of new options that were sampled as part of the recent food-tasting event are listed below. Find your favorites now and be sure to get them in the West Plaza on Aug. 31!
Curds & Cakes
Cheese Curds made from Ellsworth Creamery cheese curds and covered with Curds & Cakes signature batter before frying to a golden brown.
Jalapeno Cheese Curds coated in jalapeno batter and covered with sliced jalapenos and fried golden brown.
Surly "Furious" Beer-Battered Cheese Curds drenched in Surly Furious beer batter and fried golden brown.
Ike's
Pot Roast Sandwich featuring slow-braised chuck, crispy fried onions and creamy horseradish on a Brioche roll.
Roast Turkey Breast Sandwich with thin-sliced, citrus and herb-roasted turkey piled high with Applewood smoked bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato and Chipotle aioli on cranberry and wild rice bread.
Minnesota Chopped Salad combining citrus-marinated, slow-roasted turkey with local field greens, Applewood smoked bacon, tomato, red onion, provolone and puffed Minnesota wild rice in creamy Chipotle dressing.
Cinnamon Bread Pudding built on Franklin Street Bakery's soft brioche roll and lightly baked with Irish cream, cinnamon and sugar before being served warm with vanilla bean ice cream, caramel and chocolate.
Jax Café
Jax Cheese Steaks with seven ounces of shaved Ribeye, griddled onions, provolone, Jax seasoning and a hint of au jus, served on Rotella's bun with classic cheese sauce.
Boneless Buffalo Wings tossed in Frank's hot sauce and served by the half-pound with sides of celery and ranch dressing.
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog served crispy, featuring an all-beef dog wrapped in Hormel bacon, with options to add Sriracha, Cholula, mustard and ketchup.
Buffalo Sauce Flavored Chips made in-house by Jax staff, baked in buffalo sauce and served with ranch dressing.
Pimento Jamaican Kitchen
Kingston Style Jerk Chicken fire-roasted after being marinated in Pimento's signature jerk rub, then served with coconut rice and beans, Jamaican slaw, citrus vinaigrette and vanilla-laced friend plantains.
Slow-Roasted Jerk Pork marinated in Pimento's signature jerk spices and slow-cooked, paired with coconut rice and beans, Jamaican slaw, citrus vinaigrette and vanilla-laced friend plantains.
Jamaican Beef Patty served with curry-laced dough after baking to golden brown, with a side of mango neutralizer sauce.
Flavor-Enhancing Sauces including "Minnesota Nice" (mild-medium jerk BBQ), "Kingston Kick" (hot jerk BBQ with garlic and chilies) and "Kill Dem Wid It!" (signature extra hot sauce with habanero, lime, soy and fresh herbs).
