The new food lineup at Lucas Oil Stadium is getting fans even closer to Colts players.
Two Colts have food items being served at the venue this season.
Sodexo Live, which runs foodservice operations at the stadium, recruited All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard and defensive tackle Grover Stewart to help develop specialty dishes.
Leonard teamed with Sodexo chefs to create a Maniac Burger of the Game for each weekend, rotating for each Colts home game and themed for the opposing team’s city’s signature food.
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Proceeds from each burger sold at the stadium will go to the Maniac Foundation, an organization founded by Leonard and his wife, Kayla, to serve families in need and other charitable causes.
Stewart worked with Shimelis “Shumu” Adem, executive chef at the stadium and the Indiana Convention Center, on the Grover Stewart’s Kitchen Sink Wings, which were featured last season on HBO’s “Hard Knocks in Season: The Indianapolis Colts” when he cooked them for teammates.
Those sauced wings are available to guests at Grill N Brews in sections 124, 144 and 533, as well as 327’s Red Zone Grill.
The partnership with the players, dubbed honorary “chief flavor officers” this season, is unique to the stadium and the Colts within the Sodexo system, said Jen Bargisen, a senior executive chef at the company.
It elevates the fan experience, she said.
“We thought this is a great partnership, both on the charitable end of it to help support the Maniac Foundation; and in addition; Grover’s wings. Who wouldn’t want to come and try those?” Bargisen said.
The items are among the new offerings for Colts fans.
What food is available on the General Concourse at Lucas Oil Stadium?
Also waiting for fans on the General Concourse will be:
- Budweiser-infused Braised Brats, made with Indiana sweet corn and bacon relish. It’s available in the Bud Light Party Zone.
- Mac N Cheese Bites.
- Loaded Italian Sausage, with marinara, roasted peppers and onions.
- Onion rings.
- Italian Trio Slider.
- Club Sub.
- Chicken Philly Sandwich.
- Chicken Fajita Salad.
What food is served at Colts games in suites?
Meanwhile, those in the suites can opt for:
- Indiana-raised Bison BBQ Burger Sliders. Red Frazier ground bison, smoked Gouda, caramelized onions, local barbecue sauce and garlic herb spread.
- Three Pigs BBQ Sliders. Pork tenderloin, burnt ends pork belly and twice-smoked pulled pork drizzled with mild John Tom’s Sneaky Hot BBQ sauce.
- Hoosier BBQ Board. Grilled chicken, baby back ribs and twice-smoked beef brisket with local barbecue sauce, jalapeño cornbread and honey butter.
- Ten Spice Pork Rinds. Served with kimchi dip.
- Beyond Beef Nachos. Salsa Mexicana, chile de arbol sauce, jalapeno crema, pickled red onion, guacamole, spiced tortilla chips.
- Smoked Tofu Chimichurri Couscous. Roasted squash, peppers and onion, Argentinian chimichurri, olive oil.
Adult beverages and kiddie meals
Expanded wine and cocktail choices are provided, courtesy of a partnership with St. Elmo Steak House, offering the 2017 Jayson, 2021 Twomey and 2019 The Hess Collection, among others.
New game day cocktails include The Blocker, a mixture of Bacardi rum, sweet tea and lemon juice; and The Gametime, made Patron tequila, pineapple juice and lime juice.
And Peyton Manning continues to loom large at the stadium, which is adding Sweetens Cove Tennessee Bourbon, backed by the former Colts quarterback.
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The youngest fans weren’t left out of consideration for meals.
A group of 14 lucky kids –— children of team employees and fan club members — did taste tests that helped in the crafting of the new kids’ menu.
“As we look at each item, we really dissect those all the way down to the future foodies. We want to make sure they get the fan experience that they’re expecting,” Bargisen said. “It’s not so sophisticated that they don’t enjoy themselves, either.”
Mini corn dogs, a Nutella and berry crunch parfait, and ham and cheese sandwiches are among the selections.
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Menus inspired by the Colts’ opponents
Returning are the meal specials themed for opposing teams for the day.
- Sept 25, Kansas City Chiefs – Smoked and Peppery Strip Away “Sammich Steak.” Smoked provolone cheese, Ghost River golden ale battered onion rings, horseradish, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, Kaiser roll.
- October 2, Tennessee Titans – The Fried Chicken Shack Sandwich. Crispy chicken thigh, secret spices, bread and butter pickles, iceberg lettuce, garlicky mayonnaise, sesame brioche bun.
- October 16, Jacksonville Jaguars – Jax Craft Beer Battered Grouper with Spiced Green Plantain Chips. Burnt green onion remoulade, pickled green tomato, crunchy superfood salad.
- October 30, Washington Commanders – U Street Original Chili Half-Smoke. Griddled pork and beef sausage, raw onion, chili con carne, Sir Kensington’s mustard, brioche split-top bun.
- November 20, Philadelphia Eagles – South Philly-delphia Inspired “Raclette Cheesesteak Melt.” Prime rib roast, caramelized Vidalia onion, sweet hot peppers, secret spices, Amoroso roll.
- November 28, Pittsburgh Steelers – Crispy Hen of the Woods Mushroom and Tangy Sauerkraut Pierogies. Smoked cabbage salad, pickled beets, fresh cream dill.
- December 26, Los Angeles Chargers – City of Angels Santa Maria Steak Street Tacos. Mojo de ajo, raw salsa verde, white onion, cilantro, chile pequin powder, house corn tortillas.
- TBD, Houston Texans – Smoked Brisket Nachos. Smoked pepper queso, avocado crema, pickled red onion, cotija cheese, green onion, tajin.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter: @cherylvjackson.
