A Foodie’s Guide to Fins Football

Eating your way through a football game never looked so good

Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Stadium
Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Stadium

Hard Rock Stadium (HRS) is all about the sports. But food—and really good food at that—is at the heart of many of the venue’s concessions. Sure, you can grab a Shula burger or a Dolphins dog in between quarters. But if you’re looking for something more chef-driven, local (about 70 percent of food offered at HRS hails from South Florida-based vendors), health-conscious, or just downright delicious, then we’ve got you covered for the 2022-2023 season.

Photo courtesy of Café Versailles
Photo courtesy of Café Versailles

What: Café Versailles 

Where to find It: Section 347

Order up: Grab a classic Cuban sandwich (with a side of plantain chips) or an order of empanadas or croquetas at the HRS outpost of Café Versailles—the Little Havana staple that’s been feeding hungry Miamians with its traditional (and delicious) Cuban cuisine since 1971.

Photo courtesy of Sushi Maki
Photo courtesy of Sushi Maki

What: Sushi Maki

Where to find it: Section 244

Order up: Stadium sushi is a thing. Serving up fresh rolls and poke bowls among other Asian-inspired dishes, this favorite kiosk (complete with long lines) avoids preservatives and responsibly sources their ingredients for a health-conscious game-day choice.

Photo courtesy of Chef Creole
Photo courtesy of Chef Creole

What: Chef Creole 

Where to find it: Section 117

Order up: If comfort food is what you crave, don’t miss the chance to nosh on jambalaya, stewed chicken, oxtail, and conch from this concession stand run by Wilkinson Sejour, who owns seven locations (including the HRS outpost) of this Little Haiti favorite. 

Photo courtesy of O-B House pancakes
Photo courtesy of O-B House pancakes

What: O-B House pancakes 

Where to find it: Section 146 

Order up: Sometimes you just need an order of Fins flapjacks—these sweet offerings from the pancake savants at Fort Lauderdale-favorite O-B House are a must-have on early game days (or any day). The restaurant’s signature buttermilk pancakes come with a selection of toppings, but we’re partial to the blueberry variety. Grab an order during an early matchup, pair it with a Bloody Mary, and score a sweet victory in the stadium concession game. 

Photo courtesy of Mojo Donuts
Photo courtesy of Mojo Donuts

What: Mojo Donuts 

Where to find it: Section 217

Order up: Whether you need a breakfast of champions or a sweet dessert to celebrate a Fins win, find your way through the crowds to Mojo Donuts for their Abuelita donut—filled with arroz con leche (from a 100-year-old recipe) and topped powdered sugar and dulce de leche. Or try the Deco Delight: a donut stuffed with banana puree and topped with blueberries and strawberries. The stand offers a dozen different flavors and creates limited editions for special events. 

Celeb chef David Chang’s fried chicken sandwiches have been a fan-favorite since his HRS joint opened in 2017. Photo courtesy of Fuku
Photo courtesy of Fuku

What: Fuku

Where to find it: Sections 116 and 319

Order up: Celeb chef David Chang’s fried chicken sandwiches have been a fan-favorite since his HRS joint opened in 2017. Options include the classic fried chicken sando and the spicy version (don’t skip the ssäm sauce), but unique to the HRS outpost is the CBR, which takes Chang’s original spicy fried chicken sandwich up a notch with the addition of bacon and ranch. 

Photo courtesy of Veza Sur
Photo courtesy of Veza Sur

Toast Your Team

You can always find a Bud Light or a Heineken to toast the team, but if you’re more of a local beer fan, try these two tasty options from among the more than 15 South Florida–based brews offered in the Tap Room on the 100 level:

• Born & Raised, a 4.9 percent ABV blonde ale that is a collab between Veza Sur and the Dolphins 

• El Jefe, a coconut-based Hefeweizen offered by Wynwood’s own J. Wakefield Brewing 

Avoiding Allergens

Have a food allergy or intolerance? In a first-of-its-kind partnership, the Miami Dolphins have been named a FARECheck partner by FARE, a leading food-allergy advocacy organization.

This season, HRS will become the first NFL venue to create a special kitchen designed to produce allergy-friendly concession offerings. “We spent a great deal of time evaluating the in-stadium experience for the 2021 season,” says Jeremy Walls, senior vice president and chief revenue officer of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium. “Working with FARE will help service our fans and raise awareness on food allergies. The new kitchen will limit the use of gluten, nuts, milk, and shellfish allergens at all [HRS] events, including Miami Dolphins home games, giving every fan…access to allergy-friendly options—with four grab-and-go sites and four concession stands on the 100, 200, and 300 levels.”

“Going out with your family and friends to take in a game is fun and relaxing, especially when you are confident that you will have access to allergy-friendly food options when you need them,” says Lisa Gable, CEO of FARE. “FARE’s partnership with the Dolphins in providing a FARECheck-certified kitchen will help millions of people make food choices that work for them.” 

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