by Kara Kimbrough
It's almost Super Bowl Sunday, and, like most Americans, you’re likely gearing up for a festive afternoon of football, friends and family or food. Hopefully, February 7 will contain a combination of all. Whether you're hosting a big event or a guest at a watch party for two, fast fix or pick-up meals are the best way to go. There’s no better way to kick back, relax and cheer on your team than by letting a restaurant or supermarket do the work for you.
Super Bowl excitement aside, most places can use the extra business as they struggle to get back on their feet after a year of uncertainly.
Perennial Super Bowl favorites, all of which are relatively easy to eat while watching the big game, include pizza, sliced submarine sandwiches, pulled pork, burgers and sliders, nachos, loaded potato skins, chips and dips, hot dogs and, a crowd-favorite, wings.
Here are just a few places to consider when seeking to savor Super Bowl Sunday and enjoy the game without the added stress of cooking. Make sure to place your order a few days in advance and check ordering and pick-up dates.
Who doesn’t love wings on Super Bowl Sunday? Instead of slaving over a stove, pick up a few dozen wings (most of these restaurants also offer party packs of pulled pork, ribs and other barbecue items) from one of these restaurants’ known for outstanding wings:
Murky Waters BBQ in Hattiesburg, Gulfport and Ocean Springs (pictured below)
The Pig & Pint, Jackson
American Wings & Café, Hattiesburg
Mister P’s Buffalo Wings, Southaven
Ubon’s Barbecue, Yazoo City
Besides the national chains, all of which do an admirable job of creating (and delivering) delicious pizzas, picking up or ordering a pizza for the game is as easy as calling or stopping by one of these standouts:
Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza – Jackson, Biloxi and Madison
Soulshine Pizza Factory – Ridgeland, Flowood and Oxford
Pizza Shack – Jackson, Madison and Clinton
Lost Pizza – Flowood
Mercury Pizza Co. – Hattiesburg
When it comes to party trays, it’s hard to beat the pricing and versatility offered by supermarkets, most of whom offer specials for big game feasting on trays of fried chicken, cheeses, chopped vegetables, dips and single-serve desserts like brownies and cookies. A few standout specials (prices may vary per store) for the upcoming game include:
Kroger – Party pan of barbecue ribs - $24.99; wing or tenders tray-$24.99; fresh vegetables or fruit with dip trays ($24.99-$29.99); iced brownies platter-$19.99.
Walmart – Sandwich tray (medium serves 16-20; large serves 20-24); wings tray (small serves 12–16, medium serves 20–24; large serves 28–32)-prices vary per store.
Whole Foods Market – choose from an impressive lineup of appetizers, crudités and meats to go. Or, pick up an impressive charcuterie board ($139.99) made of a deluxe selection of artisan sopressa, Felino, Calabrese, prosciutto and European cheeses, served with crackers and baguettes.
Last, here’s my go-to Super Bowl recipe from Pepperidge Farms. It has received compliments at every Super Bowl party to which I’ve taken it. Easy to make and filled with savory bacon, potato chips and bread, it contains all the elements of a perfect Super Bowl spread.
Loaded Potato Chip Spirals
Ingredients:
- Half of a 17.3-ounce package Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed
- 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese spread, softened
- 3/4 cup crushed kettle cooked potato chips (any flavor)
- 2 green onions, minced (about 1/4 cup)
- 3 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (I usually add a couple more slices)
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet lightly to remove fold marks. Spread cheese on the pastry sheet to within 1/2-inch of the edge. Sprinkle with the crushed chips, green onions and bacon. Starting at a short side, roll up like a jelly roll. Place the pastry, seam-side down, onto a baking sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until the pastry is firm.
Cut the pastry crosswise into 20 (1/2-inch) slices. Place the slices, cut-side down, onto 2 baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Let the pastries cool on the baking sheets on wire racks for 10 minutes. Serve with sour cream and salsa for dipping.